Liturgical Year - Advent
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Advent Roundup
This Sunday we begin Advent, I’m longing for the commencement of Advent this year. Â Looking forward to that feeling of Expectation as we travel towards Celebrating the Birthday of the Christ Child. Collating our various Advent posts into an Advent Roundup for your perusal. Reflections:Â Journeying along with Our Blessed Mother Advent Reflections Whilst Awaiting the Birth of Our Babe 2013 Open Letter:Â Letter to a young mum assuring her “you don’t have to do it all” Creating Advent Traditions 2009 Advent/Christmas Book Lists:Â Lots and lots of book suggestions Jesse Tree in Picture Books Aussie Christmas Titles Books for St Nicholas Christmas with Golden Books & Joan Gale Thomas…
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Jesse Tree in Picture Books
With Advent fast approaching my thoughts are turning toward preparations and celebrations.  It’s been several years since we’ve celebrated with a Jesse Tree, but after reading Ellie’s Jesse Tree in Picture Books I’ve felt re-inspired. Can’t promise we’ll manage making and hanging symbols but readings I can easily manage. Pulling our books off the shelves I realised we have a serious lack of Bible picture books, a situation which I immediately addressed by purchasing a couple of new books for St Nicholas presents;) (included in this list). By no means is this a ‘definitive’ list, Sara’s list and Ellie’s retain that honour, as I know Jenn’s will too (list coming). This list is really…
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Advent Reflections Whilst Awaiting the Birth of Our Babe
On the weekend we began preparations for our new babe, the baby is due in only three weeks so it was indeed time. We’ve set up the cradle, nappies are on the line and neutral clothing is piling up in the laundry. (We’ll wash either boy’s or girl’s clothing after the birth.) I have been struggling in deciding which to prepare for first, the baby’s birth or Advent/Christmas and consequently had begun no preparations towards either. Upon reflection I realised that expecting a baby at Christmas (due on the 18th) provided me with a wonderful opportunity to fully embrace the Birth of Our Lord. I too am travelling on a…
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Post Revisit: Creating Advent Traditions
As we begin the countdown to the First Sunday in Advent I thought I’d direct you to an old favourite written four years ago. A letter inspired by my little sister who at the time was celebrating her first Christmas with her firstborn. Talking old Advent posts I’ve organised all of our Advent posts into an updated mega post; books, planning and celebrations, click on the Advent Wreath on the sidebar to see. Dear New Mum, Advent is a beautiful time, a time of reflection and expectation as we await the celebration of His birth. I know that you are eager to share in this celebration with your child, and…
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Christmas Library Collection
This week we borrowed a new pile of books from our local library, some were old favourites which we borrow each year and others were new titles for us. The Donkey’s Christmas Song – Nancy Tafuri A baby was born in a stable and each of the animals welcomed Him. Simple text, crisp pictures, perfect for a 1 year old up. 5 Star Stable in Bethlehem – Joy N Hulme The Nativity in counting rhyme, 12 drowsy doves are cooing, 11 cows are mooing. Simple text suitable for little ones, sweet, soft pictures. 4.5 Star Silent Night, Holy Night – Joseph Mohr The well known Christmas carol illustrated. Soft, sweet pictures. 3 Star A…
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The Feast of St Nicholas 2012
Last week we celebrated the Feast of St Nicholas (Dec 6th), a feast we eagerly anticipate each year. The children arose in the morning to find their gifts of candy canes, chocolate coins and a book in their sacks. Friends soon arrived to share in our second annual St Nicholas party. The children enjoyed giving Santa a makeover, decorating St Nicholas cupcakes and gingerbread cookies, making St Nicholas spoon saints, and find a word and colouring. We were honoured by the presence of grandparents this year and our god-daughter and her mum:) After lunch we saw the introduction of a new entertainment and now a firm favourite, a St Nicholas…
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Celebrating the Feast of St Barbara
The celebration of traditions are immensely appealing to children and adults alike, the rhythm of Advent is always greatly anticipated. Following the first Sunday of Advent our family is eager to enjoy the Feast of St Barbara.(December 4th) Our St Barbara’s tower was introduced by a friend whose family came from a little Italian village, Zolli in the Avelino Province. Each year we create a tower to reminding us of St Barbara’s imprisonment, the red and white lollies remind us of her purity and martyrdom. Over the years the children have been eager to create different designs in a determined effort to create a tower which will be impossible to crack. This year’s tower was tough…
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Aussie Christmas Titles
Our Aussie Christmas collection is quite small, however I’m developing a latent fondness for Australian Christmas books. The Australian humour depicted in many books could perhaps be seen as rather irreverent by some. *Some of my higher stars, may not rate the same for non-Aussies, the humour is often cultural. Aussie Jingle Bells – Colin Buchanan “Dashing through the bus, in a rusty Holden ute, Kicking up the dust, esky in the boot.” Written to the tune of Jingle Bells, a pretty accurate depiction of many an Aussie Christmas day across the nation. Illustrations rather humorous. 4 Star *Not certain the *Aussie-ness* would be to all readers taste Gemma’s Christmas Eve – Colin Thiele(OOP)…
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Christmas with Golden Books & Joan Gale Thomas
Reading Golden books is always a walk down memory lane:) and the black and white illustrations and simple rhyme of Joan Gale Thomas is so appealing. Sharing a few more Christmas titles. The Story of Christmas with its own Advent Calendar – Kathryn Jackson A short snippet of the Christmas story for each day of Advent, although we were gifted the book without the calendar it easily blends with any basic Advent calendar. I particularly love how tender Joseph is with Mary. 5 Star The Christmas Story – Jane Werner Watson This will be familiar to many from our own childhoods. Perfect for young children to listen to the Christmas story, short…
