These are my four boys on the first day of snow fall. (my daughter was inside helping me make hot chocolate)
When the Christmas season approaches my husband and I start getting alot of questions. People seem very curious as to how with 5 kids we keep our sanity over the holiday season.
November 27th 2005, was the start of advent. We light candles- the first week Hope, the 2nd Peace, 3rd Joy, 4th Love and on Christmas eve we light the Christ candle. Doing advent is a very sobering reminder of what the holidays is all about. We light the candle(s) read a passage from the bible or a short Christmas story, a poem, or quiz the kids about the Christmas story. We tell the legend of Santa Claus and various other stories of generosity. My husband and I share stories of our childhood Christmases or we make plans to go caroling or help at a homeless shelter. Then each one of us picks a Christmas carol either traditional or modern, youngest to oldest and we sing them all. At the end the kids take turns blowing out the candle(s).
This is a grounding tradition in our household. It teaches our children about family quality time, about giving and loving. It reinforces the true meaning of Christmas, a beautiful story about the quiet arrival of a very special baby.
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