In the photo above, if you look closely behind the wooden nativity scene, you can see a new addition to our Christmas traditions this year (click on the picture for a larger view). This beautiful advent wreath is made of iron and alabaster and is crafted by local artisans. Each night, when we sit down by the tree to talk about the Christmas story, we light the candle or candles, depending on which week it is. I know that traditionally you just light advent candles on the Sundays leading up to Christmas, but we've decided to make it an every night thing. The kids gets so excited on Sundays when we get to add a new candle.
This isn't really a tradition, but I did want you to see the cute little tree we set up in the kids' room. They loved decorating it themselves, and they love seeing it lit up.
And this isn't a tradition, either, but since most of you can't drop by to visit us this season, I wanted you to see our decorations. These pretty glass ornaments, also locally made, are hanging by our front door, where the name letters had been previously hanging.
And, last but not least, our oldest family Christmas tradition, dating back three whole years—the Christmas Countdown Chain! We make the paper chain together, and then every night someone gets to tear off one link. When the chain runs out, it will be Christmas!
So that's a little taste of Christmas at our house. It is such a joy to get to share this amazing story with our kids. This year Lee Anna is working on memorizing part of the Christmas story, and she has been able to retell big chunks of the story to us in our family times each night. Sawyer is beginning to understand who the characters are, and will quickly point out the shepherds or the angels or the kings to us. Their little minds are soaking it all in, and I love it!
I hope you're enjoying the Christmas season, whatever age you are and whatever continent you may be on!
Merry Christmas praying for you guys often... Troy and Sherryll
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