As always I am thrilled to get to this season. And seeing that the kids are finally tuning in to the meaning of it all and the beauty of it all, I am even more excited and I have been planning a lot of stuff for this lovely season.
Advent, starting Sunday 1 December is the new year of the liturgical calendar. Most importantly, Advent is the preparation for the coming and birth of the Lord. Christians observe this season as a season of prayer, fasting & repentance followed by anticipation, hope & joy.
Each year I do an Advent wreath. Every Sunday we light a candle in remembrance of hope, preparation, joy and love.
We also do an Advent calendar. however, we do not use the traditional sweet calendar because I want to teach and give to my kids the real meaning of this lovely season. This year, our Advent calendar was bought from a local crafter and I love it.
Than what I did was put little papers in each pocket with scripture readings which I got from here but I translated them in Maltese.
Than I added little family things we are to do together for every Advent day.
The list:
putting up the Christmas decorations
having a family photo in front of the Christmas tree
watching a Christmas film together
doing cookies together
going out to Valletta to see the lights and go around the train
visit a crib
visit the live crib in Xaghra, Gozo
do a kindness Advent tree
go out to eat
write a letter to Jesus to give thanks for all he has given us during this year
write a family letter
do a Christmas craft
do a snow globe
plant Christmas wheat grass
read the book of the first Christmas
read the book 'Twas the night before Christmas
singing Christmas carols
Buying food for those in need and giving them to the Paris Priest to pass them on
donate a toy
searching for little gifts around the house
go ice-skating
write Christmas cards
In addition, I bought the kids Advent colouring books to help understand more the meaning of this season of preparation.
And in preparation myself, I will be reading more scripture, contemplating more on my role in this beautiful house and doing a small fast.
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