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Advent has descended on our home, bringing with it waves of joy, baking, reflection, fellowship, crafting, singing, and celebrating. I’d wanted something of a slow Christmas, which hasn’t quite materialized to date. What has happened is a full season, one awash in so much goodness that really, I’m not missing the quieter pace. Not yet. The flurry of making and friends and events has been welcome. I am, however, looking forward to the next three weeks, and their promise of relative still. No co-op for us. A break from music lessons. No teaching for Christopher or Mary Hannah. Mathaus at home. I’m giddy just thinking about it.
This year, our Advent readings have been in the mornings, over breakfast. Turns out this is a sweet way to start our day, sowing little seeds in our hearts that grow over the course of the day. I’ve literally been stopped in my tracks multiple times already this month as the Lord has brought me face to face with something He had whispered to me as I sat listening to my husband speak to us over our little wreath. There’s been a richness that I’ve cherished this season; something new and yet welcome to the rhythm of our celebration.
(Incidentally, if you’re just now deciding that you’d like a guide to help structure your Advent studies this year, it’s not too late to pick up Experiencing Advent! The days don’t build upon one another, allowing for maximum flexibility… and late starts!)
Of course, there’s been lots and lots of making happening already. From gifts (sorry, can’t reveal those yet!) to crafts (we dried orange slices for the first time, and tried our hands at Danish Christmas Hearts to decorate an upcoming book club party at the farm) to baked goods (pardon me while I shove more Amish Friendship Bread in my face), we’re knee-deep in so much doing. It’s messy. But it’s good messy.
Something a little different I’ve done this year is add a trove of picture books to our annual holiday-themed read-alouds. We’ve done plenty of longer tales— Winterfrost, TumTum and Nutmeg’s Christmas Adventure (only available as part of this collection now), Nancy and the Plum, and, of course, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever have topped this year’s list thus far. But we’ve also discovered some new-to-us, beautiful picture books that have captivated everyone from Phineas on down.. and me, too. Favorites old and new to date:
I’m savoring this December. I hope you are, too. How are you finding ways to rest in joy and engage in the spirit of Advent?