The Advent calendars are out and I’m looking forward to opening door number two, three times tonight.
We get a little bit of a story, maybe an activity and another part of Christmas story to form the picture. The Nativity Scene.
It’ll be a time of stillness and quiet as they deftly open the tiny doors and pull out the fragile box. There’s anticipation as we wonder if, if there’s anything inside and what activity we will do.
Originally we had something in everyone of the boxes but that was too overwhelming for me and us. Stillness, anticipation and waiting are all part of Advent. This time we’re embracing it.
With moving and dropping an advent calendar or two, the little post it notes have disappeared in some of the boxes. The plan was to update and add but who wants to do that in January? The calendar was put away in January. Next time I remember this is just as I pull out the calendar in time for Advent.So that was last week during Thanksgiving….
It used to bother me but now I’m at peace.
What we need in December
We need pauses during Advent.
We need pauses during December. It’s not like we don’t have many things we are doing already.
The Advent calendar is something that we primarily do together, just the boys and I. There are certain Christmas traditions we do together because I’m usually here.
As I walked past the Advent Calendars all lined up on the stairs today I wondered how many of these traditions they would remember. You see when I look back on memories from childhood it’s not the regular everyday traditions that I remember the quickest. I remember the time I spent with far away relatives, gifts a person shared once, an event with my dad. These are mainly one off events and actions.
Where are the many reflections I should have of the people who were there day in day out. The Nativity plays and the Advent activities.
It made me pause on the stairs for a moment.
While we’re opening the doors and easing out the boxes- soak in the joy, excitement of these advent traditions. Feel the warmth of our children as they delight in the activity or action of the day. Let go of feeling bad when the door is just a door. It wasn’t it was a pause and a moment of connection.
Not all of the children will recall these precious times with you. That’s okay! Really that’s okay.
In years to come they’ll recall the trip to the Christmas Market or seeing Rudolph for the first time with someone who arrived one time…… that’s okay…
Advent activities aren’t just for the children preparation,It’s preparing us too a treasure of memories for us to dine on.
Welcome stillness, pause and wonder into your homes.
What will your advent memories be of this period?
