My most recent blog posts have been about the joys of free play and the progress of our playground project — but winter temperatures have descended quickly, and most of us are turning to indoor activities, cozying up with books and blankets and cups of tea. I personally love the Danish concept of hygge which has gained traction in pop culture recently. Its Wikipedia entry defines it as a word that “describes a mood of coziness and ‘comfortable conviviality’ with feelings of wellness and contentment.” 

And this year more than most — perhaps because of the unusually cold temperatures — I’ve had a nostalgic yearning for Advent as I turn to indoor activities and prepare for the holiday season. Growing up in a Presbyterian church, I have fond memories of Advent parties where we made wreaths, sang carols and ate church cookies. (You know the ones in the big blue tins? Those are church cookies.)

What is Advent?

If you didn’t grow up in a traditional Christian church, your point of reference may be the calendars that count down from December 1 to Christmas Day. Coming from the Latin adventus, meaning “coming” or “arrival”, the church celebrates Advent the four weeks prior to Christmas. It is a time of anticipation of the birth of Jesus Christ. The traditional themes over the course of those four weeks are hope, peace, joy and love.

Traci Smith is a Presbyterian Church (USA) pastor, mother, and writer, and as I’ve sought to reconnect to what Advent means to me now, I’ve been enjoying her books Faithful Families for Advent and Christmas: 100 Ways to Make the Season Sacred and Fellowship of Prayer — 2015 Lenten Season. I particularly like her description that advent is essentially “a time of great opportunity and expectation, a time to slow down, rest and prepare.”

Advent Values in Children’s Chapel

We will explore the Advent themes in Children’s Chapel from November 27 – December 18. In addition to lighting our Children’s Chalice, we will light our Advent candle(s), read a book that relates to the theme and discuss what the theme means to us. Hope, peace, joy and love are powerful concepts for children and adults of all ages, and I look forward to hearing what the children have to share. 

Of course, because UUs have said that “service is our prayer,” each Sunday the children will be signing Christmas cards for the senior residents of Canterbury Court, a subsidized apartment complex affiliated with St. John’s Cathedral. We can prepare for a brighter future by bringing a little hope, peace, joy and love to those who may need it today.

“Let’s Start a New Tradition!”

I’m known in my family for saying this. It captures my equal (and sometimes opposing) desires for novelty and familiarity, whimsy and steadfastness, adventure and predictability. Redefining Advent now that I’m no longer a Christian is an opportunity for starting new traditions, but Smith reminds us that Advent rituals should be about “quality over quantity, repetition over novelty.” Still, I couldn’t resist reading all of her suggestions and sharing five of them with you here in my own words. (I am doing so with permission as stated in the preface to her book. Where appropriate, I’ve replaced “God” with a different word or phrase.)

1. Make a “Not-to-Do” List: Let go of the traditions that are no longer serving you, the expectations that sap your spirit, or even the mindsets that create negativity. On my son’s list? Visiting Santa. On my list? Sending photo Christmas cards, and worrying that people will think I’m being a Scrooge for not doing so. 
2. Paper Chain Advent Calendar: Create a countdown to Christmas or another holiday with numbered strips of paper. You could even write down a fun activity to do together on the day you remove that strip from the chain. Alternatively, make the chain in reverse, adding a piece of paper each day. You could write down something you’re grateful for or a memory of that day; at the end, you’ll have a collection of gratitude and memories!
3. Recite a Christmas Tree Blessing: If you decorate for the holidays, bring some mindfulness to that ritual with a prayer like this: Mother Earth, bless this tree as we decorate it and make it a joyful symbol for our home. May its branches remind us of the shelter and shade you provide for us and for many creatures. May its trunk remind us of your strength. May its lights bring us peace. May we remember your gifts to us this season. Amen.
4. Christmas Card Prayers: Another opportunity to bring mindfulness to your Advent rituals is with a recognition of the people who have sent you cards in the mail. (It just won’t be from me. See #1.) Hang them with clips from a ribbon, or put them in a basket. Tell stories about how you know these people, and offer up a short prayer of gratitude. 
5. The Gifts All Around: Read this short meditation to shift the focus away from the gifts of gadgets and gizmos: When you take a drink of clean water from the water fountain at school, that’s a gift. When you take a deep breath and fill your lungs with fresh air for your body, that’s a gift. When you put on clean socks or shoes that fit your feet, that’s a gift. When you give or receive a hug from someone you love, that’s a gift. There are gifts all around us, every day. At Christmastime, there is a lot of talk about gifts, but the important thing to know is that gifts don’t need to be bought in a store and wrapped in a bow. When you are thankful for the things you have, you have all of the gifts you could ever want or need. 

I invite you to consider what this season of preparation means to you. How will you explore hope, peace, joy and love in the coming weeks? You may end up starting a new tradition or reviving an old one as you seek contentment this winter season.