“Did you get it?” I asked my daughter as she climbed into the car after school, freezing cold air following in her wake.
“Yep!” she said with a smile on her face, holding up a small torn piece of paper. On it, carefully spelled out in loopy handwriting, were the words hot chai with cream.
“I have mine, too,” my other daughter said, pulling off her gloves and reaching into her backpack: iced vanilla latte.
“Great!” I said, reaching for the papers to tuck them carefully into my cup holder for safekeeping.
The next morning, we left the house early so we could stop and pick up drinks from the local coffee shop for each girl’s teacher. When we arrived at school, my older daughter stepped out first and reached up to hold both drinks until her little sister could climb out and claim “her” cup for her teacher.
“Careful, it’s hot,” the big sister cautioned. Snapping a quick photo to send my husband, I waved good-bye as they held their cups in front of them like precious treasure.
For the last several years, bringing a special drink to their teachers during December is one of the many small things we’ve incorporated into our Advent season. The idea was birthed many years ago when two friends and I were chatting over coffee, bemoaning our kids’ ever-expanding Christmas lists and the season’s busyness. In the midst of a full calendar, we wanted to remind our kids (and ourselves!) that the Christmas season—while special and wonderful—is first and foremost a celebration of Jesus.
Our solution was simple: Each day during the Advent season, we would intentionally do one kind act for someone else. Most acts were small, and many were free, but they quickly became one of our favorite parts of the season and a beloved tradition in our home.
—Kristin
Are you looking for more Christmas resources? Check out our NEW book Merry & Bright: Rediscover the Peace, Joy, and Hope of Advent, available wherever books are sold.
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