It's funny how often we have talked about the "real" meaning of Christmas over the years. Even as we're so busy during the holiday season with shopping, giving gifts, having holiday parties, fellowshipping with friends, and eating, we've tried to continually remind our kids (and ourselves!) that Christmas is really about anticipating and celebrating the birth of Him. In spite of all of our efforts, if I'm honest, it really is easy for that "mai
n event" that we're trying to celebrate to get lost in the mix of all the hustle and bustle that accompanies the holiday.So far I'm thinking that we aren't going to have that be quite as much of a problem while celebrating on this side of the ocean! It's amazing
how un-commercialized the season is over here in China. (When we lived in the Philippines, they began celebrating Christmas literally in October--so I kind of wondered if there would be at least some siliarities.) There are two stores I've seen now that do have some Christmas decorations, but by and large there just isn't that usual "holiday feel" you have when you are in the States right after Thanksgiving. I'm realizing that this works both ways. It is hard in that it just doens't feel as much like Christmas as we're used to, but at the same time, it also provides a neat opportunity for us to be able to really focus on the true meaning of what we'r'e celebrating.I really want to try to find the right balance in making Christmas special for our kids. We so don't want to take away the fun and excitement that surrounds the holiday of the gifts, but at the same time we want them to have the deeper understanding. Kevin and I are trying to be intentional in building the anticiapation about what we are celebrating, and I've found a great resource! I have an awesome book that was given to us called The Adventure of Christmas that goes through and explains where a lot of the different Christmas traditions come from, stating the deeper meaning behind each and how they are tied to our faith. Yesterday I read one about the Advent Wreath (or Advent Calendar). Unfortunately, there are none of those to be found here in Tianjin, but the book offered a great alternative. It suggested wrapping up small pieces of candy in saran wrap and then tying a ribbon or string between each one--25 total. So you end up cutting off one piece of candy to eat each day--all the way up to Christmas day. The kids have already asked almost daily how many days 'til Christmas, so I thought this project would be a perfect one to give them a visual of our countdown!
We had fun making our "caterpillars" for our Advent Calendars, and they especially loved the first cut and piece of
candy!Christmas here also provides great opportunity to be able to talk with others about what it is all about. I had a great conversation with a new friend here the other day who was asking questions about what we celebrate and why. Our conversation and her response was a great reminder of just how much of the world thinks as my friend does--believing that the One we celebrate is a great story, but not worth arguing about (or making a decision about, for that matter) the reality of who He was and still is. It's put it so into perspective for me this year to have it clear at least in my mind about the real m
eaning, and to be ready to give a defense to those brought to hear!The other photos are of some masks that Karis helped the boys make (all her own creative idea!) and then Karis wanted to take one of me with Noah. Pretty good photography skills for a 5 year old, I thought!
