Taking a break from my Advent/Christmas blogging break to post this. :)
November 2010-January 2011
Tried and True Advent Traditions:
Advent Wreath- prayers and lighting. Advent would not be complete without it.
Jesse Tree- I am amazed how much more "sinks in" each year. This year we expanded our readings using the bible. In past years, when the boys were younger, we read a short explanation from a book or a leaflet that we had with explanations of each ornament. This year, the longer readings were not a problem. We also have many more ornaments than this tree from a few years ago.
Nativity Countdown Calendar- always a favorite. The boys add a piece of the nativity each day leading up to Christmas.
New to 2010:
O Antiphons- We made our start using posts at Waltzing Matilda and O Night Divine. I also looked up the word "Antiphon" because I had no idea what it meant! We never did make any ornaments (I did print them) and we just did a few of the suggestions from Waltzing Matilda. We did read the antiphons each night and sang (or read) "O Come, O Come Emmanuel". I am looking forward to building on this.
Candy Kiss Countdown- Nothing particular to do with our faith except that it makes the anticipation of advent tangible. Watching the string shorten builds the excitement leading to Christmas day. Plus, giving each child a "kiss" or a "hug" is a nice way to begin the day. ;)
Reading:
Bartholomew's Passage- We enjoyed journeying with Bartholomew this advent. Even dad got in to this and was quite upset if he missed hearing the story at night (the boys would tell him all about it!).
In the past, we have read Jotham's Journey (part of the same series) and Destination Bethlehem (a different, yet equally enjoyable story by Catholic authors).
Each book has a short chapter to read each night of advent journeying toward the birth of our Savior.
Just for Fun:
Mad Libs! These are just plain silly fun and a nice way to sit around and spend time together as a family. I particularly appreciate, having adult children and younger children, that this type of activity can involve all. This Christmas Mad Lib book was an impulse buy on my part, but it has turned out to be a lot of fun. And, I can tell that the parts of speech are really sticking in my boys' heads- Christmas fun and learning too!
New Additions for the Christmas Season:
The 12 Days of Christmas!
We are working on extending our celebration over the 12 days of Christmas. After a full advent season of anticipation, it seems like everything comes to a screeching halt right on the 25th. All that build up and then thud.
Gift Giving:
I sorted through my boys gifts and pulled out some to give during the 12 days of Christmas. I had a few gifts- like card games and audio books that were well suited for this.
The boys will not each get a gift each day, but they receive one gift that all three of them share. They were short a bit on their stockings, but I think, in the end, they are happy with this plan.
In addition to the gift extension, a dear friend gave me this list of things her family is doing during this season:
The 25th - Mass and big Christmas Day dinner with family
The 26th- Feast of the Holy Family (our patron saints) - prayer of consecration to the Holy Family. I thought I would spend time going through our family history in the faith.
The 27th- On St. John's Day - the blessing of Red Wine or Wine we will use (sips) during special occasions throughout the year. If I have energy, make Beef Burgundy for the family. It was a custom in both our families when we were young that on special occasions the kids had a sip of wine (eyebrows raised when we came to those occasions). The wine was not blessed then, but today we can have it blessed and when we sip it orient ourselves to Heaven and say: "I drink to you in the love of Saint John"
On the 28th- On the Feast of the Holy Innocents - Dress the children fancy, my husband and I pray the Blessing of the Children
On Dec. 29 to 31- family outing - we will squeeze in the feast of St. Stephen one day in here: the girls paint the boxes which will serve as their piggy bank for the next year - streak it with red or place a red bow on it for St. Stephen. Following the example of charity of St. Stephen, the girls will use the box for collecting/saving for charity for next Advent/Christmas season.
January 1 - Mary Mother of God - Renew our consecration to Mary, decorate Mary candle to be used on all Marian Feast Days for the year.
January 2 - Epiphany - blessing of the home, crib enthroned, magi arrive, rosca de reyes (King's Cake) (Epiphany Sunday falls on January 8 in 2011)
January 3 - Most Holy Name of Jesus - say the Litany of the Holy Name of Jesus/practice bowing heads at the name of Jesus throughout the day.
January 4 - St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and the blessing of our homeschool (begin ramping up on lessons)
January 6- breath
January 7 - first Friday (January 6 in 2011)
January 9- Baptism of Jesus -light our baptism candles, deliver gifts to Godparents
Great list!
November 2010-January 2011
Tried and True Advent Traditions:
Advent Wreath- prayers and lighting. Advent would not be complete without it.
Jesse Tree- I am amazed how much more "sinks in" each year. This year we expanded our readings using the bible. In past years, when the boys were younger, we read a short explanation from a book or a leaflet that we had with explanations of each ornament. This year, the longer readings were not a problem. We also have many more ornaments than this tree from a few years ago.
Nativity Countdown Calendar- always a favorite. The boys add a piece of the nativity each day leading up to Christmas.
O Antiphons- We made our start using posts at Waltzing Matilda and O Night Divine. I also looked up the word "Antiphon" because I had no idea what it meant! We never did make any ornaments (I did print them) and we just did a few of the suggestions from Waltzing Matilda. We did read the antiphons each night and sang (or read) "O Come, O Come Emmanuel". I am looking forward to building on this.
Candy Kiss Countdown- Nothing particular to do with our faith except that it makes the anticipation of advent tangible. Watching the string shorten builds the excitement leading to Christmas day. Plus, giving each child a "kiss" or a "hug" is a nice way to begin the day. ;)
Reading:
Bartholomew's Passage- We enjoyed journeying with Bartholomew this advent. Even dad got in to this and was quite upset if he missed hearing the story at night (the boys would tell him all about it!).
In the past, we have read Jotham's Journey (part of the same series) and Destination Bethlehem (a different, yet equally enjoyable story by Catholic authors).
Each book has a short chapter to read each night of advent journeying toward the birth of our Savior.
Mad Libs! These are just plain silly fun and a nice way to sit around and spend time together as a family. I particularly appreciate, having adult children and younger children, that this type of activity can involve all. This Christmas Mad Lib book was an impulse buy on my part, but it has turned out to be a lot of fun. And, I can tell that the parts of speech are really sticking in my boys' heads- Christmas fun and learning too!
New Additions for the Christmas Season:
The 12 Days of Christmas!
We are working on extending our celebration over the 12 days of Christmas. After a full advent season of anticipation, it seems like everything comes to a screeching halt right on the 25th. All that build up and then thud.
Gift Giving:
I sorted through my boys gifts and pulled out some to give during the 12 days of Christmas. I had a few gifts- like card games and audio books that were well suited for this.
The boys will not each get a gift each day, but they receive one gift that all three of them share. They were short a bit on their stockings, but I think, in the end, they are happy with this plan.
In addition to the gift extension, a dear friend gave me this list of things her family is doing during this season:
The 25th - Mass and big Christmas Day dinner with family
The 26th- Feast of the Holy Family (our patron saints) - prayer of consecration to the Holy Family. I thought I would spend time going through our family history in the faith.
The 27th- On St. John's Day - the blessing of Red Wine or Wine we will use (sips) during special occasions throughout the year. If I have energy, make Beef Burgundy for the family. It was a custom in both our families when we were young that on special occasions the kids had a sip of wine (eyebrows raised when we came to those occasions). The wine was not blessed then, but today we can have it blessed and when we sip it orient ourselves to Heaven and say: "I drink to you in the love of Saint John"
On the 28th- On the Feast of the Holy Innocents - Dress the children fancy, my husband and I pray the Blessing of the Children
On Dec. 29 to 31- family outing - we will squeeze in the feast of St. Stephen one day in here: the girls paint the boxes which will serve as their piggy bank for the next year - streak it with red or place a red bow on it for St. Stephen. Following the example of charity of St. Stephen, the girls will use the box for collecting/saving for charity for next Advent/Christmas season.
January 1 - Mary Mother of God - Renew our consecration to Mary, decorate Mary candle to be used on all Marian Feast Days for the year.
January 2 - Epiphany - blessing of the home, crib enthroned, magi arrive, rosca de reyes (King's Cake) (Epiphany Sunday falls on January 8 in 2011)
January 3 - Most Holy Name of Jesus - say the Litany of the Holy Name of Jesus/practice bowing heads at the name of Jesus throughout the day.
January 4 - St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and the blessing of our homeschool (begin ramping up on lessons)
January 6- breath
January 7 - first Friday (January 6 in 2011)
January 9- Baptism of Jesus -light our baptism candles, deliver gifts to Godparents
Great list!
