But there\u2019s another reason why Marie sends out her reminders. And that is because she actually uses them to get ahead of the holiday hustle and bustle.<\/p>\n
Hmmm \u2026 I think Marie is onto something.<\/p>\n
Why do we cram everything into four short weeks?<\/strong><\/h4>\nWe all know when Christmas is. Unlike Easter, the date never changes. We also know how much there is to do leading up to the celebration of Christ\u2019s birth. And despite this knowledge, we still leave the majority of our preparations until the Advent season.<\/p>\n
This creates a tension in our hearts. We desperately want Advent to be a prayerful, quiet season that prepares us to truly welcome Baby Jesus into the manger of our hearts on Christmas Day. But that is confronted with a mile-long to-do list that seems impossible to complete.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s try something new.<\/strong><\/h4>\nSo, this year, what if we used the seven weeks we have until the beginning of Advent to check some things off of our long to-do list? We know what we need to do, so what if we just spread it out over the next several weeks and just did it?<\/p>\n
Not only would we have more time for family, friends, and holiday traditions. But we also would have the opportunity to experience a more peaceful, prayerful Advent season.<\/p>\n
Things to do now to ensure a more peaceful Advent season:<\/strong><\/h2>\nAdvent traditions<\/strong><\/h4>\n\u2022 Before the calendar fills up, schedule the things<\/a> that matter most to your family. Say \u201cno\u201d to what is not essential.<\/p>\n\u2022 Select a couple feast days to celebrate this Advent. Gather supplies for a special dinner, dessert, or craft.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Leave the Sundays of Advent open as sacred days of rest, prayer, and family time.<\/p>\n
Greeting cards<\/strong><\/h4>\n\u2022 Update your address list.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Sift through photos, and select your favorites for your Christmas card.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Order cards and stamps.<\/p>\n
Twinkling lights<\/strong><\/h4>\n\u2022 Check last year\u2019s Christmas lights.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Buy new lights, if necessary.<\/p>\n
\u2022 If you hang lights outside, go ahead and do it now, before it\u2019s too cold. Just keep them off until Advent, or even until Gaudete Sunday!<\/p>\n
Holiday treats<\/strong><\/h4>\n\u2022 Select only your favorite cookies to bake. Limit it to two or three kinds to avoid overwhelm.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Clean out the fridge, freezer, and pantry. Donate nonperishables to the local food shelf.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Inventory baking supplies, and stock up on what you need.<\/p>\n
Giving gifts<\/strong><\/h4>\n\u2022 Make a list of people you want to shop for and gift ideas for each of them.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Gather your wrapping supplies. Purchase new rolls of giftwrap, tape, and ribbon.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Set a goal date (before Advent)<\/em> for when you\u2019d like your shopping to be done.<\/p>\nLet’s use our time wisely.<\/strong><\/h4>\nAs of today, there are seven weeks until Advent, 50 days to be exact. Think of how much we could get done between now and then! Think of how this will free up our minds, hearts, and calendars, so we can enter more fully into the Advent season. Not only will we feel more prepared for Christmas, having checked so much off of our lists, we will be more ready to welcome the Newborn King when He is born into our hearts this Christmas.<\/p>\n
BONUS:<\/h2>\n
Exclusively for my email friends, I have created a printable checklist for you to use while getting some Christmas to-dos done now! Simply join my community<\/a>, and you will get it right away (plus a couple of fall print for you to enjoy this season).<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n![\"Things](\"http:\/\/sarahdamm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/plan-ahead_Advent_pin-1-683x1024.png\")
<\/p>\n
So, this year, what if we used the seven weeks we have until the beginning of Advent to check some things off of our long to-do list? We know what we need to do, so what if we just spread it out over the next several weeks and just did it?<\/p>\n
Not only would we have more time for family, friends, and holiday traditions. But we also would have the opportunity to experience a more peaceful, prayerful Advent season.<\/p>\n
Things to do now to ensure a more peaceful Advent season:<\/strong><\/h2>\nAdvent traditions<\/strong><\/h4>\n\u2022 Before the calendar fills up, schedule the things<\/a> that matter most to your family. Say \u201cno\u201d to what is not essential.<\/p>\n\u2022 Select a couple feast days to celebrate this Advent. Gather supplies for a special dinner, dessert, or craft.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Leave the Sundays of Advent open as sacred days of rest, prayer, and family time.<\/p>\n
Greeting cards<\/strong><\/h4>\n\u2022 Update your address list.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Sift through photos, and select your favorites for your Christmas card.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Order cards and stamps.<\/p>\n
Twinkling lights<\/strong><\/h4>\n\u2022 Check last year\u2019s Christmas lights.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Buy new lights, if necessary.<\/p>\n
\u2022 If you hang lights outside, go ahead and do it now, before it\u2019s too cold. Just keep them off until Advent, or even until Gaudete Sunday!<\/p>\n
Holiday treats<\/strong><\/h4>\n\u2022 Select only your favorite cookies to bake. Limit it to two or three kinds to avoid overwhelm.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Clean out the fridge, freezer, and pantry. Donate nonperishables to the local food shelf.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Inventory baking supplies, and stock up on what you need.<\/p>\n
Giving gifts<\/strong><\/h4>\n\u2022 Make a list of people you want to shop for and gift ideas for each of them.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Gather your wrapping supplies. Purchase new rolls of giftwrap, tape, and ribbon.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Set a goal date (before Advent)<\/em> for when you\u2019d like your shopping to be done.<\/p>\nLet’s use our time wisely.<\/strong><\/h4>\nAs of today, there are seven weeks until Advent, 50 days to be exact. Think of how much we could get done between now and then! Think of how this will free up our minds, hearts, and calendars, so we can enter more fully into the Advent season. Not only will we feel more prepared for Christmas, having checked so much off of our lists, we will be more ready to welcome the Newborn King when He is born into our hearts this Christmas.<\/p>\n
BONUS:<\/h2>\n
Exclusively for my email friends, I have created a printable checklist for you to use while getting some Christmas to-dos done now! Simply join my community<\/a>, and you will get it right away (plus a couple of fall print for you to enjoy this season).<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u2022 Before the calendar fills up, schedule the things<\/a> that matter most to your family. Say \u201cno\u201d to what is not essential.<\/p>\n \u2022 Select a couple feast days to celebrate this Advent. Gather supplies for a special dinner, dessert, or craft.<\/p>\n \u2022 Leave the Sundays of Advent open as sacred days of rest, prayer, and family time.<\/p>\n \u2022 Update your address list.<\/p>\n \u2022 Sift through photos, and select your favorites for your Christmas card.<\/p>\n \u2022 Order cards and stamps.<\/p>\n \u2022 Check last year\u2019s Christmas lights.<\/p>\n \u2022 Buy new lights, if necessary.<\/p>\n \u2022 If you hang lights outside, go ahead and do it now, before it\u2019s too cold. Just keep them off until Advent, or even until Gaudete Sunday!<\/p>\n \u2022 Select only your favorite cookies to bake. Limit it to two or three kinds to avoid overwhelm.<\/p>\n \u2022 Clean out the fridge, freezer, and pantry. Donate nonperishables to the local food shelf.<\/p>\n \u2022 Inventory baking supplies, and stock up on what you need.<\/p>\n \u2022 Make a list of people you want to shop for and gift ideas for each of them.<\/p>\n \u2022 Gather your wrapping supplies. Purchase new rolls of giftwrap, tape, and ribbon.<\/p>\n \u2022 Set a goal date (before Advent)<\/em> for when you\u2019d like your shopping to be done.<\/p>\n As of today, there are seven weeks until Advent, 50 days to be exact. Think of how much we could get done between now and then! Think of how this will free up our minds, hearts, and calendars, so we can enter more fully into the Advent season. Not only will we feel more prepared for Christmas, having checked so much off of our lists, we will be more ready to welcome the Newborn King when He is born into our hearts this Christmas.<\/p>\n Exclusively for my email friends, I have created a printable checklist for you to use while getting some Christmas to-dos done now! Simply join my community<\/a>, and you will get it right away (plus a couple of fall print for you to enjoy this season).<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\nGreeting cards<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Twinkling lights<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Holiday treats<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Giving gifts<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Let’s use our time wisely.<\/strong><\/h4>\n
BONUS:<\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n