12th Day of Christmas - Advent

Is the 12th day already here? I hope you enjoyed this series and are more excited about Christmas than when we began two weeks ago. Only 29 days until Christmas...are you ready???

For this post, I saved the best (and most important) for last. For those of you who are Christians, the focus of your family's Christmas needs to be on Christ. With kids and lots of hussle and bustle, this has to be something very intentional that you choose to do.

Here are some great ways to refocus your family's attention on Jesus.

1. The Jesse Tree. This idea originated from Isaiah 11:1-2, which refers to the fact that Jesus would be born from the line of David, whose father's name was Jesse. Instead of re-typing the whole premise, check out this link for Simple Mom's explanation. You can also reference http://www.jesse-trees.com/ or check out books like "The Advent Jesse Tree" by Dean Meador Lambert or "The Jesse Tree" by Geraldine McCaughrean.

2. A traditional Advent Calendar. Advent means to celebrate that which is coming (the birth of Christ). There are many ways you can celebrate using an Advent Calendar. If you want to do something a little deeper than opening a door each day and pulling out a piece of chocolate, purchase (or make) a calendar with pockets or larger holes behind the doors. Write out notes to stick in each pocket. The note could contain a passage of Scripture, a family activity or challenge or a fun fact about the true meaning of Christmas.

3. An Advent Wreath. If a daily calendar is too much for you, consider an Advent Wreath, which is celebrated for the 4 Sundays prior to Christmas. The instructions for what you need for this project come from Secrets to Getting More Done in Less Time by Donna Otto:

- Buy or a make a wreath and place four candles around or in the wreath and one candle in the center of the wreath

- On the Saturday before the first Sunday in Advent, a prayer is said and some conversation about the use of the wreath is suggested. Usually the head of the family is resonsible for this time, as well as the lighting of the candles.

- On the 4th Sunday before Christmas, light the first candle. This candle is the Prophecy Candle. Verses to be shared are: Luke 1:30-31, Isaiah 2:1-5; 11:1-9; 40:3-11. If you do this before a meal, the candle can be left burning throughout the meal.

- On the 3rd Sunday before Christmas, light the second candle. This candle is the Bethlehem Candle. Verses to be shared are Luke 2:24 and Isaiah 7:13-14.

- On the 2nd Sunday before Christmas, light the third candle. This candle is named the Shepherd's Candle. Verses to be shared are Luke 2:8-20, Matthew 2:1-12 and John 5:30-47.

- On the Sunday before Christmas, light the Angel's Candle. Verses to read are Luke 2:1-7, Matthew 2:13-23 and John 3:16-21.

- On Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, light the Christ Candle, the candle in the center. Select appropriate spiritual readings to focus on the birth of Christ.

4. The Advent Book - this is a beautifully illustrated book that walks you through the 24 days of December before Christmas.

5. Check this out:

Thanks for hanging with me during this 12 Days of Christmas Series! I hope you got some good tips and will be able to incorporate some of the ideas that were shared. Go enjoy your Thanksgiving tomorrow and remember to wear your comfy, stretchy pants!!!