I love how many of you who visit each day are from different countries and different faiths! I appreciate that from time to time you graciously allow me to share tidbits of mine. This season of Advent before Christmas is one I look forward to all year because it is filled with traditions, preparation, hope, and the chance to start anew. I wanted to share a few of these advent traditions with you in case you were also hoping to find renewal in this season on your own or with your family.
Christmas Book Advent Calendar – We put away all the Christmas books each year so that they are like new come December. Jolly old St. Nicholas always brings a few new ones to add to the mix. A few years ago I started wrapping them up and adding numbers to them to unwrap one for story time each night. I saw this idea a while ago from a swedish blog (wish I could remember where!). It gave them something fun to look forward to, without blowing through all the books in one day. Although I legitimately feel too lazy to wrap 25 books this year, so unless an elf shows up at my door, we may just leave them in a basket by the fireplace. So here’s an old pic of our first one. I’ve linked some favorite books here as well for all ages.
Books for a christmas book advent calendar:
Advent wreath and readings – Each night we try to gather as a family right after dinner to read a short scripture verse around our lighted advent wreath and nativity scene (purple is a symbol of royalty and pink is a symbol of hope) . We use this calligraphic card pack that has a verse on the back of each illustrated number. We displayed as a tree last year, and this year I just stacked them by the wreath. Gabriel and Veronica take turns reading each night. It’s only a few minutes, but it always sparks questions about the Christmas story. (Our simple advent wreath is just faux eucalyptus garland around a gold wreath candle holder + advent candles.)
The Giving Manger – I wasn’t sure how my little ones would respond to this a few years ago when we started this tradition. I was blown away by how eager they were to do acts of kindness and service to fill the manger with hay. This comes with a book that explains the meaning behind doing small things as gifts to Jesus. It keeps our thoughts focused on the fact that it is His birthday, and every thing we do for others makes more room in our hearts for more love.
Advent Chains – This is one I have done since I was a little girl. There are several ways to make and do them! My mom would have a bunch of ideas in a jar we could pull out and try to do that day before taking an advent chain ring off. I have also done it just as a countdown chain till Christmas. This year, Veronica’s teacher made a printable that we could print on paper and cut into strips. Each strip had an act of service or kind deed to challenge the students to do that day. Of course Max and Gabriel wanted in on it too so we made a few;)
Sunday craft – I always pin an abundance of ideas of what I would love to do with my kids through December, and I always feel deflated at the end of the month for the lack of craftiness that was accomplished. So to be perfectly honest with myself this year my goal was simplified to one Christmas craft a week….on Sundays our dedicated day of rest. This is also comical because who actually feels like crafts with kids are restful? No one. I wanted them to be homemade gifts we can send to their cousins and grandparents.
I was so exuberant that we finished the first one….cinnamon scented no bake ornaments. We had them out to dry after they painted them, and that afternoon I found them all broken into one hundred pieces. Some busy little hands found the opportunity to irresistible to pass up. (ahem Rocco)
These are just a few ideas, but if you haven’t done a darn thing for advent or Christmas yet, I’ve been there many times. Sometimes life has seasons of being so full, that adding anything extra seems overwhelming. Make your own traditions in your own capacity and your family will love them because they came from you! I am motivated by my children who remind me many times to pull out the books and the manger and such, because they get so excited about familiar traditions. Little things are such a big deal to them. I would love to hear about the ones you all do in your own homes across the globe!
Happy Advent!
*Most of our decorations are from last year, but here are some similar village houses for the mantel!
