Coram Deo

Christmas Traditions

We are adding a new tradition to our celebration of the Christmas season this year.  As part of our ongoing effort to keep the eyes of our children and ourselves looking toward Jesus during this often crazily busy season, we are celebrating advent. 

I found a really neat wreath with a symbol for each day of advent that is tied to a scripture reading.  Since yesterday was the first day of Advent, our first reading was last night.  None of us had ever done it before, but it was short and sweet and I really enjoyed it.  Advent is a time of preparation, and the first week is about hope.  We lit the first purple candle and read Genesis 1:24-28 and Romans 13:11-14 and a little devotional about our hope being in Jesus. 

It inspired a nice talk about why we celebrate Christmas, and the unique opportunities to share the joy of the gospel that present themselves during this time. 

Tonight we will light the first candle again and read Genesis 3:1-24 and 1 Cor. 1:3-9.  We're also going to sing "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus". 

Next year I'm going to add a Jesse Tree. 

Anyone else starting a new tradition this year?  Or have an old one they just love?

Tradition

11:01 AM, Dec. 6, 2006 .. Posted by Ella

We enjoy reading Arnold Ytreeide's books on advent, especially at Christmastime.

As to traditions....we traditionally set up our grandparents' decades-old tree. It's very bare, very fake, and very chaotic when we add dozens of ornaments to it. But it is, in its own way, very sentimental. :)

Traditions

6:26 PM, Dec. 19, 2006 .. Posted by Anonymous

That sounds like a really neat tradition. We don't have any traditions, really, and so I welcome any suggestions that anyone might have. I also just wanted to throw in here that I wish you all were going to be in Arizona this year. It's just not going to be the same :( Miss you guys.
Holly
PS- my log in and password no longer work and so I'm now Anonymous.

Christmas Traditions

1:50 PM, Feb. 25, 2007 .. Posted by chooselife6

This comment is really late, but I wanted to send it anyway. We do an Advent wreath every year and we have a booklet to go along with it. We read light the candles, sing O Come, O Come Emmanuel, and read the corresponding scriptures. We also read a booklet called 30 Days with Mary and Joseph. It takes you through their journey to Bethlehem and Jesus' birth. The kids love that one. My favorite tradition is on Christmas morning when we get up and sing Happy Birthday to baby Jesus, and light the candles on His birthday cake. I've been hoping to do a Jesse Tree for a few years, but we haven't done it yet. Maybe next year!