Advent Activities

I hope you are enjoying this special season as much as we do. While these past two weeks have been very stressful, we also made time to enjoy some Advent activities. It is easy to forget what this season is truly about; thus, I want to make sure our children learn about the true meaning of Christmas and why we celebrate Advent. Advent means "coming" in Latin and is the period of the 4 Sundays and weeks before Christmas. These 4 weeks are a time of expectant waiting and used for the preparation of Jesus' birth. It is filled with the countdown to Christmas and learning about not only why we celebrate Christmas but also about other Saints (i.e. St. Nicholas), slowing down and about giving. One great way to teach our children about Jesus's birth is by visiting a live nativity. We have visited two this week and both times, the kids and I were enarmored with the simplicity of the time when Jesus was born and the fact that happiness does not come from a store. Seeing real people dressed up as Mary, Joseph, shepherds and wise men, brings Christmas to life and let's you realize that they were just like us...normal people. HE was just like everyone else but also the Newborn King. It also draws you in and gives you a chance to refocus and for the kids to learn more about our Savior. Jen Hatmaker posted this picture today and it resonated to much with me that I wanted to share it with you all. 

Here are some pictures from our visit on Monday to a "Night in Bethlehem". 

The animals are always a highlight. Like last year, I got kissed by a camel. 

Amelia and Elliot also made toys like children used to do 2000 years ago: a rag doll made out of a ball of cotton and some fabric and a clay bowl. 

On Wednesday, December 6th, was St. Nicholas Day, where the children put out their shoes the night before so St. Nick can fill them overnight with little treats. St. Nicholas was a bishop who gave to the poor, especially children and elderly and on December 6th, we celebrate his legacy by continuing his good deeds for our children.  

On Friday, my son's preschool hosted their annual Live Nativity and it was perfect. A great photo-op in the stable, cuddly animals to feed, beautiful Christmas songs performed by a children's choir, hot cocoa and a fire pit. The only thing missing was our Daddy and the snow that drifted South of us. But at 32F/ 0C it was still coooold. We stood in front of the nativity for at least 10 minutes because Elliot was so fascinated and took in the whole scene.

They had scenes from a market in Bethlehem:

And a pen full of animals to pet and feed:

Surely, the alpaca was our favorite:

Warming up with hot coca by the fire before we called it a night. 

While it is freezing cold outside, we are warm and cozy inside. Our Christmas tree is up since last Sunday and I love the sight and smell of it. And obviously, so does our cat.

Also, last Sunday, I had the chance to meet up with this handsome, tall man. When I came to the U.S. 16 years ago, he was 7 years old and one of the three children from my host family I took care of. Makes me feel old...but I never can thank them enough for giving me this incredible opportunity to come to the States. 

Now, it is time to write some Christmas cards in front of the fire place while eating homemade cookies and listening to some Christmas hymns. I call that relaxing. Soaking in the Advent season and preparing ourselves for Christmas.