Peter and I sat down the other day and
talked about what traditions and practices
we want to do as a family this
Advent/Christmas.
talked about what traditions and practices
we want to do as a family this
Advent/Christmas.
We first discussed what we think Advent is all about
and we came up with
PREPARATION.
Advent is about preparing ourselves for
the coming of the Messiah
the coming of the Messiah
into our hearts and homes.
How can we best prepare our hearts and homes as a family?
By being joyful.
"The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear!" ~ELF
That's joy right there!
So we are going to make Christmas a big birthday
party in our home complete
with a cake and candles, balloons,
and presents.
"The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear!" ~ELF
That's joy right there!
So we are going to make Christmas a big birthday
party in our home complete
with a cake and candles, balloons,
and presents.
We want our children to grow up understanding what Christmas is truly about;
not getting presents, but giving them
because it is JESUS' birthday!
One tradition that we will include the
girls in this year is
Jesus' Gift Box.
We wrap a box up all beautiful and make
a hole in the top in which we
will insert a piece of paper for
each sacrifice or good deed we make just
for Jesus.
We will present our box to Jesus on
Christmas day and bring it to our parish Manger
on Epiphany.
A new custom for us will be to save up
money as a family to purchase a layette for a baby boy
in honor of Baby Jesus.
I'm very excited about this one,
especially since I haven't been blessed
with a boy of my own to shop for yet. :)
Another tradition we will adopt this year
is having our own traveling Wise Men
to take the place of the modern
Elf on the Shelf.
Peter and I will have so much fun
moving the 3 Wise Men around the house
as they travel for their visit to the Little King
in our Manger!
We are going to hold off listening to Christmas music
as much as possible (it's already in the stores, commercials,
and even my Pandora playlists!).
I've already compiled a lovely Advent playlist
featuring songs more about the COMING
of Jesus, winter, and appropriate hymns.
The list is quite long so I'm sure I will
be satisfied... Christmas music is a weakness of mine. ;)
as much as possible (it's already in the stores, commercials,
and even my Pandora playlists!).
I've already compiled a lovely Advent playlist
featuring songs more about the COMING
of Jesus, winter, and appropriate hymns.
The list is quite long so I'm sure I will
be satisfied... Christmas music is a weakness of mine. ;)
The Tomo household will wait until Christmas Eve
to put up and decorate our tree and home
and we will keep it up until February
(or until the tree dies...whichever comes first!).
Saint Nicholas
We will be celebrating with gifts for each other
on Saint Nicholas Day, December 6th,
and the feast of the Epiphany, January 6th.
I'm excited to place our shoes/stockings together
for St. Nicholas to fill!
I'm thinking of celebrating with a
Blessing of Candy Canes
and even making
powdered-sugar footprints to
represent the Saint's visit.
As Saint Nicholas was known for
helping out brides from poor families
with providing dowries,
we thought it would be a touching idea to
present each of our daughters with
funds towards their future "dowries"
through Saint Nicholas.
Saint Lucy's Day
The Feast of Saint Lucy is December 13th,
and it is the custom for the eldest daughter to wake the household
with cake and coffee. We will let Sunny
bake a coffeecake and serve hot cocoa
for this feast day!
History of the Advent Wreath
One of my favorites is lighting
Advent candles with prayers and song
each night during the Advent Season.
to put up and decorate our tree and home
and we will keep it up until February
(or until the tree dies...whichever comes first!).
Saint Nicholas
We will be celebrating with gifts for each other
on Saint Nicholas Day, December 6th,
and the feast of the Epiphany, January 6th.
I'm excited to place our shoes/stockings together
for St. Nicholas to fill!
I'm thinking of celebrating with a
Blessing of Candy Canes
and even making
powdered-sugar footprints to
represent the Saint's visit.
As Saint Nicholas was known for
helping out brides from poor families
with providing dowries,
we thought it would be a touching idea to
present each of our daughters with
funds towards their future "dowries"
through Saint Nicholas.
Saint Lucy's Day
The Feast of Saint Lucy is December 13th,
and it is the custom for the eldest daughter to wake the household
with cake and coffee. We will let Sunny
bake a coffeecake and serve hot cocoa
for this feast day!
History of the Advent Wreath
One of my favorites is lighting
Advent candles with prayers and song
each night during the Advent Season.
What traditions do you and your family
practice for Christmas?
~Michelle
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