A new Church year is upon us. That means the season of Advent has arrived. During the season of Advent we wait for our Lord’s coming even as we live now in his forgiveness. We live and wait in hope as we remember the ways in which our God in Christ has come and promises to come again for us. He has come for us in the incarnate Jesus Christ. He continues to come for us even now through the person of Jesus Christ as he is present in the hearing of the Word, and in the Holy Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. He promises to return to us in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ to bring to completion the entire work of salvation that he began through Christ’s incarnation. During Advent, we consider all of these ways in which God is present for us in Christ and at the same time we move closer and closer to the day in which we celebrate this God who comes near to us by celebrating his birth.
Throughout the history of the Church, households have celebrated Advent and prepared for Christmas morning in many ways. Perhaps your household has a few cherished traditions. In any case, below are a few ideas:[1]
Throughout the history of the Church, households have celebrated Advent and prepared for Christmas morning in many ways. Perhaps your household has a few cherished traditions. In any case, below are a few ideas:[1]
1. An Advent Wreath with candles. Since we use an Advent Wreath at Atonement on Sunday mornings during the season of Advent, this is a great way to connect your family devotion life to the worship of the Church at large. You could use a blue table cloth to fit with the color of the season and the family members could say a prayer and take turns lighting the candle.
2. Sing or speak the verses of O Come, O Come Emmanuel before or after a meal. This is a well-known and beloved Advent hymn.
3. An interactive Nativity Set. This could be a great way to teach the Christmas story and build anticipation for the celebration of Christ’s birth. You could put the stable and the manger on one side of the room and the Holy Family on the other side. Each Sunday of Advent you could move them a little closer and talk about the journey Mary and Joseph took.
4. An Advent calendar. Count down to Christmas Day as a family and heighten the anticipation.
5. An Advent devotional booklet. You can find many different titles on cph.org. Some suggestions are:
6. Attend Midweek Advent Services at a local congregation.
In whatever way you plan to prepare to celebrate anew our Lord’s birth this Advent season, it is my prayer that it be safe and filled with great meaning that leads the whole family to trust more and more God’s love and forgiveness that has come through his Christ.
In Christ,
Pastor Josh
[1] Many items on this list are compiled from the online blog entitled, “Conversion Diary” at http://www.conversiondiary.com/2010/11/what-are-some-baby-steps-for-celebrating-advent.html
2. Sing or speak the verses of O Come, O Come Emmanuel before or after a meal. This is a well-known and beloved Advent hymn.
3. An interactive Nativity Set. This could be a great way to teach the Christmas story and build anticipation for the celebration of Christ’s birth. You could put the stable and the manger on one side of the room and the Holy Family on the other side. Each Sunday of Advent you could move them a little closer and talk about the journey Mary and Joseph took.
4. An Advent calendar. Count down to Christmas Day as a family and heighten the anticipation.
5. An Advent devotional booklet. You can find many different titles on cph.org. Some suggestions are:
- Martin Luther’s Christmas Book by Roland Bainton ($10.99)
- Savior of the Nations Devotional Book ($2.29)
- Away In A Manger Devotional Book ($.99)
- Come Lord Jesus: Daily Devotions For Advent ($.99)
6. Attend Midweek Advent Services at a local congregation.
In whatever way you plan to prepare to celebrate anew our Lord’s birth this Advent season, it is my prayer that it be safe and filled with great meaning that leads the whole family to trust more and more God’s love and forgiveness that has come through his Christ.
In Christ,
Pastor Josh
[1] Many items on this list are compiled from the online blog entitled, “Conversion Diary” at http://www.conversiondiary.com/2010/11/what-are-some-baby-steps-for-celebrating-advent.html
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