Saturday, November 21, 2009

Advent





I am so excited to celebrate Advent as a family this year. Our Jesse Tree Advent candle holder came in the mail yesterday just in time to prepare for next Sunday. I have always wanted to do this as a family since it was a big part of Aaron's childhood growing up in the Catholic church. Aaron's dad was an ordained Priest before he married and still faithfully serves in the Catholic church. He is a very special man whom I have come to love and respect dearly. It is because of Paul's faith that Aaron came to know and love Christ, those seeds that were planted in his heart as a young Catholic altar boy grew into a desire to seek God and serve Him with all of his life. That is why I felt that advent was a way to kind of "bridge the gap", so to speak, and share with our children the beauty of symbols and scripture that point to Christ. The Jesse Tree Advent wreath tells the story of His lineage through symbols and readings from Scripture, one for each day of Advent. The Advent season begins the fourth Sunday before Christmas up until Christmas Eve. Each day in Advent, often at the main meal, the candles are lit. Each lighting is accompanied by a blessing, scripture reading and the singing of a verse from "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel." (My favorite Christmas hymn!) A different member of the family, starting with the father, leads the ceremony and lights the candles each evening.
I think this will be a very special way to help us as a family keep the focus on Jesus throughout the busy season.

5 comments:

  1. Where did you get your wreath? Does it come with all the scriptures and stuff to read and guide you? I have been wanting to do Advent for a few years now (probably missed this year too). I researched it last year, but I really didn't know where to begin. It sounds awesome and I am glad you are doing it!

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  2. I am sad to say that Erika did not mention the years that we did an Advent wreath and readings.
    I tried to do this at dinner. Sadly, Steve was always still at work.
    I think that they remember??

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  3. It is much easier than it sounds...you aren't too late either! The last Sunday of November is the first day of Advent. I ordered our wreath off of a Catholic family website but also found them on many Christian bookstore websites. Mine came with the candles and the Advent guide. I bet you can find one at a Catholic bookstore around Vista. That's so neat that you have been thinking about doing this. You can even make your own advent wreath candle holder at home and then look for a guide online..that may work too. Let me know what you came up with! Happy Advent!

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  4. My mom said that we did it too or that she did it as a child but I don't remember either. I'm sure that Erika remembers little bits kind of like me and that's why we want to share it with our kids too :)

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  5. I remember it! I think that is what got me started thinking about it a few years back. We will see if I get it together:)

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