Set Up an Advent Table
Advent is a special time of waiting and preparing for Jesus. It begins four Sundays before Christmas. During these weeks, we focus on the hope and joy of Christ’s coming. Advent helps us remember why we celebrate Christmas.
In the rush of holiday shopping and parties, it’s easy to forget Advent. But we can keep Advent meaningful with a simple tradition. One way to do this is by setting up an Advent table in your home or youth group. This is a small space that helps you focus on Jesus each day.
The Advent table is a place for prayer, Scripture, and good deeds. It can include items like an Advent wreath, a Jesse tree, and a Bible. These things remind us of God’s promise and Christ’s coming. The table becomes a daily reminder to slow down and pray.
This article will explain how to set up an Advent table and use it each day. It will give ideas for prayers, readings, and activities. By keeping an Advent table, you can help make this season more meaningful for you and your family.
Getting Ready for Advent
Advent is the start of the Church’s new year. It begins four Sundays before Christmas. It is a time of waiting and preparing for the coming of Jesus. During Advent, we think about Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem. We also think about His coming again at the end of time. It is a season of hope, prayer, and reflection.
Setting up an Advent table is a simple way to focus on Jesus during this time. The table is a special place to remind us that Jesus is coming. It helps us to pause each day and remember why we celebrate Christmas. The Advent table becomes a focal point for prayer, Scripture reading, and good deeds.
It is important to keep Advent different from the Christmas rush. Stores and TV commercials tell us to hurry and buy gifts. But Advent invites us to slow down. It encourages us to prepare our hearts for Jesus, not just our homes. An Advent table can help us stay focused on Jesus and not get lost in holiday busyness.
Having an Advent table is a way to make time for God in our daily lives. It brings family or friends together in a quiet, prayerful way. It also helps us remember what matters most: welcoming Jesus with open hearts.
The Advent Table: A Daily Reminder
An Advent table is a simple way to remember Advent every day. It keeps Jesus at the center of our thoughts. When we see the Advent table, we are reminded to slow down and pray. It helps us focus on the true meaning of this season: the coming of Jesus.
The Advent table can create a spiritual atmosphere in the home or youth group. It is a special place set aside for prayer, Scripture, and reflection. Having this dedicated space helps us remember that Advent is different from ordinary days. It’s a season meant for preparing our hearts, not just our homes.
An Advent table also brings people together. Families can gather around the table to light the Advent wreath, say prayers, or read Bible stories. It encourages children and adults to share their thoughts and prayers. Youth groups can use it as a center for group prayer and activities, strengthening their faith as a community.
In a busy season, the Advent table is a source of peace. It’s a place to pause, pray, and reflect on God’s love. It helps everyone—young or old—grow closer to Jesus.
Setting Up Your Advent Table
An Advent table can have an Advent wreath. The wreath has four candles, one for each week of Advent. Three candles are purple, and one is pink. The purple candles stand for hope, peace, and love. The pink candle stands for joy. Lighting a new candle each week shows that Jesus, the Light of the World, is coming closer.
Another item to add is a Jesse tree. This small tree has symbols that tell the story of God’s plan, from creation to Jesus’ birth. Each day, you can add a new symbol, like a rainbow for Noah or a star for Abraham. The Jesse tree helps us remember the people who waited for Jesus long ago.
A family Bible is also important for your Advent table. Reading Bible verses together helps us focus on God’s Word. You can choose verses that tell the story of Jesus’ birth or other Bible stories that show God’s promise of a Savior.
Add prayer books or a small jar for charity to your table. Prayer books can offer simple prayers for each day of Advent. A jar for collecting loose change can be used to give to someone in need at Christmas. These extra items help us grow in prayer and giving, which are important parts of Advent.
Using Your Advent Table Every Day
Use the Advent table daily to keep Advent in focus. Light the Advent wreath candles at mealtime or in the evening. This simple act helps everyone pause and remember that Jesus is coming soon. As you light the candle, say a short prayer, like “Come, Lord Jesus.” This can be done in just a few minutes but makes a big difference.
Reading Scripture at the Advent table is another good habit. You can read a Bible verse or a short story about Jesus’ birth. It does not have to be long—just a few verses. This helps everyone think about God’s Word and its message of hope. You can also use a prayer book to guide you in a simple prayer for the day.
The Advent table can be part of your family’s daily routine. For example, you can start or end each day with a visit to the table. It can be a special time before bedtime or in the morning before school or work. You can gather once a week as a family, perhaps on Sunday, to reflect on how Advent is going and add new symbols to the Jesse tree.
If you have children, involve them in using the table. Let them light the candles, read a verse, or say a prayer. They can also draw symbols for the Jesse tree or put change in the charity jar. This keeps the Advent table a meaningful part of their day.
Fun Advent Table Activities
You can do simple activities at your Advent table to make this season more meaningful. One idea is to write good deeds on slips of paper and place them in a small box or jar. Each day, family members or group members can add a new good deed they have done. This teaches kindness and helps everyone focus on giving during Advent.
Using an Advent calendar is another helpful activity. Mark each day as you move through the season. You can choose a calendar that includes Bible verses or daily prayers. This gives everyone a clear sense of the countdown to Christmas while keeping the focus on Jesus. Or consider using a reverse Advent calendar.
Each week of Advent has a theme: hope, peace, joy, and love. You can plan activities or discussions around these themes. For example, read a Bible story about hope during the first week. In the second week, say a prayer for peace in your family or the world. Discuss what joy means in the third week, and talk about love for God and others in the fourth week.
Get children involved with creative activities. They can draw symbols for the Jesse tree, make Advent-themed crafts, or help decorate the table with simple items like paper stars or angels. You can also encourage them to lead a prayer or read a verse at the table. These activities help children understand and enjoy the Advent season.
Resources
What is Advent?
If you’re curious to learn more about the purpose and significance of the Advent season, this resource provides a comprehensive overview. Discover the history, traditions, and spiritual practices associated with Advent, and gain a deeper understanding of how this season prepares us for the birth of Christ.
Questions and Answers
What is an Advent table?
An Advent table is a small table set up to help you focus on the Advent season. It includes items like an Advent wreath, a Bible, and other things that remind you of Jesus’ coming. It’s a place for prayer, reflection, and activities during Advent.
What should I put on an Advent table?
You can include an Advent wreath, a Jesse tree, a Bible, prayer books, candles, a charity jar, and an Advent calendar. You can also add a box to collect slips of paper for good deeds or prayers.
How do I use an Advent table with my family?
Gather at the table daily or weekly. Light the Advent wreath, read a Bible verse, and say a prayer together. You can also add symbols to the Jesse tree or do good deeds and add them to a jar.
How does an Advent table help us observe Advent?
It keeps the focus on Jesus during a busy season. It helps us pray, reflect, and do good deeds. It is a daily reminder that we are waiting for Jesus to come.
Can children be involved in Advent table activities?
Yes! Children can help light candles, draw symbols for the Jesse tree, add good deeds to a jar, or read prayers. This makes Advent more meaningful and fun for them.
How often should we use the Advent table?
Use it every day or at least once a week. Light a new candle each week and do a simple activity. Consistent use helps keep the focus on Advent.
Do I need a lot of space for an Advent table?
No, you only need a small space. A small table or even a corner of a shelf will work. The important thing is to have a space dedicated to Advent.
Conclusion
An Advent table is a special place set up to focus on Jesus during Advent. Advent is the season of waiting and preparing for Christ’s coming. The table helps us keep the season holy, even with the busyness around us. It is a simple way to make space for prayer, reflection, and good deeds.
You can include various items on your Advent table. The Advent wreath, Jesse tree, and Bible are the most common. These items remind us of hope, peace, joy, and love, which are the themes of each week of Advent. Other items, like a charity jar, prayer book, or Advent calendar, can help encourage prayer and giving.
Using the Advent table is easy. Light the wreath candles at mealtime, read a short Bible verse, or say a simple prayer together. Families and youth groups can use the table daily or weekly. Children can also be involved with activities, such as drawing Jesse tree symbols or adding good deeds to a jar.
The Advent table keeps Christ at the center of the season. It brings families and groups together in faith. It makes Advent more meaningful for everyone.
Your Turn
Set up your own Advent table this year. It’s a great way to keep the focus on Jesus. Use it daily or weekly to light candles, pray, and reflect together. Share your Advent table ideas and experiences in the comments below. Let’s inspire one another to keep Christ at the center of this season.
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