Celebrating Advent as a Family

By Dawn Heckert

The following story is provided by our INCM/CPC Partner David C. Cook

My husband tells the same joke every time I mention the word “Advent”: “Why do we need to add a vent? Is the room too hot or too cold?” Many families find the word mystifying.

And many families get their first reminders about Christmas when stores start decorating for the holiday-sometimes as early as October. Then the advertisements arrive in the mail with beautiful, slick pages featuring the latest technology, toys, and items that to make our loved ones feel spoiled. In November, radio stations begin to play Christmas music around the clock, and television shows feed the holiday frenzy to buy, buy, buy.

But where does Advent fit into the picture the commercial world sells us? How do we help families connect their hearts to the season of Advent? First, offer a simple explanation to help define the season that leads to the most familiar day of the year. The word Advent derives from the Latin word adventur, which means “arrival.” The season starts on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and leads us to prepare our hearts for the celebration of Jesus’ birth. While Christmas is marked by many colors, Advent is typically marked by purple, which represents royalty and celebrates the coming of the King.

But Advent doesn’t have to be confined to a few weeks. It really starts at the beginning of time and spans the years as it tells us how much God loves His children and leads up to the arrival of His Son.

Families can mark the Advent season in many different ways. The following list of ideas isn’t exhaustive, but it’s a jumping-off point to make this Advent season a richer, fuller experience. These activities can prepare our families for the story of Christ’s birth.

Advent Wreath: Advent wreaths can be purchased or made as a family project. Place four candles around the wreath: three purple and one pink. Then place one white candle in the center. Light the candles in the following order for the first three weeks, one per week: purple, purple, pink. On the final week, light the last purple candle as well as the white candle in the center. Advent Calendar: This calendar is a great way to mark each day of Advent. Families can make their own calendars with special Scriptures, treats, or family projects, or they can buy premade calendars.

The Advent Jesse Tree: Creating Jesse Tree ornaments and participating in daily devotions will lead your family in anticipation of Christmas. The book The Advent Jesse Tree by Dean Meador Lambert is a great resource for this activity. It contains 25 devotionals for adults and 25 devotionals for children. Count Down in Song: Invite each family member to take turns suggesting Christmas songs, and then use them as morning wake-up calls or dinner music. Take time to focus on the words in the songs and how they speak about the arrival of Christ. Read, Read, Read: This year, take time to select not only devotional passages to share with your family but also several great Christmas books. Allow family members to take turn reading their favorites.

Make It a Mission: Advent is a wonderful time to focus on the mission Christ had for His church. Make a point to get involved in mission projects. Organize your own outreach in your neighborhood by handing out a favorite Christmas treat. Offer to be part of a collection organization needing gifts or winter coats. Participate in a mitten/glove tree mission for local children or those in homeless shelters.

Advent isn’t about our decorations or purchases. It’s about anticipation-about preparing ourselves to hear, again or for the first time, the wonderful story of how God sent His Son. May this Advent find you anticipating hearing the good news in a new way.

Dawn Heckert is the Director of New Generations Ministry at Christ Church Anglican in Overland Park, KS. An energetic and emerging voice in children’s and family ministry, Heckert earned her B.A. in Elementary Education from Ottawa University and her M.A. in Education from Mid-America Nazarene College. She began her ministry in 1997 as a volunteer with senior high youth. Over the past eleven years, God has used her passion, enthusiasm and creativity to revolutionize the Children’s & Youth Ministry at Christ Church Anglican in Overland Park, Kansas. She recently joined with David C. Cook as an ambassador, encouraging a fresh and practical look into traditional curriculum. Dawn is married and has two children.

More Posts

A Nudge Toward Obedience Led to Gospel Games

This article was written by Nikki and Kory Jordan, founders of Gospel Games. It is a paid partnership. Obedience. It’s a word that can feel heavy—almost intimidating. It can stir up thoughts of restriction, obligation, or even resistance. But what if that’s not how God wants us to see it?

Read More >

Take Time to Celebrate Easter, Not Just Execute It

As the Easter season quickly approaches, it’s all too easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of planning, rehearsals, enlisting additional volunteers, and ensuring that every detail of the kids’ services goes smoothly. After all, Easter is one of the biggest celebrations of the year, and the pressure to

Read More >

NextGen Ministry for the Whole Church

This article was written by Crystal Mazzuca, Hyfi Kids Content Editor and Resource Specialist for Lifeway Christian Resources. This is a paid promotion. When you hear the term “NextGen Ministry,” what comes to mind? Do you picture a space devoted to kids and students where they can be loud, messy,

Read More >
INCM

Get Your Free Faith Formation Questions!

By submitting the form, you're opting in to marketing emails from INCM. Your email is 100% safe.

Get Your Free Policy Review Framework!

By submitting the form, you're opting in to marketing emails from INCM. Your email is 100% safe.

Get Your Free Trauma Assessment Resource!

By submitting the form, you're opting in to marketing emails from INCM. Your email is 100% safe.

Get Your Free Creating Moments Guide!

By submitting the form, you're opting in to marketing emails from INCM. Your email is 100% safe.

Get Your Free Prayer Experience Guide!

By submitting the form, you're opting in to marketing emails from INCM. Your email is 100% safe.

Get Your Free Felt Safety for Kids Guide!

By submitting the form, you're opting in to marketing emails from INCM. Your email is 100% safe.

Receive Encouragement, Get Exclusive Offers, and Much More

By submitting the form, you're opting in to marketing emails from INCM. Your email is 100% safe.