Fun Things to Do During Advent l Christmas Countdown Activities

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Every year it seems to get busier and even more crazier around the Christmas season. Shopping, baking, recitals, and gift-giving continually sweep us away from the meaning of Advent and Christmas. What is Advent? Advent is defined as a season when the Body of Christ is waiting in preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas. Advent is derived from the Latin word “adventus,” a term that means “arrival,” like the coming of Jesus into the world. The 2,000 year event celebrates the truth of God and the acknowledgement of Christ to save humanity. We celebrate that Christ has come to the earth in human form and we honor His arrival. The time is marked by praise, prayer, fasting and reading of the Scriptures. Color is also used to represent Advent with a tapestry of purple. Purple is used as a sign of royalty that represents Christ that can be witnessed in many churches. Many Roman Catholics use purple as a tradition during Advent, Holy Week, and Lent as well as many other denominations. We can reflect on the importance of Advent as well as have fun this season. Here are activities to enjoy with the entire family this season.

Read

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Start the countdown of Christmas activities by reading a Christmas book a day. Read short fun books like “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” "The Night before Christmas," "The Polar Express," "A Christmas Carol," “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!,” and "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer." The stories are not only cute and fun, but have lessons that are important for kids, and perhaps for some adults! Buy a book of Christmas poems to share over hot chocolate as everyone gets ready for bed. Be more adventurous by having everyone participate in reciting a part in a short play. You can print out scenes from different Christmas films or plays, like the “Christmas Carol” and make it more interactive.

Relive the Nativity

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Focus on the importance of the season by visiting a nativity--fake or real. Some cities have elaborate displays. If not, get involved and create your own display in or outside. No live animals of your own, please! Taking the time to recreate the nativity scene can spark a conversation regarding the how important the Savior is to the world. Is also can encourage reflection on Christ’s humility since He is a King, but was born in a stable with animals. Afterwards, read the nativity story. This will help you to focus on the real meaning of the holiday. Invite family to join in and discuss the themes and what it means to them.

Homemade Ornaments

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Do what they did in the Victorian era and make homemade ornaments that add a personal touch this Advent. Hgtv.com suggested a couple that are pretty easy! One was a tangerine that was decorated with upholstery tacks in a pattern across the fruit. You cut notches on top and loop a ribbon through it. If you have extra metal cookie cutters you can hot glue the back of them with festive gift-wrapping paper. Make cookies for the tree. This can be gingerbread men, holiday shaped sugar cookies, or whatever shapes you want to use as ornaments. Then, sit by the tree and take in your creations with eggnog, or your favorite holiday drink.

Have a Birthday Party

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Have a party for Jesus. Bring out the decorations, the cake, and the dinner platters. Prepare seasonal dishes like casseroles filled with spinach, eggs, sausage, and cheese. Make seafood paella, sea bass with fennel and linguine with clam sauce. Don’t forget the cookies. Candy cane cookies and gingerbread cookies can be made, and given as party gifts. Serve a warm apple cider punch to top things off. Ask people to recite prayers and share how God has worked in their lives. Recite the St. Andrew Christmas Novena. This is prayed from the feast of St. Andrew in November through Christmas Eve. With food, prayer and fellowship—it can be a grand party in honor of Christ.

Follow an Advent Calendar

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One of the most popular ways to celebrate Advent is to use an Advent calendar, which has its origins from the German Lutherans in the 19th century. The Advent calendar was used to mark the 24 days until Christmas day. Families would put a line of chalk through each passing day on the door or on a handmade calendar. Gerhard Lang printed the first Advent calendar in the early 1900s. Eventually, companies started producing cardboard calendars with a door for each day. Every door would have a different treat, or a Christmas related tip of the day. Advent calendars today range from having chocolates or samples of beauty products to try every day. Those who want to make it more significant could buy one that shares a different Scripture or random acts of kindness to perform until Christmas.

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