Advent

This year Rob and I are very excited to begin some Advent traditions in our family. Last Sunday was the first week in Advent and we had a feast for supper- most likely the best meal I have ever cooked, and we lit our first Advent candle. We also broke the Christmas story up into three segments (that's how many Advent Sundays we're home for) and read the first section together as a family. Then we gave the boys their first Christmas present: a nativity! It's cloth and felt and they have been playing with it all week. It is a great way for them to be able to understand the story of Christ's birth better. We had intended on buying Ezra a chocolate advent calendar but when he was ready to pick one, he chose a tiny poinsettia instead! It was very cute, and he is very proud of it.

I would have taken a picture of Ezra with his plant but he's currently napping...

Something we have found challenging already is separating the reason for Christmas, Jesus, from story of the fat man who creepily brings presents made by the vertically challenged. Rob and I have made the decision to not perpetuate the lie of Santa Claus to our children and have been speaking with Ezra about how Santa is pretend, like Mickey Mouse, or Curious George is pretend. It is a confusing concept- especially since we're trying to explain how God and Jesus are real and we can't see them either. I think he'll get it eventually but he is too young this year. It doesn't help either when the first thing most strangers and friends speak to him about is how excited he is about Santa coming. Hardly anyone talks about how it's Jesus birthday- people aren't even asking him if he's excited to see his Grandparents, or ride on an airplane or anything. I find it strange but maybe I shouldn't.

Next week we are having some friends join us for our Advent celebration and I'm not sure of any other "special" Advent activities to do. We've done a few secret crafty things this week but otherwise we don't have any big Advent plans beyond what I've said. Does anyone have any ideas for us? How to make Advent special or make the Nativity more real to our toddler?