Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Christ the King and Advent Traditions

Our family traditions are beginning to take shape. This year seemed to go so smoothly in preparing for all the great events of the season. The boys made the candles years ago at one of our homeschool group craft days. I usually make a crown cake, but this year, in cleaning out my pantry, I thought I'd kill two birds with one stone and use up the cereal and marshmallows cluttering up my pantry.
Short on time, I decided on a Rice Krispie treat crown

The first Sunday of Advent.
Over the years, we've managed to perfect our Advent wreath making--a purple charger, greens and pine cones from a neighborhood tree, candle holder from last year's Advent retreat at Santiago, and a three-year supply of Advent candles. We also purchased Ale Baker's Christmas book at the retreat. It has beautiful family prayers that we use on the Sundays of Advent as we light the candles. Our dinner was a simple spaghetti and meatballs.


Each night of Advent, we follow the story of salvation from Genesis to the Nativity by reading from our Chilren's Picture Bible and placing an ornament on our Jesse Tree. I just wish I could get them to sing O Come, O Come Emmanuel with me!
Since I'm so late in posting, our Jesse Tree is complete in the photo.