Choosing Holiday Traditions For Your Family This Advent
Photo by Oriol Portell
December marks one of the busiest times of the year–Christmas shopping, holiday parties, school events, and festivities galore. You’re probably noticing your weekends are filled up by now and wondering how it’s already December.
After doing a quick google search, I found that there are pages upon pages of advent guides with wreaths, calendars, and activities to do. But where do you even start and how can you possibly keep up with baking Christmas cookies, singing hymns and doing acts of service every night until December 25th? Not possible.
As overwhelming as this holiday season can get, hit the pause button right now. The holidays are already hectic as it is, let’s not add more to the chaos. After all, isn’t Jesus supposed to be the reason for the season?
Take a moment to recalibrate and figure out how you and your family can soak in this advent season together, instead of hastily flying through the motion of the holidays.
Define what’s meaningful to your family
Growing up I would help decorate the Christmas tree with my sister. On Christmas eve our family would watch classic Christmas movies and then we’d open our gifts under the tree on Christmas morning.
As a child, I enjoyed the nostalgia of the warm cozy Christmas feeling that hot cocoa, movies, and time spent with family brought. Naturally, I made it a family tradition to put up our tree and decorate the house with my kids.
As a parent, I now have my own list of must-haves for holiday family traditions. I read advent devotionals every year and now it’s something I’ve included my kids in. We also do a simple countdown to Christmas by reading over these fun advent conversation cards at dinner time.
Figure out what is important (what is your “why”?) and how you want to spend your energy and time this holiday season. My why is that I want my children to have the wonder and joy of Christ in their hearts as Christmas comes near. My why is also for my kids to feel loved and included in our family, which is why we do fun but simple things like decorating a Christmas tree.
Choose traditions that matter
Once you’ve figured out what is meaningful to your family, start saying yes to traditions that align with your “why” and no to those that don’t. If you’re not sure what to say no to, ask yourself– is this bringing me joy? How much is it costing me? Will my kids enjoy this? If you’re unable to say yes to those questions, perhaps now is not the time to incorporate those traditions.
The great thing with advent and the Christmas season is that it happens every year. If you’re bogged down from work and you have littles at home, maybe baking cookies for Santa is not going to be doable this year. That’s ok, you always have next Christmas.
Now, you may be like me and want to read devotions with your family, but there are a million and one devotions for advent to choose from. Lucky for you, I have narrowed down a list of family advent resources for those that don’t want to get stuck sifting through all the options out there. Pick one that fits your family’s needs (ages, interests).
Family-Friendly Advent Resources
Focus on the Family Advent Resources (What is advent, calendar, craft, devotions)
The Jesus Storybook Bible Advent Kit (Kids devotions, coloring pages, Spotify playlist)
LifeWay Family Advent Guide (Family devotions, activities, connection questions)
The Advent Storybook Resources (Kids advent book, coloring pages, activities)
The Advent Storybook 25 Day (Daily audio reading from the book!)
Kids Read Truth (Kids advent conversation cards, advent book, devotions)
Be present over perfect
Remember the importance of the Christmas season. Advent is a time of waiting in anticipation for the coming of Christ. Part of that waiting is adopting a posture of quietness. The craziness of the holiday season can sweep you up in a whirlwind, don’t let it. Speaking from experience, don’t let this season become busier than it needs to be. I used to feel like I needed to check off a long list of the best holiday traditions for my family until I quickly realized it just wasn’t practical. Instead of being frazzled with what you're doing, focus on the why and be present. If there are days you miss or your kids just aren’t in the mood, don’t force it. Allow space for grace and soak up these precious moments with your children.
