Liturgical Year - Advent
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More Nativity Peeks
The First Night – BG Hennessy The night of His Birth, retold in very simple words, perfect for a 2 year old and yet also the simplicity of the words creates a sense of awe that draws in even an adult. Gentle Illustrations. 5 Star The Little Drummer Boy – Ezra Jack Keats Illustrated version of the Christmas Carol, each line has its own illustrated page. The music is at the back. Normally I’m not a fan of Keats’ artwork, but I love this book, soft and warm. 4.5 Star Christmas in the Stable – Astrid Lindgren A mother tells a girl the story of the first Christmas, the young…
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Focus on the Nativity
Are you clicking away on your library reservation sites yet, searching for Christmas titles? Here are a few more ideas for you, be sure to check out our bumper list for more titles. The Last Straw – Fredrick K Thury Hoshmakaka, is a proud but old camel, he is chosen to perform a very special task, to carry the wise men’s gifts to the new baby king in Bethlehem. On the way Hoshmakaka is given other gifts to take to the new king, the burden is nearly too great for the old camel. Absolutely, hilarious and a firm family favourite. 5 Star Bright Christmas: An Angel Remembers – Andrew Clements An…
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Winner of Destination Bethlehem Give Away
Today is the big day, the day you have been waiting for all week, who shall be the winner of our first give away, Destination Bethlehem? Thank you to all who entered into our first give away, it was exciting to see the entrants, alas only one could be selected. Bright and early this morning we wrote out the slips and asked the cutest family member to draw out the prize winner.. And the winner is…….Deanne!! Deanne your book will be on its way to you today:)
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Family Christmas Favourites
With the beginning of Advent only days away I thought I’d treat you to a peek on our shelves. Despite having shared some Christmas book reviews previously, I have only shared our town library, Tomie de Paola and St Nicholas books. *More to come. Jacob’s Gift – Max Lucado Jacob a young carpenter’s apprentice is keen to build the best project to win the contest. HIs teacher, Rabbi Simeon also impresses upon Jacob that when you give a gift to others you give a gift to God, he challenges Jacob as to why God has given him the gift of woodworking skills? Jacob plans hard and begins his project, working long into the night,…
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My First Giveaway! – Destination Bethlehem
Imagine my surprise and delight when I was approached by the authors of Destination Bethlehem with an invitation to write a review and an opportunity to host my first book giveaway! Of course being an inveterate lover of books I agreed, though I was worried as to whether I would do justice to a review or not, simply, an honest book review is rather subjective and I know I can be a tough critic. Receiving the book I dove straight in and am delighted to now share my thoughts and impressions. Destination Bethlehem is set in ancient Palestine, opening just prior to the birth of Christ. Through the ‘eyes’ of young Isaac and Jediah during their travels we…
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Christmas Guest Post Series
……Christmas in Australia falls in the height of Summer, some Christmases our temperatures can soar as high as 44 Celsius/111 Fahrenheit. In our town which is not far from the beach, the majority of the residents move for the six weeks of the school holidays to the beach and spend their Christmas morning in a tent or beach shack……… I am guest posting today over at Conservamom’s, part of a Christmas guest post series, come on over.
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Celebrating the Feast of St Nicholas
There was much excitement Tuesday morning when the children awoke to find their St Nicholas gifts. Gifts consisting of chocolate coins, candy cane and a book to help them grow in their Faith. This year we were extra excited as we were to host our first St Nicholas Day party. The party began with the arrival of St Nick himself, heralded by the ringing of his bell. The children were rather taken with St Nick and happily listened as he regaled them with the story of his life. Visiting directly from Russia. Much to the children’s delight he distributed candy cane and chocolate coins. Coins that looked rather…
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St Barbara’s Tower
For several years now we have enjoyed observing the Feast of St Barbara with a chocolate tower and red and white lollies. A custom from the Italian village of Zolli in the Avelino Province of Italy. St Barbara was imprisoned in a tower and the lollies remind us of her purity and martyrdom. This year Carpenter and Michelangelo took over the design and construction and erected a different style to previous years. Our children eagerly anticipate this Feast each Advent. Then who could resist a chocolate piñata?:) An opportunity to eat plenty of chocolate and lollies:) (Ah, yes, I fudged this year and bought only red lollies.)
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O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Today heralds the beginning of a new Church Year, ushered in by the First Sunday of Advent. Advent is a time of Expectation, a time to Prepare for the Birth of Christ. As with any major event, a little bit of organisation aids tremendously in success. Inspired by Gae’s Advent/Christmas Bumper Ideas Edition and Jenn’s Prepare Now posts, (posts which I often refer too) I thought to collate our previous plans and celebrations into a semblance of order, as we begin Advent. Open Letter: Creating Advent Traditions 2009 Advent/Christmas Book Lists: Aussie Christmas Titles Books for St Nicholas Christmas with Golden Books & Joan Gale Thomas Christmas Library Selection Christmas Selections From Our Town Library…
