My Heart This Advent

(a close-up of my son's girlfriend's stocking decoration 

~ she is so talented!)

It happens every year.
Advent begins;
I am already behind, but still excited.
Advent is my favourite season;
I am always so full of expectations and hopes and dreams!
The first couple of weeks pass.
A melancholy mood creeps in.
I am not living up to my own expectations;
My hopes of actually getting things accomplished are dwindling;
No one around me seems to share in my dreams.

"Is there room for Me?"

My expectations and hopes and dreams can become idols.
I have to be reminded every. single. year.

Hope~Peace~Joy~Love

are gifts that come only in His presence.

As Advent ushers in Christmas later this week
may I prepare my heart to
Come, and adore Him, 
Christ the Lord!

linking up with:

Advent in Our Home ~ week 3

in the evening

 morning prayer

love this boy!

Advent in Our Home ~ week 2

My daughter and grandson decorating his stocking:

  Waiting for the glitter glue to dry:

Yesterday, my daughter and her friend made snowflake wreaths:

The rest of this week I intend to declutter and clean.  In particular, I will be clearing out a spot for our tree.

A Simple Advent Plan

...because, really, that is all that I can handle.

I am at the stage of my life where I no longer have young children at home.  I have five adult children ~ four of whom no longer live in our home ~ and two teens.  They are busy with their own lives.  They work, attend classes, have husbands/boyfriends/girlfriends, as well as homes, friends, dogs ~ and in one case, a child ~ of their own.  I never wanted to be that mama (or mother-in-law) who insisted that they must spend every holiday with us and carry on every tradition.  Some of my children love all of the traditions, some can take them or leave them, and some would probably rather leave them (sniff).  But that is alright.  They are building lives, homes, families, and traditions of their own.  Of course, they are always welcome here; they know that, and I try plan so that those who wish to participate are able to.

This year the best plan seems to be to focus on one or two special activities each Sunday during Advent, and invite all who are interested to join us.

• First Sunday, 29 November ~ we didn't do anything.  Everyone had been here on Thanksgiving and had drawn names for Christmas gift-giving.  We celebrated our older son's 18th birthday on Monday. I did finally get the Advent candle set up on Thursday.

• Second Sunday, 6 December ~ Saint Nicholas Day!  The three children still living at home will awaken to orange rolls for breakfast.  They will find chocolate coins, a mandarin orange, and new pjs in their stockings.  After church I will provide a light lunch, some treats, and hot cocoa, and we will decorate our stockings (while watching the Seahawks game;).  

• Third Sunday, 13 December ~  put up the tree and lights; maybe a trip to Main Street Bethlehem in the evening.

• Fourth Sunday, 20 December ~ Christmas baking.  That night there is a free Christmas concert featuring choirs from 10 different local churches; this is one of the very few must-dos on my personal Advent list.

Advent in Our Home ~ week 1

The season of Advent began on Sunday; 

I did not begin until Thursday.

I put the Advent candles (last year's somewhat faded and tilted candles, minus any wreath) in the center of our table.

 I put the Advent spiral on the paint-splattered dresser in our entry way and started Joseph and Mary on their journey.

 I went to Dollar Tree and purchased supplies for door swags.

My youngest daughter and I will assemble six of these tomorrow,

one for us, one for each of my four grown daughters, and one for her best friend.

Sunday is Saint Nicholas Day, so we will be decorating and hanging our stockings.


linking up for {pretty, happy, funny, real}
at Like Mother, Like Daughter

For Your Advent Listening Pleasure

I have quite a large Advent playlist on Spotify, but I would like to share a much smaller one that I put together on YouTube.

It begins with O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, followed be songs for Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love, and ends with one of my Christmas Eve favourites, Still, Still, Still.

I hope you enjoy it:



Linking up with:

An Advent Favourite

This morning after my prayer time I sat by the the tree and listened to one of my favourite things. Advent Voices is a one hour program of "the most beautiful vocal music inspired by and written for Advent" produced by American Public Media. If you would like to listen, click on the picture.

Advent ~ Some Perspective

On Monday I was stressed and discouraged; I wrote about it, but more importantly, I prayed about it.

I found some quiet moments, and I took a few deep breaths.  I picked my 19 year-old daughter from work at 10:30 Monday night, and when we got home, she spontaneously decided to bless me by cleaning the kitchen!  Waking up early Tuesday morning, I stopped looking for Advent devotionals, prayers, readings, etc., and I did the ones here and here.  I set up our wreath and candles.  Last night, I did some decluttering, and some more praying.  Again this morning, I lit a candle, prayed, tried to be still, tried to listen.  Then I put on my playlist, and I did some more decluttering.  Tonight, I cleaned the last of the Thanksgiving leftovers out of the fridge, and I am making a shopping list.

I have a better perspective.  Advent is a time of preparation after all, and it is a season.

I read a great post here and was encouraged:

" Where we are is just where we are. Thankfully, God knows where that is and is perfectly capable of finding us and meeting us there. Advent is a season of preparation...a whole season to get ready! It is nice to have some things in order beforehand, but scrambling around in a dither to make everything ready before Advent even starts isn't really good for anyone. " 

I am starting where I am, taking one baby-step at a time, preparing my home and my heart, and focusing on the Light.

Advent ~ True Confessions

I bought Advent candles.

That's it.

My house is a wreck.

Seriously.

No. Seriously!

I have spent wasted the better part of the past week on the computer: looking, bookmarking, typing, sprucing, decorating.

On the computer.

The first day of Advent came

and went.

That's it.

I make excuses: "Not everybody's here; I haven't found the wreath prayers that i really want; my husband and kids don't even care about Advent; I can't get anybody's help; excuses; excuses; excuses!"  The truth is that I would rather plan than do; I would rather be lazy than work; I would rather withdraw and avoid than embrace the much-less-than-idyllic reality of my life.

But isn't that the reason He came?  Isn't that the reason for Advent ~ the reason for the season?  Wasn't everything about His coming oh-so-much-less-than-idyllic: Roman occupation, unwed mother, a stable, shepherds, fallen humanity . . .

. . . me?

Yes, He came for me.

 I need Advent ~ not my house, and more than my kids ~ I need Advent ~ deep in my soul ~ I need Advent ~ not just something that looks like Advent or sounds like Advent, but His coming.

" Into my heart, into my heart,

Come into my heart, LORD Jesus.

Come in today; come in to stay.

Come into my heart, LORD Jesus. "

Advent Playlist

St. Andrew's Novena

I fell in love with this novena during Advent last year:

Advent Plans with Bigger Kids

I am joining the Living Liturgy Advent Link-up!

My youngest is now 11.  I have 2 that have moved out and 2 adult children living at home, who are busy with work and classes.  My teens are just busy.  Plus, our Monday enrichment classes and my tutoring on Tuesdays and Thursdays will continue throughout the first 3 weeks of Advent.  This is certainly a work in progress.
  
Sunday Nights with the family:

• Joseph & Mary begin their journey.
• Wreath and Candles
• Scripture and Prayer
• Special Dessert
• 1st: Wreath Cake
• 8th, 15th, & 22nd: to be decided; I may just make a different flavor wreath cake each week 

Tues, Wed, & Thursday Morning Time with 11 & 14 year-old:

• Jesse Tree  ~ I participated in Michelle's Ornament Swap.  (Since we will only be doing it three days a week, we will probably not do every one.)
• Poetry, Art, Music, & lots of other books we have

Fridays with 11, 14, & 16 year-old:

• Morning Time Messiah ~ I love Cindy's idea, but I think we will go at a slower pace, doing it only on Fridays and continuing it beyond Advent and Christmas, possibly even throughout Lent and Easter.
• Teatime and Project
• (6th) Saint Nicholas ~ stockings; orange rolls; candy canes; hot chocolate
• (13th) Saint Lucy ~ danish woven paper heart baskets; gingerbread; coffee
• (20th) O Antiphons ~ to be decided (I like Tonia's link here.) Perhaps I could make doughnuts, since they are Os!

Saturdays with whoever wants to participate:

• Family Outing/Activity
• (7th) Walk Through Bethlehem at a local church
• (14th) to be decided; I would like to find somewhere we can do volunteer work as a family 
• (21st) Solstice ~ (John 1) put up lights; make wassail; build a fire; make s'mores

23rd is our 25th Wedding Anniversary:  We usually decorate the tree.
24th Christmas Eve:  Joseph & Mary arrive at the stable; Shepherd's Pie for supper; Midnight Mass

to see all of my Advent posts, click the banner:

Keeping Advent: All Is Well

So many thoughts are in my head.  I am not nearly so eloquent as many others, but I want to try to get some of those thoughts out, so here goes.

I was raised by parents who had experienced the sudden, tragic loss of two of their children.  Two years before I was born, my mother and sisters were in a terrible car accident.  My sisters, 3 and 4 years old, were killed, and my mother almost died herself.  In fact, the doctors said that her survival was a miracle ~ words not used lightly by emergency room physicians.  Both of my parents often told me that God sustained them through their grief.  Their faith gave them hope to go on, peace that was beyond human comprehension, and brought joy into their lives again.

On Friday, the day we all were reminded of the evil that exists in this world, I got a phone call from a friend.  She called to ask if I would like to sing in the choir with Michael W. Smith at his concert on Saturday.  Of course I would!  One of the songs we sang was "All Is Well." 

All is well ~ in this broken, fallen, violent world, because of His love for us.  This world was broken, fallen, and violent 2000ish years ago on that night in Bethlehem when not one selfish person would give up their room to a young girl in labour, and within 2 years of the Messiah's birth, a cruel, power-hungry man would order the slaughter of who-knows-how-many innocent children.  Yet the angels still said:

“Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

All is well ~ because He came to that world, He comes into our hearts and lives, and He will come to take His bride home.  I had forgotten all about this song until I sang it on Saturday.  I have been singing it frequently since; It has been a source of comfort to me.  Perhaps it will be to someone else as well.

I am linking up with these lovely ladies throughout Advent:

Keeping Advent: Daily

To see all of my Advent posts click on the banner:

This post is simply an explanation of how I am attempting to keep a peaceful focus on Christ and prepare more room for Him in my heart and home on a daily basis.

In the morning:
I awaken very early, plug in the tree lights, put the kettle on, and settle down to my morning prayers using Praying Advent.

After these readings and reflections, I turn on my Advent playlist, fix my tea, and sit back down by the tree to spend some time peacefully pondering what I have read.

After the sun is up and my husband and children are awake, we gather around the tree, pray the Advent Prayer to Jesus, open our Advent box, take out that day's ornament, read the scripture, and hang the ornament.

At some point of the day:
I have made a list of one thing for each day.  It may be a family outing, a special craft or activity, an act of charity/service, or even a seasonal movie or tv special. 

I try to keep Advent music playing whenever possible.

I am really trying to be watchful and open to ways of loving and serving Him through loving and serving others.

In the evening:
We gather around the Advent wreath, light the candle(s), and read the prayers and scripture passages.  We spread the scripture readings over a few evenings each week.

Before I go to bed:
I sit down with the tree lights again, and pray St. Andrew's Novena.  
This is something completely new to me.  I have never prayed a novena before, but I am really hoping that it will help keep my focus where it needs to be during this season.  I have found the following video helpful:

I am linking up with these lovely ladies throughout Advent:

Please visit them to read about how others are keeping this beautiful season.

Happy Saint Nicholas Day!

Loving God, we thank You for

      the example of Saint Nicholas,

      who fed the hungry,

      brought hope to the imprisoned,

      gave comfort to the lost,

      and taught the truth to all.

May we strive to imitate him

      by putting You first in all we do.

Give us the courage, love and strength

      of Saint Nicholas, so that, like him,

      we may serve You through loving

      our brothers and sisters.

Amen. 

—by Amy Welborn

found at the St. Nicholas Center

Advent Playlist

Keeping Advent: Week 1

Advent Prayer to Jesus

You are our eternal salvation,
The unfailing light of the world.
Light everlasting,
You are truly our redemption.
Grieving that the human race was perishing
through the tempter's power,
without leaving the heights
You came to the depths in your loving kindness.
Readily taking our humanity by Your gracious will,
You saved all earthly creatures, long since lost,
Restoring joy to the world.
Redeem our souls and bodies, O Christ,
and so possess us as Your shining dwellings.
By Your first coming, make us righteous;
At your second coming, set us free:
So that, when the world is filled with light
and you judge all things,
We may be clad in spotless robes
and follow in Your steps, O King,
Into the heavenly hall.

~Unknown Author, 10th century

Tonight we lit the first candle on our Advent wreath: the candle of Hope.

Stir up thy power, O Lord, and come,
that by thy protection we may be rescued
from the dangers that beset us through our sins;
and be a Redeemer to deliver us;
Who livest and reignest with God the Father
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
ever one God, world without end.

~Amen

O Emmanuel, Jesus Christ,
desire of every nation, 

Savior of all peoples,
come and dwell among us.

 And I made a "wreath" cake for us to enjoy.

Linking up:

 

Advent Poetry

Today is Christina Rossetti's birthday.  I always want to read Rossetti in December, probably because she was born and died in December (the 29th).  She also wrote two of my favourite poems of the season, which were both set to music to become two beautiful hymns.

In the Bleak Midwinter:



Love Came Down at Christmas:



We also enjoy reading Christmas in the Stable.
This is a collection of poems, each written from the point of view of an animal or about the animals in the stable where the Christ Child lay asleep.


And this year I just may order this one for myself if one of my loved ones graces me with an Amazon gift card:  O Holy Night!: Masterworks of Christmas Poetry

Humility at Advent

Today i sat in church, my non-denominational church, that doesn't do Advent, or sing Advent (or Christmas) songs, except at the Christmas Eve service, whose worship team i don't particularly enjoy, with a new-ish pastor whose preaching isn't particularly my style; i sat there grudgingly, thinking all of these things, and more.

we sang

I'm giving You my heart, all that is within
I lay it all down, for the sake of You my King

I'm giving You my dreams, laying down my rights
I'm giving up my pride, for the promise of new life

And I surrender all to You, all to You
And I surrender all to You, all to You 

(Surrender by Justin McRoberts)

she asked

Do we really mean it?

And He whispered

I want your heart.

Jesus humbled Himself to come to earth and live, work, walk, and die among us

...who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,  but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.  And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 

~Philippians 2:6-8

Mary was humble

Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her...

And Mary said:
      “ My soul magnifies the Lord,
       And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
       For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant;
      For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.

~Luke 1:38, 46-48

Joseph, too

Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS.

~Matthew 1:24-25

The King of kings was wrapped in humble cloth and laid in a humble manger

So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

~Luke 2:6-7

My heart was the Bethlehem Inn, and there was no room for Him, because it was overcrowded with my convention on what His Advent should look like, sound like, feel like, be.  

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom i am the foremost.

~1 Timothy 1:15

Oh, come to my heart, Lord Jesus;

There is room in my heart for Thee!

linking up to

Keeping Advent ~ Week Two

Want to read about how other families are keeping Advent?
Visit the Nativity Carnival over at A Ten O'Clock Scholar. 

Sunday, 4 December:

2nd Sunday in Advent; light the candle of Peace

decorate our Saint Nicholas stockings
http://olivegrove2.blogspot.com/2009/12/our-family-stocking-tradition.html
visit Main Street Bethlehem
special dessert: gingerbread

Monday, 5 December: 
hang our stockings 

Tuesday, 6 December:
celebrate Saint Nicholas Day

Gracious and good Lord, we bless you on this feast of St. Nicholas, your servant, who is an example to us of a life of charity and love. May we see in his life an invitation to imitate his good deeds. Make us always mindful of the needs of others and help us rejoice in the abundance of your goodness around us. Through Jesus our Lord.  ~Amen

have a special breakfast and open our stockings

Wednesday, 7 December:
choose gifts for Emmanuel & Benjamin (the boys we sponsor through a friend's ministry)
http://www.tgdonline.com/newsletters/christmaslist.pdf

Thursday, 8 December:
read one of our Christmas books

Friday, 9 December:
bake cookies for the neighbours

Saturday, 10 December:

take a donation box to the food bank

to see all of my Advent posts click on the banner:

click for my Advent playlist: