A Simple & Grace-Filled Advent Plan For Your Family
For years, I’ve had fantastic intentions that have gone nowhere when it comes to Advent with my kids. But the last thing we need is to make the holiday season complicated when it comes to Jesus. And isn’t that what the entire season is about? Jesus—and my great grandmother’s cut out cookie recipe?
In all seriousness, Advent is a season observed in many Christian churches as a time of expectant waiting and preparation for both the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas and the return of Jesus at the Second Coming. But the reality is my children are young and wiggly and we need to keep the preparation easy and fun.
So I found an Advent candle holder at Target for $4 and then 4 candles to boot. This was an $8 investment that I feel wonderful about. Each Advent Sunday evening after dinner, dishes, baths, and pj’s, we light the candle(s) for the theme of the week. One child usually helps light the candle (we light the previous weeks candle as well), one helps read the reading, and another can pray. We ask a question to help get a little discussion going on the theme and to stay mindful of the word all week. Then we pray. There is a lot of symbolism you can add with greenery around the wreath and candle colors and such, but again, I am going for bare bones simple.
Also. I have to tell you, we missed the first week last year. I was tempted to ditch Advent all together, but we live by grace. And grace says we can always try again. So we started by lighting both the first week AND the second and talked about both themes. And we were just fine. You can start Advent reflections a week (or three) late and no one will die.
Each week has a one word theme, and some themes vary according to the church tradition. You can do your own research, but we settled on the classic four words: Hope, Peace, Joy, Love.
Here’s our simple advent plan for your family that I’ve put together:
Week 1: Hope
Light one candle. Today’s Reading: Isaiah 9:2, 6-7:
“The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
a light has dawned. […]
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this.”
Question: What do you hope God will do one day? (with three-year-olds the answers are hilarious! Have fun!)
Prayer: “God, because of who you are, we have great hope. We hope to shed our selfish desires one day and to be fully free in your presence. We have the hope of your second coming to turn tantrums, tears, and terrible days into love, light, and life. We have the hope that you will one day restore all things, unite all things, and set everything to right. Thank you for hope that anchors our souls. Amen.”
Week 2: Peace
Light 2 candles. Today’s Reading: John 14:27, Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.”
Question: When have you felt peaceful?
Prayer: “God, You are the Prince of Peace and all calm and shalom come from you. When we feel anxious and disoriented, you have peace ready for us. Help us to come to you and to ask for your peace. Thank you that you came to bring peace and you never run out of it.”
Week 3: Joy
Light three candles. Today’s Reading: Matthew 2:10-11
“When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.” (NIV)
Question: What do you think the difference between joy and happiness is? (We explain that joy is on the inside of us and happiness is about all the things happening outside of us. We can have inner joy even when our circumstances around us are going poorly.)
Prayer: “God, we are full of joy that you have come and will come again! Help us to know a deep, lasting joy daily. Open our eyes to all the joy around us and to abide in you for the fruit of joy in our lives from your Spirit. You are the giver of good gifts and we ask for your joy in our lives.”
Week 4: Love
Light all four candles. Today’s Reading: Matthew 22:36-40 says, “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Question: How did you feel loved today? How did you love someone today?
Prayer: “God thank you that you loved us in an incredible way - the way of coming to us in our sin, taking it upon yourself, and giving us grace to be in relationship back with you through faith. You are love. Grow us in our love for one another for this is the mark of following you. Amen.”
May your Advent adventures be full of hope, peace, joy, and love!