Advent

Advent is my favorite time in the liturgical year. It can be such a holy and peaceful time. I don't want it to be frantic and stressful in our home. I don't want it to be a time of yelling about things looking perfect or to be cleaning closets.

I want to sit and be still. I want to wait and anticipate the birth of the newborn king.

Here is just a partial list of some of our Advent traditions (with some new activities and such planned for this year)

Advent calendar
Advent wreath lighting and prayers
Watch our favorite holiday movies
Carols on the cd players
Holiday Magic at the Zoo
Participate in the charity drive through our Family Faith program at church
Go to confession
Make our gingerbread house (this year it is a train)
Celebrate St. Nicholas, Juan Diego, Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Lucy
Make Christmas cookies
Make a nativity scene with various craft supplies (my attempt at recreating my friend's idea)
Make Jesse tree ornaments (new this year)
O Antiphons (new this year)
Spiritual readings (this year reading daily from Thomas Merton's book with Hup)
Send out Christmas cards (finished)
Decorate the house and outside (finished except for our new projects to work on during school)
Celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception
Make ornaments
Shop (began shopping last 12/26 with my sister and still not finished!)
Wrap gifts
Shop and cook food for Christmas Eve party at our house
See the play A Christmas Carol
See the Nutcracker ballet
See Santa
Boo needs to make gifts for various relatives
Go to the light display and go on a sleigh ride through the park
Read tons and tons of books from our Advent/Christmas basket
Color and cut out and make a nativity book (new this year)
Family rosary and nightly prayer

I hope you have a blessed and holy Advent.