Christian families use the Advent season as a time to prepare themselves for the coming of Jesus, whose birth is traditionally celebrated on December twenty-fifth, known as Christmas Day. They also use the time to reflect on His promise to return in the future and establish the Kingdom of God.
Materials for a Family Advent Activity
To engage in the Advent activity the family will need some type of candle arrangement, with one candle to light for each night of the Advent season. This can be large or small, simple or elaborate, homemade or store-bought, a holder with twenty-four candles or individual candles in separate holders.
The family will also need some type of devotional material. This may depend on the age of the youngest family members. If the children are very young, a copy of a children’s Bible or Christmas story books can be used. The adults or older family members can read more advanced devotional materials at an alternate time.
Devotional materials may be available in the family home or they may be obtained outside of the home. Some sources for borrowing materials include the local library, the family place of worship, or friends or neighbors. The family may also opt to purchase materials ahead of time, creating their own library of resources.
Steps for Carrying Out an Advent Family Activity
Starting on the first of December, the family will light one candle for each night of the Advent season, before Christmas Day. The first night will have just one lit candle, the second night will have two lit candles, the third night will have three lit candles, and so on up to Christmas Eve. The importance of lighting the candles will be to demonstrate the coming light of Christ, getting brighter as Christmas Day draws nearer.
The lighting of the candles will be accompanied by saying prayers and reading Bible verses or devotional materials. The complexity of the prayers and devotional materials will depend on the age of the family members. The prayers can be created by the family or traditional prayers from resource materials can be used.
The family can continue lighting an extra candle each night of the Advent season, until arriving at Christmas Day, when one large candle or special Christ candle can be lit. Christ candles can be purchased in most Bible or church stores.
Using this simple Advent candle and devotions activity, a family can prepare themselves for the celebration of Jesus’ birth and the promise of His second coming. This type of activity is a great way for families to balance the commercialism and stress of the Christmas season.
Stella Walsh - Stella Walsh is a Christian writer, student of theology, elementary school teacher, committed church volunteer and photography ...
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