Advent (from the Latin word adventus meaning "coming") is a season observed in many Western Christian churches, a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas.
Christians believe that the season of Advent serves a reminder both of the original waiting that was done by the Hebrews for the birth of their Messiah as well as the waiting of Christians for the second coming of Christ.--from Wikipedia
I don't know about you, but I could use a little Advent spirit this year. I never grew up using an Advent calendar. (I would have been all about it because I love candy) But I never really had even heard the word until we moved to MN and our church recognized the 4 weeks of Advent with candles on the stage. Advent...expectant waiting as we celebrate that Christ has come and is coming. What is not to love about that?
So, last year my friend Tara told me she was going to do an activity advent calendar with her kids....hmmmm...this is good stuff I thought. I told her to blog about it so I could steal all her ideas, but she did not cooperate. :) So this year I am navigating it on my own. Christmas is one of Jamie and I's favorite times of the year. We love soaking in every moment of the season with decorations, christmas treats, festive music, sharing gifts and time with friends and family and this year I will be finding one small thing to do every day to celebrate this wonderful season with the girls. I pray you find your own ways this year to soak in the hope, joy, love and peace that the Advent of our Savior brings. Happy Advent!
Day 1: Miller Activity Advent Calendar- Gingerbread House--this is way harder than it looks. My mom normally does it with them and probably should in the future, since my roof totally cracked and caved in and I had to use paper to save it. :(
p.s. don't expect pictures of every day...that would be a Christmas miracle! :)
6 comments:
Great job with the gingerbread house, looks tasty!
Yea...how long until you eat it?! :) I researched advent last week as we were discussing the advent season and how/if we would go about representing it in our services. I found out a lot of interesting things about it - but the most surprising is that advent as we celebrate it in our western churches is only just over 50 years old! It's quite the new tradition! I know...completely random for a blog comment. Anyways, I wish I could eat your house.
Great ide with the kids! and wow every day! you go Gretchen! It's funny that you said your roof caved because I got the same exact gingerbread house and did it with my kids on thanksgiving day and my roof caved too! I basically held the roof up the whole time and that frosting was a sticky mess! the kids loved it though! but after making the house, I made the comment that it would be Rex's job for now on because my houses fall apart! hah!
I was eyeing adorable Advent calendars at Target today. In Germany, kids get to keep a candle on their DESK for one hour! HA! That would never fly in the states!!
I can't wait to hear about the experience! Sounds like a fun thing to do with our girls when they are old enough to understand! Do share. :)
First I am praying for a Christmas miracle and a picture every day : ) Second, I laughed SO hard about you saying that you should let your mom do this with them since you had to use paper... That is too funny. It looks perfect though. You are a great Mom! And I love that you are making this season so special for them!
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