Advent

The season of Advent begins with the fourth Sunday before Christmas.  "Advent" is a Latin word meaning "the coming."  During the season of Advent, Christians across the world prepare for the celebration of the coming of the Lord into the world through the birth of his Son, Jesus Christ.  Advent is a time to celebrate light in the midst of darkness, as symbolized by the Advent wreath (or log in our case). 

Daniel and I decided to really focus on the birth of Jesus Christ as the purpose of Christmas for the boys beginning this year.  Tonight was the beginning of Advent, and we decided to start a tradition.  After dinner, we sat around the table and listened while Daniel read various scripture about the coming of Jesus and Him being the light to the world.  Logan was fascinated with the lighting of the first candle and spent most of the time seeing how close he could get to the flame before mommy reprimanded him.  

Above is the Advent Log we made for a Women's Group at church -- actually 3 of our awesome husbands sawed and drilled the logs for us women to take home  (one being my incredibly manly husband).  Who knew when I married him he would be so versatile -- able to cut wood, design municipal infrastructure, and play various Christmas carols on the piano and guitar?

Since the boys are so young, a friend passed on to me a cute little Advent countdown for kids to accompany our weekly Advent.  It starts December 1st and goes until Christmas.  Everyday has a little gift to put in an Advent calendar or wrap up as a present with a corresponding scripture and story about Jesus from the Bible.  I know Logan and Thad will love the day they receive grape gum, but after our last post we may replace it with another form of grape!  Below is a copy of the Advent Countdown.  If you are interested but cannot read it clearly, let me know and I will email it to you.  I am super excited to start it tomorrow morning with the boys!