Advent for Everyone

When I was growing up, my mom always kept an Advent wreath on our table. It was a simple candelabra, round in shape, which held four candles. They were usually white, but some years she used red and/or green. Every Sunday in December, she would light one, then two, then three, and finally all four of the candles. She would also sometimes buy us Advent calendars–the paper kind, with twenty-four little numbered doors that each opened to reveal a tiny piece of chocolate. That was pretty much the extent of our Advent observance, at least in my memory. From my teen years on, I attended mainly evangelical churches, where the term “Advent” wasn’t used, and the tradition of keeping Advent became little more than a fuzzy memory. I certainly didn’t have any kind of grasp on its value as a spiritual preparation for celebrating Christmas.

However, I’ve developed something of a liturgical longing in my middle years, a desire for practices that support spiritual contemplation and rhythmic living. The mainline denominations are good at this, as most of them follow the church calendar to some degree. Holidays and observances the evangelicals tend to overlook, like Lent and Pentecost, not to mention the feast days that celebrate the lives of saints (who are heroes of the early church, many of them pre-Reformation folks, and thus, a part of Christian history as a whole and not just Catholic history, whether you believe in canonization or not) can be markers of contemplation and celebration throughout the year for anyone who wants to observe them. All you need is a little education in the church calendar and a resource or two. If you’ve grown up evangelical or came to Christianity through an evangelical medium of faith, all of this might be new. And honestly, it might feel a little strange and mystical at first, but let’s take a closer look.

What Is Advent?

The church year, unlike the calendar year, begins December 1 with Advent. The anticipation of the birth of Jesus, the center of the Christian belief, is a time to ponder more deeply the story of the Messiah–how God planned his birth hundreds of years before; how his earthly lineage can be traced back to everyone from David to Ruth to Jacob to Abraham to Adam; how the prophets so clearly predicted the circumstances of his arrival; how Mary was chosen to be his mother–not to mention how courageously she accepted the appointment, knowing it would change the entire trajectory of her young life. In celebrating Advent, you are invited to spend an entire month thinking about these things, and it can be utterly life-changing.

Mainline denominations like the Lutheran, Presbyterian, Methodist, and Catholic churches traditionally build their church services and celebrations all throughout December around the birth of Christ–they don’t just offer a Christmas Eve service and call it good (not that there is anything wrong with doing so–my point is just that if you are interested in more, a mainline denomination may be the place to find it). These are the churches where you’ll find cantata (Christmas carol) services, nativity plays, and an Advent wreath on the altar. And you needn’t necessarily abandon your home church to do so. Often, special Advent services and celebrations are held during times other than Sunday morning. A little googling will tell you what offerings are to be had in your area.

Celebrating Advent at Home

But let’s also look at how you can bring the glory of Advent into your home. One option is to make (all you really need is a flat plate, four candles of some kind, and some greenery from your yard) or purchase your own Advent wreath, lighting the candles on Sunday evenings and reading from Scripture. There are plenty of print and online guides for this. Begin with the simple tradition of the Blessing of the Advent Wreath (feel free to skip the sign of the cross if that’s not your thing). And yes, the First Sunday of Advent was yesterday, but who’s to say you can’t begin mid-week? If it’s meaningfully done, that’s what matters. We’re here not to be legalistic, but to bring Christ into our homes.

Another way to observe Advent is with an Advent calendar (some of these are now billed as “Countdown to Christmas calendars”). These can contain treats, from chocolate to LEGOs, but the most impactful might be the pictorial kind that slowly reveal a bit of the Christmas story every day, which can be talked over as a family. Places like Hobby Lobby carry the reusable kind with tiny pockets and drawers you can refill with treats or little folded-up Scriptures. Again, you’re not too late to get started–and you might find the chocolate kind on sale.

You can also make the decorating of your home and Christmas tree a part of Advent with a Hanging of the Greens ceremony, making the decorating process a more spiritually mindful part of the anticipation of Christ’s coming. This often includes reading Scripture, singing some carols, and prayer. Again, there are plenty of resources online.

A daily devotional reading designed specifically for Advent, read on your own or as a family (or both, if you have children) can help you keep your focus on Christ, even when shopping and wrapping and baking and social events are pressing in on you. For families, Ann Voskamp’s Unwrapping the Greatest Gift combines the story of Christ with the concept of the Jesse Tree, which kids love because it makes the Jesus story tangible for them. Twenty-five readings take you through the story of God’s plan to bring Jesus to his people throughout Advent. The Way to the Manger is another personal family favorite, with short readings that make the Christ story personal and reflection questions to talk over. For adults, a collection like Watch for the Light, with writings by classic Christian writers like C. S. Lewis and Dietrich Bonhoeffer, or the annual Magnificat Advent Companion (this one is Catholic, but the readings are absolutely wonderful, so don’t be hesitant even if you’re Catholic-shy) can offer an opportunity to center one’s focus each day.

Finally, my favorite all-around Advent resource for families is The Christmas Countdown by Margie Harding. This daily guide has it all–Scriptures to read, carols to sing, projects to embark on.

My point here is that you don’t have to be Catholic, Lutheran, Episcopalian, or any specific denomination in order to make Advent a part of your Christmas preparation. The observance of Advent is available to anyone who wants to put their personal focus or their family’s focus on the anticipation of the coming of Emmanuel over the hustle and bustle. Slow down. Light some candles. Read. Sing. Feast. Seek to know his story a little more deeply.

A blessed Advent to you all.

Harmony Harkema has loved the written word for as long as she can remember. A former English teacher turned editor, she has spent the past eleven years in the publishing industry. A writer herself in the fringe hours of her working-and-homeschooling mom life, Harmony also has a heart for leading and coaching aspiring writers. Harmony lives in Memphis with her husband and two small daughters. She blogs at harmonyharkema.com.