Friday 16 December 2011

Advent, preparation, expectation


I love tradition
and the Advent Wreath
has always been symbolic of
our Christmas preparations.


When our children were small
we made a big event
of choosing the
greenery, pine cones
and candles to make our wreath.


Our advent wreath sat
in the middle of our dining table
and each evening
we lit the appropriate
number of candles,

 We re-told the story of the
first Christmas.

Our children were aware
that Christmas
was not only about Santa Clause.



The first week in December
we bought our Christmas tree.


Then we all decorated
the tree together -
it was such a precious time!

I hope you're all enjoying
the lead up to Christmas day.

Please give a thought

for families with young children
and especially those who are
struggling to meet
their children's expectations
of what Santa
will bring them this year.

Thank you my dear friends for visiting my blog.
I will enjoy catching up with you all
and visiting your blogs very soon.
Be kind to one another

Shane x

21 comments:

  1. Sounds a similar tradition, we were so late getting our tree, but now it's up and festive and the season feels right. xox Corrine

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  2. Beautiful Advent and Christmas memories Shane! Heep well and warm and special Christmas Greetings to you and yours.
    Hugs
    June xx

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  3. Lovely post Shane, certainly food for thought , those in Christchurch will be having a very different Christmas this year. All the best to you and yours. Mx

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  4. Our family traditions are so important, arent they. I'm so pleased that my children have continued the same things with their children.

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  5. Such a beautiful post and images! So poignant also!
    Have a wonderful Christmas Shane and wishing you a very creative year ahead and I am sure you have a list a mile long of projects to catch up on.
    Love and hugs,
    Suzy

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  6. Hello Shane.... Lovely to hear from you today and it would be my great pleasure if you used one of my photos on your gorgeous blog... xv

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  7. Shane, your Christmas post is wonderful. Family traditions keep the true meaning of Christmas alive. Blessings to you and your family, sweet Shane. xo Rhonda

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  8. hi Shane,
    Have a lovely Christmas in NZ...we are here in our winter home in Arizona..going back to BC in Canada next April...happy weekend dear sweet Shane!
    Ox

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  9. I've not maintained tradition the past couple of years. And this year I'm just not feeling the season at all. Lots of others here have said the same. I've not put a tree. I don't want to shop just for the sake of shopping. I think it would be a wonderful thing if everyone took this time to give to those in need rather than continuing to accumulate more and more in their own homes. Most of us have so much more than we will ever really need. Wishing you and yours a blessed and happy holiday, Tammy

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  10. Thanks for visiting and comment and follow my blog !!...your blog is also wonderful......love from me...xxx..

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  11. Dearest Shane,

    Thanks for your comment and yes, you're quite welcome to copy the cross stitching! This way, the gift will keep on giving and that makes for a true Christmas gift the world over.
    For us, Christmas is not the gift giving as we've always celebrated the gift giving for December 6th, Saint Nicholas. Christmas is set aside as a two-day (Dutch and all of Europe celebrate 2 days!) religious holiday and special family time. Here in the US we do celebrate it as special family time with our extended family.
    We don't put up a tree, not since we've moved three times across the Atlantic... We've seen too much poverty that I do have a hard time for putting up with all this. Being kind to others goes a long way and is in the true Christmas spirit.
    Love to you,

    Mariette

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  12. Dear Shane,
    Popping across the Tasman to wish you a beautiful and most delightful Christmas. I am almost ready. I have my inside tree decorated (my son brought me home a real tree for the patio!) my Stanley stove top is adorned and I have made most of the crackers for the table. I found some gorgeous vintage crochet trims this year - they feature on my last blog post if you would like to see them! My gifts to family are on their way to NZ and the UK. I have a few gifts still to wrap but I like to save a few to wrap on Christmas Eve as I watch Carols by Candlelight - my own little tradition as the lights twinkle on the tree and I light a few candles too. I just treasure this time of year.

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  13. What a magical story of your family Christmas traditions!
    Shane have a very Merry Christmas and festive season with family and friends.
    Carla x

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  14. Hi Shane - so lovely to read about what makes your Christmas special - i'm sure the beautiful fragrance from the pine would waft through your home making everything smell like Christmas! Thank you so much for dropping by my Adelaide site xx

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  15. Dear Shane,
    wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas.All the best for 2012.
    Hugs,
    Marie

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  16. Dear Shane, wishing you and your family a joyous holiday season and may 2012 see all your dreams come true.

    Hugs,
    Robin

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  17. Dearest Shane,

    Thanks for your visit and comment. Your preparation/expectation post is great!
    As for the Stollen recipe, we buy ours at World Market or at T.J. MAXX so there is no recipe involved. SORRY!

    Love to you and wishing you a Merry Christmas!

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  18. Hello Shane,
    Thank you for stopping by, LizlovesVintage.
    It's so nice to meet you ;)
    Have a wonderful Holiday!
    xxx Liz

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  19. wishing you the happiest and the merriest season! x

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  20. What a beautiful Christmas message. You have a kind heart too Shane. I think we often get lost in the commercial part of Christmas but it is all about love and understanding.
    Will love following along with you too.

    Merry Christmas!
    Carole

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  21. Hello Shane, Wishing you a Happy Christmas. I adore your handmade Christmas decorations you sent to France. Very special. xx

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