Making Room For Him ~ Our Simple Advent Plans

On Fridays we've been making room for Christmas here at Daily Bread. With Thanksgiving over (barely) and the start of Advent on Sunday, I thought I would take some time to talk about making room for Him.

Jesus.

The reason for the season.

The one we are waiting expectantly for as we anticipate Christmas morning.

I'm keeping things VERY simple this year. Not too many activities or crafts that tend to distract us. Simple activities that we can do and enjoy every day.

For them:

I have yet to come up with the perfect advent traditions or plans. Each year I try something new because I haven't found anything I love yet.

I tried Ann Voskamp's Jesse Tree. Too much for my little ones.

I tried Amanda White's Truth in the Tinsel. Not enough. 

This year we are planning to follow an advent reading plan for The Jesus Storybook Bible. I'm very excited because we all LOVE this book. I tear up when I'm reading it because I love how the author points to Jesus in every story.  I'm thrilled that there are no ornaments to make or crafts to assemble. Just a story each day.

For me:

Personally, I'll be reading Ann Voskamp's new book The Greastest Gift. I've had this book sitting on my shelf for a couple months now and I'm eager to begin it. This, along with She Reads Truth, will serve as my devotional focus for the month.

For all of us:

Last year I bought and received the cradle to cross wreath made by Caleb Voskamp. It's beautiful and I can't wait to get it out again this year. I'm sure we'll light the candle each morning as we read from our advent plan, and then again in the evening during dinner.

We'll also fill our home and lives with music that celebrates Christ's birth. We'll listen to Christmas music, learn to play it on our violins, share it with others and learn the lyrics to well-known carols. 

Also...an idea I got from Sarah....I want to attempt to memorize Luke 2 with the girls. We are all fairly good at memorizing (they are better than me!), so it shouldn't be hard. We'll read it aloud, listen to audio versions and maybe even write it out. I'll also post copies of it in the bathrooms (that's what we always do with our memory work). And if we don't get it all....there is always next year! I'm a firm believer that hiding a little bit of scripture in my heart and mind is better than none at all.

Finally....an advent calendar that gives back to others. Read more about it over at Compassion Family.

It's simple enough that I think I can keep up with it and even enjoy it. In the past I have found myself burnt out after a week or two of trying to do it all. 

How do you plan to celebrate advent and make room for Him?