A Home Advent Ceremony
If you do not already have a tradition of advent ceremonies at home, this year's Advent season might be a good time to start one. Whether you are single, a couple, a family, or a small group, you can set your heart in the right direction this Advent season by adopting a ceremony.
Below is one format that works well, but feel free to experiment. If you have a different format or find one that works better for you, feel free to contact us so we can improve on these suggestions.
Schedule the ceremony
Fit a schedule to your family needs.
Consider whether a nightly or a weekly schedule (on each Sunday in Advent plus on Epiphany weekend) fits your family, group, or personal needs.
One possible Format
[Gather the group. Start quietly.]
- Describe what Biblical event you will read and discuss.
- Tell the gathered group a little about the book of the Bible from which the verse is taken, if a new book is being used that day. Or describe a little about the book's author, or the Bible times as they relate to the Bible passages you'll read.
- Read the selected Bible verse(s).
See Advent readings for some suggested verses & hymns. - Talk, as a group, about the verse(s) read -- what they said, what they mean, and how they may apply to us in today's world.
- Light the appropriate Advent wreath candle(s).
- Do an Advent activity as a group.
See Advent activities for some possible activities. - Sing or play and sing a Christmas carol or hymn.
See Advent readings for some hymns and carols. - Close with a prayer geared to the Bible verse and its meaning today.