Discover 2 Celebratory Advent Traditions

Counting down the days to Christmas using Advent calendars and wreaths…

Christmas is right around the corner. December seems like one long sprint sprinkled with sugar cookie crumbles and peppermint stickiness. Most of us come into the season of Advent rushed or distracted, yet looking forward to Christmas Day.

What is Advent? I’m glad you asked. We’ll briefly tour Advent’s history in this post and then share a few ideas for how to involve your high school students in this special season.

A Brief History of Advent

A quick look at Latin tells us that “Advent” comes from the Latin “adveniō,” meaning “come” or “arrive.” The intent of Advent traditions is to help us anticipate the celebration of Christ’s birth and the promise of salvation on Christmas Day.

According to my research, some historians estimate that the Christian practice of celebrating the days leading up to December 25 initially began sometime in the 300s. Advent’s early roots were also connected to Epiphany, which occurs twelve days after Christmas and celebrates the Magi’s arrival at the stable.

Seasons like Advent help us practice something important—the act of remembering. We see this theme of remembrance consistently echoed throughout the Bible (like in Ps. 77:11 and Is. 46:8-9).

There are two main traditions: Advent wreaths and Advent calendars.

Tradition 1: Advent Wreaths

One of the Advent traditions that developed was the Advent wreath. What originally started as 24 candles in the 1800s—one candle for each day up to Christmas—is now four candles symbolizing hope, peace, joy, and love. Candles are lit sequentially on the four Sundays before Christmas.

• On the 1^st Sunday of Advent, a purple candle symbolizing hope is lit. Purple is symbolic of Christ’s royalty. Hope reminds us of Christ’s redeeming work and second coming. In more liturgical traditions, purple also represents fasting and repentance, a time to reflect on Christ’s redeeming work. Some traditions call this candle the “prophecy candle” reflecting on passages like Isaiah 53.
• On the 2^nd Sunday, a second purple candle is also lit. Depending on the tradition, this candle will symbolize peace or faith. For some traditions, this is the “Bethlehem candle” reflecting on Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem.
• On the 3^rd Sunday, a pink candle symbolizing joy joins the first two. Sometimes called the “shepherd’s candle,” it heralds the coming Christ’s birth, just as the angels did for the shepherds.
• On the 4^th Sunday, the last purple candle is lit in addition to the previous three. Depending on the tradition, this candle symbolizes love or peace, if candle #2 symbolized faith.
• On Christmas Eve, some will also add a white candle. White represents Christ’s holiness and purity, and in some traditions, victory. Christ came and defeated death once and for all!

Different Christian denominations will often include specific Scripture readings for each week of Advent. Sometimes you might see blue candles instead of purple.

Personally, Advent wreaths remind me of the Jewish Feast of Dedication where a candle is lit for each of the eight nights of Hanukkah. Hanukkah remembers the rededication of the second temple in Jerusalem. It’s a beautiful example of our Judeo-Christian faith!

Tradition 2: Advent Calendars

The Advent Calendars—“checking off” the days leading up to December 25—is thought to have started in 1800s and is often attributed to the German Protestants. One story says a German mother started the tradition exasperated by her children asking if it was Christmas yet.

What started as a sacred tradition shifted into a more secular space. The credit for adding doors to Advent calendars goes to Gerhard Lang, a German publisher (early 1900s). It was in the 1950’s when the secular fully embraced the sacred, and things like “24 Days of Chocolate” were born.

Regardless of how we countdown the days to Christmas, Advent traditions are a helpful reminder to slow down during a busy season and reflect on God’s work. So how do these two Advent traditions (wreath and calendar) play out?

Sacred Advent Traditions

The heart of Advent is focused on Christ! Here are a few sacred examples of the traditions to explore with your family:

• Advent Wreath – For a few years, my family marked the days to Christmas using the Advent wreath. My mother made one, but you could use options like this or this.
• The Advent Jesse Tree – Our family opted to use the Jesse Tree for several years. The visual walk through the Gospel made Advent less abstract for multiple ages. Check out this and this for ideas.
• The Bible Project – If videos are more your family’s style, check out The Bible Project’s Advent word study. They also provide a helpful guide.
• Advent Studies – I’ve previously enjoyed The Daily Grace Co. women’s Advent study. They also publish a family study, one for men, and a family bundle that includes a Jesse Tree.

You may find that certain Advent traditions fit your family better during different seasons of life.

Advent and High School Students

It often seems like Christian Advent traditions are geared towards younger ages, so how can you engage your high school students in a meaningful way?

• If you don’t currently celebrate Advent, ask your high school student to organize a new Advent tradition.
• Are you doing an Advent wreath? Give your high schooler the responsibility of lighting the candles and picking correlating Scripture readings.
• Do you have a crafty high schooler? Encourage your student to make Advent calendars to give away to friends or neighbors.
• Does your high schooler like music? Ask for an Advent playlist.
• Is your child interested in history? Encourage them to learn about Jesus’ cultural and historical context through a book like Sitting at the Feet of the Rabbi Jesus.

Involving your high schooler in some of the responsibilities of Advent will make it a richer and more meaningful experience as they learn how “it is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).

Secular Advent Calendars

While secular Advent calendars are an example of commercialism, they can still reflect the innately Christian concept of generosity and make great gifts. Here are a few ideas:

• Godiva’s 24 Days of Chocolate – Christmas and chocolate go well together.
• 12 Days of Fishing Tackle – One can never have too much fishing gear…so I’ve heard.
• Tea Forte’s 24 Days of Tea – Because we all have a tea lover in our midst…
• Survival Advent Calendar – For the high schooler who loves the outdoors.
• Bonne Maman 24 Days of Spreads – Tiny jams and jellies.

I’ve also purchased one and broken up the pieces to give as individual little “Christmas happies” to friends.

In Summary…

There is something magical about counting down the days to Christmas—especially when it helps you remember and reflect on Christ and His promises.

Celebrating the Advent season helps us find those special moments of togetherness that can sometimes be a struggle while navigating travel plans, Christmas parties, and lots of sugar. (You can find more ideas for family activities on our 12 Christmas Family Activities!)

May this season be one of hope, peace, joy, and love for you and your family.