December comes in less than two weeks, and I am excited. Christmas is my favorite holiday and not just because we remember Christ’s birth on this day, but also because we celebrate good will, well wishes, family, and generosity. I also love the bright twinkling lights, carols, colorful decorations, crackling fireplaces, hot cocoa, and bundling up in chunky scarves and beanies.
I also love the traditions. Traditions ground me. In our fast-moving world, I need things that bring me back down to Earth. Traditions encourage me to slow down and savor the season.
One Christmas tradition is Advent. I don’t practice it, but I see all those DIY Advent calendars on Pinterest this time of year. I see pre-made ones in the stores. I see them right now in Starbucks. There are red triangular boxes with 25 treat-filled ornaments sitting on a basket. They cost $44.95 or $31.47 online.
Don’t worry, this post isn’t a sponsored post for Starbucks, although I wouldn’t oppose to it. I’m here every week! But $45 for an Advent Calendar?!? Although I love Christmas, I detest the commercialism of it. Seeing this crazy ridiculous price for 25 ornaments just put me off the whole idea of Advent.
Then an email arrived in my Inbox.
This post is about that email. It is an endorsement, but I’m not being paid. I’m not receiving anything in return, except for one thing that I will tell you later. First, the email.
It was a request to get the word out on a free, online Advent experience for families. They got me at free and families, so even though I don’t practice Advent, I had to check them out.
It’s the Crossroads Kids Cub Advent experience.
What is it and how does it work?
It is a free, online Advent experience for families. Starting December 1, families go online to http://crossroadskidsclub.net/advent. Everyday, there will be a new entry with activities varying from videos, music, and talking or discussion points. The entries are short and easy to follow.
You don’t have to do every single activity for that day. If you don’t have a lot of time, do one. If you have more time, do more. Pick the ones that your kids like best. There’s no pressure to complete every activity. The idea is to create a time for your family to anticipate the coming of Christmas. Advent, after all, means “coming.”
The materials are impressive. They are colorful and well-made. The music is catchy. The videos are kid-friendly, but not kiddish. Most of all, they got Advent right. Their goal is to help families focus on Jesus and have fun together.
That’s what I’m getting back from this promotion post. It made me look into Advent and what it means. I read this article, and I looked at what Crossroads Kids is doing, and it gave me hope. The world does commercialize Christmas, and from a business money-making stand-point, I get it. I don’t like it, but I get it. But there are also many people and groups out there steering us in the right direction. Crossroads Kids Club with their Advent experience is one of those groups.
Focus on Jesus and have fun while doing it? Yep, sign me up.
How do you sign up?
You don’t have to sign up! You don’t need to register. You don’t need to give your email address or name or soul. Every day from December 1 up until Christmas, simply visit the website. Here it is again: http://crossroadskidsclub.net/advent.
It’s that easy! But if you need a reminder, you can subscribe with your email or mobile number. You would get an email, text, or both. This is a busy season, and we need all the help we can get to remind us to slow down and truly celebrate what this season is about.
Help spread the word!
[bctt tweet=”Join the free online Advent experience for families! http://bit.ly/1j8w8yN #kidmin #advent”]
Will I do it?
Maybe. As much as I love it, I don’t have kids. I’m looking into an Advent experience for singles. If I find any, I will let you know. But if you know any, tell me! On the other hand, I am a kid at heart. I recommend the Crossroads Kids Club Advent experience for families, but I just might participate in it if I can’t find one more suitable for my age 😉
How do you celebrate Advent, if you do celebrate it? I’m curious!
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