New Year Wishes
"And now let us welcome the New Year,
Full of things that have never been."
~Rainer Maria Rilke
Wishing you and your family a very bright and happy New Year!!! I will talk to you all in 2007!!
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Friday, December 29, 2006
Looking back on 2006
Dawn from 4:53 a.m. has a fun way of looking back on 2006. Post the first sentence of your first blog post of each month.
Here are mine, along with the first picture I ever posted.
Morning Glories
Originally uploaded by Kelli.
January
I grew morning glories from seed this past summer and they climbed very quickly up my fence.
February
As you can see from the birthday photos Grace had a great day!
March
The March wind roars, like a lion in the sky, and makes us shiver, as he passes by.
April
We started our living Easter baskets today.
May
May is here.
June
What are some of your favorite things about June?
July
It is my youngest brother's birthday today!
August
The layout and general clutter of our schoolroom finally got on my last nerve.
September
I grew up out in the country.
October
It is 1:30pm on this Sunday afternoon and I am still trying to process all of my thoughts regarding these past two days.
November
We had lots of fun last night and got a ton of candy.
December
I have always loved Advent Calendars.
Thank you, Dawn for the fun idea!
Lazy Vacation Days
We have been enjoying these quiet days after Christmas. Sleeping in late, watching movies, playing with new toys, eating fudge for breakfast...I mean wholesome bowls of oatmeal. ;0) 
I managed to clean the kitchen yesterday and even do a little laundry.
Today, I'm hoping to get the other rooms cleaned and vacuumed, along with doing the rest of the laundry. It is nice to start the New Year with clean clothes to wear!
Grace got Monopoly for Christmas and I have had lots of fun teaching her how to play. I have great memories of playing Monopoly with my cousins. Our games would last for *days!*
Monopoly is one of those games you either love or *really* don't like! I heard a few interesting conversations while shopping for games this month. "Don't even think about buying Monopoly. That is the worst game ever!" How do you feel about Monopoly?
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Cherry Pound Cake
As requested, here is the Cherry Pound Cake recipe. We didn't eat it all on Christmas, so I sliced the cake and froze the slices in a single layer on a cookie sheet, then transfered them all to a freezer container.
Cherry Pound Cake
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
1 1/2 cups white sugar
4 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 cup maraschino cherries, drained and halved
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease and flour an 8 inch tube pan (I used a bundt pan). Mix together the flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, cream cheese, and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla and almond extract. Beat in the flour mixture, mixing just until incorporated. Dredge cherries in 1/4 cup flour, then fold into batter. Spread into prepared pan.
3. Bake in the preheated oven for 80 minutes (this will vary), or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely. Dust with powdered sugar when cool, if desired.
Recipe found at Allrecipes.com
Enjoy!
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Our Christmas Day
Christmas Day began around 8:00a.m. when Grace and Emily woke up. Benjamin woke up 15 minutes later and we read the rest of our Advent story, followed by the Christmas story from Luke 2.
We lit all 5 candles on our Advent wreath.
While stockings were being opened, I made a pot of coffee. :0)
Emily loves these velvet coloring pages.
This photo cracks me up. I always put an orange in the toe of each stocking, but Benjamin seems confused by it this year!
After the stockings were opened, we made our way into the office to open presents. We all took turns opening gifts and there were lots of oohs and ahhs and thank yous!
Grace loves her Horse Ink Stamp Set. She also recieved a new wallet, Monopoly, American Girl books, and a new stuffed puppy.
Benjamin was very excited about his new bathrobe, knights and horses toy set, Tinkertoys and Legos.
Emily has had her eye on this Angelina Ballerina doll all year and was thrilled to get it! She also got some new books, clothes, and a Polly Pocket Car Set.
Phillip and I set a budget of $50.00 for each other. As you can see by this new laptop he went way over!!
It took most of Christmas morning for my shock and surprise to wear off and then he was in big trouble! ;0) My brother-in-law pointed out that this should be my Christmas present for the next 40 years! I agree!
We had a very relaxing morning together. I had done most of the food prep the Saturday before Christmas. I put the already cooked ham into the oven around 1:00pm. Phillip's family and a friend from church arrived for dinner. 
Honey glazed ham hot from the oven.
I ordered sweetly requested that my three brother-in-laws help me clean up after dinner and my kitchen was sparkling clean in less than 30 minutes! We set out dessert and once dinner settled we enjoyed Christmas cookies, fudge and hot buttered rum.
I also made a cherry poundcake for dessert.
Lastly, I want to share one of my favorite Christmas decorations. Grace drew this picture for me and it hangs on our fridge. It sums up what Christmas is all about!
Good news from heaven the angels bring,
Glad tidings to the earth they sing:
To us this day a child is given,
To crown us with the joy of heaven.
-Martin Luther
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Our Christmas Eve
Happy Boxing Day to all of my Canadian friends! We had a wonderful Christmas and I hope you all did too! I thought I would share some pictures from our Christmas Eve.
We went to our Christmas Eve service in the late afternoon. Poinsettas covered the front of the church.
Grace and Emily sang in the children's choir and we sat in the front row so we could hear their sweet little voices.
Every year we have a guest harpist join us for Christmas carols. Such a beautiful sound!
After the service we came back home and wrapped a few presents. Benjamin is already a better wrapper than his mommy!
We soon got busy making reindeer food. They love oats and cookie sprinkles!
The girls and Benjamin sprinkled it along our walkway.
Then we all headed up Nana and Papa's house for chicken chili and eggnog bread. I got a bit of a migraine but I took some Ibprofin in time so it wasn't too bad.
We got home around 10:00pm and quickly put out some milk and cookies. 
Dad er, I mean Santa likes double stuffed oreos. ;0)
Fern in definitely getting coal in her stocking!
Tired girls off to bed. What a yawn!
We put all the presents under the tree after everyone was sound asleep.
Thanks for looking!
Friday, December 22, 2006
~Merry Christmas~
May the love that came
that holy night
light all your days
with hope and joy.
Merry Christmas from my family to yours.
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Friday ~ December 22, 06
Three more days until Christmas! I went grocery shopping last night and I have one more gift to buy, which I will do today. Almost all of the doors on our Advent house are open and the girls and Benjamin will miss their morning piece of chocolate. Tabitha's Travels is getting very exciting. She just met Mary and Joseph and they are on their way to Bethlehem!
One of the highlights of this week was decorating a gingerbread house with Nana. Everyone added their own creative touches.
We have recieved so many wonderful Christmas cards from family and friends. They are displayed on our livingroom bookshelf.
Even our Holly bush is ready for Christmas. The normally green berries have turned a deep red.
Old fashioned ribbon candy is almost too pretty to eat!
Naughty kitty on the table!
Here is what our table will look like for Christmas dinner. I found the satiny red table runner for $2.61 last night!! 
The placecards are made from floral berries and leaves. I attached the paper tag with silver embroidery floss. 
I hope you all are enjoying these last few days before Christmas with your family!
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
~Christmas Dinner~
Beverages
~Celebration Punch
~Sparkling Apple Cider
~Hot Buttered Rum
Appetizers
~Cheese Ball and Crackers
~Spinach Dip with Vegetables
~Spicy Sausage Balls
Dinner
~Glazed Spiral Ham
~Scalloped Potatoes
~Baby Carrots with Herbed Butter
~Corn with Red Peppers
~Romaine with Gorgonzola and Walnuts
~Sauteed Green Beans
~Yeast Rolls
Dessert
~Assorted Christmas Cookies
~Chocolate and Peanut Butter Fudge
~Pecan Pie
~Cherry Poundcake
Monday, December 18, 2006
Monday, December 18, 2006
Did I hear it was only 1 week until Christmas?! I spent most of the weekend baking cookies. They are used for gifts and the rest go into the freezer. Between now and New Years Day, they get eaten up.
I made Rice Krispie Squares, Gingersnaps, Peanut Blossoms, Shortbread and Peanut Butter Marshmallow Squares.
The Scottish Whipped Shortbread recipe came from my friend Heather, at A Quiet Place of Rest. They really do melt in your mouth!
These Peanut Butter Butterscotch Marshmallow Bars have been named a new Christmas tradition at our house. I took them up to my in-laws for dinner last night and my brother-in-law was quiet for an entire 5 mintues while he ate them. ;0) For all your holiday baking needs visit PEA's Corner. She is the holiday baking queen!
I still have a big pile of Christmas cards to send out. I just picked up our Christmas pictures yesterday.
My livingroom is the gift wrapping station right now. I have 5+ boxes to take to the post office this afternoon. I hope it's not too busy.
I always end up with a big pile of garbage when I wrap gifts. Looks like someone is getting Butter Lovers Popcorn for Christmas! Actually, all the single guys in our family are getting a package of popcorn, candy and a $5.00 Blockbuster gift certificate. Nice and easy and something they can use.
We don't wrap the kids' presents until Christmas Eve. Maybe not the smartest tradition but if I wrap things early, I forget what I got them and then stay awake all night wondering if things are even. (Did I just say that outloud?!)
This is my system for hiding gifts. Put them into a heavy duty green garbage bag. Double knot the handles and lay 3 hairs across the top. Check every hour to make sure they haven't been moved. ;0)
Phillip does not trust this system with me. He takes my gifts into his office and brings them home *wrapped* on Christmas Eve. Humpf!
Thursday, December 14, 2006
~Christmas Tour of Homes~
The day is finally here for Boomama's Christmas Tour of Homes!
Welcome to my home! Feel free to click on the pictures to make them larger.
On the front door are my ice skates from when I was a teenager. I grew up in Canada and remember spending entire winters with my skates on! Let's go inside where it is warm...
Here is our Christmas tree, all lit up. This year we used white lights, lots of ornaments, candycanes and red bows.
"The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there."
Here is my "Rustic Woodland Scene" on the coffee table. A sweet family of deer are nestled in the greenery.
Deer
Originally uploaded by pwinn.
Even my bedroom has a little Christmas sparkle. I've been trying to get up early in the mornings, but my warm flannel sheets are not helping!
Here is my diningroom, feel free to pull up a chair. Our second Advent candle is lit and the kettle is on.
It looks like everyone is having fun on the icy pond!
Before you leave, let me get you a hot cup of tea and...
a slice of Eggnog Bread. Here is the recipe in case one slice isn't enough. :0)
Eggnog Quick Bread
2 1/4 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 cup eggnog
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. almond extract
Preheat oven to 350F. Grease 1 bread pan. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt and nutmeg. Set aside. In a medium bowl, beat eggs, stir in sugar, eggnog, butter, vanilla and almond extract. Add mixture to flour and stir just until moistened. Bake 45-60 min. Remove from pan and cool on wire rack.
Frosting: Mix 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1/4 tsp. vanilla and 1/4 tsp. nutmeg in small bowl. Add enough eggnog to reach drizzling consistancy. Drizzle over bread and serve.
A big thank you to Boomama for hosting this Christmas Tour. Be sure to visit her and see all the beautiful homes!
Thanks for looking and come again soon!
Letters to Santa
My children know that Santa Clause isn't real, but they still like to pretend and have fun. We make food (oats and cookie sprinkles) for the reindeer and sprinkle it along our front walkway. We put out oreos (Phillip's favorite cookie!) and milk every Christmas Eve. We pretend that he fills the stockings. He doesn't leave presents though, I want credit for those. ;0)
This morning, the girls and Benjamin decided to write letters to him. Here they are....
Grace says,
Dear Santa Clause,
I have been very good this year. For Christmas I would like a stuffed horse and the American Girl Molly movie. What are the reindeer doing right now? I am making them some food for Christmas Eve. And one more thing, I would like some red slippers.
Love, Grace
Emily says,
Dear Santa Clause,
I have been very good this year. How are you doing? I would like a teddy bear for Christmas and a Cinderella polly pocket set. I also want a *real* puppy but my mom says no.
Love,
Emily
Benjamin says,
Dear Santa,
How are you doing? I have been *really* good this year. I would like some airport legos for Christmas, please.
We are going to put out some oreos and milk for you on Christmas Eve. I hope you like them. I would also like a teddy bear for Christmas.
Love, Benjamin
It looks like my shopping list is nice and short this year. ;0) Have you had any interesting requests for gifts this year?
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
I've Been Tagged!
Anita, over at My Country Cottage Garden has tagged me to share some of my favorite Christmas songs. Here are a few of them...
1. O Holy Night ~ Mariah Carey
2. Walking in a Winter Wonderland ~ Anne Murray
3. Last Christmas ~WHAM
4. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus ~Jackson 5
5. I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas ~Gayla Peevey
A Christmas song list just isn't complete without....
I want a hippopotamus for Christmas
Only a hippopotamus will do
Don't want a doll, no dinky Tinker Toy
I want a hippopotamus to play with and enjoy!
You can listen to the whole thing here, it's adorable!
I have lots of other favorites but I'll stop at 5. If you would like to do this Meme, consider yourself tagged! Let me know in the comments so I can come visit you.
Photo from Art.com
Monday, December 11, 2006
Christmas Goodies
This past Friday night, I got together with 2 friends and we made truffles. We each made a batch ~ Plain chocolate, peppermint and rum.
They are very easy to make!
Chocolate Truffles
3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 (14 ounce) can EAGLE BRAND® Sweetened Condensed Milk (NOT evaporated milk)
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
DIRECTIONS
In heavy saucepan, over low heat, melt chocolate chips with condensed milk. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla (or one of the variations). Chill 2-3 hours or until firm.
This is the perfect time to watch my new favorite movie, The Lakehouse. :0) We all loved it!
Shape into 1-inch balls; roll in any of the listed coatings.
Chill 1 hour or until firm. Store tightly covered at room temperature.
Coatings (optional):
Finely chopped toasted nuts, flaked coconut, chocolate sprinkles, colored sprinkles, unsweetened cocoa powder, confectioners' sugar or colored sugars, mini chocolate chips.
Variations:
-Amaretto: Omit vanilla. Add 3 tablespoons amaretto or other almond- flavored liqueur and 1/2 teaspoon almond extract. Roll in finely chopped toasted almonds.
-Orange: Omit vanilla. Add 3 tablespoons orange-flavored liqueur. Roll in finely chopped toasted almonds mixed with finely grated orange rind.
-Rum: Omit vanilla. Add 1/4 cup dark rum.
-Peppermint: Omit vanilla. Add 1 teaspoon peppermint extract.
-Bourbon: Omit vanilla. Add 3 tablespoons bourbon. Roll in finely chopped toasted nuts.
I also made another easy recipe this weekend. These coconut macaroons are nice and crunchy on the outside and moist on the inside.
Coconut Macaroons
Makes 30
3 large egg whites
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoons salt
1 package (14 ounces) sweetened flaked coconut (5 1/3 cups)
1. Preheat oven to 350F Line baking sheet with parchment paper (or coat generously with nonstick cooking spray).
2. In a large bowl, whisk together egg whites, sugar and salt until frothy. With a fork, stir in coconut until moistened.
3. Drop mixture by packed level tablespoons (I use a metal cookie scoop) onto prepared sheet. Bake until lightly golden, 25 to 30 minutes.
Recipe from Martha Stewart
Enjoy!!
Saturday, December 09, 2006
Christmas Photos
Phillip took the official photo for our Christmas cards this year.
It started out with the giggles....
...then went straight to fits of laughter!!
Whew...finally! That's a keeper!
Grace (8), Emily (7) and Benjamin (5). Christmas 2006.
Friday, December 08, 2006
Time for Tea
This afternoon, we are having some friends over for afternoon tea. My friend and I will sit in the livingroom with our tea, but I thought I would set a more fancy table for the girls and their friend. And Benjamin, of course! :0) Paper doilies make anything fancy!! They will be drinking hot chocolate and munching on Gingersnaps, Coconut Macaroons and Red Pear slices.
Once they are all full of sugar they will be making the Scrappy Fabric Ornaments that I shared last week. :0)
Tonight I am going to a "Truffle Making Party." I will be sure to share pictures and recipes!
Have a wonderful Friday!
Thursday, December 07, 2006
"New To Us" Treasures
We usually make our way to our favorite resale store near the beginning of each month. Everyone gets their allowance and are ready for a treasure hunt.
I want to share with you a few things we found yesterday. At the bottom of a box, I pulled out a small bag with these Christmas figurines inside. It looks like they just stepped out of a Tasha Tudor book!
If you click on the picture they will show up closer. The little girl on the left is so cute! We are keeping them on our diningroom table so they can be played with. ($2.00)
This "Santa Clause Is Coming To Town" painting was new with the tags still on. I put it on the wall beside my china hutch. ($2.00)
Here is another item that was new. A red velvet shirt for Grace. She is going to wear it with a black velvet skirt she has for our Christmas pictures. ($3.00)
Grace hit the jackpot on horse books! They were 59 cents each!
We found several Christmas books and a video of Miracle on 34th Street. One of the stories is "Twas the night before Christmas" told by a family of mice. A Christmas carol book and a "Best of Christmas" poem book.
The poem book has the prettiest pictures...
I sure would love to spend some time in this kitchen! "Grandpa and Grandma welcomed us in their usual, sincere manner. At their house the Christmas spirit prevailed all year 'round. We stomped into the warm kitchen and its savory smells of cooking made us hungrier than ever. Momma put on an apron to help."
Santa in his toy shop. I'll bet it's a busy place right now. ;0)
Here is one of my favorite poems from this book.
Christmas Is...
Christmas is holly
And gay mistletoe;
Christmas is tinsel
And soft candleglow!
Christmas is cookies
And candy cane treats;
It's the warm cheery greeting
For friends that we meet.
Christmas is children
With faces aglow;
It's Santa and reindeer
And new-fallen snow.
It's tissue and seals
And bright colored string;
It's greeting cards and presents
And the carols we sing.
Yes, Christmas is this,
But, oh, it's much more
Than tinsel and trees
And gifts in a store!
Christmas is angels
Drawing nigh to the earth
To tell the good news
Of the dear Saviour's birth.
Christmas is God's Son
Sent down from above...
The real meaning of Christmas
Can only mean love.
Kay Hoffman
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
A Christmasy Kitchen
As we make our way into the kitchen, watch out for the mistletoe! This is a favorite spot in our house. :0)
My fern plant wasn't doing so well in my bedroom so I moved it to a top shelf in the kitchen. My mom painted the poinsetta plate when I was little and I added my candle tart warmer and silk poinsettas to tie everything together.
I drapped a garland of poinsettas along the top of my hutch and got out my silver tea set which was a $7.00 yardsale find!
I found these pear ornaments at the craft store and for some reason fell in love with them! Phillip has been kind enough to humor me, they are after all *pink.* ;0)
Here's another one of my Martha Stewart ideas. Since I can't go skating on a real pond, I created a mini one in my kitchen!
I added little mini wreaths, made from gold and white beads to the backs of the chairs. I like how they look but I never realized how close I come to the chairs, while walking through the room. I should count all the beads I knock of these things each day!!
Dot, you asked about the Christmas goodies. They are hidden in the pantry, bottom shelf on the left. ;0)
Well, that's the end of the tour. Thank you for coming along!!
Well, that's the end of the tour. Thank you for coming along!!
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
A Christmasy Livingroom
Good Morning! Thank you for all the sweet comments yesterday! Today I'm going to show you around the livingroom.
Since we got a real tree this year, I was able to cut off some of the lower branches to use on the entertainment center, coffee table and mantle. Our stockings have been hung by the chimney with care. ;0)
We found this village nativity on sale after Christmas, many years ago. The houses light up at night.
I use these candle sticks year round and just change out the rings. For Christmas I made some from greenery, pinecones and holly berries.
We have a small collection of Chrismtas books and I went to the library this past Sunday and got alot more. It looks like Fern is getting a head start on her reading. ;0)
Here is my coffee table. I got the idea for my "Rustic Woodland Scene" from the December 2003 Martha Stewart. I glued cinnamon sticks around paper covered candles. I found the deer figurines at Michael's. I like to use the word "rustic" when things are uneven or you can see dried hot glue..hehee.
I added red bows to the scones in my livingroom, in addition to the ones in the entryway.
I had a little of the tree trimmings left so I gathered them up with some ribbon and berries and placed one on each of the windowsills in my livingroon. I nestled a candle in the greenery.
Thanks for taking a look. I will show you the kitchen and dining room next!
Sunday, December 03, 2006
~A Christmasy Porch and Entryway~
This week I thought I would take you on a little tour of my home, now that I have all my Christmas decorations up.
Let's start at the front door. These are my ice skates from when I was a teenager. I grew up in Canada and remember spending entire winters with my skates on. ;0) I haven't been skating in many years because I don't like indoor rinks. I guess I'm spoiled!
My friend, Susan fromA Place Called Home does something with ribbon that she calls "Ribbon Magic." I have used her ideas in many places around my home, while decorating for the holidays, including the pillow on my front porch. It looks just like a present!
Let's head on inside and take a peek at the entryway. Here is a view from a distance so you can get an idea of where things are.
This wreath hangs on the inside of the front door. I made it 10 years ago and have only had to replace the silk poinsettas.
I added a gold bow to my moss wreath.
Even more "ribbon magic" on the wall sconces!
I have had this wooden sleigh for many years. I filled it with pinecones, and more poinsettas and gold ribbon.
The last thing I want to share with you are my Velveteen Rabbits. My mom bought them for my sister and I when we were little. They look quite at home. :0)
Next up is the livingroom. Thanks for looking!
Cookie Exchange
Last night my sister-in-law and mother-in-law hosted a cookie exchange.
Everyone took 5 dozen of their favorite kind of holiday cookie, and then came home with a sampling of all the cookies that were made. I took Gingersnaps-mine are the soft kind.
All packaged to go in a snowman box.
The girls and I made more tree ornaments yesterday. I was "blog hopping" earlier in the week and saw these lovely ornaments at Posy Gets Cozy.
We glittered the tops of an upside down pinecone. Then glued a mini nest with a cardinal inside. I took them as hostess gifts.
We skipped the nest on this one but I think I will use gold glitter next time.
Grace made hers with two little birds at the top. So sweet.
The party was fun and I brought home lots of delicious cookies! Hmm..which one to try first!
Friday, December 01, 2006
Advent~One of my favorite things
I have always loved Advent Calendars. My Grandma still sends me a paper one each year. We have several around our home during the month of December and we never wonder how many days are left until Christmas! :0)
This advent calendar has little velcro pictures to put on each day. It was a gift from some friends of ours.
I got this countdown calendar from Avon about 10 years ago!
I got one of my Christmas present early this year. It is a wooden Advent House with a lovely scene on the front of it.
There are 24 wooden doors that open up and reveal little spaces inside. I have filled them with candy, stickers and mini tree ornaments.
As much as I enjoy our Advent Calendars, about 3 years ago I discovered that there is alot more to Advent than opening little windows and eating a piece of chocolate.
The word Advent means "coming" or "arrival" and the focus of the 4 weeks before Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus in his First Advent, and the anticipation of the return of Christ the King in his Second Advent.
Here is our Advent Wreath. Have you seen one and wondered what it was for?
It begins with a simple evergreen wreath. Why use evergreens? God never changes. The evergreens signify God's endless mercy and undying love.
Why is it a circle? God is eternal, He has no beginning or end.
The four candles represent the four weeks of Advent. The light of the candles itself becomes an important symbol of the season. The light reminds us that Jesus is the light of the world that comes into the darkness of our lives to bring newness, life, and hope. It also reminds us that we are called to be a light to the world as we reflect the light of God's grace to others (Isa 42:6).
Why are purple and pink candles used? Purple symbolizes that it is a time to prepare. Pink tells us the joy of Christmas is near.
What is the white candle for? The larger, white candle is placed in the center of the wreath and symbolizes the purity of Jesus.
Here is the Advent schedule for this year.
Week one begins on December 3. A purple candle is lit.
Week two begins on December 10 . A purple candle is lit, as well as the one from last week.
Week three begins on December 17. A rose candle is lit, along with the other two purple candles.
Week four begins on December 24. It will only last 1 day this year. The last purple candle is lit. Also the center white candle is lit since it is Christmas Eve, although some families wait until Christmas day.
As the light grows brighter, we are reminded that the Light of the World will soon arrive in glory. "I am the light of the world." John 8:12
During the week, the candles are lit at the evening meal or whenever the family gathers together. This is also a nice time for a family devotion. There are lots of Advent devotional books available and Lindsey over at Advent for Evangelicals is sharing wonderful weekly themed devotions.
We will be reading Tabitha's Travels-A Famly Story for Advent by Arnold Ytreeide. Each day we will be joining Tabitha on her travels to the stable at Bethlehem.
I hope this gives you some ways in which you and your family can celebrate the season of Advent. It is a wonderful tradition to help us not lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas!
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