The second day of Christmas is all about a new tradition for our family.
Today is the first Sunday of Advent.
True story: today is also the first Sunday our family has celebrated Advent. I didn't grow up in a home that recognized Advent, or really even recognized the religious aspect of Christmas. That is fine. I am respectful of the beliefs my parents have, and appreciative of the way I was raised to question and research and take my faith further than what falls on my ears from the preacher/pastor/who ever. So this year, as part of my job as Director of Religious Education, I had to look at and create lessons around Advent.
The cliff's notes (do they even make those anymore?) on Advent is that the four Sunday's before Christmas are spent preparing for Christmas. Each Sunday has a "theme" (hope, preparation, joy & love) and a candle lit on the Advent wreath. The center candle on the wreath is the Christ candle and is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas. Ok, that's a huge over simplification but it gives the basic idea.
While I don't believe the Christmas is actually the day of Christ's birth, I believe it is important to commemorate and honor his birth and Christmas is a great opportunity to bring joy, hope, and Christ's message to people. So I think of it as Christ's birth "observed". As I read about Advent and the purpose of the Advent season, I saw a great opportunity to steer my family away from the commercialization of Christmas.
Today in church we watched as the first candle was lit on the Advent wreath--the candle of hope. In Sunday school our lesson was on hope, and the hope that Jesus brings to our life, the hope that people had before Jesus was born that God would send a King of kings, the hope that we have in God that He has great plans for us.
Tonight before dinner, we set our Advent wreath on the table, Matt lit the hope candle and said a prayer. It was an awesome moment as a mom. I hope we spend this Advent season as a family reflecting on the message each week brings.
Today is the first Sunday of Advent.
True story: today is also the first Sunday our family has celebrated Advent. I didn't grow up in a home that recognized Advent, or really even recognized the religious aspect of Christmas. That is fine. I am respectful of the beliefs my parents have, and appreciative of the way I was raised to question and research and take my faith further than what falls on my ears from the preacher/pastor/who ever. So this year, as part of my job as Director of Religious Education, I had to look at and create lessons around Advent.
The cliff's notes (do they even make those anymore?) on Advent is that the four Sunday's before Christmas are spent preparing for Christmas. Each Sunday has a "theme" (hope, preparation, joy & love) and a candle lit on the Advent wreath. The center candle on the wreath is the Christ candle and is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas. Ok, that's a huge over simplification but it gives the basic idea.
While I don't believe the Christmas is actually the day of Christ's birth, I believe it is important to commemorate and honor his birth and Christmas is a great opportunity to bring joy, hope, and Christ's message to people. So I think of it as Christ's birth "observed". As I read about Advent and the purpose of the Advent season, I saw a great opportunity to steer my family away from the commercialization of Christmas.
Today in church we watched as the first candle was lit on the Advent wreath--the candle of hope. In Sunday school our lesson was on hope, and the hope that Jesus brings to our life, the hope that people had before Jesus was born that God would send a King of kings, the hope that we have in God that He has great plans for us.
Tonight before dinner, we set our Advent wreath on the table, Matt lit the hope candle and said a prayer. It was an awesome moment as a mom. I hope we spend this Advent season as a family reflecting on the message each week brings.
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| Matt had a little trouble working the lighter. Nic was a little nervous for him. |
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| Matt finishing up his prayer. |
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