In which I share what we are actually doing for Advent

It's storming this morning, the first Sunday of Advent. I'm gathering our family resources for the marking of the days leading up to Christmas. After I wrote last week about anticipating Advent, I had a few emails from people wondering what we are actually doing to observe Advent.

So I thought we could take a bit of time today to talk about how we are all actually practicing Advent from a practical standpoint. That way, if you are wanting to participate but unsure what to do or how to do it, this might be a good starting point for all of us.

I didn't grow up with the Church calendar. Truthfully, I hadn't heard of most of the practices of the Church universal until I was well into adulthood. But when I began to find my tribe in the emerging church more than 10 years ago, I was introduced to these practices. Since then, I've tried a few different resources, learned from people much wiser than I am and generally tried to figure out this hybrid thing I have going on - happy-clappy-Jesus-kid anti-establishment woman that loves contemplative practices and liturgy. It's an odd combination, I know, but it's become an important part of my life.

Daily Life

In my daily reading, I love the Message paraphrase of the Bible. After nearly 20 years of reading Scripture, it helps me to see the words with fresh eyes and a softened heart. The introductions to each book by Eugene Peterson also minister to me. I still use my worn-out New Living translation often but in my daily reading, it's the Message.

During Lent last spring, I picked up a community prayer book called Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals. I don't make a big rule out of it - I'm not much for rules or "should do" in my faith - but almost every day, I read the day's prayers. Some days, I do all three prayers for the day - morning, midday and evening - but typically, I do only the morning prayers. I love it and it has tremendously impacted me.

For Advent, I'm using these two resources.

As a family, we're going to try out Ann Voskamp's Jesse Tree devotional. On Saturday morning, we put together the ornaments which are beautiful. Then we stripped all of the papers from our Thankful Tree, it's standing bare and ready for the ornaments of the Jesse Tree together. Our plan is to do the devotional every night at supper time and add the day's ornament, telling the story of Jesus through Scripture all the way to Christmas as a family.

Then, I am also using Waiting for the Light compiled by Christine Sine of The Mustard Seed in the evenings on my own. As much as I love to introduce these practices to my tinies, I also like to have a little solitary contemplative time before the candles. This book is more than just a devotional - it's a guide to the practice of Advent including liturgies, weekly activities and instructions.

Each week of Advent focuses on a different theme: week 1- preparing, week 2: seeking or expecting, week 3: waiting, week 4: becoming and the theme for the twelve days of Christmas is incarnation

And of course, Luci Shaw's Accompanied by Angels: Poems of the Incarnation.

Other Resources
Of course, you could go straight to the source and rely solely on Scripture. Many people exclusively use the traditional Book of Common Prayer as well. I find that difficult to practice on my own but in community or church services, I love it.

I have heard good things about The Truth About the Tinsel: An Advent Experience for Little Hands. I hadn't heard of it before we did all of the ornaments for our Jesse Tree so we're going to stick with that for this year but if any of you want to try this one that is specific to kids and includes crafting, let me know how it goes.

Several churches participate in the Advent Conspiracy which I have done in the past. It joins social justice around the issue of clean water with the practice of Advent and has a lot of tools. I love the concept of Advent Conspiracy and still reference it often as I walk through the Christmas season: Worship Fully. Spend Less. Give More. Love All.

If you're new to the practice of Advent or wish to participate, I would love to hear what resources you're using or recommend. This is just what I have found so far that works for me but I know there is a wealth of resources available.

My friends, I will be thinking of all of you tonight as we light our first candle and join with the Church to begin the watch for Christ.






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