advent

One great Christmas tradition we are continuing in our home is something my family did from ever since I can remember. We celebrate Advent which is the period of time beginning with the fourth Sunday before Christmas and ending with Christmas Eve. This is a time to prepare ourselves to celebrate the first coming of Christ. Advent is a time of reflection, thanksgiving, anticipation, and worship. As we were reminded today in our church service, Christmas is also a time to look forward to a time beyond now - our promise of a new heaven and a new earth - the home of righteousness (2 Peter 3:13). Because of Christ - we have redemption - there is an eternal plan for us. He came to bring meaning and significance to all that we do.

The advent wreath has a purple candle for each Sunday of Advent. (1) represents Hope (2) Peace (3) Love (4) Joy and then a white candle to be lit on Christmas Eve - the Christ Candle. Every night at dinner time we read a scripture verse and light the candles based on the week. After dinner is cleaned up we move on to the living room for another tradition - our Advent calendar - or Jesse Tree. More on that later......