Advent began as a fast ordered by the Council of Saragossa in AD 381.  For three weeks before the Epiphany, the people were ordered to fast and pray in preparation for the celebration.  In about 581, the tradition spread to France by decree of the Council of Macon followed by celebrations in Rome and beyond.  In 600, Gregory I changed the celebration and declared the celebration should begin the fourth Sunday before Christmas.

During this time each evening there are many customs and traditions you can use during your time of sharing.  Many retailers sell Advent calendars, wreaths with candles but all you really need is a Bible.  Our family begin our time each evening with lighting the candle in our Advent wreath, then a devotion followed by a chapter from our Advent story by Arnold Ytreedie (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/index=books&field-author-exact=Arnold%20Ytreeide&rank=-relevance%2C%2Bavailability%2C-daterank/104-5066959-9349523), we end our time with a discussion, words of thanksgiving and then prayer.

We started celebrating Advent 3 years ago and each year we have been blessed beyond measure during this time of sharing.  I cannot express enough how very important it is to keep our focus off the ‘things’ and on our Lord.  Retailers and advertisers are looking to overcome budget shortfalls during this time of year by diverting our attention towards their stores full of goodies.  We are not to be conformed by the world but by the renewing of our minds through the Word.  I ask you to change focus to birth of our Savior and not on the ‘to do list’ or gifts.  Gifts are nice, parties are fun but Jesus should be our focus.  He is our hope, our best friend, our Savior and Lord.

~Contributed by Anissa DeGrasse

Public Relations Assistant

The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, LLC

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/adegrasse/