Advent already?

Advent blessings from our home to yours! Thank you for your support and welcome newcomers to my blog!

My last blog was all about Fall, now we are in the throws of Advent! I consider advent the

" calm before the storm." And in this blog, I truly want to recognize calm. In our walk with God, it's imperative that we take each day as a gift. A wrapped present ready to be uncovered. As we gather our Christmas decor, lets intentionally place them in our home as a reflection of who we are. However first....

Let's backtrack a little. In my final presentation before graduating from SU, I gently wrapped the oil painting above our mantel, as a " show and tell." I had asked my grandmother for it decades ago. As her namesake, I was honored to have it in our home. I had named it: "Ground of being." The young girl in a boat reflecting, in the calm of the sea, alone in her thoughts. This is the relationship we have with God.

As I place our Christmas decor, each piece tells a story. The advent calendar; a precious gift from a beloved friend given to us when our eldest daughter was just three. The keepsake ornaments and nutcrackers we always found in a lovely shop in Leavenworth. And ornaments from family trips and our children's travels. Our stockings from a 50's pattern my mother-in-law started and continued which grace our mantel every year;) Photos with Santa I always set on our piano. The Nativity set and creshe Larry gave me from a store in Poulsbo. This list continues, however I wanted to recognize its validity and intention.

Some years, I might add a new vignette, candle, or tablecloth, however, I ALWAYS set out the above. If I forget, our children remind me. It's what they remember and hold dear. I'm very thankful for their Christmas memories. It is my fervent prayer, in their own adult lives, they will carry on some traditions from their childhood home.

In closing, please take your " calm," and each day, as we await the birth of our Lord, reflect, pause, remember, be nostalgic, be sad, be expectant, be thankful and enjoy this season of waiting...

In Christ, with Advent blessings to you,

Kitt