December seems to get busier and busier with every passing year. Sometimes you spend days, or months, decorating and getting ready for Christmas but it’s over in a matter of minutes. Next thing you know it’s still December 25th, and you’re already talking about the Fourth of July.
Maybe it’s time to get back to the basics: the Advent, the birth of Christ, the reason for the season.
In stores, we see advertisements all the time throughout the holiday season for Advent calendars. Twenty-five days of candy! Or tea! Or coupons to use at their store! Is Advent more than that? Advent is a word that comes from the Latin word “adventus” which means arrival or approach. Throughout Advent, November 30th through December 24th, we look forward to the arrival of the Son of God.
Here are seven activities you can do to get you in the Christmas spirit.
Fill a shoe box for Operation Christmas Child.
Operation Christmas Child hands out shoeboxes filled with toys and other items to kids in places less fortunate than us. Filling a shoe box is a fun way to appreciate how much we have while also helping those in need.
Visit an elderly home and hand out homemade cookies.
Elderly homes don’t get much business besides the staff or an occasional family member. You can easily brighten someones day by visiting an elderly home with cookies and cards.
Write a letter to a family friend or some troops stationed overseas.
We’re grateful for our freedoms and also thankful for those who are stationed overseas during the holidays to defend our country. You can write a note or card to troops stationed overseas, thanking them for their service and wishing them a decent Christmas season.
Go to a candlelight church service.
Many churches offer candlelight services on Christmas Eve. Attending one can get you thinking on how Gods son came to earth as a baby for you and me.
Read the Christmas story in the Bible.
You can read the Christmas story in the Bible anytime throughout Advent. You can read it all at once or just a few verses a day.
Decorate the tree.
Decorating the tree is a good family activity and if you haven’t already decorated your tree, now would be a great time to do so.
Visit a few friends’ houses to sing Christmas carols and hand out candy canes.
Lastly, whats December without a few Christmas carols thrown in. You can make a friend laugh or lighten an elderly neighbors day by singing a few carols and handing out candy canes.
Looking for More?
If you’re looking for more activities, try here which includes 150 Advent activities. Yes, you can do more than one a day, no you don’t have to. Christmas doesn’t have to be when open the gifts in the morning. You can celebrate Christmas all month long by anticipating the arrival of our Lord.
