November 30 – Advent Begins

Advent Begins Today!

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HOW TO CELEBRATE ADVENT STEP-BY-STEP

•  Purchase Advent wreath supplies.
•  Purchase beautiful artists’ Advent wreaths.
•  Pick from one of these fun Advent calendars.
•  How to celebrate with the Advent wreath and candle lighting.
•  If you love the article image, purchase it on these fun products on Zazzle!

FEATURED ITEM FOR THE DAY ADVENT BEGINS

As the holiday season approaches, communities all over the world are preparing for the advent season. This special time of year is filled with anticipation and excitement as families come together to celebrate the birth of Jesus. For many, it is a time of reflection and spiritual growth as they focus on their faith and the true meaning of Christmas. Advent calendars are hung on walls, candles are lit, and carols are sung to commemorate this special season.

With each passing day, the countdown to Christmas draws closer, and the joy and warmth of this time become more palpable. No matter how one celebrates the advent season, it is a time to cherish, appreciate, and give thanks for all the blessings in our lives.

ADVENT BEGINS TODAY:  A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE ADVENT SEASON

The season of Advent has been an essential time of the Christian calendar since the fourth century. During this period, believers prepare for the celebration of Christmas, marking the birth of Jesus Christ. The word ‘Advent’ originated from the Latin ‘adventus,’ which means ‘coming.’ Early Christians would fast and reflect on the meaning of Christ’s coming, reminding themselves to be vigilant while awaiting the Messiah.

The use of Advent candles to mark the progression toward Christmas Day began in Germany in the 16th century, and the concept then spread widely throughout Christian communities. Today, Advent is a special time of hope, joy, and expectation of Christ’s second coming. It’s also an opportunity for Christians to engage in charitable giving and caring for those less fortunate than themselves.

100 WAYS TO CELEBRATE THE ADVENT SEASON

1. Advent Calendar Countdown: Open a door or drawer each day of December in an advent calendar, revealing small treats or surprises as you count down to Christmas.
2. Christmas Movie Marathon: Gather friends or family for a cozy movie marathon featuring classic Christmas films, complete with popcorn and hot cocoa.
3. Advent Wreath Lighting: Light a candle on the advent wreath each Sunday leading up to Christmas, reflecting on the themes of hope, peace, joy, and love.
4. Holiday Baking Extravaganza: Spend an afternoon baking festive treats like cookies, cakes, and pies to enjoy throughout the advent season.
5. Christmas Carol Sing-Along: Host a sing-along gathering where friends and family can join in singing beloved Christmas carols and songs.
6. Volunteer for a Cause: Give back to the community by volunteering at a local shelter, food bank, or charity organization during the advent season.
7. Family Game Night: Enjoy quality time together with a family game night featuring board games, card games, or festive themed activities.
8. Advent Book Club: Start an advent book club where participants read and discuss a different holiday-themed book each week leading up to Christmas.
9. Nature Walks and Scavenger Hunts: Take leisurely walks outdoors to admire the beauty of winter scenery or organize a nature scavenger hunt with friends or family.
10. DIY Advent Calendar Crafting: Get creative by crafting your own advent calendar using materials like paper, fabric, or recycled materials, adding personal touches and decorations.
11. Advent Devotional Reflections: Set aside time each day for quiet reflection or prayer, focusing on the spiritual significance of the advent season.
12. Holiday Craft Workshop: Host a craft workshop where participants can make handmade ornaments, decorations, or gifts for loved ones.
13. Advent Candle Making: Learn the art of candle making and create your own advent candles to use in your home during the advent season.
14. Gingerbread House Decorating Party: Invite friends over for a gingerbread house decorating party, providing an assortment of candies, icing, and decorations for creative fun.
15. Advent Photo Challenge: Participate in an advent photo challenge where you capture and share daily photos inspired by holiday themes or prompts.
16. Christmas Tree Trimming Party: Deck the halls with a festive tree trimming party, complete with holiday music, snacks, and ornaments for everyone to hang.
17. Advent Journaling: Start an advent journal to document thoughts, reflections, and gratitude throughout the season leading up to Christmas.
18. Holiday Concert or Performance: Attend a live holiday concert, theater production, or ballet performance to enjoy the magic of the season.
19. Advent Poetry Reading: Host a poetry reading event where participants share and discuss their favorite holiday poems or writings.
20. Family Traditions Night: Celebrate cherished family traditions like decorating the tree, making holiday crafts, or sharing stories from holidays past.
21. Advent Puzzle Challenge: Work on puzzles together as a family or with friends, choosing festive holiday-themed puzzles to solve during the advent season.
22. Holiday Light Tour: Take a tour of local neighborhoods to admire the festive holiday light displays and decorations.
23. Advent Charity Drive: Organize a charity drive to collect donations for those in need, such as food, clothing, or toys for children, embodying the spirit of giving during advent.
24. Christmas Eve Service: Attend a Christmas Eve candlelight service at a local church or place of worship to celebrate the birth of Christ and the culmination of the advent season.
25. Advent Family Photo Session: Schedule a professional photo session with family or loved ones to capture memories and moments of togetherness during the advent season.
26.  Advent Calendar Scavenger Hunt: Hide small treats or clues around the house corresponding to each day of the advent calendar, leading participants on a fun scavenger hunt.
27. Christmas Charades: Act out holiday-themed words, phrases, or scenes while others guess in this classic party game of charades with a festive twist.
28. Advent Trivia Challenge: Test your knowledge of Christmas traditions, history, and pop culture with a trivia game focused on advent and holiday themes.
29. Holiday Bingo: Play bingo with a holiday twist, using cards featuring festive symbols, characters, or words associated with the Christmas season.
30. Candy Cane Relay Race: Divide into teams and race to pass a candy cane from player to player using only their mouths, without dropping it, in this fun and hilarious relay race.
31. Christmas Movie Emoji Pictionary: Guess the titles of popular Christmas movies based on emoji clues in this entertaining and creative game of Pictionary.
32. Gift Wrapping Relay: Race against the clock to wrap presents with speed and precision in this fast-paced relay game, perfect for getting into the spirit of holiday gift-giving.
33. Advent Memory Game: Flip over pairs of cards featuring holiday images or symbols and try to match them in this classic memory game with a festive twist.
34. Stocking Stuffer Scramble: Unscramble holiday-themed words or phrases related to advent, Christmas, or winter in this challenging word scramble game.
35. Snowball Toss Challenge: Set up targets and take turns tossing “snowballs” (white paper balls) to score points in this fun and active indoor game for all ages.
36. Christmas Song Name That Tune: Listen to short snippets of popular Christmas songs and try to guess the title or artist in this festive game of musical knowledge.
37. Advent Jigsaw Puzzle Race: Race against friends or family to complete holiday-themed jigsaw puzzles in record time, adding a competitive twist to this classic pastime.
38. Ornament Guessing Game: Fill a jar with assorted holiday ornaments and challenge players to guess the number of ornaments or identify specific ones blindfolded for a chance to win a prize.
39. Holiday Trivia Pursuit: Compete in teams to answer trivia questions about Christmas traditions, folklore, and customs in this festive twist on the classic trivia game.
40. Advent Word Search: Search for holiday-themed words hidden in a grid of letters in this relaxing and enjoyable word search game for all ages.
41. Gingerbread House Decorating Contest: Host a gingerbread house decorating contest where participants can get creative with frosting, candy, and decorations, with prizes for the most festive and imaginative designs.
42. Christmas Pictionary Relay: Take turns drawing holiday-themed pictures on a whiteboard or paper while teammates guess the word or phrase, competing against other teams in this lively game of Pictionary.
43. Advent Bingo Card Relay: Race to fill in spaces on a giant advent bingo card by completing holiday-themed tasks or challenges around the house or neighborhood.
44. Holiday Charitable Giving Game: Play a game where participants draw cards with different charitable acts or deeds to perform during the advent season, spreading kindness and goodwill.
45. Santa’s Workshop Escape Room: Create an escape room experience with holiday-themed puzzles, clues, and challenges for players to solve together as they race against the clock to escape Santa’s workshop.
46. Christmas Movie Trivia Wheel: Spin a wheel to select categories of Christmas movie trivia questions, challenging players’ knowledge of holiday films in this entertaining and competitive game.
47. Advent Alphabet Game: Take turns naming holiday-related items, traditions, or characters starting with each letter of the alphabet in this fast-paced and educational game.
48. Holiday Family Feud: Play a Christmas-themed version of the popular game show Family Feud, surveying players on their opinions and knowledge of holiday traditions and customs.
49. Candy Cane Fishing Game: Set up a “fishing pond” with candy canes as “fish” and try to “catch” them using a fishing rod with a hook, adding a fun and festive twist to a classic carnival game.
50. Advent Storytelling Circle: Gather around and take turns sharing holiday stories, memories, or traditions in this heartwarming and nostalgic game that celebrates the spirit of advent and togetherness.
51.  Advent Calendar Wreath: Create a festive wreath with 24 small pockets or envelopes, each containing a treat or activity for each day leading up to Christmas.
52. Felt Christmas Tree: Craft a tactile and interactive felt Christmas tree with removable ornaments for children to decorate and rearrange throughout the advent season.
53. Advent Candle Centerpiece: Design a beautiful centerpiece with four candles representing each week of advent, decorated with seasonal greenery, berries, and ribbons.
54. Paper Chain Countdown: Make a colorful paper chain garland with 24 links, removing one each day until Christmas to count down the days in a visually appealing way.
55. DIY Advent Candle Holders: Fashion unique candle holders using clay, wood, or recycled materials, incorporating symbols or motifs representing the themes of advent.
56. Advent Scripture Wall Art: Create custom wall art featuring verses or quotes from the Bible that reflect the themes of hope, peace, joy, and love associated with advent.
57. Holiday Mason Jar Lanterns: Transform mason jars into enchanting lanterns by painting them with festive designs or covering them in glitter, then adding tea lights for a warm and cozy glow.
58. Nativity Scene Shadow Box: Construct a miniature nativity scene within a shadow box frame, using figurines, moss, and other embellishments to create a beautiful and meaningful display.
59. Advent Prayer Journal: Assemble a personalized prayer journal with prompts or spaces for reflection, meditation, and gratitude throughout the advent season.
60. Wooden Advent Calendar Blocks: Craft wooden blocks with numbers or symbols representing each day of advent, arranging them in a decorative display to mark the passage of time.
61. Holiday Paper Garland: Cut out festive shapes like stars, snowflakes, or angels from colored paper and string them together to create a cheerful and whimsical garland for decorating.
62. DIY Advent Wreath Ornaments: Make miniature ornaments shaped like candles, wreaths, or angels to hang on your Christmas tree or as decorations for your advent wreath.
63. Advent Book Nook: Create a cozy reading nook with pillows, blankets, and a selection of holiday-themed books or advent devotionals for quiet moments of reflection and enjoyment.
64. Snow Globe Advent Calendar: Craft miniature snow globes with small trinkets or figurines inside, labeling each one with a number corresponding to the days of advent.
65. Holiday Memory Keepsake Box: Decorate a wooden or cardboard box to hold special mementos, photos, or notes from each day of advent, creating a cherished keepsake to revisit year after year.
66. Advent Blessings Jar: Decorate a mason jar and fill it with slips of paper containing blessings, prayers, or acts of kindness to perform each day throughout the advent season.
67. Felt Advent Calendar Banner: Sew or glue together felt pockets onto a banner or garland, filling them with treats, notes, or small gifts to be opened each day leading up to Christmas.
68. Cinnamon Stick Ornaments: Bundle cinnamon sticks together with twine or ribbon to create rustic and fragrant ornaments, perfect for adorning your tree or giving as gifts.
69. Advent Hope Garland: String together paper or fabric banners with messages of hope, love, and joy to create a beautiful and uplifting garland for your home.
70. DIY Advent Bookmarks: Design and decorate bookmarks with advent-themed images, verses, or quotes to mark your place in holiday reading or devotional materials.
71. Holiday Mason Jar Snow Globes: Repurpose mason jars as snow globes by filling them with water, glitter, and miniature holiday figurines, sealing them with a lid and displaying them as festive decorations.
72. Advent Blessing Stones: Decorate smooth stones or pebbles with words or symbols representing blessings, prayers, or intentions for each day of advent.
73. Christmas Countdown Chalkboard Sign: Paint or decorate a chalkboard with numbers or symbols representing the days until Christmas, updating it daily with chalk to countdown the days.
74. Advent Wall Hanging Tapestry: Create a fabric tapestry featuring embroidered or appliquéd designs representing the themes of advent, displaying it as a decorative focal point in your home.
75. Paper Bag Advent Calendar: Arrange decorated paper bags in a festive display, filling each one with a surprise or activity to be opened each day leading up to Christmas.
76. Gingerbread Cookies: Bake classic gingerbread cookies in festive shapes like stars, trees, and gingerbread people, decorating them with icing and sprinkles for a delicious treat during advent.
77. Cranberry Orange Scones: Whip up flaky and flavorful scones studded with tart cranberries and zesty orange zest, perfect for enjoying with a cup of tea or coffee on chilly mornings.
78. Apple Cinnamon Muffins: Bake moist and flavorful muffins bursting with chunks of fresh apple and warm cinnamon spices, a comforting and satisfying breakfast or snack option.
79. Peppermint Hot Chocolate: Indulge in rich and creamy hot chocolate infused with refreshing peppermint flavor, topped with whipped cream and crushed candy canes for a decadent treat.
80. Pumpkin Spice Bread: Bake a loaf of moist and aromatic pumpkin spice bread, filled with cozy autumn flavors like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, ideal for enjoying with a spread of butter or cream cheese.
81. Caramel Apple Hand Pies: Prepare individual hand pies filled with sweet caramelized apples and wrapped in flaky pastry dough, a delightful handheld dessert perfect for snacking during advent.
82. Cinnamon Roll Pancakes: Make fluffy pancakes swirled with cinnamon sugar and drizzled with cream cheese glaze, capturing the irresistible flavors of classic cinnamon rolls in a breakfast favorite.
83. Chocolate Peppermint Bark: Create layers of dark and white chocolate swirled together and topped with crushed peppermint candies, then chilled until set and broken into pieces for a festive and irresistible holiday treat.
84. Cranberry Brie Bites: Assemble bite-sized appetizers with flaky puff pastry, creamy brie cheese, and tangy cranberry sauce, baked until golden brown and served warm for a savory and satisfying snack.
85. Roasted Butternut Squash Soup: Simmer butternut squash, onions, and spices until tender, then blend until smooth to create a velvety and comforting soup, perfect for warming up on cold winter evenings.
86. Eggnog French Toast: Dip thick slices of bread into a rich and creamy eggnog batter before frying until golden brown, serving with maple syrup and a dusting of nutmeg for a decadent breakfast treat.
87. Spiced Pecans: Roast pecans with a blend of spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cayenne pepper until toasted and fragrant, creating a crunchy and addictive snack perfect for nibbling on during advent.
88. Mushroom and Leek Quiche: Bake a savory quiche filled with sautéed mushrooms, leeks, and gruyere cheese in a buttery pastry crust, a delicious and elegant dish suitable for brunch or dinner.
89. Citrus Cranberry Salad: Toss together mixed greens, fresh citrus segments, and tart cranberries with a tangy vinaigrette dressing, creating a vibrant and refreshing salad bursting with seasonal flavors.
90. Maple Glazed Roast Turkey: Roast a whole turkey coated with a sticky-sweet maple glaze until golden and juicy, serving with classic Thanksgiving sides like mashed potatoes and green beans for a festive meal.
91. Chocolate Dipped Pretzel Rods: Dip pretzel rods into melted chocolate and sprinkle with crushed nuts, candy, or sprinkles before allowing them to set, creating a crunchy and sweet snack perfect for munching on during advent.
92. Cinnamon Sugar Roasted Almonds: Toss almonds with melted butter, cinnamon, and sugar before roasting until golden brown and caramelized, creating a crunchy and addictive snack with irresistible flavor.
93. Pear and Gorgonzola Flatbread: Top flatbread or pizza dough with sliced pears, crumbled gorgonzola cheese, and caramelized onions before baking until golden and bubbly, a sophisticated and delicious appetizer or light meal option.
94. Cranberry Orange Bread: Bake a loaf of tender and tangy cranberry orange bread filled with plump cranberries and citrus zest, perfect for enjoying with a cup of tea or coffee as a festive treat.
95. Mulled Wine: Simmer red wine with spices like cinnamon, cloves, and orange zest until warm and fragrant, serving in mugs with a cinnamon stick garnish for a cozy and aromatic beverage during advent.
96. Herb Roasted Potatoes: Toss baby potatoes with olive oil, garlic, and herbs like rosemary and thyme before roasting until crispy and golden brown, a flavorful and satisfying side dish for holiday meals.
97. Chestnut Stuffing: Prepare a savory stuffing with toasted bread cubes, sautéed onions, celery, and chestnuts, seasoned with herbs like sage and thyme for a classic and comforting side dish.
98. Apple Cranberry Crisp: Combine tart apples and cranberries with a sweet oat crumble topping, baking until bubbly and golden brown for a delicious and comforting dessert to enjoy during advent.
99. Baked Brie with Cranberry Sauce: Wrap a wheel of brie cheese in puff pastry and bake until golden and melty, serving with cranberry sauce and crackers for a luxurious and indulgent appetizer.
100. Ginger Molasses Cookies: Bake soft and chewy ginger molasses cookies filled with warm spices like ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, perfect for enjoying with a glass of milk or hot cocoa as a festive treat.

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Do you have any ideas about how to celebrate Advent?  Please share them!