The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

Advent Make It An Adventure

by Dessa Rodeffer
Quill Editor/Publisher

1 December 1999

One of the exciting things for us is anticipation and preparation...

Whether it is planning for the family coming home for the holidays, a serviceman or woman returning from active duty, the arrival of a new baby, or planning a wedding, each will take extra preparations which builds anxiety in those waiting for the big event.

Careful preparation makes any occasion more joyful, successful, and meaningful.

For instance, the nine months before the arrival of a new baby is a good example of the excitement that is caused from waiting and preparing.

The arrival of Christmas is just such an occasion that needs lots of preparation.

We must give serious thought to this Advent Season if the arrival of Christmas is to be the blessed event for us that the Wise Men and the shepherds saw it to be.

Imagine, having angels fill the sky announcing the birth of a savior.

Imagine the Wise Men following a star and traveling long days for several months in anticipation of finding this new king.

If we have lost the enthusiasm, and the meaning of this special holiday, it is because we have failed to adequately prepare.

As many have said, we seem to be jumping from Halloween, to Thanksgiving, to Christmas, as if these holidays are giant stepping stones in a stream.

We hop from one to the next without truly taking time to focus on the meaning of these holy events and how these events tell us much about the meaning of life.

Maybe we can turn Advent into a real learning adventure for our families and rekindle the true spirit of these precious holidays.

We could start by finding some stepping stones and marking each one with various hints of stories that lead to the birth of Christ.

You could do this by marking on each stone a place or a thing, such as a donkey, sheep, angels, the manger, a star, Bethlemen, Elizabeth, John the Baptist, Mary and Joseph, and give family members time to find whatever they can about the name on the stone.

When family members report back and have been able to explain the stone's name, they move on to the next stone.

Those who finish can be treated to a heavenly treat. Treasures from their past can be wrapped up or a special Advent Party can be planned of singing carols, or watching a Christmas movie together, or maybe driving to see the Christmas lights.

The best ending to Advent is attending a candlelight service or even planning a special one yourself.

All it would take is a Bible, a selection of Christmas music, a musician who will play, or sing without music as you do when Christmas caroling.

In playing this stepping stone game, it won't be long before you and your family have stepped right back into the true meaning of Christmas.

Don't let Christmas just come and go with only a lot of wrapping paper on the floor to show it was there. It will leave you with an empty feeling and a lot of bills.

Instead, "Prepare Thee The Way." as John The Baptist said, and make Advent the exciting Adventure it is.