As a homeschooling parent, I greatly appreciate the freedom I have to change our homeschool focus during Advent and Christmas. Notice that I listed these two as separate seasons. In our family church tradition, we practice “zakar.” According to Strong’s dictionary, “the Hebrew verb ‘zakar’ primarily means ‘to remember’ or ‘to recall.’ It is used in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, often implying an active process of recalling or bringing something to mind.”
The Advent season begins the fourth Sunday before Christmas. During this season, our family actively recalls the Israelites’ 400 year waiting period and how they pined for a savior to set them free. We sing advent hymns such as,
“O Come O Come Emanuel And ransom captive, Israel.”
After four weeks of singing these advent hymns, reading Isaiah’s prophecies about a savior to come, and preparing our home for the Savior’s arrival, our minds, hearts, and bodies pine to enter Christmas, the twelve-day season that follows Advent. On Christmas Eve, we gather with our local church for a candlelight service now singing Christmas hymns such as,
“O holy night! The stars are brightly shining It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth! Long lay the world in sin and error pining Till he appear’d and the soul felt its worth.”
By this time, I can feel those last two lines in my bones, “Long lay Krystal, in sin and error pining, till He appeared and her soul felt its worth.”
This Christmas Eve church service happens to be a favorite family tradition, and as I sneak glances of loved one’s hearts rejoicing, I am again thankful for the freedom homeschooling affords. These sacred seasons of recollection, anticipation, and celebration, help me recognize the necessity and value of educational independence. Advent and Christmas are indeed education for my family, and because we are completely independent of any third-party interests, agendas, and timelines, we can practice “zakar” and let this knowledge of the Savior’s arrival settle into our bones.
“A thrill of hope the weary soul rejoices For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn! Fall on your knees Oh hear the angel voices Oh night divine Oh night when Christ was born.”
Krystal Cano is a homeschooling mother of two daughters and two sons who also serves as the Director of Training & Events at Classical Conversations®. She and her family live in Texas, where they enjoy nature walks, sports competitions, and feasting on good food with their friends and extended family. She is also a teacher and writer who loves helping people discover Truth and pestering her pastor with deep questions that keep her up at night.
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