Family Traditions for Christmas-On the Cheap Part II

I have decided to break the family traditions information into several more posts. I think it will be easier for folks to read and digest, and since I wrote it all this morning it will mean that I have my posts all set for the next few days!

Each day I will recap what was covered in the previous “part”s, so if you join our show in progress you’ll be able to catch up 🙂

In Part I of Family Traditions for Christmas-On the Cheap I covered why I think traditions are important and the three ways that folks come by their traditions, A-got them from their family B-consciously decided on a tradition and C-a chance occurrence or idea is repeated and become tradition. My first examples were my family’s tree trimming tradition (A & B), our ornament exchange (A) and our Advent calendar (B).

Here is another tradition, the Advent Wreath!

In keeping with Advent (the four weeks leading up to Christmas) I like to have an Advent wreath (A & B). For the last several years it has been a centerpiece for our table, but only lit a few times. Toddlers plus open flame is just not a good equation. However I have memories of lighting our own advent wreath while growing up and having some sort of devotional with it. Sometimes it was a daily thing, sometimes it was weekly, and sometimes it just didn’t happen at all!

For the last 3 years I’ve been planning on doing devotionals with the kids for Advent. I really like Advent, because not only does it heighten the anticipation of Christmas by counting down the days, but it also focuses on the religious part of the holiday, rather than the secular portion of the season. There are lots of great resources online with various stories, readings and prayers but they all seemed a bit too advance for my kiddos (Catholic Mom, Anglican online, and Just4Kids has some great stuff for kids, and you can find tons of stuff if you just Google “Christmas stories for Kids”)

I finally found this little (and I mean little, about 3” X 2 ½ “) $.99 book at the Christian bookstore that has very brief readings appropriate for very young children. It is called “The Story of Christmas” and is published by Concordia Publishing House. There are 25 readings, one for each day of Advent. Here is an example:

Day 19. Better Than Gold.

I love your commands because they are pure and right. They are more precious than gold. Psalm 19L9-10

Today’s Prayer: Dear God, thank you for making it possible for every single person to be rich in blessings. Help us to follow your commands. For Jesus’ sake. Amen

Advent Activity: Why is it better to be rich in who we are than to be rich in what we have?

My intent this year is to light a candle almost every night, and to read the devotional before dinner (or right after dinner, whichever works best). I have a small fake greenery advent wreath that I bought years ago, so the only expense for this, besides time, is a new set of candles (3 purple and 1 pink-I’m a purist) and the $.99 for the devotional book. And I should be able to use the book for a couple of years before they outgrow it.