Advent is Here

Well, MAYBE I will get a new post up in the next few days--it has been challenging between Seussical, my parents' visit during and after, Thanksgiving with Papa Rooster's parents back in IL, and now playing catch-up and think-ahead this week!

In the meantime, you can go enjoy the Third-Annual Advent Carnival at A Ten O'Clock Scholar!

Yes, Advent is here, as of November 29, this year. We already put up our Advent tree, which is our Christmas tree except with only blue and silver ornaments. On Christmas Eve day, we will take down the blue and silver, and put up the red, gold and multi-colored ornaments of the Christmas season. But during Advent, before bedtime, I can sit in the quiet living room and meditate on the twinkling white lights shining in the darkness.

In the tender mercy of our God, the dayspring on high shall break upon us, to give light to those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death and to guide our feet into the way of peace. (Luke 1: 78-79)

Lord, grant us your light, that being rid of the darkness of our hearts, we may come to the true light which is Christ.

This is our liturgical compromise between waiting till Christmas Eve to put up our tree--which just feels far too late and the Twelve Days too short--and decorating for Christmas prematurely. This way, we can have our tree and wait for it, too!