Advent Doins'

I've been asked about celebrating Advent, so I thought I'd just write a post about it.....

This year I'm not doing a Jesse Tree, but that is a great way to celebrate Advent easily. Last year, I looked at the calendar and decided which days I would have time to do the scriptures with the kids. Then I narrowed down the list (which can be huge!) and Carrie made some ornaments out of cardstock. I got my ideas here, along with the appropriate scriptures. Lots of people use Jotham's Journey, but we never have.

This year I have 2 books which I'm slowly reading, one at a time, so the smaller children get the whole picture of redemption. The first one, which we are reading this week, is One Wintry Night by Ruth Bell Graham. We are reading it slowly, talking about it as we go. Next, I'm planning to read B is for Bethlehem. It's the Christmas story told with each letter of the alphabet and I thought we might do some research along with this one.

My husband reads the lectionary reading every morning and we have the ceremony/readings at church on Sunday. I made a wreath for the dining table and decided we will light the candles at each meal instead of just in the mornings.

We are in the process of putting out the Nativity set. We have Mary, Joseph, and the Angel out right now. The shepherds are on a "hill" and will come closer as Christmas gets nearer. Baby Jesus will be put out on Christmas Eve. The wise men won't appear until around Epiphany.

So that's what's happening so far.....