How to Make Advent More Like Advent and Less Like Christmas Idea #2

Idea #2

Advent Decor and Music

Hold off on the Christmas decorations and music.  During Advent we keep our decorations simple.  We make our Advent Wreath the centerpiece, lighting candles during our evening Rosary.  We have a small artificial tree we use for hanging up our handmade Jesse Tree ornaments.  We put up our nativities, saving Baby Jesus until Christmas morning and the Wise Men for Epiphany. We hang greenery and holly outside on our door, windows, and railing, and that is it for the decorations until Christmas Eve.  

Advent has some beautiful hymns that are so often overlooked due to Christmas Carols.  I very often get emotional the first time O Come, O Come Emmanuel is sung on the First Sunday of Advent.  Other hymns include: Come Thou Long Expected Jesus, Let Mortal Flesh Keep Silence, On Jordan's Banks, O Come Redeemer of the Earth, and many others and all equally as beautiful as your favorite Christmas Carol.