By Dana Curtin
Advent begins this Sunday, and if your family is celebrating with the traditional advent wreath, the first purple candle should be lit. Traditionally, this candle is known as the “Candle of Expectation or Hope.” We wait with expectation and hope for the coming of the Messiah to earth as a baby.
Candles are lit in the following order: purple, purple, pink, purple and white. The progression in the lighting of the candles symbolizes the various aspects of our own waiting experience.
Your family could begin reading about the angel visiting Mary and the foretelling of Jesus’ birth found in Luke 1:26. The story can be broken up so that parts of it can be read each Sunday leading up to Christmas Day.
You might wish to talk about how you waited with anticipation for your own children’s birth and the preparation that went on before they came. Talk about how Mary might have prepared for the baby Jesus’ birth.
We are to prepare our hearts for Jesus during advent. Some practical ways to do this are turning off the television in the evening and spending some time in God’s word and singing Christmas hymns. Plan ways together as a family to help the less fortunate in your community. Is there someone your family knows who needs to hear about the love of Jesus? Invite them into your home to celebrate with you.
Place a manger scene as the focal point in your living room. Some families add pieces to the manger scene each Sunday leading up to Christmas. The baby Jesus is placed in the manger on Christmas morning.
A child has been born to us; God has given a son to us. He will be responsible for leading the people. His name will be Wonderful Counselor, Powerful God, and Father Who Lives Forever, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
Great family ideas, thanks!