Things of Advent

I should really be asleep right now. But I'm so wired because I've been cleaning and because Craig is coming home in a few hours. So I thought I would share some of my finds at the local Catholic bookstore today.

Have I mentioned that I love Advent?! Growing up my family didn't have many traditions. We might have done the Advent wreath every once in a while. But mostly it was about getting the tree and lights up after Thanksgiving ... and not always in the most festive or cheerful moods. Enough said about that.

So I really try to use Advent as a time to prepare my heart, as opposed to just seeing Advent as a waiting time until Christmas. The church, in its wisdom, makes Advent its own season and the beginning of the Liturgical year. So this Sunday we get to start the new liturgical year. And just like people make resolutions for the New Year, I like to think of Advent as a time to start all over and try again.

Besides confession and extra prayers around the Advent Wreath, we have lots of little traditions. However, its taken me years to acquire some items to celebrate Advent. For example, every year we decorate our Advent tree in pink and purple. The first time we did this I was only able to find purple ribbon. The next year I found purple and pink bows to tie on the tree. The next year (after reading Tomie DePaola's The Legend of the Poinsettia, I added pink poinsettias to our tree. Last year I ventured out and bought pink and purple glass ornaments and a pink skirt for the bottom. I think only a few were broken. This year I don't think I need to add anything.

So, this year I bought a bigger manger with a Christ child. It is just beautiful! The kids couldn't believe how big the manger was. They're going to have to do more acts of kindness than last year if Baby Jesus is to have a soft bed!!! I also got a different Advent Wreath. We've not had too much luck with evergreens (that are forever being stolen and played with). This was a simple one with a place in the middle for a small manger and a removable Baby Jesus. It also has a spot for the white Christmas candle!! COOL!




I picked up gifts for the kids' stockings for the feast day of St. Nicholas. I also managed to sneak a present for Craig. Since its safe to assume he doesn't read my blog I got him a DVD of Fulton Sheen. He loves him. In case he does read this (which I highly doubt since he doesn't like novels) I won't mention which series I got him.

In all my shopping I forgot to get something for me. But that's okay. I like to give gifts and shop for others. I'm just happy the kids were so well behaved in the small store with sooo many things to touch. And that they didn't see what I was up to. Now I must get to bed!!