Advent Calendar and Wreath

This year, we started a new tradition. We have our own Advent wreath at our kitchen table. I'll be honest, we got off to a rusty start. The candles were late arriving in the mail, so we missed the first Sunday of Advent and had to double up on the second Sunday. And as I was explaining it to Boo and Bit at supper on our first night to use it, our conversation went something like this...

Me: This is our Advent Wreath; Advent is the season of preparation. Do you know what we're preparing for?
Boo: I don't.
Bit: Birthday cake!! Cake!! Cake!! (we've had a few b-days here lately that involved candles...)

Me: Well, what do we celebrate at Christmas. Do you remember?
Boo: Hanukkah?
(He just learned about Hanukkah in school; B-man and I steal a glance at each other)
Me: No, not Hanukkah. Whose birthday are we celebrating at Christmas?
Boo: (thinking...........) JESUS!
Yes!! There it is!
Lol.

Just proves that we need to be doing this advent activities, don't ya think?!

So far we have lit the Candle of Hope and The Candle of Preparation. And as I explained to Boo about our hope in Jesus Christ, he said, "Mom, can you tell us more about Jesus?"
Perfect! Mission accomplished.

So although they were not paying attention as I read the scriptures, and Boo thought Christmas was about Hannukah (he knows better, btw, lol), and Bit kept asking for cake, seeds are being planted and that is why we are starting these traditions with them at an early age. They might not get it all, but they are getting something. And that warms my heart and brings me joy. It really does. I feel joyful after our advent activities. And you know what, they do too.

I saw this evergreen wreath at a little gift shop in town and when I saw it's beauty and simplicity, I thought...this would be perfect for an advent wreath.
Three of the candles are purple. They are traditionally purple because purple is the color of the vestments worn in the church during Advent. There is a single rose colored candle (typically pink, but this reddish pink is what I could find) that is lit on Gaudete Sunday, the third Sunday of Advent. Rose colored vestments are worn that day. And we included a fifth, white candle to be lit on Christmas Day. The white candle, of course, represents our Lord, Jesus Christ.

There's a lot of information about advent wreaths on the internet and there are a lot of variations.
This is just what we've chosen for our family. First Sunday (purple): Hope
Second Sunday (purple): Preparation (I've also seen Peace)
Third Sunday (rose): Joy
Fourth Sunday (purple): Love
Christmas Day (white)

For a while, I had been wanting an Advent Calendar. But, I wanted something specific.
I wanted one that told the story of Jesus' birth.
BeBe and I found this one in Texas right before Bit was born.
Remember that, BeBe?

They love doing it and make sure we don't forget! :)
We start at the begining of the story  and add just a little bit more each night.
And Boo immediately starts playing like he's at the Inn and there are no rooms.

Boo: "Excuse me, we've come to Bethlehem to be counted. Do you have any hotel rooms?
Me (as the inn keeper; Boo calls it housekeeper): Nope, we're all out of rooms. But, if you really need a place, you can stay in the barn.
Boo: Okay, we like animals. Do you have two sheep? My baby sister loves sheep!
Me: Oh yes, we do.
Boo: Do you have TV in the barn?
Me: hahahahahahahahaha!


Seeds people. Seeds.