In my family, Christmas preparations began as soon as the Thanksgiving dinner dishes were put away. Boxes of decorations came up from the basement and down from the attic as music from a tall stack of CDs filled the house. Christmas is coming was the theme of the month, and all of December was a time of joyful preparation and waiting.

Christ did not get lost in the shuffle of cookies, cards, wreaths, and candles. Rather, the home’s transformation made it clear that we were preparing for something, and someone, very special. Candlelit family devotions kept our hearts focused on God during our preparation and celebrations.

My parents’ insistence that Advent be a special time brought Proverbs 22:6 into practice. They wanted their family to understand the magnitude of Jesus’ incarnation. Their traditions filled our home and our senses, putting their children on a lifelong journey pointing to Christ at Christmas. Now I look forward to Advent each year as a special time preparing my home and heart for Jesus.

An Advent season focused on Jesus’ coming will bless your family both now and in future generations. We welcome Christ into our homes with every preparation done through the fruit of the Spirit. We ask him to come in our prayers, hymns, and devotions. When we celebrate Advent with our families, we are starting our children off on a good path—one that will continue to celebrate Christ’s birth and anticipate his return.