The Advent Tree

I was gone last week, or I would have re-posted this post from November 2010. I'm posting it again for those who may not have seen it, and who would like a good Advent devotional to use with young families.

This is Advent, the time when we remember the prophecy and fulfillment of the coming of our Savior. Once again, I'll be getting out the Advent wreath and candles for the season. When our children were younger, I made a large felt tree on a white felt background which we hung from the wall, like a banner.

First, I cut out many felt circles, then used scraps of various colors of felt and other odds and ends to make the symbols, which I glued onto the felt circles. Of course, the felt circles adhere nicely to the felt tree. After Christmas, I store the symbols in a large Ziploc bag, to be used the following year.

This is the tree I made for our son's family. For the background, I used a shiny gold, flannel-backed table cloth, which I thought the little kids would especially enjoy. You know, shiny and gold, kid appealing.

And this is the book that shows how to make the Advent tree and symbols, with Scripture selections and suggested carols for two Advent seasons. It's a great book to use with young families, especially.

Besides the Advent wreath and candles which we would light on the four Sundays before Christmas, we also had a single large candle that we would light on weeknights. Each night of Advent, our children would take turns being the one who got to put the symbol on the tree AND got to blow out the candle at the end of our devotions, carols, and prayer time. Believe me, they kept track to make sure they got their turn!

This was a wonderful tradition for many years, and helped us teach our children what Christmas is really all about.

For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. - John 3:17

Have a blessed Lord's Day.
Celebrating the Second Sunday of Advent,


Judy