Advent

Every year at this point I start thinking about the holidays...of course, they are right around the corner. I love them!!! They are filled with so many great memories from childhood for me...and for Carlyle. I love to celebrate Christmas and want my kids to know why we celebrate the way we do. I have always loved the whole idea of Advent..and although we did not really do this as kids...we feel it is important to remember daily...and not just during this time of the year...what Jesus did for us. To set aside an entire month to remember...really remember why we are here...and to be thankful for the love, joy, and peace Christ has shown us. This year I have done a lot of thinking and mental planning for how we will remember Christ's place in our hearts and lives and how we can show that to others. This is how we are going to remember daily...our Advent celebration...

Sunday November 29: Turn off the house lights and turn on our tree lights. Light the first candle; read Psalm 25:1-10, this week’s theme is Hope. What does Advent mean and what are we hoping for? What is hope? Do we have hope? Why do we have hope? Read stories by the fire wit hot cocoa and marshmallows.

Monday November 30: Read Jeremiah 33: 14-16 with the first candle and each family member prays a hope that they have. Have candy canes with our scripture readings…

Tuesday December 1: Work on paper mache bowls and felt garlands…and other Christmas projects…building the stable…

Wednesday December 2: Light the candle. Talk again about what your hope for from Jesus is this Christmas. Pray for the person on your right and for their hope.

Thursday December 3: Small group night…take a special treat to all the kids at small group tonight.

Friday December 4: Go to the Christmas on Main Street in Downtown Dillsboro…enjoy it all!!!

Saturday December 5: Continue to work on special crafts for the Christmas season and go to Daddy’s work Christmas party after rest…

Sunday December 6: Read the Gift of the Magi together by the fire. Light the second candle. This week’s theme is Love. What gift did God give us? What is love? What did the story say about love? Read 1 Cor. 13:4-8 together. (have special treat while we read…)

Monday December 7: Light the candle; read Malachi 3:1-4 and talk about it. Pray for the person on your left and think about what God would want you to pray for them. Make snowflakes together to hang in the boy’s bedroom and playroom…just for around this house.

Tuesday December 8: Light the candles and read Luke 1:68-79. Talk about that story. Do a special prayer altogether from one of the Advent prayers.

Wednesday December 9: Read Phil.3: 1-6…what does this mean? What is a way we can show love to a friend this week? Plan how we are going to do that. (candy canes)

Thursday December 10: Small group…bake cookies earlier in the day to take to the group to share.

Friday December 11: Mommy has her special weekend away for sewing…daddy and the boys eat pizza (or some special dinner)…watch a Christmas movie and read by the fire with hot cocoa (or chocolate milk☺).

Saturday December 12: Make cookies with Daddy or build something outside with daddy…you can decide.

Sunday December 13: Light the candles and read Zeph. 3:4-20. This week’s theme is Joy. Go for a surprise walk…boys in the wagon….take Zeke, special snacks, and look at the Christmas lights from all of our neighbor’s homes. Leave cookies on several doorsteps…?

Monday December 14: Light the candles; read Is. 12:2-6 and talk about a way we can bring joy to others. Pray for others tonight, for their joy. (candy canes)

Tuesday December 15: Get special hot drinks and drive around to look at twinkle lights.

Wednesday December 16: Light the candles and read Phil 4:4-7, pray and talk about a way we can bring joy to each other.

Thursday December 17: Read our Christmas books at bedtime.

Friday December 18: Light the candles and read Luke 3:7-18, pray for joy for certain countries in our world tonight. Why do we want these countries to have joy? Pull out our world map to show the boys where these countries are located. Earlier in the day…make some snowflakes and felt garland to take to Papa and Nana.

Saturday December 19: Watch a Christmas movie on our way to Nana and Papa’s house…eat popcorn and have special drinks on our way.

Sunday December 20: Read the Christmas story. Light our candle; this week’s theme is Peace. What would bring you peach this week? How does Jesus bring peace?

Monday December 21: Collect outside greenery today when we get home. Decorate inside our home. Light the candles and read Malachi 5:2-5. Pray for someone special in your life. Eat candy canes…

Tuesday December 22: Light the candles and read Psalm 80:1-7. Read Christmas books that we get from the library (or the books we have)…in front of the fire on quilts and have hot cocoa and marshmallows.

Wednesday December 23: Light the candles and read Luke 1:39-55. Make cookies all together.

Thursday December 24: Light our candles and say a prayer to Jesus of how he brings us joy, peace, and love…and how we love him. Go to the Christmas Eve service at church. Come home and build a fire outside…roast smores and drink hot cocoa…read books by the fire. God to bed…for Christmas morning is soon approaching!!!

Friday December 25: Light all the candles…including the white one in the center. Read the Christmas story. Open the first present (baby Jesus of course☺) and sing happy birthday to Jesus!!! Have a special birthday cupcake to celebrate!!! Open presents together☺ Yea…Jesus is here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!