The Start of Something New

I love December, and all the fun that comes with preparing for Christmas! As a child my mom always made the month really special. She decorated the house up in unbelievable Christmas spirit. Our Christmas tree was always huge, and always sat in front of the picture window that overlooked the valley behind the orchard. Christmas music filled the house from December 1st until January 1st. The month was full of surprises with our advent calendars and St. Nicholas day (December 5th - European tradition to put shoes by the door and St. Nick would fill them with special little treats - Fruit, nuts, little toy, some candy or such). The house was always full of invited guests to share meals, and exchange gifts. Such a wonderful time of year!
I am trying to mimic that in our home. We decorate our tree with lights and ornaments, string up lights on the house, play Christmas music throughout the day, burn yummy smelling candles, and put shoes out on St. Nicks day. This year, thanks to the suggestion of Elissa last year, we also have our very own elf (Noll Oliver Elf) who "watches" the kids throughout the day and reports back to Santa about their behavior! (Just in time, because the Halloween candy is all run out...I need these little 'behavior altering' techniques...) I love all of that!
But, I also want the kids to remember a time of hospitality in our home. A time of focusing on others, meditating (do kids really meditate? Maybe I should say reflect....) on the story of Christs' birth, and enjoying the build-up of Christmas.
Every year I have searched out an advent-type activity that I can do with the kids. There is something really special about a daily countdown to Christmas. My sister in law made an amazing advent calendar and I loved the idea! (She is pretty crafty, and a great mom!)
So, this year, we started our Advent Jesse Tree. This is a tree that is decorated each day, usually by the children, with ornaments or objects that represent Old Testament events from Creation to the Birth of Jesus. The ornaments are traditionally handmade, and are added one each day of Advent, with explanations of the symbols and a brief verse of Scripture from the story represented. Some traditions have it as a 29 day process, some as a 25. Some traditions decorate a regular Christmas tree, some decorate a leafless tree. There is a bunch of variance, which allows a family to make their own unique tradition.
I made our ornaments out of Fimo clay, and they will be hung on a leafless manzanita branch. We will do the reading and decorating at dinner, since that is usually the meal that we have the most time to sit and talk. The kids are excited to hang the ornaments, and we are excited to go through some of the events in the bible and family lineage that lead up to Christ's birth. I love the purpose behind the daily activity! Rich and I have started many yearly traditions, but I think this one might turn out to be one of my favorites.

Noll Oliver spying on the kids. Brynn is amazed, Cannon keeps throwing things at him trying to knock him down....

Our Jesse Tree Ornaments. All baked and ready to go!

Our Jesse Tree. Naked now, but soon to be filled.