Tag: family

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Children’s Book Recommendations for Advent and Christmas

Hi readers! In a previous post, I have discussed how my family practices Advent, so I wanted to follow up with a guide of what you could be reading with your kids during this season to prepare for Christmas. It’s tempting to jump on board the Christmas train as soon as Thanksgiving is over (or even right after Halloween!), but as Orthodox Christians, we believe it’s important to observe a season of expectation, waiting, and even penitence before we start celebrating. This may look differently in each family, but one way we, a Western Rite Orthodox family of 7, mark the season of Advent is through books.

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How One Western Rite Orthodox Family Observes Advent

In my eight years since becoming Orthodox, my husband and I have worked to establish liturgical traditions in our home that will give our children and ourselves spiritual stability. Walking through the life of Christ every year with the seasons of the Church helps to create defaults of habit and discipline that were lacking in our faith prior to our conversion. We have 5 children under the age of 10, so what works for our family in this stage of life may be different than what would best serve your own family. However, I have collected below some of our favorite family practices for the season of Advent which I hope may be helpful to you in beginning your own traditions.   

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