Source: flickr.com via Jill on Pinterest

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. Isaiah 9:2

Christmas Tangrams

Source: almostunschoolers.blogspot.com via Jill on Pinterest

Here is a really fun idea at Almost Unschoolers suggested by my friend at E.W. Spider. A huge set of tangrams to tell the Christmas story. This could be a fun project for those days before Christmas that are all too short for mothers and long for children. Thanks Tanja!

O Antiphones

Source: google.com via Jill on Pinterest

Antiphons are sentences from scripture that are sung or recited.  Some sentences from scripture that have come to be known as the "O Antiphons" are part of the Catholic tradition.  These sentences are recited the seven days preceding Christmas Eve, Dec. 17-23.  What is special about these sentences is that each one is a title for the coming Messiah.  They are, O Sapientia (O Wisdom), O Adonai (O Lord), O Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse), O Clavis David (O Key of David), O Oriens (O Rising Sun), O Rex Gentium (O King of the Nations), and O Emmanuel.  Each one is explained in depth on this site.

This year we will be spending some time during these seven days reflecting on these titles that appeared in the prophecy of Isaiah.  We might add some fun to it by having some O Antiphon coins that I linked to in my previous post.  We may also use this booklet.

Source: catholicicing.com via Jill on Pinterest

Perhaps you'd like to do the same or maybe you already do. There are also printable ornaments that are part of a Jesse Tree set here and more activities here.  You can hear them chanted in Latin here.  I'd love to hear about the traditions you use during this season to teach and remember.

Advent Week 1: HOPE

St. Nicholas Chocolate Coins

Source: catholiccuisine.blogspot.com via Jill on Pinterest

This post on Catholic Cuisine has really got me excited.  The author provides downloads for artwork to make chocolate coins special for this season.  There is a set for St. Nicholas day, a set of Jesse Tree coins, a set of the O Antiphons and a few more.  They are as easy to make as print, cut and glue. 

First Sunday in Advent: Hope

Source: prestostore.com via Jill on Pinterest

Polar Bear Cam

Source: polarbearcam.com via Jill on Pinterest

I just heard about this and can't wait to watch polar bears live!  A web camera was set up on the edge of the Hudson Bay, close to the town of Churchhill, Manitoba.  The camera is in a spot where polar bears are waiting for the ice to form on the Hudson Bay so that they can travel further North to begin their seal hunt. The Polar Bear Cam delivers a live feed from 9 am - 5 pm central time and is being watched in schools all over Canada.  Perhaps you would like to watch too!

Source: spearmintbaby.com via Jill on Pinterest

Source: lamplightart.com via Jill on Pinterest

Remembering Christ's Birth

Source: google.com via Holly on Pinterest

Advent is a season that is close upon us.  It usually begins the Sunday after Thanksgiving and as it does this year as well.  Advent is the beginning of the liturgical year, a tool used by the church since early times to learn about and focus on the life of Christ.  Advent is a time to prepare for and remember the birth of Christ, the beginning of God's plan for our redemption through Christ.

Something that our family has really enjoyed doing together during Advent the last few years is an Advent Wreath.  This was something from my childhood I wanted to share with my children.  It turned out to be the best thing to include my husband in as he can't be with us for all the daily Jesse Tree readings.  And if a Jesse Tree is just to DAILY for you (and I certainly understand that) this is a very simple but meaningful way to prepare your heart for the coming of Jesus.

This blog post explains a really simple method of using an Advent Wreath.  Our family's tradition is similar.  We light the candle for that week, my husband reads the scripture, we pray, and then we sing a hymn together.  Simple, yet very powerful.  We have found that it really helps us to focus on what Christmas is really about, the coming of the Savior of the world.  Now that is something to celebrate!

If you do like daily there is another option here. These are made by a young boy and the proceeds go to support a child through Compassion International. A very worthy way to remember Christ this season.

Source: adventtolenttoascensionwreath.blogspot.com via Jen on Pinterest

This was posted on the Nativity Carnival at A Ten O'Clock Scholar's blog. Check it out for other great advent ideas.