Advent for Families :: 3 Simple Ideas for Starting the Tradition in Your Home
Advent for families can be meaningful, intentional, and simple. Here’s how…
I discovered Advent as an adult, and immediately knew it was something I wanted to observe with our five kids.
The season of Advent invites believers to observe the first coming of Jesus Christ (His birth), while looking forward to His Second Coming with hopeful anticipation.
Caveat: For several years, my biggest hurdle was dealing with holiday stress & overwhelm—I didn’t want to add something else to my already long list of holiday expectations.
Over the years, I’ve found a few simple traditions that make Advent meaningful & sustainable for our busy family.
Need stress-free, affordable ideas on how to celebrate Advent with your family?
I’ve got you covered:
Advent for Families :: A Few Things
When Advent Begins:
In 2025, the Advent season begins on Sunday, November 30, and ends on Christmas Eve.
1) The Advent Wreath & Candles
This is a great place to start with an Advent tradition: simply lighting the candles every Sunday during Advent season.
What Do the Advent Candles Mean?
Traditionally, there are four Advent candles, each one lit on a Sunday in December (or late November):
1) Hope: the Prophecy Candle
2) Peace : the Bethlehem Candle
3) Joy: the Shepherd’s Candle
4) Love: the Angel’s Candle
A fifth candle, the Christ Candle, can also be lit on Christmas Day.
What You’ll Need:
an Advent Wreath or candlesticks
I also have a pillar candle, that sits inside our Advent Wreath as the “Christ candle”
There are lots of beautiful Advent sets to choose from, but this “Birth of the King” Advent wreath is what my family has enjoyed over the years. It’s beautiful & decorative, and I enjoy putting it out every December!
Note: The Advent candles last. I’ve only had to purchase two sets, and we’ve been observing this tradition for about eight years.
2) Advent Devotionals
Another important part of Advent for families is finding a good devotion book. I’ve bought a few over the years, and here are the ones I reach for every season.
Advent Devotional for Kids
Our family has really enjoyed reading through Christ-Centered Advent, by Hal & Melanie Young. Each reading is based upon a Christmas Carol, and is short & sweet.
Confession: I don’t read an Advent devotional with my kids every day during December. I have to keep things simple, so we read our Advent devotions only on Sunday—after we light the candles.
Advent Devotionals for Women
Emmanuel: An Invitation to Prepare Him Room at Christmas and Always, by Ruth Chou Simons.
I can’t recommend this devotional enough! The daily readings are concise & inspiring. And if you’re familiar with Ruth’s artwork, then I don’t have to tell you how beautiful this book is!
These Glad & Golden Hours: A Companion for Advent & Christmastide, by Lanier Ivester.
As the subtitle suggestions, this book is more of a “companion” than a devotional, although there are devotional readings scattered throughout the pages along with recipes, stories, and creative tutorials.
Exploring this book on a dreary, winter day is as nearly a taste of “comfort & joy” as I’ve ever experienced! Read my full review here.
This Is How We Wait: Gentle Advent Readings to Help You Trade Guilt for Grace & Hurry for Hope, by Kristy Howard
This gentle devotional is a compilation of weekly readings to steady your heart through the Advent season. Learn more here and get full access to the devotional by subscribing below (then run and check your inbox!).
3) The Inexpensive Advent Calendar
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the traditional Advent calendar!
Since I’m the queen of minimalism, I keep things super simple: we only use a countdown calendar. So no bells & whistles, or Advent activities to do every day. Just a simple “x days until Christmas day” kind of thing.
I bought a super cheap Advent calendar years ago (very similar to this). Counting down every day is something my kids always look forward to doing every December morning!
It’s crazy simple, inexpensive, and such a fun part of our yearly holiday traditions.
Advent for Families Boutique
Here’s a link to shop mu family’s favorite Advent resources:
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You tell me.
Do you observe Advent? If not, what would make it easier for you to do so?