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| Advent: Creating Sacred and Holy Times at Home |  |
| Location: Blogs Leanne's Blog |
 | | Posted by: Leanne | 11/27/2007 4:22 AM | Many of us have already given our children and grandchildren Advent calendars. These are little calendars which count down the 25 days to Christmas. Sometimes they have little doors to open, or surprises, like chocolate, hidden inside. These are great fun. I still use one every year!
However, Advent is much more than a countdown to Christmas. It is four weeks, four Sundays, when we prepare our hearts and minds to appreciate the gift of Jesus being sent by God to us.
I encourage each of us to make these Sunday's sacred times for our families. The time doesn't need to be a long involved time of prayer but it does need to be a time of quiet and intentional reflection. Here are some ideas for ways your family can celebrate Advent:
Idea #1: You can set aside time to light an Advent wreath (one candle for each Sunday of Advent).
Idea #2: You can simply sing a favorite Christmas Carol together before your evening meal each Sunday of Advent.
Idea #3: You can gather around your Christmas Tree and sit in silent prayer. I suggest sitting for one minute the first Sunday of Advent, two minutes the second Sunday of Advent, three minutes the third Sunday of Advent and four minutes the forth Sunday of Advent.
Idea #4: You can read the Christmas Story each Sunday evening (Luke 2). Don't worry about repeating it. We read stories over and over to our children and grandchildren all the time!
Idea #5: You can call a family member and ask them to share their favorite memories of Christmas and then pray together on the phone.
Idea #5: You can do something nice for another person each week. For example, bake cookies for your neighbor and pray for them while you make the cookies. Gather canned food for the soup kitchen and pray for those people who will receive your gift.
Idea #6: Gather in a circle and each person say a one sentence prayer. End by saying the Lord's prayer together.
Whatever tradition you decide to use during Advent, remember that being sacred during the holiday season is a rare treat for you and your entire family! Don't be afraid to try making sacredness and holiness part of your home life.
And of course, we (on this web page) have added two prayer events for you to use with your family. You can decorate the Christmas with your prayer symbols and light an Advent wreath which reminds us that the "light shines in the darkness and the darkness will not overcome it!"
May God bless you as you work towards creating holy and sacred times for you and your family this Advent season!
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