The Candle of Waiting

I posted about  a week ago about trying to keep Christmas simple this year.  It is almost inevitable that the kids will be lured by the deluge of commercials aimed at their tender little minds, but we've begun a new tradition in our home to readjust our focus each night.  Kind of resetting our Christmas compass. 

I never celebrated Advent growing up.  In fact, I never heard of such a thing until I read about it in a novel as an adult.  The more I learned about it, the more I wanted to celebrate it with my family.  What a wonderful way to keep our focus on Jesus this Christmas!

   

So, on Sunday we celebrated the first Sunday of Advent, and lit the "Candle of Waiting."  We talked about how long Mary had to wait to see Jesus after Gabriel gave her the good news.  We closed our eyes and tried to imagine how afraid she must have been and how excited.  We play acted the passage from the Bible, with Grayson being Gabriel, and me being Mary.  It was perfect (though a little long for Grant!).

Grayson loves singing Christmas carols together, Grant loves the candles and the fire, Jeff and I love sitting in peace with our family and knowing that this year, above all else, our boys will remember Jesus and his perfect gift of love.

Comments

[Debbie]

Wow, what an incredible pattern you are setting for your children. We all need more of these kinds of reminders, especially in a culture that is literally throwing Santa and the marketing of Christmas at us. Blessings~

[Chris in Oxford]

We did the advent candles every year for Christmas growing up. It never occurred to me where the tradition came from!

[Megan]

*sniffle*
I want to be there...

can you 'dopt me?

[arizaphale]

Good for you. We are doing the Advent candle at Sunday School. In the tradition we follow, the candles represent Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. Love the idea of play acting the passage from the Bible. Actually you've just reminded me, we usually have an Advent book with a little tiny book for each day. Because we have been so busy and M&D arrived last weekend, we didn't put the tree up like normal and we haven't started our book yet! Sigh. Love reading about your 'real' Christmas.