It was a hope of mine that we'd have an extra little one around to share the joys of Christmas with, but it is not God's timing. I will check in with Brenda after the new year to find out if it is normal to not hear anything at all for six weeks.
In the meanwhile, we've had a jammed pack month, which is both a blessing and a curse! I want to remember it all, but it's late and I'm tired, so I'm going to go the timeline route.
First a recap of some December traditions: Souderton Christmas parade with Forbes and Wesleys, Christmas breakfast at Auntie Cheryl's, Decorating, Christmas in the Valley Concert, Andrew's preschool Christmas program, Christmas Program at UPCC, Christmas cookie painting at Mom-mom and Pop-pops, Annual Kiddo Christmas party at our house, Christmas shopping, Christmas Eve Veggie soup, and of course BASKETBALL.
Each day with the kids we would do an Advent activity. Certain days it was one of the events listed above, but other days it could be Christmas books, or gingerbread snacks, or the manger play set, acting out Jesus' birth story, PJ Christmas lights walk, a craft or cards...Julia especially looked forward to "What is our advent today?" She homemade a chart and sometimes remembered to color the days in.
It is tricky not "doing Santa," but it is so important that we instill the "Jesus' birthday" counter-cultural view of Christmas. Julia will talk about the "real Christmas story," which is our goal. Andrew was unfortunately confused by it all, and it was a little sticky. It is not to say we are on a big "anti-Santa" mission-we recognize it as a fun element of the Christmas season. But hopefully the birth of Christ will resonate as the real reason for the celebration in their hearts. I know for me I too often get wrapped up in the craziness and have to consciously reflect on the magnitude of what happened in that manager so long ago and how my life is dependent on Christ's humility.
It was a great month of celebrations!
