“What’s the surprise for the first day of December?”

It wasn’t completely a surprise because each year it’s an advent calendar, but it’s partly a surprise because it’s always a new one.

Advent means coming and it’s the four weeks that lead up to Christmas. Mother and Daddy read serious things in the evening, and talk about them, a book called The Four Last Things, for instance.”

 – The 24 Days Before Christmas

The wind is blowing outside reinforcing the inward turning of the season. Everyday the girls and I read a little about a different advent practice and the symbolism attached to each. We do some work on the tree. (It is many days project here.) Social media has been quieted. We do a little something each day to direct our focus. Even still, there is the nagging, “You’re falling behind…you forgot to….the deadline for…”  Some of that is absolutely true. Adding seasonal tasks to an already challenging to-do list of classes and extracurriculars and keeping slow moving teens moving along is not exactly conducive to  meditative contemplation.  We can establish little checkpoints throughout the day though to anchor our hearts:

some seasonal read aloud after morning prayer

reciting the St Andrew Novena at noon

lighting the advent wreath at dinner

A little something every day to take our thoughts captive. 

resources for you and your children:

Family Advent Customs

Advent Journal (printable)

Reminder  St Nicholas Day is Sunday.  It is time to print coloring pages and gather treats for the shoes.