The first day of Advent 2021 is November 28th.  If you and your family would like to begin this simple, slowing-down-the-season practice, you could begin with this tradition.

The ritual surrounding Advent wreaths is simple–light a candle and read from Scripture on each of the four Sundays before Christmas. An Advent wreath isn’t a “wreath” in the regular sense of the word. You can use a tray with 4 candles in a circle and some greenery, with the Christ Candle in the middle. The point is to pause and reflect on the meaning of the season, no matter what your wreath looks like. I bought my ‘wreath’ at the Goodwill.

Here is a simple reference to use for each Sunday’s readings. You can download it HERE and print out a copy to keep handy. 

If there’s any year when we need to slow down and savor the familiar anchors of the Christmas season, 2021 is it. I hope you’ll take a weekly pause to reflect and remember why Jesus came, which is the heart of Advent–waiting to celebrate His birth.

If you’d like to find out more about the practical and inspirational ways you can focus on God’s presence this year instead of all the presents, my book Living the Season Well-Reclaiming Christmas will show you how. Available now–just click on the book photo in the sidebar.