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Celebrating Advent at Home
Don’t let busyness keep you from the real business of Christmas
By Sallie Hagen.
If you’re run ragged with Christmas preparations, consider taking time out to focus on the coming of Christ by having nightly family Bible devotions together.
Advent began on November 29 this year and ends on December 24. During Advent, Christians look forward to celebrating the Nativity of Christ, and also look forward to the second coming of Christ.
Advent Storybooks
Some of my favorite story books used to celebrate Advent at home include Arnold Ytreeide’s Advent trilogy, which includes Jotham’s Journey, Bartholomew’s Passage and Tabitha’s Travels. Each book is an exciting adventure story set at the time of Jesus’ birth and is divided into daily Advent readings with corresponding devotionals. Though hard to find in recent years, the first two books have been reprinted due to overwhelming demand and are now readily available. The stories were ideal for our entire family. Each reading is such a cliffhanger, that the kids begged for the next one. We eagerly looked forward to each day’s reading and you will too!
Bible Reading Plan
For a focused Bible reading plan option, try this one specifically designed with weekly Advent themes of hope, peace, joy and love.
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Hope
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Peace
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Joy
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Love
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Isaiah 40:1-5
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Isaiah 40:9-11
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Habakkuk 3
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Zephaniah 3:14-20
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Psalm 42
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Philippians 4:4-7
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John 16:5-28
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Psalm 89:1-4
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Romans 8:18-27
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Jeremiah 33:7-16
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Isaiah 55:9-13
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Ephesians 2:1-10
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Isaiah 11:1-10
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Isaiah 42:1-9
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Psalm 66
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Isaiah 9:6-7
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Hebrews 6:13-20
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Zechariah 9:9-17
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1 Peter 1:3-9
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Luke 2:1-20
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Psalm 33
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2 Corinthians 1:2-5
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Psalm 96
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Isaiah 35
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Isaiah 52:7-10
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Isaiah 12
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Jesse Tree
Another meaningful way to celebrate Advent is to create a Jesse tree. In addition to reading selected passages, special symbolic ornaments are created to represent Jesus’ ancestors and the events leading to Jesus’ birth. Afterwards, the ornaments help children to easily recall the various Bible stories of Jesus’ ancestors. Jesse Tree books and ornament patterns are also widely available if you’d like some help pulling it all together.
Adam and Eve- Apple (Genesis 2:4-3:24)
Noah-Ark or rainbow (Genesis 6:11-22, 7:17-8:12, 20-9:17)
Abraham- Knife (Genesis 12:1-7, 15:1-6)
Isaac- Ram (Genesis 22:1-19)
Jacob- Ladder (Genesis 27:41-28:22)
Joseph- Colorful coat (Genesis 37, 39:1-50:21)
Moses- Tablets of the law (Exodus 2:1-4:20)
David- Harp (1 Samuel 16:17-23)
Isaiah- Lion and lamb (Isaiah 1:10-20, 6:1-13, 8:11-9:7)
Mary- Lily (Luke 1:26-38)
Elizabeth- Small home (Luke 1:39-55)
Joseph- Hammer or saw (Matthew 1:18-25)
Advent Wreath
Consider incorporating an Advent wreath into any of the above Advent activities. It consists of an evergreen wreath with four candles, three purple and one pink one. Light one purple candle the first week of Advent, two during the second week, three during the third week, and light all four during the fourth and final week. Some variations also include a white candle in the center, which is lit on Christmas day signifying the birth of Jesus. In our home, it’s a special responsibility to light the Advent candles.
It’s not too late to focus on Christ this Christmas season. Advent is a meaningful family tradition that will bless your family for years to come, even to eternity.
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