Running With Perseverance

One way I try to combat the commercialism that has overtaken the Christmas season is by observing Advent. In the Christian church calendar, Advent is the “season” when we get ready for Christmas. In most Christian traditions, Advent has a dual meaning: we remember the first Christmas when Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and the three kings awaited and rejoiced at the birth of Christ, while we also await and prepare for Jesus’ promised return. 

One traditional way to observe Advent is to keep an Advent wreath at home. In our church, we make Advent wreaths with a large white candle in the center, and three purple candles and one pink candle surrounding it. Each week, we light the corresponding candle(s), and say a prayer and read a Bible passage related to the weekly Advent theme: hope, love, joy, and peace. 

Another way to observe Advent is to use an Advent calendar. I grew up having a traditional Advent calendar every year (just pictures, no candy!), but gave in and got my kids the chocolate kind when they hit their teen years. This year I am going to participate in the Global Advent Calendar the Society of Saint John the Evangelist (SSJE) is creating on Instagram.

(click image to sign up for reminder emails!)

Here are the themes and hashtags for the first week:

#Look (30 Nov)
#Remember (1 Dec)
#Imagine (2 Dec)
#Thrive (3 Dec)
#Abide (4 Dec)
#Notice (5 Dec)
#Watch (6 Dec)

[Tweet “Help Make A Global Advent Calendar #AdventWord”]

Do you observe Advent?

Do you countdown to Christmas with an Advent calendar?