Advent blessings!
I finally caught up with the liturgical year and moved on from All Saints to Advent at Faith at Home. Ooops! Perhaps I'm not the only one a little reluctant to dip my toe in the swiftly moving waters of Christmastime all around us in order to wade out to the solid rock of Advent in its midst.
Join me. Join the millions around the world who wade in and scramble up onto the steady rock of the Church's preparations for Christ among us.
In my household our first act for Advent is often gathering some greenery for an Advent wreath. We light the candles most evenings in Advent before or after dinner, after the first week or so when we often get off to a shaky start!
We didn't make it to St. Nicholas's visit to our church on Sunday, but I've wanted to add a St. Nicholas Day observance to our traditions for a few years now. So, we are leaving our gifts of money and a warm child's hat for him to take tonight, St. Nicholas's Eve, and use to help poorer children. The bishop will leave a note, (broom)straw, and some candy in my sons' shoes for morning -- a bit of Christmas anticipation.
On the first Wednesday evening in Advent we enjoyed a soup supper at church with a service following. My younger son plans to bring a family book for the suppertime Advent readings this week.
For us, it is enough. The swirls and eddies and the powerful push toward Christmas draw us along toward Christmas cards and letters, Christmas gift shopping and making, festive baking, and so on and so on. Christmas festivities and celebration come without seeking them out. Even though Advent preparation and quietness requires effort, just a bit can be enough for us. For you.
Join me. Join the millions around the world who wade in and scramble up onto the steady rock of the Church's preparations for Christ among us.
In my household our first act for Advent is often gathering some greenery for an Advent wreath. We light the candles most evenings in Advent before or after dinner, after the first week or so when we often get off to a shaky start!
We didn't make it to St. Nicholas's visit to our church on Sunday, but I've wanted to add a St. Nicholas Day observance to our traditions for a few years now. So, we are leaving our gifts of money and a warm child's hat for him to take tonight, St. Nicholas's Eve, and use to help poorer children. The bishop will leave a note, (broom)straw, and some candy in my sons' shoes for morning -- a bit of Christmas anticipation.
On the first Wednesday evening in Advent we enjoyed a soup supper at church with a service following. My younger son plans to bring a family book for the suppertime Advent readings this week.
For us, it is enough. The swirls and eddies and the powerful push toward Christmas draw us along toward Christmas cards and letters, Christmas gift shopping and making, festive baking, and so on and so on. Christmas festivities and celebration come without seeking them out. Even though Advent preparation and quietness requires effort, just a bit can be enough for us. For you.
posted by Barbara | 10:42 PM
1 Comments:
Dear Barbara,
I too, am a stay-at-home mom and anticipating the coming of the Christmas season. I find a lot of peace in concentrating on the spiritual aspects of Advent. The Advent wreath, with its 3 purple and 1 rose candle, is lit by the eldest, then the youngest child, then Mom, then Dad in the succeeding 4 weeks of this season. (Dad is gone right now, working away from home, but he will be home for Christmas. Praise God.) The 2 middle children complain, so the magnanimous oldest and youngest share candle-lighting responsibility. We each take turns opening the Advent calendar. Playmobil makes a good one. We have already set up the creche, nativity scene. We save Baby Jesus for Christmas Eve night, when he will put in his appearance!
Happy Advent! Don't stress too much.
Post a Comment
<< Home