CONNECT
We are so fortunate that Traci Smith shares some of her work through one of her blogs. Though this is a little early, I agree with her that if you decide as a family to set an Advent Intention, you should give yourself time to think and pray about it together. If you would like a copy of the book, I have a couple of copies I would be happy to give you.
Set an Advent Intention
Spiritual practice is not just “accidental.” If your Advent season is to be a time when connection, family time, and spiritual practice are the focus, it will happen because you and your family have made it a priority. This is not easy, and it goes against the tide of culture. Before the hustle and bustle of the season, take a few moments to set an Advent intention. What would you like the season to look like? Would you like to intentionally limit the number of outside invitations you accept as a family in order to have more peace and less rush? Would you like to set aside one day of the week for family time? Maybe you would like to be guided by an Advent word such as peace, joy, hope, or love. Get the whole family in on the discussion, as age and maturity level allow. If you choose, write down your intention in a journal or somewhere the whole family can see it.
The Advent intention will look different for each family, but here are a few examples:
• This Advent, we will focus on the Advent values of hope, peace, love, and joy.
• We will not be overscheduled this Advent, but instead, we will take time for one another.
• Every Sunday evening during Advent, we will do a spiritual practice together.
• Advent will be a time of peace and quiet for our family, not noise and hustle.
Create a Sacred Space
Advent and Christmas are a time for decorating and making space. As you prepare your home for Christmas, consider setting apart a sacred space that will be devoted to some of the prayers and practices in this book. The sacred space can be as simple as a small table. Place this book on the table with perhaps some of the prayers in it written on separate slips of paper, an Advent calendar, or any of the other symbols you create as you work through the practices of this book. Perhaps you will add some candles or sacred objects from your own family. However you create the space, your family will know that it is set apart for spiritual practice. If you have the space, add a chair where family members can come and sit for a few minutes of peace and quiet during the season.
excerpted from Faithful Families for Advent and Christmas by Traci Smith Chalice Press: 2020,
Used by Permission.
© 2022 Gaithersburg presbyterian church
