I don't remember hearing the word "Advent" as a boy. We called this time of year "the Christmas Season," and that was good enough. Looking back, I can recall that we followed several Advent-ish practices. Through the years, we used several calendars that counted down the days to Christmas. We often shared Christmas devotionals. We talked about anticipating the birth of Jesus.
But we never considered Advent wreaths, lighting candles or marking the meaning of the Sundays of Advent. Those aspects of Advent bloomed on other branches of Christianity.
Fortunately, Joanna and I encountered Advent fairly early in our married life. We received our first Advent wreath even before our daughters were born. And so, during their growing-up years, a highlight of this season always was our Advent devotional. Usually, we stopped everything at their bedtime, gathered around the kitchen table, lit the wreath, read a meditation and sang carols. Sweet. I can close my eyes and remember some of the best moments of their young lives.
Lindsay and Molly are grown and gone now. Consequently, Jo and I aren't as specific about stopping to light the candles and read the meditation as we were when the four of us were home. But it's still a vital part of our preparation for Christmas.
This year, we're using a booklet published by Buckner International to guide our hearts toward Christmas. As we anticipate the arrival of our Savior, we will think steadily about things that matter deeply to us—Jesus and the welfare of children and families around the globe. You can receive Buckner's wonderful Advent guide by clicking here .
May you long for Jesus this Advent season.
We seek to connect God’s story and God’s people around the world. To learn more about God’s story, click here.
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