*Merry Christmas*

 

 

 

 

Occupying Advent

  

 

 

"Advent is an active waiting. And Christmas comes to those who wait for the whisper, who look for the little, who seek the small, scandalous signs of the every-where presence of God."     

--from A Holy Experience blog--

Boxing Day...

definition: [a Canadian Holiday the day after Christmas, perfect for spending outside on a hockey rink learning to skate and play hockey.]

Celebrating Christmas

Celebrating Norwegian Christmas a few weeks before...

Eager to wash...to rinse...to play :)!

Sharing a story with Oldemor.

Christmas Eve...

Too tuckered to open presents.  So we waited for...

Christmas morning!

 

Listening to Daddy read about the birth of Baby Jesus but also asking..."Presents time?"

Adventing & Anticipating

Going to find a Christmas tree on a beautiful Sunday afternoon.

It's hard work...just getting there!

Looking for just the right one.

Here I come...

 What advent looked like for our family this year:

 

Thinking of my Mom as I hung ornaments on the tree. 
Longing for her to be nearer!

Baking Sour-Cream cookies with my sister.

Making Julekake: Norwegian Christmas bread.

Tree Day

My sister has eagerly anticipated the Advent Season and "Tree Day" this year. I must admit that her excitement has rubbed off on me too. Tree Day is not a day that is on our calendars but it's a day we count the number of sleeps until it's here. We get bundled up, go to the nearest tree lot, and choose the tree to fit our home. Then it doesn't mater how young or old you are but the time it takes to let the tree defrost and open up seems to take a LONG time.

In our home, Marco always fits the tree in the stand and does the lights so they are just right. Then we decorate the tree together with old, new, and treasured ornaments. This year, Ellie sat next to us gazing at the lights as we decorated. It's like our second-first Christmas!

Christmas In Our New Home

It was such a blessing this year to spend Christmas in our new home although we did miss being with our family. I am already looking forward to next year when we will be a little closer to each other.

In front of our fireplace Christmas Eve

We enjoyed many cups of coffee and a "sit down" breakfast together over the holidays instead of a quick bowl of cereal before dashing off to work :).

We made turkey dinner on Christmas Day. So good..

Come Thou Long-Expected Jesusby: Charles Wesley/Rowland H. Prichard

Come, Thou long-expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free
From our fears and sins release us
Let us find our rest in Thee

Israel's strength and consolation
Hope of all the earth Thou art
Dear desire of every nation
Joy of ev'ry longing heart

Born Thy people to deliver
Born a child, and yet a King
Born to reign in us forever
Now Thy gracious Kingdom bring
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone
By Thine all sufficient merit
Raise us to Thy glorious throne
Israel's strength and consolation
Hope of all the earth Thou art
Dear desire of every nation
Joy of ev'ry longing heart

Come Jesus Come