There is much excitement in the Chintzibob household. It is that marvelous time of year when thoughts of sugarplums dance in all of our heads. A few years ago Splitcat and I decided to start a tradition for our family in this season to make it a memorable one for all, as well as to teach the children why we celebrate Christmas. I did not really know what Advent was all about, but I was willing to give it a go. It has become a favorite tradition of all. For the first year, P. was the recipient of the Lego Advent Calendar. This is the first year that has not been part of our evening.
We try to keep it very simple, most nights the kids get a small piece of candy or toy. I knew it was an important part of my children's lives when P. told me he was making an advent list. He wanted some new Heroscape figures. That is exactly what he has been getting. The girl is a little more difficult to buy for. She loses small things or they end up in the babies mouths. She got a golden dollar last night and a Indiana Jones Lego mini-fig tonight(the one that is a girl). The twins just get a piece of candy. It has been really nice to spend a few minutes all together every night thinking of the birth of our Savior. P. seems to understand a lot more this year, even in the excitement of getting a present every night.
On Sunday night we had a tree decorating party and a pre-Advent reading to prepare us for the first night. I was touched by the reading and prayer that splitcat gave. Then I found out he wrote it, so I received permission to post it here. I hope you like it.
Bible Reading: John 1:1-5
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginnning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
Most Gracious Father and Bringer of Peace, we ask for humble spirits as we prepare for this season of remembrance of your gift to us, Your only Son.
We pray that we will not be distracted by earthly gifts, but will continually give "glory to God in the highest" for the Saviour who was born for us on Christmas Day.
We ask that this Christmas tree will be a reminder of your unbounding love for us and that
-the green of the limbs will be a reminder of the evergreen life that you bring into our watered hearts.
-the beautiful ornaments will remind us of the daily wonders and blessings that you grant us everyday.
-the angel at the top of the tree will serve to remind us that you forever watch over us.
-the wood of the trunk will remind us of the wood of the manger in which the baby Jesus lay and the wood of the cross on which He hung for us.
--the lights will remind us that in Christ is life and that life is the light of man, your light shines in the darkness, and that it was the Word of God that spoke the light itself into the world: "Let there be light." (Oldest child lit the Christmas tree at these words).
