Dear Reader,

Do you want to celebrate a more Christ-centered Christmas? Do you want to push back against the commercialism, which inundates our culture during the month of December?

Allow me to introduce “Celebrating Advent: Resources for Thoughtfully Observing the Season Across the Generations,” written by Deborah Haddix and her daughter, Kim Young.  

Deb grew up in the church, but knew nothing about the Christian Calendar, or observances such as Advent beyond signs she saw on churches. That changed a few years ago when she and her husband listened to a radio interview with Bobby Gross, author of Living the Christian Year: Time to Inhabit the Story of God. Since then, they have found a variety of ways to celebrate Advent annually. 

As a parent, Kim Young reminds us that the Truth of Scripture should be so engraved on our hearts that it is what constantly comes out of our mouths. Passing it down to the next generations should come naturally to us, because it is our life. Advent should be no different. 

“And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.
You shall teach them diligently to your children,
and shall talk of them when you sit in your house,
and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.
You shall bind them as a sign on your hand,
and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.
You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” 
Deuteronomy 6:6-9 

Working together, this mother-daughter duo created a resource document that defines the seasons of the Christian Calendar and presents ideas for observing, planning, and praying through the season of Advent. At the end of this post, you will find a link to download the document they have created. I hope it will be a blessing to you and your family.

In Him,

Sherry Schumann
President, Christian Grandparenting Network

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The Celebrating Advent booklet is a resource for observing the season of Advent whether you are celebrating it for the first time or the fiftieth. The ideas contained within are plentiful and varied to help meet the constraints of life seasons and to provide “freshness.” As the season approaches, take some time and contemplate how you and your family might make this a meaningful Advent by selecting options that speak to your soul. 

Kim Writes – 
Living hundreds of miles away from extended family proves to be quite the conundrum for us when attempting to live this out. With our oldest being sixteen, we have had a bit of experience on pursuing this directive from Scripture. 

Many of the ideas you will see in this booklet can be adapted for long distance. You can purchase the items suggested and/or mail them ahead of time. Then plan to FaceTime each other to complete them. Or include a journal that can be kept to discuss the next time you are together via phone, FaceTime or in person. Another idea is to have a family group chat (whether it’s via text, Facebook, GroupMe, or any number of avenues) to share photos, thoughts, or ideas, as to what you are doing to celebrate Advent. 

As a parent, I appreciate so much when my children’s grandparents coordinate with me on schedules, so as not to interfere with family routines. It also encourages my heart that my children are being discipled across the generations. Having a weekly time where you connect through video is a wonderful tool to be able to share these thoughts and ideas. 

This booklet will give you many reasons for celebrating Advent, but also several ideas as to how to do that across the generations, whether you are close in proximity or physically distant from each other. Begin planning as soon as you can, so you are prepared before Advent begins. 

May the Lord use this Advent season to encourage your family to celebrate together across the generations. 

Click the link to purchase Celebrating Advent by Deborah Haddix and Kim Young.