Third Advent Sunday

We have made it through the second week of advent, and now the excitement is really growing! Unfortunately, excitement can often turn into feelings of pressure, worry, loneliness, dissapointment, or frayed nerves. 

This is a good time to give extra attention to the importance of  friends and family, and find ways to support and comfort each other.

Often the men in my family don’t share my interest in "all things advent"; I will try to remain flexible and patient- everything doesn’t have to go as I plan! I also intend to hold on to my sense of humor. Inevitably, something will happen that is taxing and unexpected. This week, especially, I need to not to let it rattle me- just relax, get through it, and move on. I will make an extra effort to not let time pressure ruin our enjoyment of advent; no matter what I have on my agenda, my people come first.

Agenda:
1. Journal:
Am I paying enough attention to each member of my family?
Am I including them in advent in ways that they enjoy? 
How can I connect better to my friends this week?

2. Advent wreath ceremony: 
Tonight (and every night this week) we will light three advent candles, and recite three prayers:

"We light the first candle for the earth, which sustains us. May we cherish and care for it."

"We light the second candle for all the people of the world. May we find unity and peace."

"We light the third candle for our family and the joy and love we bring each other."

3. Plan activities:

I remember many joyful moments with my family in advents past- shopping together, writing cards, making cookies, making gifts, or watching Christmas shows. Now that we are all older, I find it harder to draw my family in to the fun of preparations, and I sometimes feel like it's a one-woman show. This week I will talk with each person in the family about our expectations, and negotiate some help. Then I will relax and let the love work to create those moments of silliness.

Things to do this week to open to joy and love:

• Be respectful and kind.
• Send cards to family and friends off in other parts of the world.
• Make and buy gifts.
• Bake goodies!
• Deliver small gifts and goodies to nearby friends and neighbors.
• Decorate the house (preferably together).
• Decorate the tree.