Like most people, I love Christmas.....so much hope, joy, and promise. But what I really love is the waiting and anticipation of Christmas. The word "advent" means coming, and there are so many teachable moments as we wait to celebrate the birth of Christ.
Every year we add something to our advent traditions. This is our 5th year to do the Jesse Advent tree, which traces the heritage of Christ by adding a symbol to the tree each day leading up to the birth of Christ. So far we have walked through creation, the first sin, Noah's ark, Abram's call, Isaac, Jacob's ladder, Joseph's coat, the Ten Commandments, the Promised Land, Ruth and Boaz, King David, Josiah, and the Stump of Jesse. It is so exciting to see how the stories and prophecies in the Old Testament lead to the baby Jesus being born in Bethlehem.
This year we added an advent candle wreath as the centerpiece on our table. It is a simple wreath with four candles around the circle. Then, in the middle is a big white candle. We light one candle a week on Sunday to remind us of the coming of Christ. The circle of the wreath reminds us that God's love is everlasting. The evergreen wreath symbolize the ongoing life and joy that the birth of Christ brings to the world. The lighting of the candles helps us to remember that Jesus said "I am the light of the world." John 8:12 On Christmas day we will light the big candle in the middle and sing happy birthday to our Savior!
Joy to the World!
The Lord is come.
Let Earth receive her King.
Let every heart prepare Him room....
And heaven and nature sing.
We are making room in our hearts for the baby Jesus this season.
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