Sunday, December 1, 2013
Advent 2013: How We Keep Christ in Christmas
This post is part of the Keep Christ in Christmas Blog Link-Up
hosted by the Catholic Bloggers Network!
Be sure to visit as many links as possible, listed at the bottom of this post.
Advent Wreath Tradition
Today, Dec. 1, 2013, marks the first day of the liturgical year in
the Catholic Church with this first Sunday of Advent. Did you know the
word Advent is from the Latin word advenio, meaning "to come"? It's
hard to believe it is time to prepare for the celebration of Christ's
birth! I truly think that one way to keep Christ in CHRISTmas is to
embrace the Advent season with all its beauty and meanings.
One of the first decorations we pull out is our Advent wreath
which we display in our kitchen. After we eat dinner as a family we
light the candle(s) depending on which week of Advent we are in. So
during the first week of Advent, we will be lighting one purple candle
after we bless our wreath with a special prayer.
Here is a beautiful paragraph I found about the Advent wreath from "The History of the Advent Wreath" by Father William Saunders:
The four candles represent the four weeks of Advent. A tradition is that each week represents one thousand years, to sum to the 4,000 years from Adam and Eve until the Birth of the Savior. Three candles are purple and one is rose. The purple candles in particular symbolize the prayer, penance, and preparatory sacrifices and goods works undertaken at this time. The rose candle is lit on the third Sunday, Gaudete Sunday, when the priest also wears rose vestments at Mass; Gaudete Sunday is the Sunday of rejoicing, because the faithful have arrived at the midpoint of Advent, when their preparation is now half over and they are close to CHRISTmas. The progressive lighting of the candles symbolizes the expectation and hope surrounding our Lord’s first coming into the world and the anticipation of His second coming to judge the living and the dead.
Here's a cute song sung to the "Alphabet Song" that we sing while we are lighting the candles. I got this song from someone on the Catholic Homeschool Moms Facebook page:
This is a very simple Advent song we sing when we light our Advent candle(s) each night for prayers.
"Set the candles burning bright.
Here is a beautiful paragraph I found about the Advent wreath from "The History of the Advent Wreath" by Father William Saunders:
The four candles represent the four weeks of Advent. A tradition is that each week represents one thousand years, to sum to the 4,000 years from Adam and Eve until the Birth of the Savior. Three candles are purple and one is rose. The purple candles in particular symbolize the prayer, penance, and preparatory sacrifices and goods works undertaken at this time. The rose candle is lit on the third Sunday, Gaudete Sunday, when the priest also wears rose vestments at Mass; Gaudete Sunday is the Sunday of rejoicing, because the faithful have arrived at the midpoint of Advent, when their preparation is now half over and they are close to CHRISTmas. The progressive lighting of the candles symbolizes the expectation and hope surrounding our Lord’s first coming into the world and the anticipation of His second coming to judge the living and the dead.
Here's a cute song sung to the "Alphabet Song" that we sing while we are lighting the candles. I got this song from someone on the Catholic Homeschool Moms Facebook page:
This is a very simple Advent song we sing when we light our Advent candle(s) each night for prayers.
"Set the candles burning bright.
One by one each week we light.
Advent is a time to wait -
Not quite time to celebrate.
When the waiting time is through,
It's Christmas joy for me and you!
One year our homeschool group made kid-sized Advent wreaths using air-dry clay, green paint, purple and pink chenille stems for candles, and yellow/orange dot stickers for the flames.
Then they painted the wreath green and placed 4 chenille stems ("candles") that I cut 2 inches long.
I gave them 4 yellow/orange circle stickers and had them wrap one sticker around one purple candle. The children can "light" another candle by placing a sticker on another purple candle as each Sunday in Advent arrives. So they can count down the weeks until CHRISTmas day with their own handmade wreath.
This year we will be reading Jotham's Journey, A Storybook for Advent
with our children. We will try to read it with using only the light
from the candle(s). It's beautiful to see that as we get closer to the
celebration of Christ's birth, each lit candle makes the room brighter
and reading easier. I love how this symbolizes how we anticipate the
coming of Jesus Christ, the Light of the world! Advent is a time to wait -
Not quite time to celebrate.
When the waiting time is through,
It's Christmas joy for me and you!
One year our homeschool group made kid-sized Advent wreaths using air-dry clay, green paint, purple and pink chenille stems for candles, and yellow/orange dot stickers for the flames.
Each child got a ball of clay so they could form it into a wreath shape.
I gave them 4 yellow/orange circle stickers and had them wrap one sticker around one purple candle. The children can "light" another candle by placing a sticker on another purple candle as each Sunday in Advent arrives. So they can count down the weeks until CHRISTmas day with their own handmade wreath.
Here is what the wreath will look like when complete
Jesse Tree Tradition
We will also be decorating our Jesse Tree and reading scripture as our children put on one symbol per night on our "tree" (which is a branch we found in our woods in a pot covered with purple cloth). Our symbols are made out of paper and our children colored each picture. I then laminated them and punched a hole to tie a string to the paper. I made copies of these symbols from this page on Domestic-Church.com . We have enjoyed reading The Jesse Tree by Geraldine McCaughrean in years past and we will continue with this tradition this year. We read one story each night which relates to the Jesse Tree and its symbols.
Advent Tree and Wrapped Christmas Books Tradition
If you are like me, you may have a lots of Christmas books that you have collected through the years. A few years ago I found a great way to read our religious and secular Christmas books and at the same time have my children anticipate Jesus' birthday. I wrap up each book with purple wrapping paper. I usually find the purple paper in our local Dollar Tree store. Then beginning on Dec. 1st, one child opens one book and we read it as a family. Then on Dec. 2, our next child opens a book and so on. My children really love this idea of opening their Advent Christmas book. I have a small "Advent tree" in our great room decorated with purple balls and under this tree is where we have our wrapped Christmas books. This small Advent tree goes up at the beginning of Advent and then we buy our real Christmas tree sometime later in December.
This
is a beautiful story that is written in rhyme on each page. For
example, the first page tells of the angel Gabriel from Luke 1:26.
After each page the book directs the children to open one of 7 boxes
which contain pieces to make the interactive nativity set. So in box
number 1, they will find a little angel Gabriel figurine to place in
the manger scene. The 7th box is when the children discover the best
surprise...which is what God wants for CHRISTmas! 
Speaking of books, I'm excited to add two more books to our Advent traditions. The first book titled, The Amazing Giving Tree Secret, A Story of Kindness, Love, & Joy is written by Mary Ellen Fimbel, who is local author and a member of my parish. I just met Mary not too long ago at our church's craft fair and I enjoyed listening to all the ways the Holy Spirit worked through her to remember and honor her grandchild, Andrew, who passed away at 6 months old. The proceeds from Mary's book will go to Andrew's Toy Box, a non-profit, charitable organization founded in memory of Andrew Fimbel, who passed away on February 17, 2001 from Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). The disease is the No. 1 genetic killer of children under two.
My children loved this book and with so many giving trees during this time of year, it would be a perfect story to share with your family during this Advent season!
The second book, called Jesus' Birthday Gift is a treasure also and is written by Mary's sister, Michelle Boggiano. This book is full of beautiful colors and illustrations and has a wonderful message that goes along with the story of Jesus' birth. I also love the fact that some Spanish vocabulary is sprinkled throughout this beautiful story. Proceeds from this book will also go to Andrew's Toy Box.
Family Fun Bucket Tradition
One year a friend of mine made this family fun bucket for me.
Inside the bucket are strips of white, green, and red heavy paper with
simple fun things to do. Each night in December, each family member
picks out a strip of paper, reads it and then our family does what is
on the paper. For example, one says "What is the real meaning of
Christmas?" or "Shhh! the secret phrase is : "Christmas Lights."
Describe the phrase and see who can guess it." or "It's sing-along
time! Everyone sing "Silent Night". There is a great variety of
simple, fun things to do and this has been really great to do as a
family!
I have made several Family Fun Buckets for family and friends for gifts
and everyone has enjoyed this low cost and meaningful gift! I have
the list of all activities on 7 pages saved on a file in my computer.
If you would like to have this list please Contact Me and I will be more than happy to email you this list!
So if you are looking for another great way to enhance your Advent season with your family, check out the Holy Heroes website and enjoy your adventure!
There are so many wonderful ways to prepare our hearts and homes for the birthday of Christ! I pray my links will inspire you to try one or two new traditions.
Here's a great 1 minute video about what Advent is not and what Advent is!
What is YOUR favorite Advent tradition?
Tell us about it in the comments!
Visit these participating blogs for awesome posts about Keeping Christ in Christmas!
Equipping Catholic Families... Keep Christ in Christmas
Simply Homeschool... Living Advent Series 12/1 - 12/25
Fifth of Five... Keeping Christ in Christmas - Blog Link-up 2013
Coffee Moments with
Sam...The Light of Hope
Hand-Maid With Love...CHRISTmas Presence: Keep Christ in Christmas 2013 Edition
Open Window...Making hay while the Advent wreath shines
Faith Filled Freebies...Keep Christ in Christmas
Written by the Finger of God...Not Christmas as Usual
On the Way Home...Keep Christ
in Christmas
Sue Elvis Writes...Bring Christ to Others
Mommy Bares
All...Why Celebrate Christmas Even After #YolandaPH
Canadian Catholic Mom...Keeping The Little Ones Focused: An Advent Link-Up
Mountain of Grace
Homeschooling...Keep Christ in Christmas
Em’s Estuary...Keeping Christ in Christmas
Happy Little Homemaker...December Devotion: Immaculate Conception
Adoro Ergo Sum...How We Keep Christ in Christmas
JoyAlive.net... O
Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Home to 4
Kiddos...Keep Christ in Christmas
Embedded
Faith...Boldly Be the Christ in Christmas
City Girl, Country
Home...Emmanuel Is With Us. Are we WITH HIM?
Journey to Wisdom... Trusting in your Awkward Fiats
Joy of Nine9...Waiting in Joyful Expectation Like a Child
Splendor in the Home... Ideas For Keeping Advent and Christmas Holy
Training Happy
Hearts...10 Ways to Celebrate the New Liturgical Year
A Catholic Life... Advent: The Beginning of the Liturgical Year & Source
of Rich Meditations
Designs by Birgit... Elf on a Shelf and Santa Claus
Catholic Inspired... Faith-Centered Family Christmas
A Slice of Smith Life... How we keep Christ in Christmas
Catholic All Year...Three Reasons I love Advent
Mary the Defender... Christmas The Battle Begins
Truly Rich Mom... Keep Christ in Christmas
Day By Day in Our World... 40 Days Seeking Him and Keeping Christ in Christmas
Diapers and Drivel... Keeping Christ in Christmas
Raising Soldiers 4 Christ... Keeping Christ in Christmas
Rosary Mom...Keep Christ In Christmas With A Teenager
Campfires and Cleats...How We Keep Christ in Christmas
Life Unabridged... Keep Christ in Christmas
Homeschooling With Joy...Keeping Christ in Christmas
Mrs Domestic Bliss...Gingerbread Nativity
The Chic Traveller...Keeping Christ in Christmas
Homeschooling With Joy...Keeping Christ in Christmas
Mrs Domestic Bliss...Gingerbread Nativity
The Chic Traveller...Keeping Christ in Christmas
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Korea...Keeping Christ in Christmas
Dominique's
Desk...Keeping Christ in Christmas
Our ABC Life... An Advent Update
Journey Living...Anno
Domini
The Road to Rome... Advent Prayer and Reflection Resources
May you have a blessed Advent season as we remember that Jesus is the reason for the season!The Road to Rome... Advent Prayer and Reflection Resources
Life of Fortunate Chances... Keeping Christ in Christmas
Quidquid Est, Est!...Reblog: Advent Posts
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Hello! Thank you for your Visit!
I'm Tracy. I love my faith, family and on most days, homeschooling my 5 blessings. When I'm not busy baking cakes for my family or making memories in real life or dreaming I had a housekeeper or professional chef, I enjoy documenting a slice of Smith life in blog land.
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23 comments:
You have some great ideas here! I will check out the "What God Wants for Christmas" book -- it looks very interesting. The link didn't work; where did you find it? I'll do a web search and see if I can locate it.
Blessed Advent to you!
Hi Cheryl,
Sorry about the link not working. I bought the book and set many years ago. I have updated the link and it appears the cover of the book has changed a bit since I bought it. Have a blessed Advent! -Tracy
Great post; very thorough!
We, too, use that JT book and the Ytreeide books as well!!
Not involved in the follow frenzy ...did it for lent and it was too crazy...but wanted to stop in at a few Keep Christ links to say hi:)
xoxox
God bless
Thank you for sharing your ideas. I'll look for your recommended Christmas books and read them with the family :)
Thank you for sharing your ideas! I'll look for your recommended Christmas books and read it with the family. God bless you!
I really enjoyed this post and will teach the kids your rhyming Advent song. Our Advent calendar is a collection of tiny, numbered books that tell the journey up to and including the Nativity. We add each book (they have golden hangers) to our 'Waiting Tree' as we anticipate Jesus' birth. Happy Advent!
Like Birgit I love the rhyming song as I can see it as something we can do with our two year old now. I've already looked for the nativity book on ebay; but it's about £18 from the states - eek! I'll keep trying to find one more reasonably priced closer to home as I could do this with The Little One with our own nativity as well.
Really fantastic ideas. I've signed up to follow your blog!
Great ideas. We did Jotham's Journey last year with the kids. There are two other books in the series and I wanted to do one this year, but didn't get it in time {I'll probably try and get it later and have it for next year at Christmas!}
Fantastic! I've never heard of some of the books. I'll have to see if I can find them. Thank you!
Fantastic! I haven't heard of those books before. I'll have to check them out.
Thank you so much!
I enjoyed reading your reviews for all those books. "What God Wants for Christmas" sounds lovely. When I was a kid, my Mom read us a lot books. And we had a number of Christmas ones too. But now that we college/post-grad, they are in a closet somewhere. Maybe I'll bring them out again. :)
It must be cool to have a real pine tree for Christmas! I live in the Philippines so there is no way I could get a real tree.
Great blog post.
So full of ideas.
We do several of the same things.
Blessings,
Emily
Hi Tracy, you have a comprehensive list of great ways to celebrate Advent...you are very thorough! You're lucky you have What God Wants for Christmas because right now on Amazon, it's crazy expensive! I also checked to see if it was at my local library and it wasn't. I really liked the Advent video on Youtube. Puts it all into perspective, right? Enjoy your Advent Season with your new baby! You get to re-do all the fun activities over and over with your baby. May God bless you and your family!
Your Advent tree is lovely. My goal for this Advent is to work on our book collection, so we can do wrapped books next year!
Tracy, I love the idea of wrapping up the books! That's such a fun and creative way to make reading time more fun! And you already know how much we are loving your Advent tree idea! Thanks so much!
Thank you for a great post. We put up our Advent wreath last Sunday (after a few years of not putting it up). It's a great reminder to celebrate Advent.
We will have to check out "What God wants for Christmas" sounds like a good one!
I love the idea of wrapping up the Advent and Christmas books, but have to admit that I just don't get them even OUT of the closet in a timely fashion.
Love the co-op Advent wreath craft, too.
What a wonderful post! Thank you for the book recommendations. I was not aware of a couple of them...always great for the family library and to give as gifts. Will have to check back on your Advent ideas...
Blessings this Advent!
What great traditions! We do many of the same. How do you like the Jesse tree book? I keep waivering
Wow, what great ideas! I haven't seen that book, What God Wants for Christmas before. I'll have to check it out.
I love your Advent traditions - we have quite a few in common, even if we're based in the Philippines! :) We have Jotham's Journey but did not read it this year, the kids didn't seem too interested in it. Hopefully, we can read it next year. We do the Jesse Tree, Advent Wreath, Advent books too! I will try the Family Fun Bucket for next year. :) God bless you and yours!
I'm so glad to see that you do a Jesse Tree! My family does too. We use felt ornaments that are handmade. Please visit my Etsy shop to see photos: https://www.etsy.com/shop/PinkScissorsDesign