This post was originally published on January 4, 2012. Here are a few books to get your Advent season started.
Enjoy ...
Until next time,
Irie Momma
Saturday, December 7, 2013
Thursday, December 5, 2013
Post re-run ... On Keeping Christ in Christmas
This post was originally published on January 1, 2013. This is an excellent read as you begin to celebrate Advent with your family this year!
Enjoy ...
*******
I wrote this post on
December 10th. I got busy with some sort of child-rearing or home-making
task and decided to leave it for a bit and come back to it to edit and
revise if needed. Then, a couple of days of Christmas gift-making got in
the way. And then the national tragedy that split my heart in two. And, then I just didn't have it in me. Somehow, we got busy living this thing called Christmas and
almost a month went by before I had time to revisit this post. So,
although Christmas has passed, here are my original thoughts from three
weeks ago. I hope they bless you and your family in some way.
******
I read a blog post recently about how Christians should stop whining about the secularization of Christmas. It did a great job of putting into words many of my own thoughts, so I shared it on Facebook. Along with the "share", I said something along the lines of how keeping Christ in Christmas is up to the individual family and home, not the media or the stores. I also might have mentioned that my own home has been "all about Christ" for two weeks now.
About an hour later, I got a private message from an old friend of mine (whom I love, by the way) wanting to know what I meant. I thought I'd share some of what I meant here.
I could start by giving you the actual, physical examples of how we're keeping Christ in Christmas. I mean, there are things we're doing that are setting the tone. As I said in this post, we have several rituals going ...
As I type this, my seasonal candle is burning. Whenever I pass it and notice the flame, I try to remember to say a small prayer for peace ... in my heart, in my home and in the world.
As I write this, I am listening to Christmas hymns and carols on Pandora. Now, I'm not going to try to tell you that my children don't also like songs like Frosty, the Snowman or ... well, would you look at that. I can't think of another title. Haha. Not to say that we're not also listening to the traditional ones, but as soon as I tried to make that statement for you, the only stuff that came to mind was about Jesus. I just proved my own point ~ we are listening to Christmas music all the time, but we are not just listening to the silly, secular songs. We are mixing it up ~ beautiful songs about the birth of a baby, classical songs from a certain ballet we love, country songs about Christmas and the silly, secular songs. The girls know and love a variety ... and I know their hearts are focused on the right things.
We have lit the Advent candles on the wreath every day since December 1st. And, the girls are tickled pink about the Christ candle, which doesn't come until the 25th.
We have each written something we are thankful for each and every day and placed it into our Jesus stocking. Although these are secret and are to be read on Christmas day, I've accidentally seen things like "Jesus" and "God" and "food" and "family" written on their cards. That makes my heart smile! My children really get it.
The girls have opened the next door on their Advent calendar each day and we've read the next story in our Advent book each night.
We visited Bethlehem. That in and of itself is a totally indescribable experience.
We are reading books every day. We are reading about the story in the Bible, but we're also reading books about animals and inspiring individuals. While not directly Biblical, each book is inspired by Christ and His message. We're reading such a beautiful array of inspirational stuff right now. Again, it centers the focus each and every day.
The girls can't wait to make a birthday cake and birthday cards for Jesus.
They're excited to bake for the neighbors.
They're excited to bake for the homeless and go out and deliver the goodies on Christmas eve, something we've done for the past two years.
I mean, really, there has literally been something every. single. day. to celebrating this season. I think that has a lot to do with our family's keeping Christ in Christmas. Christmas is not just this day at the end of the month that everyone is impatiently awaiting so that they may rip open the presents under the tree. It's a month-long celebration of something beautiful.
So, I think that keeping Christ in Christmas has a little bit to do with what we spend our time doing and just as importantly, what we aren't spending our time doing. But, I think it is much more than that.
Keeping Christ in Christmas has more to do with the spirit of your home. It has to do with what Christ was all about and truly honoring that with everything we do and say. It has to do with a focus on family and traditions and love and fun and relationships and giving, rather than a focus on shopping and me, me, me and stress.
We live in a secular world. Whether we want to or not, we cannot shield our children completely from what the world has to offer. What we can do, however, is to lead them happily in the other direction, down the Narrow Path, you might say (you like that plug?).
The world is all about me, me, me.
You have to work hard to make your home about Him, Him, Him.
The world wants to make money off of this special time and so the commercialism is at its best right now. I don't know exactly how we've done it, but I'm proud to say that my children have grown to be a little bit immune to it. When we discussed what they would want for Christmas, the Princess only wanted one thing and the Hippie said, "I'm really satisfied with what I have. Of course, I always want books and craft supplies. Oh, and some of those silks and scarves for dress up would be nice." (For the record, the Hippie's birthday is two days before Christmas, so she hasn't gotten a gift in a year. I think she's entitled to wanting 3 things. And, she melts my heart when what she wants is more books).
I don't know about you, but I'm proud. They both said that their favorite part of Christmas was the giving. I kid you not. They LOVE to make things for each other and for everyone else in the family. They can hardly wait for Christmas morning, but because they are jumping to GIVE what they've made, not because they are chomping at the bit to receive.
The Princess will tell you that she loves Christmas time because of the "JOY" ~ her words. "It's such a JOYFUL time".
So, how does one keep the focus of this JOYFUL time on Jesus?
Live your life as He would have. Do what He would have done.
Give ... and get your kids excited about the giving, rather than the receiving.
Love ... love your family and love those around you, your "neighbors".
Feed ... feed your family and feed your neighbors and most importantly, feed the hungry.
Honor ... honor God in all that you do and say, each and every day, but especially now.
For tips on the more practical side of things, especially with children:
Intercept the catalogs when they come in the mail ... before your children get their hands on them. We are all human. We can know that we are satisfied with what we have, but when we see the marketing, we are all susceptible (especially children) to falling for it.
Skip the television. Find some way to ensure that you're not watching the commercials at this time of year. Again, they will work on you and your children, telling you that you need something you don't. But, more than that, all of that "noise" will take away from the quiet and peace that you are cultivating at home.
While you're at it, stay away from the malls and shopping centers. The focus there is all wrong. I realize we have to give some gifts, but there's just no reason to go to those places. Make your gifts or buy them from someone else who made them on Etsy. Or, if it must be a toy or book or gadget, you can shop online, from the comfort of your home ... with those Christmas hymns playing and that candle burning and the Nativity Set a few feet away. Keeps you in a much better place than the feeling you'll get if you venture out!
Start and keep traditions with your family. And, start them early in the season. Enjoy the entire season, not just the day.
Choose quality ~ quality books, quality music, quality decorations. You don't have to be a Santa nazi, but make sure the balance is leaning in the right direction.
Really think about your gift philosophy and talk to your kids about what they have and what they do or don't need. Talk to them about how others live around the world so that they learn to appreciate what they have. Some good gift philosophies for your children might be giving only three gifts (hey, if it was good enough for the birthday boy, it should be good enough for us, right? The Princess still doesn't understand why WE get gifts on HIS birthday anyway). Another possibility that I've used in the past (and I got it from Kara at RockinGranola) is the want * wear * need * read mantra.
Remember, as irritating as it is to watch the world reduce something so special and sacred to nothing but spending and stress and tackiness, it is up to you to keep it special and sacred in your family and home.
As an anonymous speaker once said, "The best thing to spend on a child is your time."
Okay, I know I could just keep going like the Energizer bunny, but I must tend to my own family's enjoyment of the season. And, I'm sure you have things to do as well. Go forth and make JOY.
I think that is the key: Keep God in EVERYTHING. Make it a season about JOY. That is how we keep Christ in Christmas!
In the end, all we can really do is to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with [our] God. (part of Micah 6:8).
******
I read a blog post recently about how Christians should stop whining about the secularization of Christmas. It did a great job of putting into words many of my own thoughts, so I shared it on Facebook. Along with the "share", I said something along the lines of how keeping Christ in Christmas is up to the individual family and home, not the media or the stores. I also might have mentioned that my own home has been "all about Christ" for two weeks now.
About an hour later, I got a private message from an old friend of mine (whom I love, by the way) wanting to know what I meant. I thought I'd share some of what I meant here.
I could start by giving you the actual, physical examples of how we're keeping Christ in Christmas. I mean, there are things we're doing that are setting the tone. As I said in this post, we have several rituals going ...
As I type this, my seasonal candle is burning. Whenever I pass it and notice the flame, I try to remember to say a small prayer for peace ... in my heart, in my home and in the world.
As I write this, I am listening to Christmas hymns and carols on Pandora. Now, I'm not going to try to tell you that my children don't also like songs like Frosty, the Snowman or ... well, would you look at that. I can't think of another title. Haha. Not to say that we're not also listening to the traditional ones, but as soon as I tried to make that statement for you, the only stuff that came to mind was about Jesus. I just proved my own point ~ we are listening to Christmas music all the time, but we are not just listening to the silly, secular songs. We are mixing it up ~ beautiful songs about the birth of a baby, classical songs from a certain ballet we love, country songs about Christmas and the silly, secular songs. The girls know and love a variety ... and I know their hearts are focused on the right things.
We have lit the Advent candles on the wreath every day since December 1st. And, the girls are tickled pink about the Christ candle, which doesn't come until the 25th.
We have each written something we are thankful for each and every day and placed it into our Jesus stocking. Although these are secret and are to be read on Christmas day, I've accidentally seen things like "Jesus" and "God" and "food" and "family" written on their cards. That makes my heart smile! My children really get it.
The girls have opened the next door on their Advent calendar each day and we've read the next story in our Advent book each night.
We visited Bethlehem. That in and of itself is a totally indescribable experience.
We are reading books every day. We are reading about the story in the Bible, but we're also reading books about animals and inspiring individuals. While not directly Biblical, each book is inspired by Christ and His message. We're reading such a beautiful array of inspirational stuff right now. Again, it centers the focus each and every day.
The girls can't wait to make a birthday cake and birthday cards for Jesus.
They're excited to bake for the neighbors.
They're excited to bake for the homeless and go out and deliver the goodies on Christmas eve, something we've done for the past two years.
I mean, really, there has literally been something every. single. day. to celebrating this season. I think that has a lot to do with our family's keeping Christ in Christmas. Christmas is not just this day at the end of the month that everyone is impatiently awaiting so that they may rip open the presents under the tree. It's a month-long celebration of something beautiful.
So, I think that keeping Christ in Christmas has a little bit to do with what we spend our time doing and just as importantly, what we aren't spending our time doing. But, I think it is much more than that.
Keeping Christ in Christmas has more to do with the spirit of your home. It has to do with what Christ was all about and truly honoring that with everything we do and say. It has to do with a focus on family and traditions and love and fun and relationships and giving, rather than a focus on shopping and me, me, me and stress.
We live in a secular world. Whether we want to or not, we cannot shield our children completely from what the world has to offer. What we can do, however, is to lead them happily in the other direction, down the Narrow Path, you might say (you like that plug?).
The world is all about me, me, me.
You have to work hard to make your home about Him, Him, Him.
The world wants to make money off of this special time and so the commercialism is at its best right now. I don't know exactly how we've done it, but I'm proud to say that my children have grown to be a little bit immune to it. When we discussed what they would want for Christmas, the Princess only wanted one thing and the Hippie said, "I'm really satisfied with what I have. Of course, I always want books and craft supplies. Oh, and some of those silks and scarves for dress up would be nice." (For the record, the Hippie's birthday is two days before Christmas, so she hasn't gotten a gift in a year. I think she's entitled to wanting 3 things. And, she melts my heart when what she wants is more books).
I don't know about you, but I'm proud. They both said that their favorite part of Christmas was the giving. I kid you not. They LOVE to make things for each other and for everyone else in the family. They can hardly wait for Christmas morning, but because they are jumping to GIVE what they've made, not because they are chomping at the bit to receive.
The Princess will tell you that she loves Christmas time because of the "JOY" ~ her words. "It's such a JOYFUL time".
So, how does one keep the focus of this JOYFUL time on Jesus?
Live your life as He would have. Do what He would have done.
Give ... and get your kids excited about the giving, rather than the receiving.
Love ... love your family and love those around you, your "neighbors".
Feed ... feed your family and feed your neighbors and most importantly, feed the hungry.
Honor ... honor God in all that you do and say, each and every day, but especially now.
For tips on the more practical side of things, especially with children:
Intercept the catalogs when they come in the mail ... before your children get their hands on them. We are all human. We can know that we are satisfied with what we have, but when we see the marketing, we are all susceptible (especially children) to falling for it.
Skip the television. Find some way to ensure that you're not watching the commercials at this time of year. Again, they will work on you and your children, telling you that you need something you don't. But, more than that, all of that "noise" will take away from the quiet and peace that you are cultivating at home.
While you're at it, stay away from the malls and shopping centers. The focus there is all wrong. I realize we have to give some gifts, but there's just no reason to go to those places. Make your gifts or buy them from someone else who made them on Etsy. Or, if it must be a toy or book or gadget, you can shop online, from the comfort of your home ... with those Christmas hymns playing and that candle burning and the Nativity Set a few feet away. Keeps you in a much better place than the feeling you'll get if you venture out!
Start and keep traditions with your family. And, start them early in the season. Enjoy the entire season, not just the day.
Choose quality ~ quality books, quality music, quality decorations. You don't have to be a Santa nazi, but make sure the balance is leaning in the right direction.
Really think about your gift philosophy and talk to your kids about what they have and what they do or don't need. Talk to them about how others live around the world so that they learn to appreciate what they have. Some good gift philosophies for your children might be giving only three gifts (hey, if it was good enough for the birthday boy, it should be good enough for us, right? The Princess still doesn't understand why WE get gifts on HIS birthday anyway). Another possibility that I've used in the past (and I got it from Kara at RockinGranola) is the want * wear * need * read mantra.
Remember, as irritating as it is to watch the world reduce something so special and sacred to nothing but spending and stress and tackiness, it is up to you to keep it special and sacred in your family and home.
As an anonymous speaker once said, "The best thing to spend on a child is your time."
Okay, I know I could just keep going like the Energizer bunny, but I must tend to my own family's enjoyment of the season. And, I'm sure you have things to do as well. Go forth and make JOY.
I think that is the key: Keep God in EVERYTHING. Make it a season about JOY. That is how we keep Christ in Christmas!
In the end, all we can really do is to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with [our] God. (part of Micah 6:8).
Until next time,
~ Irie Momma
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Post re-run ... Books we read aloud this Christmas Season {2012}
This post was originally published on December 31, 2012. I hope this blesses your family in time for you to reserve some of these from your library! We really do love our Christmas picture books all December long!
Enjoy ...
The Birds' Christmas Carol ~ My great-grandmother's hardback copy that she got when she was 8 years old ... in 1908.
The Advent Storybook by Antonie Schneider
This book was just
lovely. The stories are super short and all have a beautiful message to
hear about God and His love for us. I'll be purchasing this one, for
sure!
The Festival of Stones
by Reg Down ~ this was a perfect read straight from October through
Christmas. It included all of the holidays and seasonal festivals.
Dewey's Magical Sleigh by Brahm Wenger and Alan Green ~ this is a great story about feeding those who are hungry!
All for the Newborn Baby by Phillis Root.
We sang this one and it put the dog to sleep.
There was No Snow on Christmas Eve by Pameal Ryan
The Christmas Donkey by Gillian McClure ~ beautiful story!
B is for Bethlehem by
Isabel Wilner ~ Although this is a "Christmas Alphabet", it was just as
lovely for my 8 and 9 year olds as it would have been for a
kindergartner!
Country Angel Christmas by Tomie dePaola ~ you really can't go wrong with a Tomie dePaola book!
Who is Coming to Our House? by Joseph Slate ~ The Princess read this one several times. Perfect for the animal lover and Jesus lover!
The Baker's Dozen: A Saint Nicholas Tale by Aaron Shepard
This is the Star by Joyce Dunbar ~ the girls love these types of stories, the rhythm and the poetry. And, of course, the message.
A Christmas Story by Brian Wildsmith ~ I just love including all of these stories that are based on the Nativity story, but are creatively told from other points of view.
Merry Christmas, Strega Nona by Tomie dePaola ~ again withe Tomie dePaola! A beautiful story of generosity.
The Legend of the Candy
Cane by Lori Walburg ~ there is also a DVD. This was our "candy cane
day" ~ we read the book, made peppermint bark and watched the movie.
Room for a Little One by Martin Waddell ~ a favorite around these parts.
The Donkey's Dream by Barbara Berger ~ so beautiful!
The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojcieghowski ~ another one that had a DVD as well. We enjoyed reading this story aloud and then the girls watched the movie.
Winter's Gift by Jane Monroe Donovan ~ a favorite of the Princess all throughout the year.
The Legend of St. Nicholas: A Story of Christmas Giving by Dandi Mackall
***
The Christmas Carol retold by Mark A. Taylor (can't find a picture)
***
The First Christmas retold by Mark A. Taylor (can't find a picture)
***
The Christmas Story Audio CD with the story, verses from the Bible and Christmas Carols (can't find a picture)
The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore, Illustrated by Douglas Gorsline ~ we read this every Christmas eve.
The Christmas Donkey by Gillian McClure ~ beautiful story!
Country Angel Christmas by Tomie dePaola ~ you really can't go wrong with a Tomie dePaola book!
Who is Coming to Our House? by Joseph Slate ~ The Princess read this one several times. Perfect for the animal lover and Jesus lover!
The Baker's Dozen: A Saint Nicholas Tale by Aaron Shepard
This is the Star by Joyce Dunbar ~ the girls love these types of stories, the rhythm and the poetry. And, of course, the message.
A Christmas Story by Brian Wildsmith ~ I just love including all of these stories that are based on the Nativity story, but are creatively told from other points of view.
Merry Christmas, Strega Nona by Tomie dePaola ~ again withe Tomie dePaola! A beautiful story of generosity.
Room for a Little One by Martin Waddell ~ a favorite around these parts.
The Donkey's Dream by Barbara Berger ~ so beautiful!
The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojcieghowski ~ another one that had a DVD as well. We enjoyed reading this story aloud and then the girls watched the movie.
The Legend of St. Nicholas: A Story of Christmas Giving by Dandi Mackall
***
The Christmas Carol retold by Mark A. Taylor (can't find a picture)
***
The First Christmas retold by Mark A. Taylor (can't find a picture)
***
The Christmas Story Audio CD with the story, verses from the Bible and Christmas Carols (can't find a picture)
The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore, Illustrated by Douglas Gorsline ~ we read this every Christmas eve.
******
And, the books in the book baskets that the girls read themselves, but we didn't quite get to as far as Family Reading Aloud:
DK Children Just Like Me: Celebrations ~ this one was a favorite around here!
The Little Drummer Boy by Carolyn Quattrocki (we did read this one aloud last year)
The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree by Gloria Houston
The Legend of the Christmas Tree by Rock Osborne
The Christmas Story from the King James Bible with paintings by Gennady Spirin
Hanna's Christmas by Melissa Peterson
The Legend of the Christmas Rose by William H. Hooks
A Small Miracle by Peter Collington (we did this one last year and it's really special)
Christmas Day in the Morning by Pearl S. Buck (we did read this one aloud last year)
The Tale of the Three Trees: A traditional Folktale retold by Angela Elwell Hunt
The Story of Holly & Ivy by Rumer Godden (we did read this one aloud last year)
Strega Nona's Gift by Tomie dePaola
Jacob's Gift by Max Lucado
The Story of Christmas words from the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, pictures by Jane Ray
The Legend of the Poinsettia by Tomie dePaola (we did read this one aloud last year)
The Gift of the Magi by
O'Henry Lisbeth Zwerger (we did read this one aloud last year and we
listened to this on audio this year)
Silent Night illustrated by Susan Jeffers (we did read this one aloud last year)
Good King Wenceslas by John M. Neale (we did read this one aloud last year)
Bright Christmas: An Angel Remembers by Andrew Clements (we did read this one last year)
Until next time,
~ Irie Momma
Monday, December 2, 2013
Post re-run ... Plans for Advent
This post was originally published on November 28, 2012. I pray that these ideas bless your family in some way. Most of these ideas have already begun in our home this year as well.
Enjoy ...
********************************************
I don't know about you, but I feel like I need a vacation from my vacation.
We had an AMAZING Thanksgiving holiday.
Truly.
I could not have asked for ANYTHING more (other than for my Daddy and brother to have been with us in more than just spirit).
The family and friends were perfect.
The food was delicious.
The laughter was beautiful.
The joy was contagious.
The traffic was bearable.
Everyone made it home safely.
But, now it is back to reality.
Of course, this new reality is an Advent reality, which is SO much better than the usual reality you come back to after a vacation!
Yes, there is laundry to do and there are suitcases to unpack and groceries to buy.
But, there is also CHRISTMAS to get ready for.
That makes everything better.
I thought I'd share some of our plans for this Advent season in case you need inspiration for your own home. We've already begun to celebrate a few of these around here and the rest will be in full swing come this weekend when we can get all of our decorations out. This list is all that we have planned this month with ideas for how you can do it, too. Read it, enjoy it, make it your own. Whatever you do, do not get stressed out by the list. Just do what YOUR family enjoys doing. This is what WE have going on ...
***********
The first thing you should do is begin (if you don't already do this) lighting a seasonal smelly candle each morning and as you enter each room. I have candles in "mulled cider" and "gingerbread cookies" and "baking spices" and "pumpkin spice" and things of that nature. As soon as I get my tea in the morning, I light the one closest to me for my quiet time. When I leave that room and enter the kitchen, I blow that one out and light the one in the kitchen. It keeps the home smelling lovely and makes it cozy, warm and inviting. And, whenever you notice the flicker, say a small prayer for PEACE ... peace in your home, peace in your heart and peace in the world.
Next, go ahead and get that Christmas music playing in your home and car. Will it make you crazy after an entire month of it? Maybe. But, your kids will love it and it will get you in the right spirit, even if it IS 75 degrees and sunny where you live. If you don't have any Christmas CDs, borrow some from the library or play one of the Christmas stations on Pandora or the like.
We have already started reading from our massive list of Christmas books (I will do my best to share some of our favorites later in the season, but you can look in the archives for what we read last year). We have not yet gotten out our Christmas boxes (where all the books we OWN are), but I made sure to request about 20 of our favorites from the library before we went out of town for Thanksgiving, so they were waiting on us when we returned. Then, when we got back, I requested about 20 more that are slowly trickling in at the library. Simply place them in a basket in the living room and GET TO READING ALOUD to your children. Morning couch time is perfect for this. Sleep still in the children's eyes, bedhead and pjs make for good listeners. Get them to cuddle up on the couch under a blanket right away (with that seasonal candle burning on the table next to you) and read a few books to them before chores and breakfast. Then, even if the day gets away from you, you've done this one special thing already. Read about the Nativity story, read inspiring stories about love and generosity and peace. Stick to the GOOD stuff and keep your eyes on the "reason for the season" here.
Listen to some Christmas stories on audio at places like www.thestoryhome.com. We've already been listening to them.
Devote your morning Quiet time to Jesus. I mean, that's basically what you do anyway, but I mean REALLY put your focus on Him and His message this season.
Have a meeting with your children to figure out exactly what all you plan to make for gifts for family and make a list of supplies needed. Then, get to the craft store and GET TO MAKING those gifts! The time to ship them is right around the corner! I don't know about your homeschool, but making gifts and reading Christmas books and baking Christmas goodies and listening to Christmas music and doing all the things of the season is our "school" during this time. So, during that block of time you would normally be doing school, MAKE GIFTS.
Get four candles, some greenery and a larger pillar candle for the Christ candle and set up an Advent wreath or similar for your kitchen/dining room table. Make this with your children (if they are old enough and able) and begin to light the candle(s) at dinner each night. Light one candle this week, two candles next week, three the week after and four candles the final week. Save the center candle for Christmas, in honor of Christ.
Get a special stocking and some scrap pieces of paper and pens. Hang this "Jesus stocking" on the mantle (or whatever you have in your home) all alone so that it is special (save the other family stockings for Christmas eve). Each day, write something you are thankful for and place it in the stocking. Then, on Christmas eve or Christmas day, take the stocking down and read what all the family members placed inside all month.
Get to baking. Bake Christmas cookies and yummy bread and other sweet treats and give them to your elderly (or not) neighbors. The children will love the baking itself and the neighbors will feel loved when your children's smiling faces bring them goodies!
Get your tree and your decorations and get to decorating. Play that Christmas music as you and your children bring life to the home. Drink eggnog with freshly grated nutmeg while you decorate. Drink hot cocoa (add some Bailey's for the grown ups if you're into that sort of thing). Go ahead and bake some goodies just for the family.
Don't forget to do your oranges with cloves! The activity is fun for the family and the results are beautiful and smell amazing.
Read books about the real Saint Nicholas. Have your children set their shoes out on the eve of St. Nicholas Day (December 6th, so set them out on the night of the 5th) and then fill their shoes with treats while they sleep.
Get your hands on a catalog from Samaritan's Purse or something similar. Give your children a "budget" and allow them to pick out a gift (or more if you are financially able) for a family or child around the world. If they want to, they can pool their money together to get something "bigger" for someone, or they can use their own amounts to get smaller gifts. Either way, they are learning that Christmas is about GIVING, not about receiving. And, they are learning to appreciate all that they have ~ they can ask for the latest gadget for Christmas instead of a mosquito net to protect them from malaria or for a pair of shoes because they don't have any.
Find a production of The Nutcracker Ballet in your area and go. We are going to see the Nutcracker ballet with our homeschool group for the second year in a row and we are super excited about it. While you're at it, make Tchaikovsky your "composer" this month and listen to him and the Nutcracker at home. The ballet is much more enjoyable for little ones when they recognize all of the songs.
Find out when your town's Christmas Tree Lighting celebration is and go. Ours includes a bike parade, music and dance performances, hayrides, train rides, face painting, craft tables and more. Unfortunately, Daddy has to work that day, but we will hopefully make it over in time for Santa and Mrs. Claus to arrive via sleigh and watch as the community tree is lit. We went to the entire celebration last year and it was lots of fun. We'll be heading out to get our own tree after Santa's arrival and the community tree lighting this year.
Find a live Nativity or a live walk through Bethlehem in your area and go. We have the coolest live Bethlehem nearby that we went to last year and look forward to going to again this year. We get to go to an 8,000 square foot village with merchants, townspeople, artisans, beggars and live animals. There are over 200 costumed cast members that re-create the city of Bethlehem as it might have been on the night of Jesus' birth. There are authentic sights, sounds and smells and we get to walk through and make our way to the manger to see the Christ Child. Seriously awesome! We can't wait.
We will also be attending an Advent Spiral with friends. In this busy season, the Advent spiral is a time to slow down and reconnect with our souls and our inner selves. We will be sharing a meal with friends and the children will be lighting candles around the spiral, reminding us to be a light in the world. The oldest girl will get to be St. Lucia. It is a fun evening, full of both laughter and a quiet reverence. We really enjoyed it last year and look forward to it again.
Don't forget to take a night and go out and enjoy all of the Christmas lights! We love driving around and seeing what all people have done to make their homes beautiful during this time of year.
The last few years we have baked cookies and went out on Christmas eve searching for homeless people to bless. Two years ago we brought along several warm blankets and sweatshirts and socks and delivered all kinds of warmth (of the physical kind as well as the spiritual) to those in need. Last year, we did not have any blankets or clothes, but we still baked the cookies and took them out and delivered them wherever we could find people in need. I cannot tell you the joy on these people's faces to know that someone thought of them during this busy season. And, sharing this with our children is priceless. We will be doing this again this year, but we may get some more blankets and sweatshirts at the thrift store before we head out. We love this tradition.
Bake a birthday cake for Jesus and let your children make Him birthday cards to set out on Christmas eve. The card idea comes from the Princess. She wants to make Jesus a card and leave it out for the Angels to take it to Him (her words).
Of course, in OUR family, these celebrations also include a day devoted to the Hippie. Her birthday is two days before Christmas, so we'll be honoring her as well this season. Decorations will greet her when she wakes up, gifts, family breakfast, a family outing (whatever she wants to do) and a family dinner out.
And, finally .... Christmas morning.
Until next time,
~ Irie Momma
Saturday, November 30, 2013
Going off-line for Advent
Advent
The holiness of the season begins tomorrow.
Tomorrow we begin our joyful anticipation. Our longing. Our waiting for that precious baby, born on Christmas morning.
Tomorrow we begin a month of turning inward. A month of traditions. A month of focusing on our family.
Tomorrow we begin the countdown. The countdown to the arrival of the King.
We begin our celebration of what is to come. We begin our baking and our crafting and our singing.
We read glorious picture books about Christmas and giving and wonder.
We revel in each other and our home.
******
I don't know about you, but I have a very hard time reveling in all the wonder that is right in front of me if I am being pulled in the direction of the computer and all that the internet has to offer.
So, I've decided to go off-line for Advent this year.
I will not be blogging. I will not be on Facebook. I will not be on e-mail.
I will be here, at home. I will be reading and cooking and baking and singing and making gifts and wrapping gifts and taking walks.
I will be studying the Bible and writing in my journal and praying.
I will be out in the community, going to the tree-lighting and to Bethlehem and to The Nutcracker and the Holiday Symphony.
I will be trying to soak up as much of this season and my family as I can possibly fit inside my soul, to warm it and soothe it.
So, this is me, signing off for December. I have scheduled several re-runs of posts from past holiday seasons to fill up your reading time this month. I've even scheduled a funny post re-run or two. So, please check back often. Better yet, subscribe to receive the posts via e-mail as soon as they are published. That way you never have to worry about missing another post. Speaking of which, have you read all of the recent posts? There's been lots to see and read in November this year.
May your family have the most blessed Advent season. May you succeed in making your home a cozy and wonderful place to be. May you enjoy every moment you can with your children. May you find peace and contentment with your life this December.
May you live in His light, now and always.
Until next time,
~ Irie Momma
November Wrap-Up
December is here, ya'll. Tomorrow. Can you believe it?
Our holiday celebrations are well under way, but they are about to get even busier. I wanted to take a minute to dump any lingering pictures or notes I have about what we've been doing this month so that I can begin to focus all of my thoughts and energy on Advent.
If you've been keeping up around here, you already know that we've been busy this month! I'll let you read through all of November's posts to see all of the fun we've had. I just wanted to drop a couple of more things here that have not been written about elsewhere.
We finished reading the first book in the Narnia series. We absolutely loved it and cannot wait to start the next one. But, that is on hold until January. We have way too many Christmas books to read this month, so we have decided to make A Christmas Carol our chapter book read aloud this month. We'll be reading that in the afternoons, our baskets of picture books in the mornings and then reading from our Advent storybook in the evenings.
Speaking of books, did I mention the few we read aloud for Thanksgiving? I had a basket filled and the girls did some reading of their own, but the only ones we really read aloud were Balloons Over Broadway (Melissa Sweet), Thanksgiving Is (Gail Gibbons), Squanto's Journey (Bruchac), Over the River and Through the Wood ( ) and Thank You, Sarah (Anderson).
The Princess did a 2-mile walk workout with me the other day. She was so cute. She was really proud of herself that she had walked two miles ... in the living room. :)
The Hippie has been reading up a storm. She's read The Story of Holly & Ivy and The Twenty-Four Days Before Christmas, as well as several of the picture books. She read The Legend of Saint Nicholas aloud to the Princess and I this morning. She is also still working on Pilgrim Stories by Pumphrey.
The Princess has also been reading the picture books in the Christmas baskets. She is still working on Charlotte's Web {slowly}, though I admit it seems harder to get her to read it now that she is into Christmas. She did read a lovely Christmas book aloud to me the other day ~ Little One, We Knew You'd Come.
We're still writing in our gratitude journals in the morning and today we prepared 100 strips of paper for our Jesus stocking. Starting tomorrow evening, we will each write down one thing we are thankful for after dinner each night. We will read all of those on Christmas day. That was a lovely part of our holiday last year and we look forward to doing it again!
The holiday celebrations are in full swing here. The girls watched An All Dogs Christmas Carol the other morning and we listened to the audio books of The Christmas Story (from the Bible) and Dewey's Magical Sleigh. We also listened to Frohe Weinachten ~ a German cd of stories and songs about Christmas. We've been listening to Christmas music all day every day, switching around between Celtic Christmas, Classical Christmas, Traditional Christmas, Country Christmas, Christmas Hymns, plain old Christmas Music and our collection of Christmas CDs. We all curled up on the couch to watch How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Shrek the Halls last night. And, our Christmas lights and candles have been on all day.
How about you?
I'll leave you with a few more pictures from recent days.
Until next time,
~ Irie Momma
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