Spiritual Life During Advent

[kimiij]

What is everyone doing spiritually during advent?

I know that there are several threads on here about crafts and such, but I wondering if anyone is embarking on any special Advent devotions or disciplines?

Anyone fasting? Anyone embarking on a special bible reading plan (the New Testament or maybe Isaiah?) Anyone lighting candles during specific times?

I really am interested in developing a more spiritual approach to Advent and Christmas and I'm wondering what others do...

[PatienceAndLove]

Hello!
I am Roman Catholic, and we have an Advent wreath. Also picked up a copy of Magnificat's Advent booklet for some good meditation and prayers during this holy time.
I am also trying to get more into doing the Liturgy of the Hours.

[Bluegoat]

I am hoping this week to start family prayers at supper. I am going to use the BCP model, though my kids are quite young so I may really shorten it down.

I have also been looking at the Advent Conspiracy webpage, I'm not sure what I will do with it, but its got me thinking.

We are planning to do something for St Nick's feast day too which is new for us. My dd wanted her own nativity set for Christmas, but I think it makes more sense to give it a bit earlier, so I think I will give it to her then.

[EnviroBecca]

Two years ago I read a suggestion that because Advent is the season of waiting, we should pray whenever we find ourselves waiting. I have found this very powerful. When I am waiting for a bus, for water to boil, for my kid to fall asleep so I can get up and finish the housework, etc., instead of letting my mind wander, I [try to remember to] pray. In public places I'll often pick a nearby stranger and pray for that person's needs and concerns whatever they may be. If I don't have any other prayer topics in mind, I say prayers of thanksgiving.

[MyLittleWonders]

I like that idea!

[hotmamacita]

Originally Posted by EnviroBecca

Two years ago I read a suggestion that because Advent is the season of waiting, we should pray whenever we find ourselves waiting. I have found this very powerful. When I am waiting for a bus, for water to boil, for my kid to fall asleep so I can get up and finish the housework, etc., instead of letting my mind wander, I [try to remember to] pray. .

We have an advent wreath with candles. Each Sunday we read and talk about waiting, Hope, Faith, and who God is. We also sing together.

We also have fun advent calendars for the kids.

[mamabutterfly]

Tonight at supper dd1 (7) and I talked about darkness and light, God coming into the world as the Light to overcome all darkness. We had our first candle lit on the Advent wreath, and after dinner we turned out the lights to sit briefly in the quite with that one candle lit. It was really powerful, and good because it was together with the girls - I"m bad about thinking I have to be away from the kids to "pray".

Becca, loved your waiting prayers too, thanks for that.

[eastkygal]

We are celebrating Advent for the first time this year. No one that I know of around our area celebrates it, and most don't know what it is, so it is completely new to us.

We have a wreath on the kitchen table. Each Sunday we are lighting a candle (we'll have 4) and decorating the wreath a little more. The first week is the light of stones. The second the light of plants.... beast... humankind. We say a little verse and poem as we light the candle. We use the candle at mealtimes. We are also (in lue of a Advent Calender) are placing stickers on our calender to mark the days until the 25th where I have placed a large nativity sticker. I am also reading the birth story from the Gospel of Luke several times over the course of the month and hope to make that part of our family Christmas tradition.

[MyLittleWonders]

I wish I had bought a wreath this year. We talked last night about dark and light (we also light candles each night leading up to the solstice) and the idea of Jesus being the light of the world. We don't get into the whole "second coming" aspect, but we do talk about anticipating/waiting for the day that the whole world lives out Jesus's command to love one another. We are also reading Tomie dePaola books between now and the Epiphany. We are liberal, non-denominational Christians and our church does not celebrate Advent, nor were either dh or I raised celebrating anything spiritual/religious. So, this is all new to us. Oh, and I think we might slowly add to our nativity this year - not have the baby placed until Christmas morning, and have the 3 "kings" appear on 3 Kings Day.

[kimiij]

Love hearing everyone's ideas for enriching their spiritual life during Advent!!

I'm a big fan of praying while waiting and want to try and remember to do that this week...

I also wanted to get an advent wreath but funds are incredibly low. Also, since I'm single it would be kind of weird to light it by myself???

Anyways, decided to participate in the Novena of the Immaculate Conception which started a few days ago. I am not Catholic but I am very open to participating in spiritual disciplines by other Christian denominations. I have started novenas before but never finished. The issue of starting a spiritual discipline but not finishing happens quite often so I am hoping that I can at least complete the novena.

Also, I am doing Advent readings. I found a schedule that I thought mixed Old Testament and New Testament really well on a church website that I frequent so I am going through that.

I was originally thinking about going through Isaiah or the whole New Testament but I think I might leave that for the Lenten season...

[PatienceAndLove]

@Kim
We have an advent wreath made out of paper for my DD. It may not be the exact same as lighting one, but it does help. And is a lovely reminder to stop a pray.
Or perhaps make a Jesse Tree out of paper. The Old Testament readings the accompany the ornaments make lovely Lectio Divina readings.

[hopefulfaith]

Advent calendar, Advent wreath. I'm reading "The Meaning is in the Waiting" right now, which is quite good.

I would be interested in hearing about anyone doing something with the Jesse Tree, if you're using that with your kids. Thanks!!

[hopefulfaith]

Originally Posted by MyLittleWonders

We talked last night about dark and light (we also light candles each night leading up to the solstice) and the idea of Jesus being the light of the world. We don't get into the whole "second coming" aspect, but we do talk about anticipating/waiting for the day that the whole world lives out Jesus's command to love one another.

I like that! I think there's too much focus in the world about "end times" and such and I really like that perspective. Thanks.

[TzippityDoulah]

maybe we're unusual. I have no idea b/c I don't know anyone else who does anything for advent. we have a wreath and candles. we already have a devotional most nights as a family anyhow so no big change. but we are lighting the candle and focusing on a different thing each week.

[weliveintheforest]

Originally Posted by kimiij

Also, I am doing Advent readings. I found a schedule that I thought mixed Old Testament and New Testament really well on a church website that I frequent so I am going through that.

Would you mind sharing the website?

[Tradd]

Originally Posted by MyLittleWonders

Oh, and I think we might slowly add to our nativity this year - not have the baby placed until Christmas morning, and have the 3 "kings" appear on 3 Kings Day.

Another way to handle the 3 Kings figurines: have them "travel" to the manger! I've even seen this done in churches. Put the 3 Kings figurines way across the room on Christmas Day. Each day, move them closer, until on Epiphany, they're at the manger. The kids might have fun doing the "traveling" themselves (if the figurines are safe for them to handle).

[kimiij]

Originally Posted by weliveintheforest

Would you mind sharing the website?

Sure: http://www.marshill.org/advent/readings/

[MyLittleWonders]

Originally Posted by Tradd

Another way to handle the 3 Kings figurines: have them "travel" to the manger! I've even seen this done in churches. Put the 3 Kings figurines way across the room on Christmas Day. Each day, move them closer, until on Epiphany, they're at the manger. The kids might have fun doing the "traveling" themselves (if the figurines are safe for them to handle).

That's a great idea! Right now they are at the far end of the mantle (our nativity is on the mantle too) as I'm still trying to get it all set-up and ready.