EMBRACING THE ADVENT SEASON

     The Advent season offers us a time to reflect on the meaning of Christmas and remember the Divine born in each of us. By choosing a daily Advent activity, you can find peace, express your love, and celebrate joy this holiday season. We find counting down to Christmas each day of Advent to be an especially meaningful way to keep the meaning of the holiday close to your heart.

     Advent calendars and activities have long been used by individuals, families, and church groups to celebrate the 24 days before Christmas. The tradition began in 19th-century Germany when families would count down to Christmas by tallying chalk marks on a wall or door.

     In the 1920s, Gerhard Lang began designing Advent calendars with little doors that could be opened each day to reveal a devotional picture or Bible verse. The popularity of Advent calendars grew when President Dwight Eisenhower shared photographs of himself using an Advent calendar with his grandchildren in the 1950s. By that time, many Advent calendars included small toys or pieces of chocolate behind each door.

     Since then, the popularity of Advent calendars and activities has continued to grow. People have started to use Advent calendars in creative ways, and many companies offer calendars with items like makeup, pet treats, tea bags, and jewelry. These may be fun, but Advent calendars have historically been used for quality time with family or friends during the holidays, exploring creativity, and spiritual reflection. Here are five activities to make the Advent season special this year.

1. Create New Holiday Traditions 

   Use each day of Advent to create new holiday traditions with loved ones. Make a list of holiday activities and select one to complete each day—like watching a Christmas movie together, driving to look at Christmas lights, or baking holiday cookies. You could even create an Advent calendar with service-related activities like sending holiday cards to soldiers overseas, filling a bag with books to donate to the library, or making treats for your neighbors.

2. Share Bible Verses

    Traditionally, the Advent season is a time to reflect and prepare for the celebration of the birth of Jesus. Reading Bible verses together each day can be an excellent way to celebrate with loved ones. You can choose Bible verses that reflect the Advent themes of hope, peace, joy, and love.

3. Get Creative with Crafts

    Like the holiday activities list, you could create a list of crafts to complete throughout the season. Create Christmas tree ornaments, decorate a wreath, or build a gingerbread house. You could challenge yourself to create elaborate crafts or simply enjoy spending time with loved ones making simple, fun items.

4. Use Affirmations to Ground Yourself

    Sometimes the spiritual meaning of Christmas can get lost in the busyness of the season. Reading positive and uplifting affirmations every day is an excellent way to honor Advent. Having a new affirmative message to open and read each day is very centering and is a meaningful way to mark each day with loved ones.

5. Create Love Notes

    Another fun way to honor the Advent season is to express love for your loved ones. Write little love notes for your family and friends. Each day your loved one can enjoy a holiday-related love note to get them into the spirit of the season. You can share a cherished memory or simply tell them things you love about them.

These are just some of the ways you can share love and joy with others and enhance your own spiritual reflections during this beautiful time of year.

CREDIT: UNITY.ORG