We have a variety of countdown gadgets in our house during this wonderful month of December. There are the usual ones sent home from school - paper chains, glue the ornament on the tree, and color in the picture. The kids have two favorites that are traditional, the life-saver tree and our nativity advent calendar. The problem you run into when you have only two of these and six kids is apparent. Luckily, the teenagers aren't as picky (If it were a money tree or a cell phone minute tree - they'd be well into the competition).
Every year we try to do a number of things to help the kids catch the true spirit of the season. We go to parties, attend concerts, try to drive up to Temple Square, and invite friends over to decorate gingerbread houses. This year seems to have gone by too fast and the weather, although beautiful, hasn't cooperated well.
The kids enjoy re-enacting the Christmas story as found in Luke 2 of the Bible. Here are a few fun pictures of that.
Now to our favorite family tradition! We have the 25 days of Christmas where, as a family, we sit around the light of a single candle and the Christmas tree and we read a scripture about our Savior and share a story about giving and sacrifice. We sing a song together, pray and blow out the candle. The kids treasure this tradition and we relish the time away from the usual craziness of bedtime and enjoy each other. My sister Kerri also added to that tradition by sewing a banner with 12 little pockets in which are stored little "treats" for the last 12 days of Christmas. I'm so grateful for traditions and for this time of year! I would love to hear from all of you regarding your traditions! In the meantime, Happy Countdown!!
