What is Advent?
Advent is a time observed by many Christians to help prepare our hearts for the Christmas Season and to help bring our focus back on Jesus Christ, during all the business of the season.
Celebrating Advent typically involves lighting candles, scripture reading and prayer.
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When is Advent?
Advent typically begins on the fourth Sunday prior to Christmas Day, or the Sunday which falls closest to November 30, and lasts through Christmas Eve, or December 24.
The four weeks symbolize a period of waiting, representing the four centuries of waiting between the last prophet Malachi
and the birth of Jesus.
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In this blog, I want to share our family's Christmas advent that has become a tradition in our family. I have included Christmas songs from Youtube, links for coloring pages that correspond to the scripture and craft ideas. I have shared two different crafts for most evenings of the Advent season. One option is to make a nativity scene as you go through advent while another option is to make an ornament each day for the Christmas tree. Our family likes to make an ornament.
We begin the night before Advent (Saturday) by preparing our advent wreath and setting up our Christmas tree with only the lights and the star or angel on top. Each night we add our homemade ornaments to the tree.
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To make a Advent wreath, you will need:
*A Wreath of Evergreen Garland
The circle of the wreath represents eternal life with Christ and His never ending love for us. Evergreen symbolizes that He is ever with us. The wreath itself means Victory... Christ's Victory over sin and death. Because of His victory, He can save us.
*Holly-berries to decorate the wreath
Holly berries symbolize the shedding of Christ's Blood
Holly berries symbolize the shedding of Christ's Blood
*Pine cones to decorate the wreath
Pine cones symbolize Christ's resurrection
*3 Purple candles (either pillar or taper)
Purple dye was very expensive in Bible times and was the color of royalty. Advent is the season to celebrate the birth of our King- Jesus Christ.
*1 Rose Candle (either pillar or taper) symbolizes Joy
* 1 White candle (either pillar or taper)
symbolizes Purity and Jesus as the light of the World. This candle should be placed in the center of the wreath.
symbolizes Purity and Jesus as the light of the World. This candle should be placed in the center of the wreath.
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Christmas Advent
First Sunday:
Light the first purple candle. This candle represents Hope. We can have Hope because God is with us and is Faithful to keep His promises He made to us.
Romans 15:12-13 (ASV)
12. And again, Isaiah saith, There shall be the root of Jesse, And he that ariseth to rule over the Gentiles; on him shall the Gentiles hope.
13. Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit.
This candle is also the "Prophecy" Candle. The Prophecy Candle represents the prophets who foretold the birth of Jesus.
Second Sunday:
Light the Second purple candle and then the first purple candle. This second candle represents Love. It symbolizes God's love for us.
John 3:16-17
16. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life.
17. For God sent not the Son into the world to judge the world; but that the world should be saved through him.
This candle is also known as the "Bethlehem Candle".
Third Sunday
Light the rose candle, then the first two candles. The rose candle represents Joy. The angels sang a message of joy.
Luke 2:10-11
10. And the angel said unto them, Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people:
11. for there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.
This candle is also known as the "Shepherd's Candle".
Fourth Sunday
Light the third purple candle, then the first 3 candles.
This last purple candle represents Peace. Jesus is the Prince of Peace and has come to give us peace.
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
This candle is also known as the "Angels Candle".
Christmas Eve
Light the White candle in the center of the wreath. Then light the remaining 4 candles. This White candle also known at the "Christ Candle" represents the life of Christ. Jesus is the light of the world. It's location in the center of the wreath reminds us that Christ's light is central and radiant. The color white represents purity and reminds us that Jesus is the spotless Lamb of God, sent to wash away our sins.
John 8:12 (ASV)
Again therefore Jesus spake unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life.
1 John 1:7
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
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Preparing For Advent with your family...
The night before Advent...
Make your family Advent Wreath and talk about the meaning of Advent with your children.
The night before Advent...
Make your family Advent Wreath and talk about the meaning of Advent with your children.
We also set up our Christmas tree with just the lights and star. We will be making an ornament every evening to decorate our tree.This is Christmas by Kutless
Day 1 Isaiah 7:14
Day 2 Isaiah 9:6
Day 3 Micah 5:2
Day 4 Jeremiah 23:5-6
Day 5 Matthew 1:18
Day 6 Luke 1:5-25
Day 7 Luke 1:26-33
Day 8 Luke 1:34-38
Day 9 Luke 1:39-56
Day 10 Luke 1:57-80
Day 11 Matthew 1:19-25
Day 12 Luke 2:1-5
Day 13 Luke 2:6-7
Day 14 Luke 2:8-12
Day 15 Luke 2:13-15
Day 16 Luke 2:16-18
Day 17 Luke 2:19-21
Day 18 Matthew 2:1-2
Day 19 Matthew 2: 3-6
Day 20 Matthew 2: 7-12
Day 21 Matthew 2:13-15
Day 22 John 3:16
Day 23 John 1:14
Day 24 Galatians 4: 4-5
Day 25 1 John 4:10
Day 2 Isaiah 9:6
Day 3 Micah 5:2
Day 4 Jeremiah 23:5-6
Day 5 Matthew 1:18
Day 6 Luke 1:5-25
Day 7 Luke 1:26-33
Day 8 Luke 1:34-38
Day 9 Luke 1:39-56
Day 10 Luke 1:57-80
Day 11 Matthew 1:19-25
Day 12 Luke 2:1-5
Day 13 Luke 2:6-7
Day 14 Luke 2:8-12
Day 15 Luke 2:13-15
Day 16 Luke 2:16-18
Day 17 Luke 2:19-21
Day 18 Matthew 2:1-2
Day 19 Matthew 2: 3-6
Day 20 Matthew 2: 7-12
Day 21 Matthew 2:13-15
Day 22 John 3:16
Day 23 John 1:14
Day 24 Galatians 4: 4-5
Day 25 1 John 4:10
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