Stable humor

During tonight’s devotions, we finally got around to starting our Advent calendar. It’s a stable scene with wee wooden cut out figures to hang up each day in December (I’ll try to get a picture for you–I thought I had one on my blog already but can’t find it). Well, since today is December 6 that meant all six children got a turn. . .and the chaos resulted in some serious silliness as the figures were misplaced or dropped. By the time the sixth one was hung, we had:

• shepherd in the sky (with diamonds?)
• a levitating lamb (the Lamb of God, perhaps?)
• and a fallen angel

However, the overall tone changed suddenly as it was time for prayers, specifically for our godson John. He continues to walk the tightrope, mostly baby steps forward with some scary steps backwards. If you are not facebook friends with Mark or Gina, they do post occasional updates on Gina’s blog.

Light

Jesus Christ is the Light of the world,
the light no darkness can overcome.

Stay with us, Lord, for it is evening,
and the day is almost over.

Let Your light scatter the darkness
and illumine Your Church.

–from Evening Prayer, LSB

Today is the first Sunday in Advent and of a new church year. At the same time we are entering some of the darkest days of the calendar year as the days grow shorter. I’ve blogged before about Advent: how it is a season unto itself and not a pre-Christmas, as well as how we mark the season here in Neverland.

Anyhow, today I realized that the main “decorations” I have unpacked at this point are light. The Advent wreath was placed on the table last night and the Advent banner was hung, with a Star of David among its symbols reminding us of Jesus’ First Coming. Then this afternoon, I put the electric candles in the windows.

If I didn’t have my candles our first Christmas (and I’m fairly sure I nursed a brand new Drama Boy by their light), I most certainly had them by the next year and every year since. Except last year. I never got them out last year–it is a bit of a pain to put them up, keep them up, turn them on, turn them off. . .in Illinois I had two sets of three windows each that faced the street and I made use of timers. Here, as well as in Iowa, my main floor has eleven single windows and I am too cheap to buy eleven timers. But the candles are up this year and shall not be skipped again. Oh, what a difference it makes to turn them on when the sun sets before dinner time! Their light makes the house feel warmer, and gives me courage to face the rest of my day.

Stay with us, Lord, for it is evening. . .

Sounds and symbols of the season

In spite of all my comments about it being Advent and not yet Christmas, I admit that I am now listening to Christmas music occasionally. I usually break down somewhere in the second week of December. . .I enjoy the music too much to listen for only twelve days a year! I like using iTunes to put together a playlist combing my favorite Christmas albums with Christmas selections from my hymn cd’s. Actually, iTunes also let me put together an Advent playlist from my hymn cd’s (plus the occasional stray Advent hymn that makes its way onto the Christmas albums). It’s only an hour long playlist (compared to eight hours of Christmas music), but I do really enjoy Advent hymns. The other thing I like to listen to in December is Handel’s Messiah.

About ten years ago, I decided to make an Advent banner for our home. It is hung in the dining room, since that is where we usually have family devotions. I really enjoyed reading about the different symbols used during Advent, and choosing ones that pertained to Jesus’ first coming (Star of David, branch of Jesse), His coming to us today (baptismal shell, chalice and host), and how He will come again in glory (ram’s horn, Chi Rho).

The Season of Advent

I guess I got ahead of myself last night; it was late and I wanted to hit the “publish” button. . .I am not really a Wikipedia fan but it was the first useful link I found so that is what you got. Anyhow, today I was catching up on my Issues, Etc. listening, and last Friday’s program included an informative discussion with Dr. Paul Grime on the season of Advent. I listen to Issues, Etc. through iTunes, but you can also listen by going here, scrolling down to November 28, and clicking on the segment. There are also links to several related articles from the LC-MS Commission on Worship. A Reason for the Season gives a good explanation of the difference between the seasons of Christmas and Advent, and On Keeping Advent gives practical ideas of how to mark that difference.

Advent wreath

Larry and I made our Advent wreath at a church family activity the first Christmas after we were married. We still use it every year, even though the candles wobble at times (and yes, I realize all the candles have been lit before~recycling is ‘in’ you know ). Having the wreath on the dining room table is a visual reminder that usually makes us more consistent at family devotions during Advent than the rest of the year. Larry is still in charging of lighting the candles, but the older kids take turns at snuffing the candles (actually, the younger ones do too. . .with help).

If you are unfamiliar with the tradition of the Advent wreath, you can read more here.

Sneak peek

I still haven’t decided if I’m going to actually sew that red dress for Twirly Girl or not. I want to do it, but I’m afraid it may push my stress levels over the top. So this weekend I set the stretch velvet aside and started getting ready to make this year’s batch of Christmas ornaments. I always make a new one for each of the kids; a group of friends has an annual exchange; and really it’s just an easy gift whenever I run out of other ideas.

Here is what I have so far; anyone want to guess how it will all go together?

In other Christmasy news, I only need a few more stocking stuffers for St. Nicholas Day (December 6). We take turns opening gifts, so every child must have exactly the same number of gifts to unwrap. Also tonight, the kids drew each other’s names for exchanging gifts (thanks to whichever Looper shared this idea; was that you, Glenda?). I am happy because Baby Boy got the name of the child for whom I already had an extra gift in my stash. 8)

Meanwhile, tomorrow is the first Sunday in Advent. . .and I love Advent hymns so much I am just going to ignore the whining of those who want to know why we can’t sing Christmas songs already! As time allows in the next four weeks, I hope to share with you some of our family traditions that attempt to keep Advent as a season unto itself, allowing Christmas to be its own twelve day season that begins (not ends!) on December 25.

Advent, a beginning

Oh, come, oh, come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel.

I know, I know, on the secular calendar Christmas already began when the Halloween candy was polished off (if not sooner). And even secular (as well as pop-Christian) “Advent” calendars begin December 1 and count down to the 25th. But for those who observe the traditional church year calendar, Advent begins 4 Sundays before Christmas and is a season unto itself. It’s not just “pre-Christmas”, it is a time to remember that the long-awaited Saviour was born in a stable in Bethlehem, but also that He comes to us still through His Word and His gifts of grace to us. . .and that someday He will come again, not as an infant but as a man.

And so it is that you won’t find my Christmas decorations out of the box for another couple weeks, although there are a few “winter decorations” as well as an Advent wreath & banner. You won’t hear Christmas carols on my stereo yet, either, although you might catch me humming an Advent hymn as I wash dishes or tuck a child in bed.

So why am I posting this here? I figure since Advent is a beginning (and the first Sunday in Advent is the first Sunday of the new church year). . .it was as good a time as any for me to make another start at keeping up with my blog. So far, I’ve mostly used it to record sewing projects~that is, the ones I’ve taken the time to photograph! I hope to get back in the habit of photographing projects, but I also intend to post other things on my mind.