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Christmas Count Down



We love counting down the days to Christmas in this house. We have advent two ways. A Chocolate advent calendar is one of then. We always had one growing up. One year mama couldn't find chocolate so we had tiny little toys in each window. It was very odd and we were ready to rush through that one! Julie and I took turns opening the days each year. One had even days and one had odd days. I was so glad when she married and moved away because it was all mine then! 
Julie and I carry on the tradition with our kiddos. It's loved by them as much as it was with us. It's so fun to keep that tradition going. How many calendars have we hoarded up in our deep freezers over the years thinking we would never find any again?! We are serious about the chocolate advent calendar. 

I don't do the Elf on the Shelf. I love admiring those that do. It's really cute. I just can't get a peace about it for us. What we do works and Henry loves it like it is...and we do too. 


At our house we celebrate the real meaning of advent with a Jesse Tree. We add an ornament a day with a family devotion that shows the lineage of Jesus. It's really great and Henry knows more about the lineage of Jesus than I ever did at his age. He looks forward to it. We read some scripture, apply the story to our lives, pray and we always sing. Tonight it was creation and we discussed that Jesus is the light of the world. We sang this little light of mine and Henry ran around doing all the motions trying to blow mine out. I love these precious times and it convicts me that we don't do it more throughout the year. 



This year I'm adding this reading. It's serving as my daily advent devotion as I prepare my heart for Christmas. I remember ugly sob crying to Randall one year not long after we had married because I missed christmas. I let the stress, the planning and the activity keep my heart from experiencing Christmas that year. Ever since that year he watches me and prods me away from the traps that can grab me this time of year. I am also more aware since then. I am going to enjoy this book as part of my advent this year. 


What advent traditions do you have? 
How do you count down the days to Christmas? 

Abby
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