There are so many wonderful Christmas and Advent traditions, I wish we could do them all! Here is a recap of some that we were able to pull together this year.
Advent Angel
Our family's version of Elf on the Shelf. Jewel, as our girls so fondly named her last year, comes on the first day of Advent to help watch over the girls and make sure they are preparing their hearts for Jesus' birth on Christmas. She turns up in a a different place each morning and the girls have to find her and see what she has been up to. Here are a few of my favorites from this year:
A Christmas book a day
I wrapped 25 Christmas books (new and old) and the girls opened one each day for us to read together during Advent. I got the idea from Elizabeth Foss's blog (elizabethfoss.com) and thought it was a good way to make sure we read all our favorite Christmas books this year. It also reminded me to sit down and enjoy some quiet time with my girls during this busy season.
Advent Wreath & Hay for Baby Jesus' bed
Each night as we lit the candles on the wreath, I read a prayer and a reflection on how to ready our hearts for the birth of Christ on Christmas day. The girls also worked on making small sacrifices throughout each day as a gift for God. Each time they made a sacrifice, they got to put a piece of straw (or yarn in our case) in baby Jesus' crib; trying to fill Jesus' bed for Christmas day.
Jesse Tree and Advent Calendar
Although we weren't very good about doing the Advent calendar and Jesse tree every day this Advent season, the girls do enjoy the countdown to Christmas and I love that they learn something about the faith every day with the Jesse Tree.
Lights Under Louisville
One night before Christmas, I laid out Christmas pajamas for each of the girls along with chocolate milk, a few treats, and a ticket for the Klinker Minivan Express and we surprised them with a trip to Lights Under Louisville, which is an awesome lights show in the Louisville Mega Cavern.
St. Nicholas Day
On the Eve of December 6th, the girls always put their shoes out and we read stories and watch a video about St. Nicholas, the man who became Santa Clause.
The feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
The girls made tilmas like St. Juan Diego's out of paper grocery sacks and we had special Mexican-themed foods for dinner.
Watching White Christmas
The classic Christmas movie has even become a favorite of my girls. You can't beat the songs in this movie! It is a must see every Christmas season!
Cookie Baking
Every year we bake two or three kinds of cookies to share with family on our travels. I think we made just a few extras this year ;)
Tree Decorating
This year we got a full pine tree...my favorite so far. Everybody helps with the decorating.
Each year we do what we can to enjoy the Christmas season and help keep our focus on preparing our hearts for the gift of Christ on Christmas Day.
May the joy and peace of the Advent season be with all of you!
