Advent Prep Before the Turkey?

I only have a few hours before the kids arrive home from school for Thanksgiving break. They are so ready to go! Peace and quiet are about to give way to the welcome chaos of dinner, packing, sleeping, driving, checking in, hoping for a flight to arrive safely from the far coast, hugs all around, and maybe even a few sibling squabbles. My next forty-eight hours will be very busy and mostly happy. And in typical style, I'm not ready to go. Instead I'm sitting here thinking of Advent. But not because I want to skip over this day in which we should pause to thank the Giver of all these good things. I promise the pumpkins here are still on prominent display... for a few more minutes. Somehow though, I find that Thanksgiving Day often works like a catapult on my schedule and thoughts. I want to spend time being thankful, of course, but my calendar keeps moving.

And as joyful a thing as the Christmas season is, I know that my time will fly away on those light-deprived days of highly anticipated extra activities. In spite of the fact that I haven't had a bite of Thanksgiving turkey yet, and though I don't want to rush past November, Christmas morning is going to be here soon. And I can't help but think that all the right presents and food will be pretty meaningless at a birthday celebration at which you ignore the guest of honor. I don't want that kind of Christmas celebration. Instead, on that very early December morning when the kids are tapping at the door so we can start the party I want to be ready to revel in the arrival of the One who brings light into this dark world. I want my heart to be more joyful about the promises and hopes I can't see than it is about the piles of presents that I do see. And with a little pre-planning I think that's possible. Here are some options that anyone could use. 

1. Starting on December 1st, read through all four gospels. Four chapters a day beginning in Matthew, followed by Mark, Luke and John will have you finishing your reading around Dec 22. The good thing is that gives you a few flex days if your goal is to finish at the end of the month. Or just read fewer chapters some days. But you will have spent the whole month pondering what it means for Jesus to come to earth as God in the flesh. Pretty simple!

2. From Desiring God is a list of short devotional readings for every day in Advent.

3. Also from Desiring God are some simple explanations on how to use Advent candles at home.

4. And finally, a devotional book with narrative readings: Behold the Lamb of God. Thanks to Amazon there is still time to order it. And let me know what you think if you do! I've heard good things.

5. And one bonus, here is a site with links to devotional material for kids during Advent as well as some really fun Christmas stories for each night!

Now that I've settle that issue I'm off to pack, and make dinner, and hug my big kids and... to say thank you. Happy Thanksgiving!

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. ~James 1:17