Small Things - Second Saturday in November - Preparing Your Home And Heart For Advent

"Life is not, for most of us, a pageant of splendor, but is made up of many small things, rather like an old fashioned piecework quilt. No two people have the same, but we all have our own, whether it be listening to Beethoven's fifth with a beloved friend, or seeing a neighbor at the back door with a basket of white dahlias. Or after a long, hard day, having the family say, "That was a good supper."

- GLADYS TABER

As I've been reflecting upon the upcoming Advent season, which begins on Sunday, November 30,  I've come across a number of lovely resources I want to share with you.

1. Preparing for Advent: Simple Low Cost Traditions At Home

Silvia at Espi Living, has written a wonderful post for developing some simple low cost traditions for celebrating Advent at home. I especially love the idea of creating a special prayer corner for the season, the "One Thing At A Time" tradition, and creating a Waiting Journal. I had already planned to keep a journal specifically for this season this year, and referring to it in this way makes it even more special!

2. How To Have a Contemplative Advent

I was blessed by this post from Elizabeth Ross, and was happy to find the Advent Breath Prayers, which I plan to incorporate into my daily rhythm this season.

3. Advent and Homemaking

I came across this lovely series earlier this month and was so inspired. Samantha has written a post for each week of the season that implements the themes of Advent, Hope, Peace, Joy and Love as well as Christmas Eve. You can find each of them here;

Week One - Hope

Week Two - Peace

Week Three - Joy

Week Four - Love

Christmas Eve - Christ

4. How To Prepare Him Room In Our Souls This Advent

I really enjoyed reading this post by Sarah, and I think it will bless you, as well. I was especially touched by the idea of the spiritual practice of noticing!

5. Sunday Dinners for Advent

Our family has observed the lighting of the candles and scripture readings on the four Sundays of Advent for many years now, but the idea of a special dinner each Sunday takes it to the next level! Such a lovely tradition!

6. An Advent of Kindness

And finally this simple cost-free idea of being intentional in kindness in this season truly captures the spirit of this season. Just one simple act of kindness can be especially meaningful in the lives of others.

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