Third Sunday of Advent

We made it through the second week of advent. It's been a bumpy ride for us this year, but we made it, holding on to each other. 

Agenda:

1. Journal queries

2. Advent wreath ceremony
3. Plan activities for family fun

1. Journal queries:
The excitement that grows at advent can cause high expectations, dissapointments, and 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.

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 advent?

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 for family fun:

Christmas past

I remember many joyful moments with my family in advents past: Shopping together, writing cards, making cookies, putting up the tree, making gifts, Christmas parties, and watching Christmas shows. 

Now my kids are grown and have partners, so I need to coordinate activities with two other households.
I look at each activity and project, decide whether I want to do it alone, or if I can reasonably negotiate help from my family, or if I want to turn it over for them to do on their own: I am happy to let go of some traditions and let my children take the lead.

This year, we still have to consider our unvaccinated grandson's safety, and it puts a wedge between us. We need to be extra careful to be inclusive and also safe.

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

• Take care of myself so I can be calm and present for the spontaneous joy when it arises.
• Take the time to consider what others - both friends and family - want most this season. In other words, become less self-focused and more generous in all ways. 
• Be respectful, patient, and kind (no matter how stressed  I feel).
• Use my most creative thinking to find ways to celebrate together during a pandemic.