Advent: Day 1

Today is Sunday, December 1st... However, as my blog is on American time, I'm actually a day early (I would convert to an Australian calendar, however I really don't know how to do anything but publish posts at the moment and every attempt to do something more 'fancy' just doesn't work).

On the 29th, I started the Novena for the Immaculate Conception. It makes sense to me that Advent is a time to focus on Mary as much as Jesus (I mean the final month of my pregnancies, I wanted the focus to be on me-I somehow doubt that Mary is that selfish though). This year I'm trying to Advent properly (for the first time in my life) and I am a little concerned that I may be trying to incorporate too many traditions in to the next 24 days, so the two Novenas I am doing (Immaculate Conception and Christmas) will be done without children. Children will, however, be included in the following activities/ traditions...

The Advent book box: I have wrapped one book to read every night with a Jesse tree ornament attached. (The book has some connection to the Jesse tree ornament). These will be unwrapped after dinner every evening.

The Jesse tree: the ornaments symbolise Jesus' family tree and we will learning a bit about each of these biblical figures as they appear.

Advent candles and wreath: we will be lighting our Advent wreath as we pray before dinner each night.

Special Saints celebrations: stay tuned (how suspenseful!)