If you would have said the word ‘Advent’ to me when I was a kid, my first thought would have been some sort of calendar. Specially, the one with doors and candy, and found in my friends’ homes. Advent – in any form – was not a part of my family tradition. When my wife and I married, we were a part of a church that did Advent readings and candle lighting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I began to explore the tradition more fully. Over time, I grew to really appreciate the Biblical context it brought to the Christmas season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now, we have made Advent one of the ways that our family seeks to keep the focus on Jesus during the Christmas season. In a culture that makes Christmas about gifts, we have found Advent readings and times of reflection as a family to be a beautiful centerpiece of the way we celebrate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n