Advent for a Reluctant Worshiper
Yep that is me, I dont really fit in to a box when it comes to religion, I was raised C of E, in a church school. I went to Sunday school, my younger brother was a choir boy, who became a Mormon. I married an Atheist (in a church) and when my dad died, I became much more agnostic.
When MaxiMad was born, I went back to church, we went to a church toddlers group and also a children in church group. Then I fell pregnant with MiniMad and visiting a church with two babies, well that wasn’t going to happen.
As the boys have got older, I just havent found the right church for us, one that encourages children, has an active creche/Sunday school and also I just dont feel comfortable at the moment in a church environment.
So I class myself as spiritual, but also as a reluctant worshipper!!
So what is Advent for me and the children, well it is a time to talk through what Christmas means, what is stands for and to build traditions. It is a time of hope, anticipation and preparation. It gives me the opportunity of introducing a time of family devotion and discussion at meal times.
We have made our advent wreath, on which we will light a candle each Sunday, in addition to this we also have a candle to light each evening.
Instead of a traditional chocolate calender we have a calender that I won in Sunday school as a child, which discusses the story of the nativity each day. This gives me the opportunity to teach the children the significance of the time and remind myself too.
MadDad also agrees that it is important that the boys learn about what Christmas means rather than just the commercial aspect of it. We feel that it is not too soon to teach compassion or understanding.
So advent for me is exciting, in fact more so that Christmas Day itself. It is a real family time. A time to reinforce our family values.
To read more of what advent means to other bloggers then visit Floss’ “A Pause in Advent” over at Troc, Broc and Recup.
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