Preparing...

Our advent wreath.

As I mentioned yesterday, Mary Catherine and I have begun preparing ourselves for our Saviour's birth by participating in an Advent study of the Jesse Tree.

We are using "A Jesus Advent Celebration:  A Jesse Tree Journey" authored by Ann Voskamp from A Holy Experience.  Ann is providing her Advent celebration e-book for free!  She only asks that we share the book by directly linking back to her own website. 

For each day of Advent, Ann has provided a Scripture reading, ponderings/thoughts on the reading, a simple prayer to close the day/evening's Advent activity and suggestions for extending that day's study.  I love her extension ideas...simple and doable..."planting a seed for each act of kindness that you do today" or "singing a worship song or Christmas Carol." 

While the Scripture readings are a bit deep for Benjamin, Mary Catherine has been an attentive pupil, soaking up her new-found knowledge of the Old Testament like a sponge!  The extension activities really help to make the learning tangible.

I invite you to visit Ann's blog to experience the depth of her love for Christ, the Earth, her family.  You will be glad you did.

Unable to find replacement tapers of the correct size for my little Advent wreath, I instead decided to create a living Advent wreath.  Fresh greenery from our local Sam's Club combined with simple pillar candles in purple and rose combine to make this beautiful Advent centerpiece for our home!

Wishing you a peace-filled December evening.