Advent Observations

The flurry of Christmas activity - family visits, parties, shopping, eating, drinking and making merry - make it is easy to lose one's sense of awe regarding the miracle of Christmas. Something I read on the subject this morning said, "The season of Advent means there is something on the horizon the likes of which we have never seen before... . What is possible is to not see it, to miss it, to turn just as it brushes past you."

With this in mind, we have decided to incorporate the observation of Advent as one of our family Christmas traditions. The daily moments of remembering to anticipate and meditate on the birth of Jesus, and all his coming encompasses, is good for Philip and me. It has also proven to be great for the little ones! The girls and I have made a construction paper advent chain with hot-pink glitter numbers. Everyday we tear another link off and tuck it into one of the Christmas tree's few remaining bald spots. Kylie gets excited as we discuss pretty much the same things everyday: "When we get to the end of the chain it will be Jesus' birthday, Christmas morning! You will get lots of presents and we will also go visit your cousins!" The discussion varies a little, elaborating on topics like who Jesus is and why he's important, and reminders of who the cousins are, and what gifts she might be craving at that moment, but the excitement grows all the same. Adult and child alike, we are preparing ourselves for the experience of Christmas, not only the observance of another holiday.