This is my favorite time of year... though I could certainly do without the commercialism of Christmas. I recognize that the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas Day are the ones that keep many small businesses operating from year to year. That small businesses are the backbone of the economy. That without them and the jobs they provide, far too many people would fall into poverty. So I live with the commercialism. And, of course I do my part... I shop for loved ones even though I don't really enjoy shopping. I write checks to favorite charities. And I revel in the traditions of the season, sharing them with my children.
We have started what I hope will become a tradition in our family, thanks to my daughter's Children's Liturgy teacher this past Sunday: an Advent chain. The premise is simple - for each day of Advent (which includes the four Sundays before Christmas) there is one link. On each link is a simple suggestion for our children... something we can do as a family, something to make the season more spiritual. To remind them that there's more to the Christmas season then simply looking for our elf, or writing letters to Santa.
The chain is also a great visual countdown to Christmas. Each day, we cut off the day's link, counting down the days to Christmas.
It's still hard for Cathy to conceptualize when I tell her that Christmas is 19 days away, but she can look at the 19 links still on the door and see. She knows that when there's only one link left, Christmas is about to arrive.
If you are interested in a similar tradition in your own families, here's what's on this year's Advent Chain:
12/2 Light the first candle in your Advent wreath.
12/3 Write "I love you" notes to your parents and hide them under your pillow.
12/4 Offer to set the table for your parents.
12/5 Ask a parent for permission to make popcorn for your family (and watch a movie together).
12/6 Read about St. Nicholas, whose feast day is today.
12/7 Be nice to someone you don't like a lot.
12/8 Offer to say grace at mealtime. Suggest your family holds hands around the table as you say it.
12/9 Light two candles in your Advent wreath.
12/10 Clean your bedroom without being asked.
12/11 Look up at the wonder of the nighttime sky tonight and say thanks to God.
12/12 Make a Christmas card for your favorite teacher and give it to him or her.
12/13 Hug everyone in your family today.
12/14 Make a special ornament for each member of your family.
12/15 Get a Christmas story or poem from the library and read it to your family (I recommend God Gave Us Christmas).
12/16 Light three candles in your Advent wreath.
12/17 Make a Christmas card for an elderly neighbor.
12/18 Mail the card you made yesterday and say a prayer for your neighbor.
12/19 Practice singing Christmas carols.
12/20 Say a prayer for all the world's hungry people.
12/21 Offer to help with wrapping presents.
12/22 Suggest making Christmas cookies with your family.
12/23 Light four candles in your advent wreath.
12/24 Read Luke 2:1-20 with your family and set up your Nativity scene.
12/25 Light all your candles and your white one in your Advent wreath. Celebrate a joyful Christmas by going to Mass.
I hope this gives you some ideas for your own Advent wreath. And that it gives you a great new tradition to share in your family too.
