• Home
  • Contact
    • Collaborate
  • Blog
  • Parties
    • Children’s Parties Ideas
    • Holiday Parties
    • Adult Party Ideas
  • Holiday Ideas
    • Christmas
    • Easter
    • Fourth of July
    • Spring
    • Thanksgiving
    • Valentine’s Day
  • Seasons
    • Winter
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Autumn
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Beverages
    • Desserts
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups
  • Project Gallery
    • Crafts
    • Decorating
    • DIY
    • Good Ideas
    • Tutorials
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Bloglovin
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

  • Book
  • Speaking
  • Meet Vanessa
    • Featured

December 4, 2014

Scripture Wrapped Advent Candles

“At this Christmas when Christ comes, will He find a warm heart? Mark the season of advent by loving and serving others with God’s own love and concern.” Mother Teresa

Growing up,  we never had advent calendars filled with chocolates and prizes. The only countdown we had were these darling paper houses from Hallmark where each door and window opened to reveal a meaningful word about the season.

The celebration of Advent in our house was reserved for simple white candles tucked into a tabletop wreath.

DIY scripture advent candles from atthepicketfence.com

Somehow, between the time I was a little girl and now, ‘advent’ in our culture has morphed into something so very different from what I remember.

There was so much wonder, so much mystery in the reading of scripture each Sunday leading up to Christmas. We would gather together around the advent wreath where Heather and I would debate over whose turn it was to light the candle that week.

As my dad read from the Bible, we couldn’t help but feel the significance of the moment, even though we had heard those familiar words so many times before. This was a time for pausing amidst all of the hustle and bustle of the season and truly reflecting on the wonder of a king being born in the dark of night in a filthy barn.

advent candles supplies

There were no trinkets from the dollar store. No specialty candy from Trader Joe’s. No old pallets transformed into hanging advent wall art or little bags strung around the room filled with treasures.

Just a simple circle of greenery with red berries tucked in and those long white candles.

As a mom now myself, I’m trying to keep the traditional celebration of Advent alive. Oh sure, we have several different ‘countdown’ things happening around the house. In fact, those little paper Hallmark houses I had as a child currently reside on a table in our upstairs hallway. And please hear me when I say that I absolutely love the creative ways that people have found to help build the anticipation of Christmas in their homes.

But, as I looked around my house this year and saw that it was practically bursting with Christmas in every nook and cranny, I found myself longing to carve out a little space for something more simple.

advent candle verses

Something as simple as candles wrapped in scripture. Each one telling another part of the story of Christ’s birth. After printing out 5 different portions of scripture, I coated the backs of the paper in mod podge and then set them seam side down to dry. I then applied another layer of mod podge on top of the paper.

advent candles with mod podge

Each week, we will gather around these candles. There will be fidgeting and fighting over whose turn it is to light the candle. There will probably be some eye rolling and some ‘hey why don’t we get chocolate with these?’.

But we will all be there together, pausing in the midst of the craziness of this time of the year to remember why we celebrate.

scripture advent candles from atthepicketfence.com

And we will pray that God’s love will shine through us, far brighter than the lights on all 5 of the Christmas trees in our house. 😉

candles wrapped in scripture for advent atthepicketfence.com

Every year, I wait for that one moment. The one where I find myself overwhelmed by it all. Not overwhelmed by the shopping or the decorating or the baking.

But the one where I’m overwhelmed by the love and grace that came to this earth in the form of a baby.

And that this baby would grow up to teach, to heal, to challenge, to fulfill a promise.

As I ran errands around town yesterday, the song ‘Born in Bethlehem’ by Third Day came on the radio.

And it happened. I was overwhelmed. The tears began to flow as I heard these lines…

Baby Jesus, do You know

You’ll die for all our sins?

Don’t be afraid for in three days

You will rise again, You will rise again!

DIY scripture advent candles from atthepicketfence.com

I was reminded of how deeply loved I am.

There is so much mystery in it. So much that I don’t understand. But I know that if I were the only person on the planet, that baby would have come just for me.

And He would have come just for you!

Hallelujah, the King is here

Given for all men

For today the holy son of God

Is born in Bethlehem

May you have moments of being overwhelmed by His love this season!

Vanessa signature

P.S. The annual Holiday Housewalk is in full swing over at Jennifer Rizzo Design Company so

be sure to stop by for loads of ideas and inspiration!

top this top that

27 Comments Filed Under: Christmas, Crafts, DIY, Family, Five Minute Crafts, Good Ideas, Holidays Tagged With: Advent, Christmas, Christmas craft, Christmas decor

Subscribe

Get the latest goodness straight to your inbox!

Previous Post: « Five beauty tricks to borrow from your teen!
Next Post: Christmas Home Tour ~ Holiday Housewalk »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Darla Bunyan says

    December 4, 2014 at 3:48 AM

    Absolutely a beautiful post!

    Reply
  2. Heidi @ Decor & More says

    December 4, 2014 at 3:48 AM

    Love these, Vanessa… it’s too easy to forget the reason for the season these days and I think we could all use some more quiet space and moments of being overwhelmed. 🙂 Have a blessed day!
    xo Heidi

    Reply
  3. Jennifer Ross says

    December 4, 2014 at 4:23 AM

    Vanessa, how wonderful to pause and reflect on the real reason for the season. Thank you for the beautiful reminder!

    Reply
  4. Karen Varney says

    December 4, 2014 at 4:25 AM

    What a wonderful way to spread God’s love. It was beautifully written.

    Reply
  5. Sherri houston says

    December 4, 2014 at 5:42 AM

    This is beautiful! Your creation and your message….well done!! Refreshing to see and hear this in these days!! Thank you!

    Reply
  6. Vicki says

    December 4, 2014 at 7:06 AM

    I am longing for the “simple” things in life as well. A beautiful story. Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
  7. Bobetta says

    December 4, 2014 at 7:18 AM

    What kind of paper is the Scripture printed on?

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      December 4, 2014 at 7:35 AM

      I printed it on a card-stock style paper. So slightly thicker than regular printer paper and I choose one that had a little bit of ‘sparkle’ to it so that it catches the light! 🙂

      Reply
  8. Nancy Sharp says

    December 4, 2014 at 7:35 AM

    This is another beautiful reminder to me of how precious Christmas can be if we keep things simple. I have been sick since before Thanksgiving, most of the time in the bed, and The Lord has kept me from worrying that shopping is not done and neither is decorating. But reading and reflecting on the Advent season has been precious for me this year. Thank you for adding to that.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      December 4, 2014 at 7:43 AM

      Nancy I’m so sorry that you’ve been sick! It truly is a horrible time for it but I’m so glad that you’ve been able to use it as an opportunity to reflect on the meaning of this season. Praying you feel better soon! 🙂

      Reply
  9. Lauren says

    December 4, 2014 at 7:55 AM

    Oh these are so beautiful! I think I’m heading to dollar store to get some candles! A beautiful post reminding us to slow down and focus on the best gift of all–the Savior.

    Reply
  10. dee says

    December 4, 2014 at 10:28 AM

    I AM SO BLESSED TO HAVE FOUND YOUR BLOG. YOU’VE BEEN GIVEN SUCH A GIFT OF WRITING AND EXPRESSING YOUR FEELINGS THAT WE AS CHRISTIAN WOMEN CAN UNDERSTAND, ASSOCIATE WITH AND SHARE WITH YOU. YOU ARE A LIGHT IN THIS DARK WORLD THAT HOPEFULLY OTHERS CAN BE DRAWN TOO AND LEARN OF THE LOVE OUR SAVIOUR HAS TO OFFER TO US ALL! THANKS FOR YOUR DEDICATION <3

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      December 4, 2014 at 7:34 PM

      Oh Dee! I tried to fight back the tears as I read this beautiful comment but they just wouldn’t stay in my eyes! You truly have no idea how much you have encouraged and blessed me today or how badly I needed that reassurance. God used you to minister to me and I’m forever grateful! 🙂

      Blessings to you,
      Vanessa

      Reply
  11. dee says

    December 4, 2014 at 10:30 AM

    Oops . . . not yelling 🙂

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      December 4, 2014 at 7:34 PM

      LOL! 😉

      Reply
  12. Caro Reddin says

    December 4, 2014 at 12:19 PM

    Beautifully written! Thank you for sharing your memories, Vanessa! It brings back memories for me too! Love you, Mom

    Reply
  13. Cheryl Ann says

    December 4, 2014 at 3:49 PM

    I love this idea and thank you for the reminder. Your candles are beautiful. Which scriptures did you use?

    Reply
  14. martina says

    December 4, 2014 at 5:59 PM

    Vanessa I have moments like that too…I always love reading your posts!! Love your advent candles!

    Reply
  15. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    December 4, 2014 at 7:36 PM

    Beautiful candles…great idea..just love them Vanessa!

    Reply
  16. Janelle@The Peaceful Haven says

    December 5, 2014 at 8:01 AM

    Oh My! I just LOVE this idea…I think I might try it today! Thank you for the creative inspiration!

    Reply
  17. Catherine says

    December 7, 2014 at 8:41 AM

    That’s really cOOl!
    Catherine

    Reply
  18. Suzan says

    August 23, 2015 at 5:38 AM

    I saw this post and had to leave a comment. I also grew up with Advent traditions that were faith based and not chocolate and gift based. I see “advent” calendars now counting down the days to Halloween or Valentines’ Day or whatever and it just makes me sad. Advent is the time to prepare for the second coming of Christ. A time to reflect and make a place in our hearts to once again receive Christ at Christmas. I love these sweet candles and will make them for my son’s family. They are both beautiful and a lovely way to prepare for Christmas. Thank you so much for such a wonderful craft idea!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      August 24, 2015 at 8:15 AM

      Suzan thank you so much for your lovely and encouraging comment! So glad you found my candles and that you too appreciate the true meaning of Advent. 🙂

      Reply
  19. Christi {Jealous Hands} says

    September 23, 2015 at 2:00 PM

    I’ve had this post pinned since last year & just came back to reread it. We grew up with similar traditions & I’m so excited to add these candles to our contemplation and celebration this year! Would you mind sharing which Scripture/readings you used? Thanks so much!

    Reply
  20. JoAnn says

    October 18, 2016 at 8:17 AM

    Loved this Post (as I love all your Posts)! I am always looking for ways to simplify Christmas so that we focus on the true Joy of the Season. This Post reminded me of the first time my Mom fashioned an Advent wreath when I was young. My sister and I jostled for a turn to light the candle too. I lost my Mom to cancer before I was an adult and missed the opportunity to thank her for those simple traditions. Thank you for bringing back a very warm memory!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      October 18, 2016 at 4:12 PM

      Oh I’m so glad it brought back a good memory for you JoAnn! And thank you for your kind words about my posts. 🙂

      Reply
  21. Teresa says

    November 13, 2016 at 11:21 AM

    I would love the scriptures you used also and wondered if I missed you providing them to print.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Search This Blog

Take the Quiz

Stay updated!

Get all the latest goodness straight to your inbox!

Get the book!

Invite Vanessa to speak at your event!

Must Reads

Recent Posts

  • My French Country Christmas Mantel December 4, 2019
  • Incorporating Advent Candles Into Your Christmas Decor November 27, 2019
  • Simple Hot Cocoa Station November 21, 2019
  • An Update From Me to You November 15, 2019
  • My Crazy Christmas Shopping at Hobby Lobby November 4, 2019

Get all the latest straight to your inbox

Footer

Instagram

Instagram post 18042969043211010 Raise your hand if these cold, dark mornings have you feeling a bit befuddled. 🙋🏻‍♀️ So far this week I’ve put a sweatshirt on backwards resulting in me getting a really good look at the inside of the hood and today I tried to put sweat pants on without taking my pajamas off first. 😂 #winning.

But, hey, at least I can take comfort in the soft glow of twinkling lights and having my halls decked for Christmas!

Today on the blog I’m sharing the details of my soft and simple mantel decorations and I’d love for you to stop by! ✨
Instagram post 18116596168021683 Happy Saturday friends! Can you believe that tomorrow is December 1?! I think it’s time for my annual gentle reminder about this month. I don’t know about you but, for me, December is a month of mixed emotions, ranging from joy-filled moments to ones that have me wanting to pull my hair out.

There are so many expectations and we put so much pressure on ourselves to create magical memories. And for years I have felt the added weight of wanting to make sure my family had opportunities throughout the month to grow in their relationship with Christ.

We celebrate advent and read all of the appropriate Baby Jesus books and encourage a spirit of generosity and heavily emphasize the real reason for the season.

But sweet friends, I want to remind you today that one month out of the year does not a strong relationship with the Lord make. December doesn’t define our faith in Christ.

For our kids or for us.

There are 11 other months in the year. 11 other months to live out our faith in front of our children. 11 other months to pray with them. 11 other months to help them wrestle through their questions and add depth to their walk with the Lord. 11 other months to encourage them to have generous spirits.

Let’s stop putting so much pressure on this one month out of the year. Let’s be surprised at the ways we might be able to celebrate the baby in the manger without a dozen countdown calendars. Let’s give our kids some grace when they are focused more on gifts because…well…they’re kids after all.

And while we’re at it, let’s give ourselves some grace too.

Grace when we think we should feel all the warm fuzzy feelings about Christmas but we really just want to take a nap.

Grace that reminds us that this month will soon be over and we will have a brand new year ahead of us.

A new year filled with big moments and little moments and everything in between.

A new year to draw even closer to our Savior.

My hope for you is that, as you head into this season, you will be given fresh perspective and that you will give yourself (and your family) permission to just ‘be’. ✨
Instagram post 17937591637321018 Have you ever longed to belong?

Have you ever felt like you are on the outside looking in at everyone else who seemingly have it all together?

Are you craving more peace in your heart and your home?

Well, today I’m having a conversation with @drbarbaralowe on her podcast and it could not be more timely with the holiday season now upon us!

You can find the link to it on her page and I’d love to hear your thoughts on it and what resonates with you! ❤️
Instagram post 17903771584388964 Confession...I’d rather have cranberry sauce smothering the turkey on my plate than gravy any day!! And this, this right here? Well it’s the best (and easiest!) cranberry sauce ever!! I eat on crackers and sandwiches and sometimes just by the spoonful. It’s so yummy! And I’m just so very thankful for all of you that I’m going to leave the recipe right here instead of making you go to the blog to get it. I promise you won’t regret having this on your Thanksgiving menu but be warned...you may find yourself up in the middle of the night sneaking some helpings of this deliciousness. Or maybe that’s just me!

Ingredients:
2 pounds fresh or frozen cranberries
2 oranges
2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup white wine.

Instructions:
Wash and pick over berries, removing any that are soft. Peel and dice oranges removing any seeds. Combine all ingredients in a large pot. Bring to a full boil. Reduce heat and continue cooking until cranberries pop open and mixture is thickening.
For best flavor, prepare and let stand for several days before using.

Gobble, gobble!! 🦃
Instagram post 17846094718750175 Temperatures are dropping here in the Willamette Valley and I got our hot cocoa station set up just in the nick of time! My kids LOVE this sweet (literally!) spot in our house and my daughter added her own personal touch with the little sign on the wreath. I’ll be happily restocking ingredients over and over throughout the season as my kids and their friends make a pit stop here. We’re definitely ready to cozy up!! Do you have a hot cocoa or coffee station at your house? What are your must-haves for the perfect hot beverage? ☕️🎄
Instagram post 17880974047462626 It’s begun!! 🎄🎄 My best girl LOVES decorating the family room tree (we do a fresh tree in the living room after Thanksgiving) but she does NOT like me to take her picture while she’s doing it (see photo two). Ahhhh...preteens. 😂🤪 I’m just so grateful to have a buddy who is as obsessed with Christmas as I am and who still wants to be apart of it all with me!
Instagram post 17864348974529213 I'm struggling to find the right words on my book proposal for a book that I never thought I would dare to write. The words are in me, I just can't seem to get them onto the page. I'm so passionate about this message even though it is so different from anything I've ever done and might not be considered 'on brand'. And yet it's never been more clear to me that I'm supposed to keep moving forward. It's a message that might not be considered very 'popular' (this ain't a 'pull yourselves up by your bootstraps' kind of message about being a Christ-follower) but it's one that God has placed on my heart and in my very BEING and I have to get it out there.

But at every step of the way I find that the enemy of my soul tries to keep me silent and what should be so simple (writing two paragraphs giving an overview of the book or writing an outline) ends up being paralyzing. He whispers words into my ear that are lies tinged with just enough truth to tempt me to keep silent. “You're first book didn't sell well enough so why should any other publisher take a chance on you? They won't care that it wasn't really your fault." "You write a lot about home decorating so why would you have any authority to talk about scripture?” And that's how satan works...he is masterful in his deception, weaving our fears and insecurity into the lies so that we are much more likely to believe them. And if we believe them, we stop being obedient to the Lord and the callings He places on our lives.

But, I WILL NOT BE HINDERED. “Since the first hour in which goodness came into conflict with evil, it has never ceased to be true in spiritual experience, that Satan hinders us. He checks our importunity, and weakens our faith in order that, if possible, we may miss the blessing. Nor is Satan less vigilant in obstructing Christian effort. There was never a revival of religion without a revival of his opposition. What then? We are not alarmed because Satan hindereth us, for it is a proof that we are on the Lord’s side, and are doing the Lord’s work, and in his strength we shall win the victory, and triumph over our adversary." - Charles Spurgeon
Instagram post 18114202198050565 Happy weekend friends!! This has been one of my favorite kind of days today. The boys went and had some guy time and my daughter and I got some sweet girl time and now we’re all cozied in together at home enjoying just ‘being’. I’m doing some baking and dreaming about this year’s Christmas mantel. This photo is from a few years ago but it’s still one of my all-time favorites!

What’s been the best part of your day today? ❄️
Instagram post 18073546234147166 Matthew 7:13-14 says, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it.”.
.
When I was a little girl we took a trip to Silver Dollar City theme park in Branson, MO. One of the attractions there is the Marvel Cave. The whole theme park was actually built right around the cave! I will never forget the feeling of descending into the darkness. We had to walk down a steep, narrow path and I could feel the rocky walls beginning to close in on me. From time to time, our guide would even have to call out for us to duck our heads so as not to whack them on rocks that were jutting out. And just when it felt like we had been walking forever; just when it felt the most narrow and the most dark; just when we were starting to get really weary from navigating this path, we turned the corner and found ourselves awestruck as we gazed at this enormous room. Everywhere we looked there were stalactites and stalagmites. Lights had been installed and they reflected off of these formations creating the most beautiful colors on the walls. There were pools of water in a shade of aquamarine I had never seen before and waterfalls flowing from upper levels. That long, winding, damp trek had been so very worth it. The descent into darkness had revealed light…and life!

My prayer for you friends, is that you will look at that narrow path with the small gate as an opportunity. It’s an opportunity to experience the kind of freedom that our souls are longing for. The wide and broad path of the world promises us a freedom that is fleeting and temporary. But at the end of the narrow path, there is hope and peace and life everlasting.

I’m choosing the narrow path. And in spite of the hardships, in spite of the challenges and the fears and the times that can feel as dark as the journey down into a cave, I wouldn’t trade a single minute of it.
Instagram post 17859128461559789 I was up half the night with a very sick kiddo so today I’m drinking ALL the coffee and my girl and I are going to hunker down and have a day at home to rest and recover. I absolutely hate it when my kids are sick but if there is a silver lining to it it’s that I get to do all of the fussing and caring and mama-ing that I don’t get to do as much lately now that they are tweens/teens. I’d prefer to not have a vomiting kid, but at least I get a whole day in the middle of the week to pour some extra love out on my favorite girl! And maybe we’ll both get a nap! 😴
Load More... Follow

Copyright © 2019 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2019 At The Picket Fence