Advent is the four week season of the church year right before Christmas when we practice our patience, waiting for the Christ child to be born again. Waiting for Christ involves preparation, anticipation, and action.  We prepare ourselves through study, prayer, and worship.  We live our lives in joyous anticipation, not knowing when Christ will come, but living each day expecting his immediate return.  We act by serving the one true and living God by loving those around us.  Christ is coming.  Actively wait.
     ( adapted from Jesus is Coming... and I'm tired of Waiting: Advent Meditation Guide for Students

This year's Bethlehem Advent Festival will be held December 3, 2017

 All ages can walk the pretend streets of Bethlehem and visit booths with items to take home to bring the season of Advent into your hearts and homes.  Booths included a candle shop where you can make an Advent wreath, a scribe shop to receive an Advent Calendar, a marketplace to sample Bible time foods, a jewelry shop, Advent Angel shop, the Inn and more! 

Some quick videos to explain what Advent is and what an Advent wreath is:
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Worship Fully:  It starts with Jesus. It ends with Jesus. This is the holistic approach God had in mind for Christmas. It’s a season where we are called to put down our burdens and lift a song up to our God. It’s a season where love wins, peace reigns, and a king is celebrated with each breath
Spend Less:    Spending Less isn’t a call to stop giving gifts; it’s a call to stop spending money on gifts we won’t remember in less than a year. . By spending wisely on gifts we free ourselves from the anxiety associated with debt so we can take in the season with a full heart.
Give More:   The most powerful, memorable gift you can give to someone else is yourself. And nobody modeled this more than Jesus.  The main point is simple: When it comes to spending time with those you love, it’s all about quality, not quantity.
Love All:  It all boils down to love. Love from a savior. Love to a neighbor in need. By spending just a little less on gifts we free up our resources to love as Jesus loves by giving to those who really need help. . 

Online Resources to Celebrate Advent in Your Home:

http://adventword.org/  is where you can go to sign up to receive a daily email and on online Advent Calendar that you "open" each day to receive one word that is the theme for the day and a brief reflection.

 Download this advent calendar with daily prayers and pictures that can be colored. 

Advent Wreaths: This document gives the history of an Advent Wreath, several ways to make and use it, and prayers to use.