Why Advent is Worth Your Time This Year
First, let me say this is not me asking you to add something to your ever-growing to-do list this Christmas season. I know it’s packed. Instead, I want to use this space to persuade you that Advent might be the very thing you and your family need this year.
The Latin word Advent means “coming.” Advent dates back to the fourth century as Christians set aside the four Sundays before Christmas Day to mark Christ’s first coming and anticipate His second coming. During these weeks leading up to December 25, followers of Jesus intentionally meditate on themes of hope, peace, joy, and love.
Why Advent might be the very thing you need this year
Advent is an individual and communal practice. Most of us are lonely, frustrated, confused, and sad. Advent welcomes these emotions and feelings. It doesn’t shy away from grief or longing. The historical setting of Advent is purposed for believers to sit in the darkness, lament, and remind one another that the Light of the World has come, and He will come again.
If you feel that the world around you is about to snap, your heart needs Advent.
If you feel anxious about the chaos you see in yourself and those around you, your soul needs Advent.
If this season of consumerism overwhelms you, your body needs Advent.
If the grief of this past year just won’t let go, your tears need Advent.
If your heart and mind are constantly racing and moving to the next thing, your mind needs Advent.
If you are tired, numb, and apathetic, you need Advent.
How do I celebrate Advent?
Out of the numerous Advent traditions, our family loves the Advent wreath and lighting the candles. A quick Google search will give you ample ideas of how to do this, but I encourage you to keep it simple. Other Advent traditions include calendars of chocolate or small gifts, waiting to put Christmas decorations up until Christmas Day, feasting, fasting, and purposely sitting in the darkness. It can be easy to turn Advent into a countdown to Christmas Day, but it is not a countdown. Advent is a time of preparing our hearts and minds so that when Christmas Day arrives, we are ready to worship our Savior King, who came as a baby in meekness and humility and who will come again in glory and power.
Years ago, we began inviting friends on Sunday evenings to eat dinner and light the Advent candle. We sit around the table catching up over a bowl of warm soup and crusty bread, then move into a time of shutting off the lights to light the Advent candle(s) for that week. Sometimes, depending upon the musicality of our friends, we sing Christmas hymns while our kids dance with cookie crumbs flinging in every direction. These Advent Sundays are our favorite times.
Advent is for kids too
Because Advent is repetitive, children have the opportunity week after week to grasp the redemptive narrative woven throughout the Bible. My husband, Lee, and I have seen great growth in our children, especially their understanding of God’s Word. As they have gotten older, we invite them to light the candles and retell the themes of hope, peace, joy, and love that we see in God’s big story.
Before your mind starts reeling with ideas and to-do lists, I invite you to pray and ask God how your family can celebrate Advent to God’s glory. It could be as simple as a trip to the Dollar Tree for some colored candles and some greenery. If you are looking for some ideas and resources to get you started, below are some of our favorite reading plans, songs, and books that provide space for us to mourn the darkness, remember the beauty of Jesus’ first coming, and anticipate the glory of His second coming.
Advent Bible Reading Plans
She Reads Truth/He Reads Truth
The Daily Grace Co.
Come, Let Us Adore Him by Paul David Tripp
Heaven and Nature Sing: 25 Advent Reflections to Bring Joy to the World by Hannah Anderson
Music
Melanie Penn, Immanuel
Christy Nockels, The Thrill of Hope
Sovereign Grace Music, Prepare Him Room
Children’s Books
The Christmas Promise by Alison Mitchell (There’s an Advent calendar with readings as well!)
A Very Noisy Christmas by Tim Thornborough
The Jesus Storybook Bible: A Christmas Collection by Sally Lloyd-Jones
The Latin word Advent means “coming.” Advent dates back to the fourth century as Christians set aside the four Sundays before Christmas Day to mark Christ’s first coming and anticipate His second coming. During these weeks leading up to December 25, followers of Jesus intentionally meditate on themes of hope, peace, joy, and love.
Why Advent might be the very thing you need this year
Advent is an individual and communal practice. Most of us are lonely, frustrated, confused, and sad. Advent welcomes these emotions and feelings. It doesn’t shy away from grief or longing. The historical setting of Advent is purposed for believers to sit in the darkness, lament, and remind one another that the Light of the World has come, and He will come again.
If you feel that the world around you is about to snap, your heart needs Advent.
If you feel anxious about the chaos you see in yourself and those around you, your soul needs Advent.
If this season of consumerism overwhelms you, your body needs Advent.
If the grief of this past year just won’t let go, your tears need Advent.
If your heart and mind are constantly racing and moving to the next thing, your mind needs Advent.
If you are tired, numb, and apathetic, you need Advent.
How do I celebrate Advent?
Out of the numerous Advent traditions, our family loves the Advent wreath and lighting the candles. A quick Google search will give you ample ideas of how to do this, but I encourage you to keep it simple. Other Advent traditions include calendars of chocolate or small gifts, waiting to put Christmas decorations up until Christmas Day, feasting, fasting, and purposely sitting in the darkness. It can be easy to turn Advent into a countdown to Christmas Day, but it is not a countdown. Advent is a time of preparing our hearts and minds so that when Christmas Day arrives, we are ready to worship our Savior King, who came as a baby in meekness and humility and who will come again in glory and power.
Years ago, we began inviting friends on Sunday evenings to eat dinner and light the Advent candle. We sit around the table catching up over a bowl of warm soup and crusty bread, then move into a time of shutting off the lights to light the Advent candle(s) for that week. Sometimes, depending upon the musicality of our friends, we sing Christmas hymns while our kids dance with cookie crumbs flinging in every direction. These Advent Sundays are our favorite times.
Advent is for kids too
Because Advent is repetitive, children have the opportunity week after week to grasp the redemptive narrative woven throughout the Bible. My husband, Lee, and I have seen great growth in our children, especially their understanding of God’s Word. As they have gotten older, we invite them to light the candles and retell the themes of hope, peace, joy, and love that we see in God’s big story.
Before your mind starts reeling with ideas and to-do lists, I invite you to pray and ask God how your family can celebrate Advent to God’s glory. It could be as simple as a trip to the Dollar Tree for some colored candles and some greenery. If you are looking for some ideas and resources to get you started, below are some of our favorite reading plans, songs, and books that provide space for us to mourn the darkness, remember the beauty of Jesus’ first coming, and anticipate the glory of His second coming.
Advent Bible Reading Plans
She Reads Truth/He Reads Truth
The Daily Grace Co.
Come, Let Us Adore Him by Paul David Tripp
Heaven and Nature Sing: 25 Advent Reflections to Bring Joy to the World by Hannah Anderson
Music
Melanie Penn, Immanuel
Christy Nockels, The Thrill of Hope
Sovereign Grace Music, Prepare Him Room
Children’s Books
The Christmas Promise by Alison Mitchell (There’s an Advent calendar with readings as well!)
A Very Noisy Christmas by Tim Thornborough
The Jesus Storybook Bible: A Christmas Collection by Sally Lloyd-Jones
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