There’s something magical about the Christmas season. Perhaps it’s the way life seems to fit together, or maybe it’s the way that joy seems to consume us all. This year, more than any other year, I feel the yearning for that joy. With the Christmas season finally here, it feels like we can jump into that joy. I’ll be the first to admit that things have felt bittersweet this season. But somehow, Christmas feels like the flawed corners of our pain/grief/sadness/anger from 2020 are slowly being thawed away to reveal the tenderness of this holiday.
With the light of Christmas comes the dawning of the heart of the holiday: the joy that was given to the world all those years ago.
We are officially in the Advent season, which is the four weeks of the church’s liturgical season leading up to the birth of Jesus! Advent feels just a bit different this year, in that within all the chaotic months and weeks prior, there’s been a greater need to lean on faith and celebrate Jesus’ birth.
If you’re looking for a few ways to celebrate Advent in your home, by yourself or with a group of friends and family (safely), here are a few ideas!
1 // This year, I’m choosing to participate in Soul Fitness’ Advent Project, where each Sunday, they push out a podcast, live yoga and prayer prompts for participants. This is such a beautiful construction and reminder of faith in this season.
2 // Ann Voskamp’s One Thousand Gifts focuses on the gifts of the season, and seeing the good each day. I absolutely love her work; she is a true wordsmith and paints the most beautiful pictures with her writing. This study is her fight for joy and something she shares with readers on how you, too, can find the fullness of Joy in the Christmas season and beyond.
3 // She Reads Truth focuses on immersing readers in the Word each day, and throughout the year as they publish study books that follow the church calendar. You can also sign up for their daily emails where they send out Scripture and articles to meditate on. During Christmas, SRT has a collection of Advent books that provide pre-made meditative prompts as well as studies in the Word.
4 // Last year, my church’s pastor told us that if you read one chapter in the Gospel of Luke each day, you will finish up the book of Luke by Christmas as there are 24 chapters in Luke. I actually did this last year and loved being able to follow the story of Jesus throughout Advent. You can follow along in Luke with the story of his birth through his death.
5 // Listening to music, has always been one of my favorite ways of worship. There’s so many incredible options for worship music, Christmas or not, that helps me to focus on the meaning of this season. I’m obsessed with this song from Natalie Grant and Danny Gokey, The Prayer.
What are some ways you celebrate Advent during Christmas?
Jenna says
Love this! I haven’t been spending as much time focusing on Advent these past few years, so I’ll have to think of ways to celebrate this year!
Jenna ♥
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