I don’t know about you, but I get tired of rushing around to make the perfect holiday–only to feel a huge sense of letdown when the big day ends. So, last year we decided to focus on the true meaning of Christmas. Rather than presents and Santa Claus, we focused on Jesus and giving. Here’s what we did last year… I’ll share my 12 Days of Christmas ideas with you later on in December, but for now, I wanted to share with you what we’re doing for Advent this year.
Advent Dates for 2012
• December 2 – First Sunday of Advent
• December 9 – Second Sunday of Advent
• December 16 – Third Sunday of Advent
• December 23 – Fourth Sunday of Advent
Family Devotions: Last year, we read some Advent verses I found on Focus on the Family’s website. But at the end of the season, I picked up a book called Our Family Christmas. There are 28 devotionals, each with a verse, a short devotion, a family activity, and a prayer–all designed to help us focus on the Reason for the Season. We’re going to do a devotional each day this year.
Something Fun: Last year, we made a paper chain. On each chain was a fun activity to do as a family. We’re going to do this again this year. Some are from the devotional, others are favorites from last year, and others are new! Here are some of the items on my list:
1. Go to a Christmas party!
2. Make greeting cards for soldiers.
3. Go see a Christmas play.
4. Send a thank you to Jesus.
5. Go see St. Nick at the Sophienburg
6. Wassailfest
7. Deliver candy canes with Christmas message.
8. Make gingerbread houses.
9. String popcorn
10. bake cookies
11. Deliver cookies to the neighbors.
12. Go shopping for Christmas sock exchange
13. Make ornaments
14. Call Grandma and sing a Christmas song
15. Go see the lights at Santa’s Ranch
16. Make peanut butter reindeer fudge
17. Wrap presents
18. Make paper snowflakes
19. Watch a Christmas movie
20. Make popcorn balls
21. Go caroling
22. Make a Christmas Craft
23. Decorate cookies
24. Christmas Eve! Unwrap a present!