This got me thinking...how can I do my best to make the most of the Advent weeks, without inviting the infamous holiday craze into our house? Is it really possible?
I decided tonight that an essential part of making Advent meaningful for my family, sans craziness, is Advent planning. What's that, you ask? I don't know! I've never tried it! But, if menu planning can get us through weeks of dinners with greater ease, peace and enjoyment, I'll bet that Advent planning can produce similar results.
I was inspired today by another mother's efforts and advanced planning to help ensure that Advent is a special season in her house. On her blog, Shower of Roses, Jessica has posted years of Advent ideas and planning. What a great way to jump start ideas!
So, with about one week to go until Thanksgiving, I am setting out to making my own Advent calendar -- an Advent Plan for helping my family focus on Advent and the true meaning of Christmas. I would love ideas, recommendations, tips and prayers as I do this. Then, let the celebration begin!
2 comments:
Queen B, this is an excellent idea--I'm with you 100%! I've never planned Advent before, but it really sounds great. These days you have to plan ahead to AVOiD the craziness. I'm going to try to look ahead and really LIMIT the activities we are part of in order to make the most of them. We'll see... I love Shower of Roses--she gave me my Lenten Jesus Tree idea, which we love and adds so much to that season. Perhaps this is the year to make a felt Advent countdown like it?? So much to do, so little time.
God bless you all. xo
MaryAlice handed-down to us a wooden nativity set that is designed for kids to play with. We enjoy turning off all the lights except the Christmas tree right before the kids' bedtime, letting them play with the nativity set for a few minutes and each choose one character, then reading about their characters of choice together. This is in lieu of bedtime stories, and it's doable even for very little children.
Thanks for getting us thinking!
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