Celebrating Advent

Today is the second Sunday of Advent and we are finally organised. Our celebrations have evolved over years and it is only with careful planning that I manage to achieve anything, even then we sometimes start late:)

The Advent Calendars are up; the one on the left has doors to open daily, with Scripture passage and picture behind.  We have been using this for years now.
The hessian pockets we introduced last year, I insert felt figures into each pocket, then the children take in turns to place that day’s figure on the felt sheet.  By Christmas Day the nativity scene will be in place.  

All nativity sets are displayed.  I have a weakness for Nativity Sets and buy them at the ‘dollar shops’ at ‘after Christmas sales.’ Each child has his/her own.  My dream is to afford a wooden set that the children can play with.

The Manger Scene, found last year,  is ready, complete with Manger made by my son, awaiting straw for good deeds done.

Our tree is arrayed in its Advent colours, Christmas Eve we will adorn in its full splendour.

Our bare advent wreath; one of my most treasured possessions made by my husband of 2 weeks for our First Christmas.  Money was short but with a roll of bull wire he lovingly twisted and crafted this for our home.  Each circle holds a candle, I have padded out with newspaper, but single wire continues around between holders.

This year the greenery was gathered and arranged by our younger girls, Princess and Jelly Bean.

We are reading our way through our Advent/Christmas books, the children love to re-visit with these old and new friends yearly.

Last night we celebrated the Feast of Saint Barbara, and we are looking forward with excitement to the Feast of Saint Nicholas tomorrow.