Preparing our Advent space

Since moving to our new home here we have started the tradition of preparing our Advent space on Thanksgiving evening. It's so nice to have everything ready by the first Sunday of our new liturgical year!

The boys set up and decorated our Christmas tree. I have such fun just watching them fuss over all the ornaments. They did a spectacular job if I do say so myself, and I love to see the expressions on their faces as they gaze at the lights and sparkle...

Kyle set up the Nativity on our family altar. Baby Jesus is noticeably absent since Advent is a time of preparation for His arrival. A small tradition of ours is to place a basket of hay near the Nativity. For each sacrifice or good deed the children do they get to place a piece of straw in the manger to make a comfortable resting place for the Infant Jesus.

We have no fireplace mantel to hang our stocking from...so we improvise!

I also set up a small reading niche by the tree so we can read Advent stories by the light. I'd love to snuggle up with the kids, a book and some hot chocolate...
if it ever gets below 70 degrees that is!

And of course we set up our Advent wreath. It's a little different than from seasons past. We made it the centerpiece of our dining table to keep us ever mindful of the true meaning of the season.

So "Happy New Year" to all our Catholic friends and family!
May we all have a fruitful Advent season!