As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

A Gentler December

Every December seems to arrive with a whirlwind of activity—Christmas parties, decorating, shopping lists, and a social media feed filled with perfectly styled homes. While all of these can be good, they can also leave us drained, anxious, and strangely empty. What we long for most in this season isn’t a fuller calendar, but a fuller heart.

That’s where Advent comes in. Advent is more than a countdown to Christmas—it’s a sacred season of waiting, preparing, and remembering Emmanuel, God with us.

Key Takeaways for a Christ-Centered Advent

• Make room for margin. Create space before and after big moments so you can truly anticipate and savor them.
• Keep it simple. One devotional, one wreath, one family tradition is enough to draw near to Christ.
• Let sorrow and joy walk together. Advent is a safe space to grieve with hope, trusting that joy is still possible in Christ.
• Resist comparison. Step back from Pinterest-perfect pressures and remember that Jesus is pleased with faithfulness, not perfection.
• Extend Christmas into Christmastide. Keep reflecting, reading, and celebrating the birth of Christ beyond December 25.

What is Advent (and is it “okay” for Baptists or other denominations)?

Advent isn’t a sacrament or a requirement—it’s a voluntary, Scripture-soaked season of intentional preparation for celebrating Christ’s birth while longing for His return. How to celebrate advent if you are not a Catholic: Many Baptist families choose to practice Advent at home because it keeps Jesus central without adding church-mandated rituals. Think Bible reading, prayer, and simple family traditions that point to the gospel (John 1:14; Luke 2:10–11).

“Advent makes room for our grief; Christmastide makes room for our joy.””

A gentle plan: How to celebrate Advent without overwhelm

Scripture reading plan (Advent → Christmastide)

• Week 1 – Hope: Isaiah 7:14; 9:2–7; Luke 1:26–38
• Week 2 – Peace: Micah 5:2–5a; John 14:27; Romans 5:1
• Week 3 – Joy: Luke 2:8–14; John 15:11; Philippians 4:4–7
• Week 4 – Love: 1 John 4:7–11; John 3:16–17; Titus 2:11–14
• Christmas Day & Christmastide: Luke 2:1–20; John 1:1–14; Matthew 2:1–12

FAQ: Advent & Christmas (How to celebrate Advent for Christian women who feel stretched thin)

• Is Advent in the Bible?
  The word “Advent” isn’t, but the themes are deeply biblical—promise, waiting, incarnation, and future glory (Isaiah 9; Luke 1–2; John 1; Titus 2:11–14).
• Do Baptists (and other protestant denominations) celebrate Advent?
  Many do at home as a discipleship resource. It’s not required; it’s simply a tool to keep Christ at the center.
• How hard is it to make an Advent wreath?
  Very simple: a ring or tray + four candles (plus a center Christ candle). Add greenery if you like. Read, pray, sing, and keep it safe.
• What if I’m grieving this year?
  You are not alone. Grieve with hope (1 Thess. 4:13). Keep one or two traditions; let your church family carry you; say “yes” to help. Jesus meets us in sorrow (Psalm 34:18; John 11:35).
• What if my December is already packed?
  Start small: one weekly reading + one tradition. You can begin any Sunday in Advent—even mid-season.

Final Encouragement on How to Celebrate Advent

The holidays don’t have to be frantic or hollow. With a few intentional choices, December can become a season of worship, reflection, and real joy. Advent reminds us we are a waiting people—rooted in Christ’s first coming and looking toward His return.

Choose one simple thing this year to help your family delight in God’s Word:

light a candle and read a short passage, pray together after dinner, or keep one tradition that points to Jesus. Small, steady practices matter. Emmanuel has come—and He is coming again.

About Our Guest

Lanier Ivester is a writer and homemaker who lives on a small farm in Georgia with her husband, Philip. She studied English literature at the University of Oxford and writes about Christianity, art, and the sacramental beauty of everyday life. Her work has been featured by The Gospel Coalition, The Rabbit Room, Art House America, and The Cultivating Project.

Her newest book on How to celebrate Advent, Glad and Golden Hours: A Companion for Advent and Christmastide, blends memoir, recipes, crafts, hymn reflections, and devotions into a resource designed to be a friend through the holiday season.

Resources

Go-To Bible: NIV
College Ruled Notebook
The Divine Hours Series
Favorite App/Website: Precept