Let's cut to the chase. There's too much to do during the holidays.
So when it comes to your family's Advent rhythm... pick just one thing extra.
If you try to do the daily advent devotional at breakfast, Advent calendar after school, candles and singing and memorizing Luke 2 at dinner, prayers for every God sighting of the day at bedtime, and scrambling to move the Elf on the Shelf (or as I saw yesterday, Mary on the Mantle) before you lay your head on the pillow, life will look less like "Glory to God in the Highest" and more like "Baby Jesus Dumpster Fire." You know what I mean?
So. Instead. Pick one.
-Light your advent wreath once a week and say a prayer. (Shameless plug for WND on Dec 3)
-Sing a Christmas song every night at bedtime.
-Set up a nativity and act out the story of Jesus' birth during dinnertime.
-Ask your kids where they've seen God show up that day.
-Give your kids a set amount of money that they get to spend on someone not related to them.
Etc. Etc. Etc.
Don't get me wrong. You can do (gestures wildly) all the things. And if that works for your family, I love it. But if it doesn't, pick just one thing. Because if you try to do it all, you'll probably end up doing nothing. (Or you may do it all but end up showing your children a less than Advent-like side of yourself in the process.)
Jesus' birth was really very simple. Let's stop trying to make it Instagram worthy. Join us for worship on Sundays. And pick just one thing extra. Do it. And have some fun celebrating the coming of Jesus.
See you at church and around town,
Ashley
