Christmas really is a wonderful time of year. Yes, society has, on the whole, marginalized the spiritual meaning and has largely turned the focus to Black Friday and Santa Clause... Still, it seems that during the holidays there is a noticeable increase of good will all around, and generosity toward our fellow Earth-dwellers. And, despite the incessant touting of the commercial, I would argue that there is also an increase in the general discussion of our Savior, who's birth we are celebrating. All that being so, sometimes I feel like I could do a little more to help my Christmas be more focused on Christ.
This December will be our second Christmas together, and my hubby and I are still solidifying our own little family's traditions. As we explore options and try different variations, we both agree that it is important to consciously keep the focus on the Savior's birth.
Sometimes it seems that, with all the hustle and bustle and crazy travel that is often typical of Christmas, it's not always easy. Back in early November, Ritsumei posted about her thoughts and preparations for Christmas. In that post, she referenced another site and introduced me to the idea of Advent.
Previous to reading her post, I'd been familiar with Advent Calendars; we sometimes had them at my parents' house as I was growing up, to count down to Christmas day.. but I hadn't really realized that they had religious origins. So, I investigated a little more.
I discovered that, basically, Advent is a celebration in anticipation of Christmas. It's in partnership with Lent, which is celebrated in anticipation of Christ's resurrection. I may not be Catholic, however, I do very much like the idea of spending more time in the weeks leading up to December 25th, remembering why it is we celebrate anyway.
Growing up, one of my family's traditions was that on Christmas Eve, we'd all gather in the living room and Dad would read us the Christmas story from Luke. I really like that tradition.
Kind of adding to that, this year, in my learning about Advent, I found a list of scriptures, focusing mainly on the Christmas story, that can be read all month long. I tweaked the list a little, added some verses here and there and, as I'm a huge fan of carols, added some Christmas songs as well.
There's no question, we'll still put up our tree early in December, buy presents, watch Christmas movies and send out Christmas cards, but I'm excited to see how this new thing helps me keep a special focus on Christ and all he's done for me.
And so, just for posterity... or, in the off chance a reader or two might be interested, I've posted our little schedule here:
Dec 6th - Isaiah 40:1-5 (Far, Far Away on Judea's Plains, vs. 1&2)
Dec 7th - Isaiah 52: 7-10 (Far, Far Away on Judea's Plains, vs. 3&4)
Dec 8th - Isaiah 40: 9-11 (It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, vs. 1)
Dec 9th - Genesis 3:8-15 (I Believe in Christ, vs. 2&4)
Dec 10th - Genesis 15:1-6 (I Believe in Christ, vs. 1&3)
Dec 11th - Deut. 18:15-19 (Once in Royal David's City, vs. 1)
Dec 12th - Psalms 89:15-19 (It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, vs. 2&3)
Dec 13th - Isaiah 11:1-10 (Joy to the World, vs. 3)
Dec 14th - Zech. 6:12-15 (Joy to the World, vs. 2)
Dec 15th - Micah 3:1-12 (O Little Town of Bethlehem, vs 1&2)
Dec 16th - Malachi 3:1-6 (Joy to the World, vs. 4)
Dec 17th - John 1:1-18 (Once in Royal David's City, vs. 2)
Dec 18th - Mark 1:1-15 (Once in Royal David's City, vs. 3)
Dec 19th - Luke 1:5-38 (Away in a Manger)
Dec 20th - Luke 1:39-56 (O Little Town of Bethlehem, vs. 3)
Dec 21st - Luke 1:57-80 (O Come All Ye Faithful, vs. 1&2)
Dec 22nd - Isaiah 7:10-16, Luke 1:26-35 (Hark the Herald Angel Sing)
Dec 23rd - Isaiah 9:2-7, Matt. 1:18-25 (Silent Night)
Dec 24th - Luke 2:1-20 (Joy to the World, O Come All Ye Faithful vs. 3)
6 comments:
That looks like a fun plan. I'm trying to get an Advent calendar going, with scriptures to look up behind the little doors, but it's looking like I'm going to be late. Interestingly, it seems that the 12 Days of Christmas may also have religious origins, though I haven't had a chance to look that one up.
Hmm.. I think I've heard that too. That sounds like a fun research project :) I may have to check it out.....
Maybe I should made more noise about Advent. It was a real big thing in Germany, we were always given stuff for Advent. Nearly burned the house down with one, once, but that's a different story. There were some amazing Advent decorations.
Oooooh.. that sounds like a good story! I'll have to remember bug you to share it when we come up :)
Great idea! Next year, I plan to do an advent where we do a different Christmas-related activity each day (decorate tree, Messiah sing-along, caroling, It's a Wonderful Life, read the Christmas story, etc.). Now I'll have to add your ideas to the mix! Hooray1
That's cool! I love the Messiah, especially the Christmas half :)
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