A simple way to bring a moment of quiet in a busy Advent season is to use a candle.
Just lighting it and watching the flame seems to allow time to slow a little.
You can use an Advent Candle (see here for ways of making one) or simply a plain one.
Here’s some ideas for things to do while your candle is lit:
1 Be quiet
This might not seem like the most family-friendly idea, but I find if I’m going to get any quiet, it’s most likely to happen as I’m lighting a candle and a few moments afterwards, especially if I invite everyone to be quiet and look at the flame.
2 Eat breakfast
Or dinner. Or lunch.
December in the UK is the darkest time of year, and I find lighting a candle and eating food by its light is a wonderful way to reclaim the darkness which seems to seep everywhere in Winter.
3 Reflect
In my role as chaplain at my local children’s hospital, I have created a colouring card with candles on it with a simple reflective activity. This is what it says:
One way we can celebrate especially when life is hard, is by remembering things and people who bring light into our lives.
If you are finding life hard at the moment, you might like to use these questions to reflect while your candle is lit:
What or who brings light into your life?
Who do you bring light to?
I wonder how many moments of light you will notice today.
Remember that you bring light to people around you.
4 Pray
You might like to use a simple, repeated prayer like this one:
Jesus, light of the world,
Come into our darkness.
5 Think and chat
Alongside the prayer above, you could think about Jesus being the light of the world. Here’s four different things to think about. You could do one a week or whenever you choose.
Thought 1
Whenever you see candles or Christmas lights, thank Jesus for the light of His presence is with you. (Psalm 89:15)
Thought 2
Think of something ‘dark’ in your life. Ask Jesus to bring His light and change it. (2 Samuel 22:29)
Thought 3
Think of something ‘dark’ in the world. Ask Jesus to bring His light into that darkness. (Job 12:22)
Thought 4
If you need help choosing or deciding something, ask Jesus to shine His light on your path. (Psalm 119:105)
For more ideas and Activities to explore at Christmas visit my 50 Faith at home ideas for Christmas here.
