Woodinville mom Veronica Pearson has celebrated Advent with her family since her three sons, now tweens and teens, were toddlers. For Christian families like Pearson’s, the candles lit during the four weeks of the Advent season which lead up to Christmas hold a deep meaning. It’s a time of reflection, faith, and hope.
The word advent means “coming.” In the context of the Christian faith, advent is a celebration of the first coming of Jesus Christ, which is fully celebrated on Christmas morning. Advent captures the anticipation and the belief that Jesus will come again in the future.
Pearson didn’t grow up celebrating Advent, but she wanted to be intentional about teaching her children the meaning of Christmas according to their faith. Each night of Advent the family gathers together to read a Bible study devotional that focuses on the anticipation of Christ’s coming, God’s faithfulness to his promises, and the hope, peace, joy, and love they find in Jesus. These purposeful moments are also a means to connect as a family. As Veronica points out, “We use this devotional time as a way to slow down and focus on Jesus amid all the activity and distractions that tend to fill December.”
Outside of their home, the family also celebrates Advent with their church community. Each week during Advent, different families from their church pray, read scripture, and light that week’s Advent candle during Sunday gatherings (the five candles represent Hope, Peace, Joy, Love, and Christ). Some families also have their own set of Advent candles that they keep at home to use during their family devotional time during the Advent season.
“One of my favorite Advent traditions at our church is our annual Treat Sunday,” Veronica notes.
“Kids ministry families bake treats together and bring them to share with the church. People can then make donations toward that year’s generosity project. Over the years we’ve helped fund things like a goat co-op in Bugesera, Rwanda, and violins for churches in Myanmar to use in worship.”
She adds: “I love that it gives kids a tangible way to participate in generosity and see that Christmas is not just about receiving gifts, but also about caring for and blessing others.”
As her children grow up, Veronica hopes these traditions will have a meaningful impact on their lives.
“It’s hard to know what will stick with my boys as they are quickly becoming adults,” she says, “but I hope that they remember that Christmas was about celebrating Jesus’ birth on earth and that we intentionally spent time celebrating it together as a family.”
