Advent!

Advent is here! This year, our traditional purple and pink candles at church were traded for blue, representing the hope of Christmas. That works for me.

This year, we are celebrating Advent a bit differently. Along with readings and reflection, we are filling all of our senses with holiday spirit and seeking to live mindfully this time of year. We're replacing the hustle and bustle with the scent of pine and cinnamon, time with friends and family, and challenges to extend hope and love a little further this year.

So, instead of the typical advent calendar with a chocolate treat inside (which you can get fair trade from Divine), we have a reusable calendar we found on Etsy. It's so clever! The artist covered matchboxes with beautiful paper and numbered them, then added magnets. It's on our fridge for now, but eventually we will find a beautiful way to display the calendar.


We listed ways to celebrate together and share the season with others: Invite a guest for cookies and cocoa. Share some warm clothes. Learn a new holiday carol. Spend some time looking at the stars. We placed a slip inside each box, and every morning we will have a new way to celebrate.

We're excited! I'll share throughout the season what comes of our advent experiment. Our hope is that not only will the season fill our hearts and minds in a new way, but that we will be able to share hope and light with everyone around us this season.

What about you? How do you celebrate Advent? What are your traditions for preparing for Christmas?

I really want to know!