Preparing for Christ's coming

So, I feel like I have had my arm twisted now and must post about our Advent activities. First, my friend Monica had to make an amazing post with tons of creativity and general amazingness. Then my friend Karen posted about her Christmas preparations and even mentioned me, so now I feel I must comply and let you all know what is happening in our household.

I'll start with a few silly things that mean a lot to me and you might not have stopped to think about before. First, here is our tree, complete with presents. It was actually up before Thanksgiving (which I only recommend if you are not hosting). Yes, I had most of my presents bought long before we should be "thinking" about Christmas - since it just gets earlier and earlier each year. . . but wait, why should we not think about Christmas ALL YEAR?? What could be more important? Well I would venture to say only Easter would be more important (although I'm not sure that is theologically correct, or even that you could really say one is more important than the other - Easter proved Jesus is God, but if Jesus had never been born, Easter would never have happened). In any case, good planning - ahead of time is just that, good (in my humble opinion). Don't think I'm down on Thanksgiving or anything, but I feel there is room for more than just turkey, thankfulness, and remembering the Saints and our deceased loved ones during October and November. But to make my final point, why start early? This way I am able to prayerfully enjoy Advent. Our tree was up and our Advent wreath ready for the first Sunday of Advent. That makes me happy. I like to be prepared. And this is really a theme for Advent in general.

Be watchful and ready for you know not when the Son of Man is coming.

Secondly, as cheesey as it is, I find it important to put up an outdoor nativity scene. With all the pretty lights and such, I think it is important that we get reminding of WHY we do what we do and it all comes down to Jesus coming into the world. I do usually try to make it look nice with lights around it and such, but I have not gotten that far this year because sickness hit our house and we are still recovering. In any case, the main characters are out. Oh and my kids LOVE it. They always "say hello" to Jesus when we leave the house and then when we get back, while they are waiting for me to get the door unlocked, they "visit" with Jesus, Mary and Joseph. In fact, the other night, Rebekah wanted to go out on the porch and "see Jesus" again after dinner.

Now, on to the more traditional Advent activities. . .

Here is our advent wreath. We usually light it during dinner - although I have thought of possibly having it lit for lunch, as well, but I'm afraid my candles won't last if I do that. It is on a platter because it retires to the top of the bookshelf between meals.

Here is a book I just bought and am enjoying immensely. It has prayers in it. Not a lot, but they are simple prayers that the kids seem to understand and there are pictures. We have been saying one of these prayers when we light the advent wreath.

Here is our basic nativity scene. This one is all one piece so it is a little more durable. I often set it on the table or the top of our wood-burning stove - somewhere close, so the kids can enjoy it.

Here is our a-bit-more-fragile nativity scene. Notice the absence of Jesus :)

This is a book, calendar thingy that my Mom got for us this year.

It has 24 little books inside it that you can read and then hang on the tree. It seems promising, but so far I am not overly impressed as the books do not appear to be geared much for children (of course, so far we have only done one - we started it on December 1st as there are 24 so it will end on Christmas eve).

And finally, perhaps the most important advent preparation. . . I am not really adding extra specific prayers for myself. I'm just trying to be faithful to what I feel called to at this time: Morning Prayer & Evening Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours (the office of readings if I can squeeze it in), a weekly adoration holy hour, and a few minutes in my bible every day, along with spiritual reading as I am able. But perhaps even more, in the midst of my every-day chores, I am trying to seek peace in each moment. Every time the baby cries or my kids wipe jelly on my freshly washed jeans or spill their milk (again). . .whatever, I am trying to stop from blowing up and instead seeking peace. I am especially trying to keep the sense of peace as I am out and about in the grocery store or at school. Everyone seems all hyper and excited at this time of year (with good reason, if it is excitement for Jesus coming :) but we need to prepare our hearts and I think mine is best prepared by seeking Jesus in the quiet - even if that quiet is only noticeable deep inside my soul.

Blessings to all this season!!