The Time of Preparation
Advent Wreaths
One of my favorite things to do in late November is design an Advent wreath for our family. I've had lots of inspiration from Pinterest, of course, and also from the multitude of wreaths that I've seen in real life over the years. A couple of years ago I spray painted an old Bundt cake pan in red and white, filled it with plastic evergreens, tucked in four candle sticks complete with three purple and one pink taper, and I had a lovely Advent wreath for our table.
Last year I modified that idea by using different colored Christmas balls instead of the greenery. It was nice, a little more eclectic, and felt a bit more fire-proof (even if I was using fake evergreens).
This year I wanted something totally different. I felt very strongly about something I had seen on another website (CraftIdeas.info). After combining what I had seen there with my own creativity, I came up with an elegant wreath that emanated the ideas of light in the darkness, and allowed us to properly count down the weeks until the arrival of the Christ Child.
This year's wreath consisted of colored sand (pink and purple) poured into wine glasses, then topped with miniature Christmas balls and ribbon in the pink and purple colors.
The most difficult part of the project was finding hanging tea light holders. I looked in several stores and on the Internet, but couldn't find them anywhere. I decided I would have to make them myself. I was able to form them out of 18-gauge wire, using pliers and a soldering iron. I would say that my results weren't perfect. I usually had to carefully adjust how level the tea lights sat. But overall I was satisfied.
In the end, I loved the results. I would just put a little more time into making the holders perfect the next time.
Advent Tree
I'm a bit of a purist when it comes to Advent vs. Christmas Season. I believe that Advent should be a time of fasting and preparing for the birth of Christ. Christmas trees and celebrations should only begin on Christmas Eve. Unfortunately, in our society it is impossible to follow that practice. But I do resist putting up the Christmas tree until just a few days before the actual day.
For my religion class students last year I put up an Advent tree. I decorated it with purple and pink ornaments, and the word "PREPARE" in large purple letters. (I think I was inspired by something I had seen on Pinterest.) It turned out well, and I may one year be able to do this at home. I would put purple ornaments on for two weeks, then add pink on Gaudete Sunday. Then maybe pull everything off on Christmas Eve and put up regular Christmas decorations. It would be a lot of work, though, so it hasn't happened at our house, yet.
As for our tree this year, we don't have many real pine trees growing in Kansas. I'm also very allergic to real pine trees. Instead, we usually cut a fresh cedar tree from somewhere on the farm. This year we found one during our post-Thanksgiving-meal walk. We cut it last Friday and brought it home. I think it's the biggest one we've ever had, going clear to the ceiling in our living room. The kids decided to decorate it with gold and clear ornaments, and it turned out very beautiful. (But next year I want a tree with lots of colors!)
I hope that everyone reading this has a blessed Christmas. May you be filled with the joy of the shepherds as they looked upon the face of the Child on that glorious night!