Bringing the Traditions of Advent into your Home As Christians, we know that Advent is the
time of year leading up to Christmas, but do we really take the time in our homes to prepare our hearts for the coming Christ? How do we begin to tackle all the traditions and messages that our churches bring to us this time of year, when we are living in a time of social distancing? Many people will be unable to attend church this year during the holidays due to the current pandemic; however, we all have an opportunity to make Advent meaningful in our homes. These activities will lead to a richer, deeper understanding of the miracle of Christ while creating lasting memories for families or individuals. We need to transition our minds from the confinement of Advent during a pandemic to the blessing and beauty of Advent in our homes. Setting the Environment One thing that makes church so meaningful throughout the Christmas season is the atmosphere. Nativity scenes, garland, Christmas trees, Advent wreaths and music are those familiar reminders of the season. We don’t realize the importance of these decorations and symbols until we are not able to be immersed in them. Decorating your home with Christian symbols that you would normally see while you are at church can bring about wonderful
410
The Connection
WINTER WINTER 2020 2020
by Mrs. Kristen Street
memories and conversations within your family. An Advent wreath, along with a weekly Sunday devotional, could hold a prominent place in your home to remind you of the hope, faith, joy, and peace that we have because Jesus came to us. Have you ever heard of a Chrismon tree? They are Christmas trees that are decorated with Christian symbols, each having a different meaning that points us to the story of Christ. These ornaments can be ordered or made using salt dough, then hung on your Christmas tree. Other important events that normally take place in church, such as an Angel Tree or caroling, can be completed individually as a family or with another family in the church so that we can bring the joy of Christmas to our neighborhoods. Advent Devotionals With so many options available for devotionals, the question becomes, how do I know which one to choose? When you are planning your Advent devotional, you will want to consider: •Child(ren)’s ages and abilities in reading and concentration. •Plan when you will read the devotional so they do not get forgotten in the busyness of life. Reading a short devotional around a daily occurrence such as
