Advent

After a failed attempt to celebrate Advent last year, we resolved to make it a high priority this year.  In November, I researched a bit, and we decided to make ornaments for a Jesse Tree and find an age appropriate devotional to do every night with Big Sister.  I downloaded "A Jesus Advent Celebration" by Ann Voskamp and Nancy Rodden, which included the ornament cutouts to correspond with each devotional.  Although we're using the ornaments in that devotional, we decided this year to read to Big Sister out of her "Jesus Storybook Bible".  There are 21 Old Testament stories, and the first 3 stories in the New Testament section cover the birth of Jesus, which works out to be one story every night of Advent.  After we read the story, she adds one ornament to our Jesse Tree (we collected and spray painted a few branches the last week in November).

My parents bought Big Sister and Little Bud the coolest Advent Calendar at a Christmas store in Copperhill, Georgia, and we put a little surprise in it each night.  The boxes in the calendar aren't in numerical order, so we've had a bit of a number lesson each night to make sure she opens the right door.  While I was researching Advent and Jesse Tree ornaments, I ran across an Advent Calendar that has magnets (stars, animals, shepherds, wise men, Mary, Joseph and of course Baby Jesus) in each door, and in the center of the calendar is a manger scene where you arrange the magnets as you discover them each night.

We are also lighting a candle each Sunday (the themes for the candles are Hope, Peace, Love and Joy) of Advent.  Last Sunday the Bible story corresponded with "Hope", and lighting the "Hope" candle was a great way to talk with Big Sister during dinner about the story we just finished reading.

Preparing everything this year was a lot of work (researching, downloading, printing, cutting, laminating, etc.), but I felt like it was an investment in the future.  Everything will be set to go in years to come.  For us, celebrating Advent and having a Jesse Tree are a great way to keep our focus on what the real reason for Christmas is.  I'm even thinking about making some "Happy Birthday Jesus" cupcakes for Christmas Eve (since I think they might get lost in the mix of Christmas day treats).

Thanks to Papa and Grams for our new Advent Calendar!

Advent reading

Jesse Tree and Manger Scene Advent Calendar

Showing off her beautiful pink hair clips from her Advent Calendar.

(So far every night, no matter what's inside when she opens the door, Big Sister says, "This is what I've ALWAYS wanted!"  Most of the time, she keeps telling us "Thank You!" over and over again, even into the next day.  Her thankful heart makes me a happy Mommy!)

When we pruned our rosemary bush, John made a little wreath.  It smells quite nice.  After John finished making it, Big Sister ran over to me and said, "Daddy is an artist!"  

Dancing in her Christmas Dress!

She had great fun with Grammie at a Christmas play last weekend!