Advent: Day 1

I am glad December 1 fell on a Sunday this year since the first day is usually the most time consuming. We debated about the whole idea of raising a Christmas tree in our house because of its fabled pagan origins, but decided to redeem the idea by incorporating it as a symbol of Creation and the Trees in the Garden.

Traditionally, if anyone is at our house any evening in December they have to participate in the evening's activities. Tonight we had friends over for dinner so they stayed to help us put up the tree. We have one of those older ones you have to put together branch by branch so this is a labor of love. Thanks A & J!

Day 1: I am thankful to have a creative husband who will go to any lengths for an illustration or lesson. Tonight after the tree was done and our guests had to leave, the kids quickly put on their pj's and we turned off every single light in the house.  We stumbled to find a chair and then out of the darkness Dad began to tell the days of Creation, lighting a candle when came light. He then continued to read from our Bible story book about Creation by candlelight (which is difficult). We have an Advent wreath with 4 candles to light each of the 4 Sundays of the month. We use these to symbolize the ways of God's revelation to us: 1) Creation, 2) the Law, 3) the Prophets, and 4) Jesus.

I'm not used to taking pictures in absolute darkness!

After talking about any questions and praying they got to open the special Cross box and eat the chocolate (a flower) and put the 2 ornaments on the tree. We have a paper set and the felt ones I made which works out well since we have 2 kids. We also have a 25 door Advent box where we put the name of the story for the day and my oldest put in 2 Playmobil owls as a surprise to his brother. I love how he is thinking ahead and wants to add in since he is more familiar now. The tree we put up we explain is to represent Creation and the 2 special trees in the Garden- the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of good and evil. We ended the night with popcorn and a game, just for fun.

If you are following along with the Bible in Stories - pages 2-5
If using the Bible or another Bible reader - Genesis 1-2


So to recap:

• Advent calendar box with Event of the day
• Advent wreath every Sunday- #1 candle for Creation
• Creation reading
• Cross box with chocolate/surprise & ornaments to hang

Day 1: Creation and Day 2: Fall in the Garden

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  This is our basic set-up: We started with these pretty paper ornaments and booklet by Carol Alstadt/Abbey Press, Cross box from Tuesday Morning, Chocolates I made and Felt Ornaments I made, shown above. 
  
  
  I should add that we only set up the tree and put on the 2 Creation ornaments. Our decorating is progressive (meaning to us- less stressful), and makes this truly an Advent Tree about Christ. We will add lights on Day 5 but only put on the Jesse Tree ornaments so they are not distracted from with other decorations.