Monday, November 7, 2011

Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh

I think G loves his ring pop.  Look at JG face! 



Now that Halloween has concluded (I know Im a week late) I have begun thinking about Christmas, our thoughts, traditions, and what we are going to be doing this year.  But a few All HAllows Eve photos for your liking first.
Growing up, we always had a big Christmas, which we loved!  But pretty much everything was brought my Santa and we got a small religious gift from our parents.  While my kids are young, I want to establish our traditions, and continue them. My hubby came from a home, where Christmas was a big deal, but they usually got a couple of gifts, it wasn't as big of a deal.  I remember when I was little one set of cousins getting 3 gifts, for the 3 gifts Jesus received from the Wise Men, Gold Frankincense and Myrrh.  Well, for some reason, as I begin to think and plan our Christmas lists, and Santa for the kids, this memory sat on my heart.  I think this will be a great way to bring the Christ Child into our home, and reminding both us and our kids that Christmas isnt about being overloaded with toys.  But we are celebrating Jesus' birthday.  We will try it this year, and see if the tradition sticks.  3 gifts from Santa, and then we will get the kids something from us.  Now, just to figure out other ways to celebrate the season with the best of intentions, and while teaching my kids in a very concrete way about the Birth of our Savior.  Bringing back the Original Christmas Gift, they were the first to see our Savior, the first to bring Him homage.  So maybe we need to give a little more significance to their offering in my home.  
Advent Wreath -- always had in church, not at home since we have been married.  This is horrible for me to admit, but its true.  This year JG is definitely old enough to at least understand Christmas, and participate in the prayers.  We say prayers as a family every night, so the time is already set aside.  Now, we can expand this tradition into the Christmas season with the advent candles.  I am already seeing my little kids eyes sparkling in the candle light and having to hold JG back from blowing the candles out until the prayers are over :)!
For me, I want to make sure that I prepare my heart for the coming of the Christ Child.  Just as in Lent i prepare my heart for the Passion.  Devotionals for Christmas are on overload this time of year, and I need some suggestions about any?  I love this time of year.  It might be a little early to start planning these things, but if I dont think ahead, Advent will be 1/2 way over before I realize Thanksgiving has even passed.
Any other Christmas traditions or ways to bring Jesus into your home?  I would Love some ideas!!!

3 comments:

  1. We made an advent wreath our first two years of marriage, and now we have one for the dinner table and one (without candles obviously) for the door. Last year I made an advent calendar, (kind of like Mom and Dad's but not as elaborate) and put a couple of pieces of candy in it to be taken out each day. I think this year, I may laminate some bible verses leading up to Christmas, but we'll see if I get to it. I've always wanted to do a Jesse Tree (just google it and you'll find lots of suggestions) but haven't gotten to it. I think this year with our advent wreath maybe we'll try singing Oh Come, Oh Come Emmanuel adding a verse each week. Don't get overwhelmed. Just add one thing a year and soon you'll have your own traditions. Maybe go to Micheal's or another craft store and get the materials for an easy advent wreath and after Christmas you can store it away so you'll always have one.

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  2. we did the jesse tree (there are kid coloring versions on the internet). it teaches a lot of great stories.

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  3. I love the idea of a Jesse tree! I had never heard of it before I read your blog. Some friends were talking yesterday about advent and one said she bought a dollar bin type Advent wall hanging from Target, then put slips of paper in each pocket of something special to do as a family during advent, something that they could fit into their daily routine..like have a picnic by the Christmas tree or read a special Bible story or Christmas book. We had a number of "Little Golden" Christmas books as a kid and I thought about wrapping them in Christmas wrapping paper and they could open one every few days - probably twice a week or so - and we could read it together. We are trying to figure out our Christmas traditions as well, so thanks for the ideas! I couldn't figure out how to post as anything but "Anonymous" but wanted to post -- here it is -- Dawn

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