When Advent Dinner Busts Night #1
This is a call to all young parents out there, if you are
going to do Christmas traditions with your children, start young or they’ll think
you have gone mad. Take Advent for
example. Although we shared the Christmas
story and did fun things over the years for Christmas, we never have done
anything the same one year after another and probably still won’t because I couldn't even pull off 4 weeks in a row for Advent celebration. After
hearing a how one family in our church does Advent I thought well the Spears
can do that!! The announcement is made
that things will look different this year, less presents, more focus. Two of the three offspring are up for the new
Christmas look, one however did that weird thing with the eyes where they look
inside the brain and then huff and then say “really..why?”.

Dessert: Yay! he’s
home, we are ready! “ok everyone.. back to the table for Advent reading and
dessert!” this is going to be
wonderful I'm thinking. Then what do I hear from
the right side of the table?? “that’s my seat, “no I’m sitting there.. move”, “but
you sat there last night”, “but… OK OK
stop gee wiz you guys act like you're toddlers! You sit there, stop arguing and let’s have a special… (CRASH!!!!) yes.. as the arguing seat stealers are
switching.. a very miffed shoulder brushes up against the wall shelf and knocks
the shelf to the ground, breaking my favorite plates! This followed by I’m
sorry’s and panic while watching us sweep up broken glass, combined with me trying to save the
moment saying “it’s fine but be more careful next time” sweeping up my favorite
plates all while singing “joy to the world” again in my head. There cleaned up..
“OK now where were we!"
“OK now where were we!"
We eat and hear the story of Zachariah getting his voice
silenced until the day his son was born because he didn’t believe and trust in
God that it would happen. It was a great
story in my mind of how we should trust God and have faith even when things
seem impossible. Something I’m hoping my
children will understand and be able to apply to this century. “So kids how
does this apply to your li “..”uh IT DOESN'T?” came quickly from the corner
seat. “e-hem, ok why don’t we think a little
before we answer” (mercy!) One
thoughtful answer from the opposite corner and a wrap up from the head of the
household.. and then as if their mom came from Mars all heads spinning when I
said.. “OK! Onto crafts”!!
“CRAFTS??” they said..
“Yes I’m making paper chains out of this cute craft paper I got from
Michael's that I cut in strips thinking you would think it’s fun to do a craft. But if you don’t want to, that’s fine (joy to
the world) I will do it anyway”.. The youngest says.. “well I’ll do it” GREAT I have one taker. “ok fine, we’ll do it” Well at the end of the night my family of 5
is doing paper chains, laughing, and racing to get it done the fastest. The cat ended up with chains around his neck
running around frantic, kids laughing, mom happy and extra decorations for the tree
to remind us later. Advent night #1 DONE! Maybe this is just what only a select few families can ultimately pull off. This is going to be the longest most stressful weeks of my life!
Priceless!!
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