Advent Crazy

I remember as an elementary student getting a free advent paper from a grocery store.  It was a picture of Santa and for each day in December you glued a cotton ball on his beard.  It looked something like this.  I love the countdown, the anticipation of the big day.  I want my kids to have the same excitement and anticipation that I had as I looked forward to Christmas morning. 

This year, we have added a few more ways to countdown to the bid day, and I don't know who is more excited...me or the boys.

The word advent is derived from the Latin word adventus, meaning "coming," is upon us.  These are the days of preparation; preparing for the celebration of Christmas, preparing our hearts for the coming of Christ.  Some of mine are biblical, and some are just for fun.  I do, however, want to focus on the real purpose we are celebrating the season with my boys. 

Here is how we are going to countdown to the day we celebrate the birth of Christ:

1.  Advent House.  I saw this in the Pottery Barn catalog several years ago and just had to get it.  I had
     been looking for a house that you could open up doors, inspired by the classic Christmas Vacation.
     Each door is filled with two pieces of candy for each boy.  They are thrilled about this one.

 
2.  Candy Cane Santa.  I got this one a few years ago at a boutique that is no longer in business. 
     Each day is filled with a candy cane to count down. 

3.  Star Wars Advent Calendar.  I found this one at the Lego Store at Downtown Disney, but my
     friend saw them at Target this week.  I am sure they can be found other places as well.  We are in
     a Star Wars Lego phase, so I just had to get this one.  Each day, they build something small.  We
     are looking forward to this one this year.

4.  Christmas Book Countdown.  A friend told me that she did this when her children were little.  I
     have been wanting to do this as well, but I just haven't gotten around to it.  This year I was
     determined!  You get 25 Christmas books and wrap them.  We had 12 already, but it still can be
     pricey.  I found lots at Books-a-Million in the clearance section.  I wish I would have had time to
     make a run to McKay's used book store in Knoxville.  It would have been much cheaper.  I like this
     idea because they get to unwrap a book each day. 

We have also been reading The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson.  It is an entertaining book with a great message.  We saw the play last year, but we have enjoyed reading the book together as a family. 

5.  Jesse Tree Devotional.   This is also something I have wanted to do for several years but am just
     now getting around to putting it together.  This is by far the best one of them all.  My ornaments
     aren't anything spectacular, but at least they are finished this year.  This has a scripture reading with
     a short explanation about the passage for each day.  It actually started today, and it is a tradition I
     want to do each year. 

     The advent verse is from Isaiah 11:1-2, "And there shall come forth a rod our of the stem of Jesse,  
     and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:  And the spirit of the Lord shall rest on Him, the spirit of
     wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of counsel and might, the
     spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord."

     You can do this many ways, but I got some branches out of the yard and put in a vase for ours. 

        Here is a link to create your own Jesse Tree. 

So tonight, the last night of November, our advents are all set.  Candy is in place, candy canes are fresh and ready to fill up Santa, books are wrapped, and the branches are arranged.  Is it too many?  I say naaa...as long as the kids are excited about them and it doesn't cause stress.  I am looking forward to a great Christmas season.  The countdown is on!

Check out this blog I read today.  It was beautiful and it is a great reminder as we go into a busy time of the year.  How the Wait till Christmas Can Be Weightless