Advent Week 1

Our first week of Advent, pointing our heart and mind toward the birth and sacrifice of Jesus, was wonderful, meaningful, and excites me for the rest of the Christmas season! We are continuing with the Advent candle tradition, something we first started last year, and are reading from The Advent Book each evening.  I hope the prophesies leading up to and the story of the birth of Jesus are very familiar to our children and at the forefront of their holiday memories.

This year I made an Advent countdown calendar with small favor boxes, each containing a Christmas themed activity and a clue for the daily Truth in the Tinsel ornament. I even threw a small prize in a few of the boxes, something as simple as a new stamp or sticker.  Oh the little joys!

I love that we don't have to celebrate Advent, but that we get to! We get to spend more than just Christmas day thinking about our Savior. We spend weeks celebrating, focusing, learning, and giving. 

I'm trying to snap a shot every day. Here is our first week! 

Day 1

Countdown Activity: Tea Party at the Chalet

Truth in the Tinsel Ornament: Candle- Jesus is Light

"Pinkies" up at the tea party... like Fancy Nancy.

Day 2

Countdown Activity: Pick out a Christmas tree and decorate the house for Christmas

Truth in the Tinsel Ornament: Crown- Jesus is King

Day 3

Countdown Activity: Decorate the Christmas Tree

Truth in the Tinsel Ornament: Zachariah- We must believe what God says!

Day 4

Countdown Activity: Make pine cone ornaments to share with Granny and her friends at the nursing home

Truth in the Tinsel Ornament: Angel- Mary believed the angel. He was a messenger from God.

Day 5

Countdown Activity: Learn and sing Christmas carols

Truth in the Tinsel Ornament: Mary- She believed that what God said would happen really would!

Day 6

Countdown Activity: Celebrate St. Nicholas Day! Veggie Tales St. Nicholas Movie and "secret" giving with Samaritan's Purse catalog 

Truth in the Tinsel Ornament: Elizabeth and Mary- both were pregnant with special sons

Grace Louise chose "medicine" to secretly give to somone in need.  She even signed the check! (duplicate copy :-)

 Day 7

Countdown Activity: Make a Christmas card for a soldier

Truth in the Tinsel Ornament: Decorated CD- Mary sang a beautiful song to the Lord!