Christmas happenings!

We have had so much fun celebrating the Christmas season so far in our home.  We have started a few new traditions too!

We did our very first advent calendar, and I am proud to say that we have done pretty much every activity, one per day.  Some days we have done two to catch up, but they have gotten done ;)  The kids have loved doing this, and I think it has helped keep our focus on Jesus' birth and others.  We are heavily emphasizing the importance of others at Christmas and not just caring about us and what we get.  We still do Santa, but we are trying our hardest to keep Jesus the center of the season and His gift of coming to earth to save us.  Christmas has become even more special to me this year!

We also had our first set of Advent candles this year.  I went with non-traditional colors, mainly because when I went to buy them the other colors were gone.  Maybe everyone else had the same idea ;)  I hope so at least!  The meaning behind each one is the same regardless so I just went with the red and did white for the Christ candle.  They represent expectation, hope, joy, purity, and the Christ candle is for the Light of the World.  The first one is lit the first Sunday, the second Sunday the first and second are lit, and so forth.  On Christmas they are all lit, including the Christ candle.  I love this simple act, and I think it is so special.  It's also a beautiful reminder of God's love for us!

Outside decorations :)

We did an Auburn themed tree this year.  It seemed appropriate given the season Auburn has had.  We are so proud of our team and coach.  War Eagle!

One of our Advent calendar activities was to make Christmas cards for our neighbors. We are going to pass them out this week with some yummy treats!  The kids loved doing these, and I think they are so sweet.  I hope they enjoy them.  We did four boys and four girls :)

Rudolph aka Mark after school!  He was singing the song all night!

We hope you and your family are enjoying this season and are basking in the love and promises that God has for you!  Merry Christmas to YOU!

"When they saw the star, they were filled with JOY!"

Matthew 2:10