Everything Becoming
I grew up in a church tradition that celebrated Advent, which means many of the customs (lighting the candles of the Advent wreath, the Chrismon tree, etc.) are not foreign. However I know that not everyone has that story in their rear-view mirror.
Advent is a period of preparation for Christmas, beginning with the four Sundays leading up to December 25th. Advent has also become a subversive move in our culture. At a time when speed and consumption characterize the Christmas season, Advent calls us to reflect as we wait. Some people pray and fast. My family breaks out the Advent candles and reads from one of the resources below. Regardless of what we do, the intention is the same:
Advent is a discipline of patience that intensifies the celebration of Jesus coming to rescue and redeem the world. It forms within us the patience to wait in expectation.
This coming weekend (December 1-2) is the first weekend of Advent. Included here are some recommendations of resources for use as individuals or as a family. These resources serve as a way for either rookies or Advent regulars to intentionally enter this amazing season of waiting and reflection.
Recommended by a friend, this book has become a staple for our family over the years. The large, board-like book was created by a couple from Oak Park, IL. Each page features an illustrated door from homes and buildings in their neighborhood. Starting on December 1, the door on the page opens and underneath is a portion of Jesus’ birth story from the Gospels.
Regardless of the age of your children, making this book a tradition at meal times leading up to Christmas has a deep impact. The artwork is beautiful, and the pieces of Jesus’ birth story are easy for any age to understand.
Heidi Haverkamp does something very unique in this book, which is capturing brief (not short) reflections on where the classic C.S. Lewis Chronicles of Narnia intersect with Jesus’ birth story. She weaves in and out of the Lewis books, bringing scenes and characters into the Advent discussion in fresh ways.
I wouldn’t recommend this book to families with very young children. Also, understanding at least the storyline of The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe is important to mining the full value out of this resource. I believe it would work for individuals as well as families as a post-dinner conversation starter or an early morning reflection piece.
One of the greatest gifts given to the world by the late Phyllis Tickle is the series of books called The Divine Hours. While the three larger volumes are broken into meteorological seasons (Fall, Winter, Spring/Summer) there are smaller volumes for the holiday seasons.
The Christmastide volume gives “fixed-hour prayers” (i.e. written prayers & Scriptures) for each day through not only Advent and Christmas but on to the celebration of Epiphany which marks the end of the ancient period called Christmastide.
The morning, noon, and evening prayers (as well as a prayer of Compline) are helpful for those who don’t have a lot of time. Each “office” (time of prayer) is well structured and guides the reader through readings from the Bible and repeated prayers that helps with focus and attention.
While this resource could be used for families, I have had more success with it in personal times of prayer. Of course, that depends on what your family is willing to engage in this season.
This book is the highest investment book of the list, but it is a high-reward resource as well. In Watch For the Light, spiritual writers from across history inspire and challenge us in our thinking about Jesus’ birth.
Legends like Dietrich Bonhoeffer, poets T.S. Eliot and Gerard Manley Hopkins, as well as contemporary writers Phillip Yancey and Henri J.M. Nouwen give us beautiful chapters on the waiting season of Advent.
The daily readings begin on November 24th, but it is well worth buying now regardless. The daily readings are quite lengthy so they may not fit well with a tight schedule. Again, the investment is well worth the challenge.
Blessings on your Advent journey, however it may turn out. If I have missed any resources, please recommend in the comments below.
(Photo by Gareth Harper on Unsplash)
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