Advent
is derived from the Latin word adventus meaning "coming."
It is a time of expectant waiting and preparation.
Advent starts on the fourth Sunday before December 25th.
The season of Advent serves as a reminder
both of the original waiting that was done by the Hebrews for the birth of their Messiah
as well as the waiting of Christians for Christ's return.
My kids most favorite Christmas family tradition is the Advent Calendar.
Here's some of the things we're going to be doing this year as a family...
~extra large slurpees from 7-11
~baking fresh ezekiel bread for neighbors
~watching a Christmas movie as a family..Lydia's pick
~going to the bookstore for new Christmas books
~baking Christmas cookies for friends
~watching a Christmas movie as a family...Seth's pick
~taking a trip one night to krispy kreme for hot donuts
~driving through neighborhoods in winter park to look at Christmas lights
~watching a Christmas movie as a family...Luke's pick
~Christmas Eve service at church
~making a Christmas craft together
~making smores together
~hosting another family for dinner
~a trip to downtown Disney to see the Christmas lights
~candle light dinner together in the dining room with the nice china
~dinner out together..kids choose restaurant
~trip to the beach together
~playdate at the park with friends
~taking blankets to the homeless man that lives outside our block buster
~family game night
~breakfast on Christmas morning at Waffle House..a family tradition
~going to a movie at the theater together
~watching Junie B. Jones in "Jingle Bells, Batman Smells" at the Orlando Rep. Theatre
~we'll do a couple of these things 2 times to make up our 25 things for the whole Advent season
In addition to the fun activities that we do each day of Advent,
we also have an Advent Wreath and a candle to light for each Sunday of Advent season.
As we light a different candle each Sunday night, we read scripture and pray...
acknowledging our great need for him,
thanking him for his grace poured out on us
and anticipating with great joy his return.
May you have a blessed Advent season...
full of hope and peace and joy that comes in knowing the one who made you and loves you fully.
Tara ~ I seriously love your blog...it is one of my favorites. Truly...no flattery here:) YOU encourage ME! I tried to win the HGTV house in Winterpark....to funny. I wish I still had little ones:( Sounds like fun.
ReplyDeleteSuch great ideas! Thank you for sharing and enjoy your holiday season as a family :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing these great Advent ideas! It's such a special time of year. I just love your blog Tara :)
ReplyDeleteWe do alot of that too...except the beach of course:) So fun to make a list. Traditions are a beautiful thing. I love how festive you've made everything. Looks beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful blog header and I love this post. I love reading how others celebrate and decorate and their feelings about the season. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI love it! What a great list - I usually just put a piece of candy in each day, but you have inspired me to go further! Thanks pal!
ReplyDeleteOhhh I LOVE the ideas, and will have to "borrow" many of them. You are such a creative person, and I love keeping up with you!
ReplyDeleteSO much better than the chocolates from the advent calendar my brother and I would fight over. :)
ReplyDeleteI am seriously LOVING your blog!!! I love your Christmas list of super fun activities, I was thinking about doing something similar the other day, but your list is FANTASTIC!!! So fun!
ReplyDeleteLove the whole idea of celebrating advent. I wish I started it this year.
ReplyDeleteon another note: How did you do your header. I've worked on mine. Why doesn't it look like yours???
Tara! I love this! We have an advent calendar and I think this year I'm going to kick it up a notch - and your list of fun family things is amazing! I'll have our family accumulate a list for our advent season - completely inspired by you, my friend!
ReplyDeletexoxo
wish we lived closer :) we'd *wait* together.
ReplyDeletelove you.
the advent is such a beautiful tradition!
ReplyDelete& i LOVE your new header xoxo
First let me say that I LOVE your advent house, probably because I have the same one, but I think it's so cute!!! I do have to say I like Martha's stocking version too, may have to do that one one day. Just realized that I missed the first Sunday of advent this past Sunday, so need to get started ASAP. (I blame it on the surgery, it all just sneaked up on me :])
ReplyDeletep.s. LOVE LOVE the new header!!
Your blog is so...so precious!!! I LOVE it. And, I love this wonderful idea!
ReplyDeletePraying an extra special blessing..this Christmas season.
Hey girly. I had to share this link to a really fun advent calendar. Oh how I wish I could copy this idea!
ReplyDeletehttp://daveandkristycall.blogspot.com/
Your list sounds great! We are still here on vacation and loving your weather! Mickey's Christmas party was superb!
ReplyDeleteI guess I better get my list ready! I can't believe it is December tomorrow!
Love your tradition. It's brilliant to do something each day as a family to celebrate!
ReplyDeletei love your advent traditions! so so special. :) :)
ReplyDelete