Celebrating Advent as a Family
Celebrating Advent as a Family (reprinted from the December 2011 Liberal newsletter)
From late October until December 24, families are plunged into a frenzied race to make this Christmas the best one ever. As parents frantically try to balance it all, is it any wonder that children can get overwhelmed, hyperactive, wildly excited about all that Christmas Day promises to bring?
Not to add another thing to your to-do list, but what if you decided, as a family, to take some time to center and reflect on the season and what, as a UU you might want it to bring to your family and to the world? What if you reflected on how we can help bring what truly matters to the world.
We can help our children tune into the richness of the season by focusing on an attitude of quiet and patience. Advent is a season of preparation. In the Christian tradition, it is celebrated as a quiet time preparing our hearts to welcome the infant Jesus. As UUs, we, too, can choose to patiently wait for the day that celebrates the birth of this great teacher. We might also choose to prepare our hearts for the possibility that each human brings to the earth -- the human potential that hasn't yet been observed.
As a family, you might create your own simple advent wreath by placing four candles inside a circle of evergreen. Gather your family together each Sunday evening (November 27-December 18) after dinner. Assign a candle lighter to say these words before lighting that week’s candle.
Our lighted candle is glowing
Making the darkness bright
Shining on our family
Gathered here tonight.
Then, let each family member tell those gathered their reflections on these questions:
- November 27: How can we help bring peace to the world?
- December 4: What gives you special joy during this time of year?
- December 11: Name one thing you love about each member of our family.
- December 18: When you are sad or hurt, what gives you hope that it will get better?
During this dark season, we hope your family takes time for breath, for reflection, for patient anticipation of a world that brings peace, joy, love, and hope to all the children of the world.