Growing up to Jamaican immigrant parents, we didn’t grow up with standard North American Christmas traditions. We didn’t believe in Santa Claus, there were no stockings at the fireplace, and we didn’t have a Christmas tree until I was 10 years old.
But we had traditions that nonetheless stood as a fusion of our culture – black cake, sorrel, Jacob Miller’s Irie Christmas, with Home Alone and outdoor ice skating.
Now that I have my own family, I decided to create family traditions to not only celebrate together, but hopefully traditions my children will share with theirs as a way of readying their hearts for the season. One of our traditions has been an Advent calendar.
Since Momo’s first Christmas (how is this her THIRD Christmas?!?) we have been using an Advent calendar. Each day we partake in a different Christmas themed activity to make the season bright. For a list of holiday themed activities to help inspire the days leading to Christmas, click below for a PDF that can be used each Christmas season. Feel free to print this list and make it part of your Advent calendar or jar.
That Special Touch
While we are excited to count down the days in anticipation to Christmas, as Christians it is imperative to me that we focus the season on Jesus and ready our hearts to celebrate his initial arrival. So, each day we read a scripture that will help keep our minds and hearts on Jesus.
In past years we’ve opted to follow readymade outlines providing us with referential text to the prophecy and prophecy fulfilled. However, this year, we’ve opted to read one chapter of the book of Luke each day. As the book has 24 chapters, we get to learn about Jesus’ life on earth all before Christmas arrives.
“how your family decides to celebrate Christmas and what elements you choose to include is up to you”
Remember, how your family decides to celebrate Christmas and what elements you choose to include is up to you. Don’t feel pressured to keep up with the list of suggested ideas. Maybe a calendar doesn’t work for your family. Maybe keeping all of the ideas in a jar and selecting them at random on the days your family can be together works better. The most important thing is finding something that works for your family.
How you’re getting your home and family ready for Christmas? Will you be using the printable list of Advent activities? If yes, please tag @alyestal when you share on social media. I’d love to share and hope you and your family enjoy this special time of year.