this advent

One thing I love about parenting is that it has made me a lot more mindful of the seasons. There's something about young children (and perhaps gardening) that seems to force me to live in the present - to notice the first frost, to prepare for the first snow, to watch the temperatures closely, to point out the first buds of spring to a curious young mind, to touch the first flower of the season, and to long for the days when we could take a walk at 7pm in light and warmth outside. There's something I really love about the changing seasons - the rhythm and pace it adds to life; the reminder of the passing days and the anticipation of times to come. In the same way, spiritual seasons have taken a bigger presence in our home life - partly because I want to teach the children about the meaning behind certain holidays (like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter) and have them grow up with a certain sort of spiritual rhythm and predictability. But it's not just for the children - it's also for the adults - to remember the meaning behind what we are doing in our lives, to take time to reflect and process in the midst of holiday busyness, and to tend to our souls in the midst of preparation and celebration. This Advent, as we knit and cook and bake and make, we also (almost) daily light the candles on our advent wreath - beautifully made in Maine - and are guided by a family devotional, We Light the Candles. I hope this can help calibrate our family's hearts, minds and souls to truly and fully celebrate on December 25. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." ~John 3:16