Advent this year begins on Sunday, December 2, which is just around the corner! Several years ago I realized that every year when Christmas came around, I really wasn’t ready. All the decorations were up, my gifts had been purchased, everything had been wrapped, all the cookies were made and dinner with all the trimmings had been completed, but my HEART was not ready to celebrate Jesus’ birth. Although I enjoy giving gifts and being around family and friends I love so much, my heart was not in a place to experience Immanuel, God with us!
Advent is a season of anticipation, of holy waiting and active hope. It can be a time for dreaming and creativity. The last several years, I decided to do some things to prepare my heart to be excited about the true meaning of Christmas, and I thought I would share some of the things that have helped me to be ready, as well as some ideas I would like to try this year or in the future.
Daily readings leading up to Advent are a helpful way to prepare your heart.
John Piper’s Good News of Great Joy and The Dawning of Indestructible Joy can both be downloaded for free.
This year I am trying The Expected One by Scott James.
Fervr has daily readings aimed at teens as well, which can be followed on Instagram.
Bible journaling through Advent has been a fun way (for me) of interacting with Scripture. Some options for how to do this are shown here. I have tried Waiting ‘Round the Wreath and enjoyed it very much.
Here are some ideas for celebrating Advent as a family
This is obviously not an exhaustive list, but it hopefully gives you a starting place to think of ideas that suit you. I hope these suggestions give you some time to prepare for Advent, and I hope you enjoy the upcoming Season! I would love to hear about any of the ways your family prepares their hearts for Christmas.
—Charissa Ricketts