preparing for his coming.
most years, we begin some sort of advent activity to prepare our hearts
for His coming and we never make it all the way to the day of Jesus'
birth. i don't want to be legalistic, but i do desire for our family to
truly focus on the reason we are celebrating. maybe that's one of the reasons
why we've never finished--the legalism that it felt like because it wasn't
working for us. this year, i've found something that really works for us
and we can take it as far as we'd like & really apply it in our lives.
the Jesus Storybook Bible is already a household favorite. someone linked
to this advent reading plan & i knew it would fit. it's perfect for us.
we sit together after dinner and read the story--there are 25, but you could catch
up still! i love what an amazing job this Bible does at pointing kids [and us!]
to the big picture. every story points to the truth of the Gospel and what is in store.
[sometimes i feel like i'm speaking Christianese. i don't mean to and i hope you know that
EVERYONE is welcome at my place. just in case you don't know what i'm talking about
when i say 'the truth of the Gospel and what is in store', this is what i mean:
that the world is messed up and we are messed up, broken sinners. God sent his son in
our place to die for our sins. one day, He will come again and redeem everything--make
it all new again. we have a chance to be there in that real new world simply by believing.
that's it. that's the gospel and that's what's in store.] back to our advent activities...
i've added a little activity to the strip of paper that one of the kids pull out. some days
it is a treat, a family activity, a vote for the next activity or a way that we can bless
others. it is something that we all look forward to and i'm cherishing our time
as we prepare our hearts for His coming! i would love to hear if your family has
any advent traditions!
We are doing the same thing! I love the Storybook Bible, honestly, I often tear up while reading it. The author does SUCH a good job of describing God's love for us :)
ReplyDeleteyes!
DeleteI have always wanted to do one. Thanks for sharing : )
ReplyDeleteof course! hope it works for your family, too!
DeleteHi Lovelyn,
ReplyDeleteWhen my hubby and I were newlyweds, his Aunt gave us the book The Advent Jesse Tree by Dean Meador Lambert, along with 25 cute and crafty homemade ornaments made by the ladies group at their church. I wasn't sure then if or how much we'd use it. Now, here we are 11 years later with 4 sons and we all love it. The ornaments correspond with each reading, so each day we put the ornament in a stocking for one of the younger boys to pull out and identify and put on the (ugly) little (fake) tree we use as our Jesse Tree. The readings do a really good job of showing the big picture of the thread of salvation leading up to Christ's birth. Of course, I add in a little chocolate (to add to the fun!)
thank you for sharing! i think this is one we started...not sure why it didn't work for us. maybe kid ages?? anyway--glad it works for you & thanks for sharing for other people!
DeleteI was JUST telling a friend last night that I had turned to the JSB to use alongside our Jesse Tree because the author does an amazing job pointing every story to the coming of sweet baby Jesus!
ReplyDeleteLove your "translation" girlfriend.
ReplyDeleteFirst off, I love your blog and am inspired daily.
ReplyDeleteOur family has a very simple paper tree that I made and we glue paper ornaments to it each day (Dec 1 - put up the Christmas lights, Dec 2 - go angel shopping, Dec 3 have hot chocolate, etc). The kids love it and look forward to "what the ornament is" everyday.
http://www.bigdandme.com/2012/11/easy-advent-calendar-with-a-paper-bag/
Jennifer
I love the idea of an advent reading plan. I am throughly enjoying your blog.
ReplyDelete