Advent Calendars

Probably our most favorite Christmas tradition is the lighting of the Advent wreath.






Every evening after dinner, Steve lights the candles and reads a short scripture, then we pray and sing a song.  The kids all play their drums/shakers/jingle bells, and wow do we make a joyful noise!

I meant to do a post about making your own live evergreen wreath, but didn't get the time! 

We also do an Advent calendar every morning, which the kids also love.  I realize that we are already almost halfway through the Advent season, but I wanted to share about the neatest Advent calendar project that I've been involved in!  (Many of you may already have heard me talking about it.)

A friend of mine called the other week and asked if I would be willing to help with a "project to help some ladies in India".   It turned out to be one of the highlights of this Christmas for me!   A group of other ladies and I got together to make these huge calendars.  In each of the little pockets went handmade "nations dolls" dressed like some of the most unreached people groups in the world.  Each morning you take out the doll for the day (and any other goodies stuffed in there!), read about the people group, pray for them, and hang the doll on the tree.

What a great way to remind us why Christ came so long ago - to reach out to those "who were far away".

These calendars were then sold and all of the money given to buy sewing machines for some girls in India, giving them a way to earn an income and support their families.  If you are interested in learning more about this project, or seeing some pictures are these amazing dolls and calendars, check out this link.   (I believe there will be a chance to purchase one of your own again next year, made by the Indian ladies themselves.)

 

Merry Christmas!