, , ,

Celebrating Advent with Children

Advent is a blessed and magical time of year and children experience this deeply. Building a family ritual around Advent helps to slow down our busy lives, bring a special moment into the day, and prepare our hearts for the coming of the Christ Child at Christmas.  

Each night of Advent, families can gather around an Advent wreath to sing a song, light the candles on the wreath, and recite a verse in a simple, meaningful celebration. Reading an Advent story (such as those in The Christmas Story Book published by Floris books) is another element one can add to the evening tradition. Each week of Advent an additional candle is lighted on the wreath until at the 4th Sunday, all four candles stand glowing.

Verse for Lighting the Advent Wreath

The first light of Advent
Is the light of stones.
The light that shines in seashells,
Crystals and in bones.

The second light of Advent
Is the light of plants.
Plants that reach up to the sun
And in the breezes dance.

 

The third light of Advent
Is the light of beasts.
The light of hope that we see
In the greatest and in the least.

 

The fourth light of Advent
Is the light of man.
The light of Love, the light of thought,
To give and understand.

 

Contributed by Anna Claire Novotny.

1 reply
  1. Rachael Flug
    Rachael Flug says:

    Congratulations on a beautiful first post. Advent has always been a simple yet heartfelt celebration for our family. For the past 32 years we have read one short story a night from Mala Powers book “Follow the Star” (I think it is out of print now). We each have our favorite story. As the kids got older, the stories were read on each Sunday of Advent. It is surely a celebration and reminder of the light that shines even in the darkness.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *