Celebrating Advent with Your Family Features (Tuesday Talk #47)

Welcome to Tuesday Talk!

Advent begins this Sunday, November 29th!  

Advent is a time of quiet preparation in our hearts and minds for the coming of the Son of Man at the end of time and also as a Child on Christmas Day.  We are very excited to use this time as a family to grow closer to Jesus through prayer, fasting, and good works!

This past weekend, we got an early start by making our own kid-friendly Advent Wreath (with retractable flames!).  We have an actual Advent Wreath, but I really wanted to make one with the kids too.  I think that the more they get to be involved in the details, the more they'll remember, learn, grow, and have fun this Christmas season.  (Here is how we made ours!)

We're planning on having a Jesse Tree together as a family as well.  We got this awesome book Our Family's Jesse Tree that has a devotion, activity, and ornament each day.  It's simple, inexpensive, and very family-oriented.  This is something new for us, so I know we're going to learn a lot!

We will also be celebrating saint's feast days, such as St. Nicholas Day on December 6th.  These holy men and women loved Jesus with all their hearts, minds, and souls.  So their love-filled words and actions point us towards Him whom they loved so deeply - Christ. 

I'm very excited to begin this Advent season - I know it will deepen our Faith as a family!

Now, for the Tuesday Talk features!

There were several great posts relating to the spirit of Advent from last week's link up.  So here are my favorites to help you and your family prepare your hearts and minds for Christ's Nativity in just a few short weeks:

Preparing for Advent with Kids by Keri at Living In This Season

Keri has some great tips on how to be prepared for this upcoming Advent.  I think my favorite one is to be realistic and give yourself grace in the moment.  Remember what this season is all about: preparing for Christ!

Operation Christmas Child: The Best Shoe Box Ever! by Forever Joyful

It's too late to participate in Operation Christmas Child for this year, but she lays out great tips on getting ahead for next year.  But I also think these are great tips for buying for anyone in need, such as families at homeless shelters.  And that is something that would be wonderful to do not just at Christmas, but year-round.

Five Favorite Acts of Kindness by Holly at While I'm Waiting

Holly talks about several fun, easy, and cheap (or free!) ways to spread love and kindness around.  The best part is that they are all things you can do with your kids.  What a great way to involve your whole family in cultivating hearts of generosity and charity this Advent!


So what do you and your family do during Advent to prepare for Christ's Nativity?  


Happy Thanksgiving and have a blessed start to Advent! 

             

Ok, on to the Link Up!

One thing before you link up - if you want the opportunity to be featured, please make sure there is a link back to at least one of the hosts in your post, sidebar, or party page.  (You can grab the button below!)  Your lovely blog is being presented on our 13 blogs - we would love it if you would return the favor and link back to us!  Thank you!!!

Check out the Tuesday Talk guidelines here,
and check out the features from every week here!

(Starting from the upper left:)

 

Beth - Our Pretty Little Girls ~ Michelle - Grammie Time
Keri - Living In This Season  ~ Christina - Waltzing In Beauty
Lauren - Simply Free ~  Becky - BYBMG
Jess and Katie - Sweet Little Ones ~ Whitney - Polka Dotty Place
Laura - Life Is Beautiful ~ Elizabeth - All Kinds Of Things
Sarah - Abiding In Grace ~ Stephanie - Wife Mommy Me
Emily - Morning Motivated Mom

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An InLinkz Link-up

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DIY Felt Nativity Scene for Kids

I'm linking up with these awesome parties!