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  • Raising Outdoor Kids
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      How to Make Birdseed Ornaments for Wild…

      November 27, 2020

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      Playing in Nature Protects Our Children During…

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    • All Alberta British Columbia Lower Mainland Northern Interior Okanagan
      British Columbia

      Hiking and Camping with Kids at Kokanee…

      July 30, 2018

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      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

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      Family-Friendly Adventures on BC’s Sunshine Coast

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      A National Park Reserve in the South…

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      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

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      Rock Climbing with Kids in Jasper National…

      August 8, 2017

      Alberta

      Family Adventures in Jasper National Park: 10…

      July 26, 2017

      Alberta

      Shaw’s Point Resort

      August 6, 2015

      Alberta

      Apiaries in Northern Alberta

      August 5, 2015

      Alberta

      St. Isidore, Alberta

      August 4, 2015

      Alberta

      The Hoodoos

      July 29, 2015

      Alberta

      Royal Tyrrell Museum

      July 28, 2015

      Alberta

      Bow Valley Campground

      July 27, 2015

      British Columbia

      Hiking and Camping with Kids at Kokanee…

      July 30, 2018

      British Columbia

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      December 1, 2017

      British Columbia

      Family-Friendly Adventures on BC’s Sunshine Coast

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      A National Park Reserve in the South…

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      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

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      Exploring Deep Cove and Quarry Rock Trail

      July 25, 2016

      Lower Mainland

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      July 22, 2016

      Lower Mainland

      Biking Through Pacific Spirit Regional Park

      July 20, 2016

      Lower Mainland

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      July 18, 2016

      Lower Mainland

      1001 Steps to the Beach

      April 19, 2014

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      Northern Interior

      McMillan Creek Regional Park

      October 8, 2015

      Northern Interior

      Ferguson Lake Nature Reserve

      October 6, 2015

      Northern Interior

      Eskers Provincial Park

      October 5, 2015

      Northern Interior

      Autumn in Northern British Columbia

      September 28, 2015

      Northern Interior

      Wildflowers in Northern British Columbia

      June 6, 2015

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      Visiting Barkerville Historic Town

      June 2, 2015

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      June 19, 2013

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Backwoods Mama

Faith

Preparing for Advent 2012

November 28, 2012

The power cable for my laptop broke over the weekend. Until the new power cable arrives I am blogging from my husband’s computer. Unfortunately I’m not able to upload pictures from my camera so the pictures in this post are from my archives.

—
Advent is a time of preparation, quiet reflection and joy filled anticipation for the celebration of Jesus’ birth at Christmas. In a culture that celebrates the Christmas season earlier each year, the Church invites us to spend four weeks before Christmas preparing our hearts so that we can truly celebrate the wonderful mystery of the Word made Flesh.
For many families the weeks leading up to Christmas are filled with a frenzy of activities. Squeezing Advent into the craziness might seem impossible for some families. However, instead of squeezing it in consider making Advent a priority and postponing (if possible) certain Christmas activities until closer to Christmas day. Making Advent intentional is easier if there are certain activities to help guide the way. There are some great Advent traditions out there.

As a child I remember gathering around the Advent wreath with my family. At times we would light the Advent wreath at supper other times before bed. There is something magical about candles when you are a child.

The Jesse Tree is a type of Advent calendar. Each day families read a story from the Bible (mostly the Old Testament) and  a symbol, which corresponds with a Bible story, is hung on a tree. There a many creative way to make a Jesse Tree. Our Jesse tree is made out of felt. Jessica has printable Jesse tree colouring pages and Bible readings suggestions and Paper Dali has some printable Jesse tree ornaments.

Another tradition is assembling an Advent book basket. For each day of Advent read a Advent or Christmas themed book as a family. Jessica has an impressive Advent book basket list. She even wraps each book in advance. We have a special pile of Christmas books that we take out during Advent and I supplement it with books from our local library.

Setting up a nativity scene in which the characters (Joseph, Mary, shepherds…) slowly make their journey to the manger can help children journey through Advent. You can even add extra pieces of straw or yellow yarn to the manger when family members show kindness to one another so that baby Jesus will have a soft place to rest when he arrives on Christmas day.

Advent is known as little Lent. It should be a time for almsgiving, fasting and praying. Give a generous donation to a charitable organization, give up desserts or time in front of the television, follow a Advent devotional… these are just a few ideas.

This post is being shared at Mary’s Intentional Advent.

Preparing for Advent 2012 was last modified: May 31st, 2016 by Josée
Advent
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4 comments

crunchymama November 28, 2012 at 5:09 am

I love the idea of adding a pice of "straw" everytime someone is being kind. I have also been looking online for an Advent calendar idea, but I think I can stop looking as this Jesse tree seems to be the perfect one for our family! Thanks for sharing!

Reply
Better Than Eden November 28, 2012 at 7:50 pm

Your Jesse Tree is lovely! We're gradually making our way up to 25 books…we'll get there eventually! I do have a basket of Christmas themed books we bring out and it's always fun to read them again! Oh, and yes! Candles at dinner make it so special. We keep all the lights off except for the candles and the room gets brighter and brighter as Christmas nears. Thanks for linking up!

Reply
Dina-Marie @ Cultured Palate November 28, 2012 at 10:00 pm

Great ideas to make the advent season special!
I would love to have you share this on Thursday at Tasty Traditions: http://myculturedpalate.com/

Reply
Josée November 29, 2012 at 4:11 am

Thank you Dina! I'll post it on Tasty Traditions tomorrow.

Reply

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