Advent is more than just a liturgical tradition; it is an opportunity to strengthen family bonds and cultivate spiritual growth together. When families engage in Advent practices, they’re not only preparing for Christmas but also laying a foundation of faith that can last a lifetime. By setting aside time to focus on Christ’s coming, families can create meaningful moments that foster deeper relationships with God and with each other
Spiritual Growth Through Family Advent Activities
When families participate in Advent together, they are intentionally creating space for prayer, reflection, and spiritual conversation. It’s a chance to teach children the values of patience, hope, and love—virtues central to the Advent season. By involving everyone, from the youngest child to the oldest grandparent, you create a family culture rooted in faith.
Bonding as a Family Unit
Advent practices provide a way for families to bond in meaningful ways. Lighting the Advent wreath, saying prayers together, and reflecting on the day’s scripture can help children and parents alike pause from the chaos of daily life and connect on a spiritual level. These activities also teach children the importance of family traditions and show them that faith is something to be shared, celebrated, and lived out at home.
1. Age-Appropriate Advent Activities for Kids
Getting kids excited about Advent can be easy if you offer activities that are age-appropriate and engaging. Here are some ideas for making Advent fun and meaningful for each age group.
For Toddlers and Preschoolers:
Young children love hands-on activities, so crafts and simple prayers can be an excellent way to involve them in Advent. Consider making a homemade Advent wreath together with safe, easy-to-use materials. Let them help “light” the paper candles each week as you talk about the meaning of hope, peace, joy, and love.
Simple, repetitive prayers such as “Come, Lord Jesus” can help toddlers understand the season’s focus, and coloring pages from resources like the 2024 Advent Activity Book can keep them engaged while introducing important faith-based themes.
For Elementary-Aged Children:
This age group loves stories, so incorporate storytelling into your Advent traditions. Each night, you can read a passage from the Bible or tell the story of the nativity in a way that’s easy to understand. Encourage them to ask questions and share their thoughts.
Children at this age also enjoy activities like building a nativity scene from scratch or creating their own Advent calendar with family-focused activities such as acts of kindness or prayers for others.
For Teens:
Engaging teenagers in Advent might seem challenging, but it’s entirely possible with activities that allow them to take on responsibility and ownership. Let them lead the nightly Advent prayers or take turns reading scripture at dinner. Teens are also more likely to respond to activities that connect Advent with their real-world experiences, such as volunteering as a family at a local charity, preparing meals for those in need, or participating in community service projects.
Music can also be a meaningful way to connect with teens. Create a playlist of Advent hymns and modern Christian music that reflects the season’s themes, and listen together during car rides or family time. Look up this article “How to Pray With Music” written on the Hallow App for some interesting insights about incorporating music into our prayer and daily routine.
2. How to Create a Daily Advent Routine
Establishing a daily Advent routine doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. The key is consistency and making it something the entire family can look forward to. Here’s a simple structure for incorporating Advent practices into your daily routine:
1. Lighting the Advent Wreath
Each evening, gather your family to light the appropriate candle on your Advent wreath. As the candles represent hope, peace, joy, and love, you can use this time to briefly discuss the meaning behind each virtue. If you don’t have an Advent wreath, consider making one together from simple materials, or use a symbolic single candle for your daily reflections.
2. Reading Scripture
Choose a short Bible passage to read together. This can be a reflection on the nativity story, a prophecy about the coming Messiah, or any scripture that resonates with the Advent themes. The 2024 Advent Activity Book includes daily Bible verses and reflections, making it easy for families to stay on track with a spiritual focus throughout the season.
3. Sharing Reflections and Prayers
After reading the scripture, ask family members to share their reflections. What stood out to them? How does the passage make them feel? Encourage even the youngest children to participate by asking simple, open-ended questions.
End your time together with a prayer. You can rotate who leads the prayer each night, allowing children to take turns expressing their hopes and gratitude during this special season.
3. Advent in the Home and Beyond
Advent doesn’t have to be confined to your home. It’s also a time for reaching out to others and extending Christ’s love beyond your family. Here are some ideas for taking your Advent traditions into the community:
1. Acts of Service
Advent is an excellent time to teach children about the importance of giving and serving others. Create a list of service-oriented Advent activities that you can do as a family. These could include donating food or clothing to a local shelter, volunteering at a soup kitchen, or visiting elderly neighbors who may be feeling lonely during the holidays.
2. Attending Mass and Advent Services
While family prayer time is crucial, participating in communal worship is also essential during Advent. Make it a family tradition to attend Mass together every Sunday during Advent, and encourage older children and teens to get involved in your parish’s Advent events, whether it’s helping with the nativity play, serving at the altar, or participating in an Advent reconciliation service.
3. Connecting Advent to Everyday Moments
One of the best ways to keep Advent at the forefront of your family’s mind is to find small, everyday moments to reflect on the season. Whether it’s during breakfast, car rides, or evening walks, you can talk about the virtues of Advent and how your family can practice them daily. Use Advent as a reminder that Christ’s love is present in even the simplest moments of our day.
Advent is a season rich with meaning, reflection, and spiritual growth. By involving your entire family, you can make Advent a time of joy and connection that brings everyone closer to Christ. Whether through daily routines, crafts, prayers, or acts of service, Advent offers countless opportunities for your family to bond and grow in faith.
Want more ways to bring your family together this Advent? Download “100 Fun Ideas for Young Catholic Families to Prepare for Advent 2024” and discover engaging activities for every age.
