DIY Advent

In recent years there’s been a growing maker movement, people with a willingness and passion to learn and grow by doing things themselves. One area where this has perhaps not been so true is a home devotional life. Part of difficulty is that, just as with the maker movement, in order to do something yourself, it is very helpful to see it done first, or at least, be given the tools with which to experiment. If someone has grown up without a home devotional life, it is hard to know where to begin.

It is with this spirit that my church began something last year called “DIY Advent.”

First, a disclaimer, this is not meant to be a complete do-it-yourself spirituality, but rather supplemental to hearing God’s Word in church.

During Advent, and the weeks leading up to Christmas, there is generally a renewed interest in the story of Christianity. So to encourage families to “do Advent” at this time is natural in that sense. But it is also unnatural: Even among Christians, the season of Advent tends to get skipped over for Christmas. In the business of the season, we can lose sight of the peace and comfort that celebrating Advent can bring.

Here’s how it works:

The Advent Wreath

Most Christians are familiar with the tradition of the Advent Wreath – a wreath of four candles (typically 3 purple/violet (or blue) candles and 1 pink/rose candle). You probably see this in your church.

But the Advent wreath was a tradition that originated in the home. Only in recent centuries did it find its way into churches. And when the church took it in, like many other things, it came out of the home.  

At our church, when our families get a DIY Advent Kit, they get a bag which includes four candles and a simple wreath as well as a custom devotional (we sell all this slightly below cost for $10). Families are encouraged to decorate it how they wish and share a picture with the church.

You can also find your own Advent candles through a simple Amazon search, or by visiting your local craft store.

Advent Devotional

We’ve produced a custom devotional each year. Last year was a family devotional based on the O Antiphons. This year, I teamed up with Rev. Michael Lilienthal (who’s basically an expert in Hebrew poetry) to produce a devotion book meant for couples based on the longest poem in the Bible, the Song of Songs.

Here is the online version of the devotional: Song of Songs: An Advent Devotional for Couples (You can also download it below)

The Song of Songs is perfect for Advent. During Advent, we look to how Christ comes to his church. Scripture, in many different places, pictures this reality as a Groom coming to His Bride. This is especially vivid in Song of Songs. It is a song between a loving husband and wife, as the Bride longs for her Groom, as well as a song between God and his people, as the Church longs for Christ.

Couples are invited to celebrate the beauty of Advent at home, in a way that will also enrich their marriages in Christ. 

The booklet gives daily reading and discussion suggestions for couples to use together, as they eagerly look to the coming of Jesus, our heavenly Bridegroom.

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Advent Music

The music of Advent is different than Christmas. Some beautiful music has been all but forgotten. As part of our kit, I’ve also produced a playlist of suggested Advent music.

And this shouldn’t be surprising, but so many of our Advent hymns are based on the Song of Songs. There’s a reason why it is called the Song of Songs!

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That’s our DIY Advent! I pray this can be a useful resource for you to use, or at least, inspire you to take time this year celebrate Advent in your home.