I'm absolutely auntsy (a term my son coined) over the impending arrival of another baby. My sister-in-law is expecting her second baby, and the due date is this week. Because they live too far away, I rarely see her firstborn, my niece, but that doesn't seem to dampen my excitement. Somehow, expecting a new niece or nephew seems to complement nicely the expectation of the Advent season.
Advent is important to our family. We have so many family traditions based around the season before "The Season".
Of course, there's the Advent wreath we like to light each evening with special devotions and the memorization of a stanza or two of an Advent hymn. And there's Wednesday evening church with a capella singing of hymns. Early in Advent we begin getting out the Christmas things: first the box of children's books, then decorations. Each child gets to pick a favorite cookie to bake, and the tree goes up last.
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| Our wreath with crooked candles sitting in it's box |
This year we're a little more than just behind. We've used the Advent wreath only three times. I'm ashamed to say that, whether it's due to a child who hasn't had a nap or a mom who's just frazzled, the kids and I haven't made it to a single Advent service. All the books and decorations are still in the basement, and although the cookies have been chosen, nary a bowl or spoon has been dirtied in making them.
Part of me is disappointed, but the other part of me is okay with my failings. Afterall, if I were perfect, I suppose I wouldn't need Christ--you know, the Baby-King we're all more than a little excited about welcoming this time of year.
This post was shared at Sister, Daughter, Mother, Wife for their Advent Link-up Party and at Strangers & Pilgrims on Earth for The Art of Home-making Monday.
I like your son's term auntsy! I can't wait for more nieces and nephews!
ReplyDeleteMy much older sisters are finished having children--in fact one of my nieces has two of her own, but my husband is the oldest of 13, and while so far there's only one, I imagine that number will climb higher over the years.
ReplyDeleteThe Advent wreath is a funny thing... I almost look on myself with pride seeing how short some of the candles are getting ("I'm doing so well with the devotional stuff!") - but, more often, I'm struggling to remember when I last lit the candles, and then I feel so guilty! So, either way, it's a wonderfully convicting reminder that my sufficiency is in Christ, not myself, and, that He is coming soon! Come, Lord Jesus!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to hear that I'm not the only one who lets the dust gather on the wreath. We missed again tonight since we have a couple sicklings. I figure that means we'll also miss the last Advent service tomorrow evening since two are still sick and 4 are waiting for sickness (since it doesn't often happen that (m)any escape the various scourges that pass through the family).
DeleteBy the way, I really enjoyed looking at your artwork. Bravo for keeping it up with little ones. I only just started taking up writing after #6. It's difficult to make time, but has led to a bit more sanity, sort of.
:) To be even more brutally honest - we haven't even attended *any* midweek services this year (my 'replacement' has been to play video from CTSFW's chapel services whenever able instead) - though I sure wish we could. Advent has a beautiful solemnity, and it's not quite as emotionally draining as Lent can be (for oversensitive people like me:).
ReplyDeleteThanks for the compliments! Yes, there is something personally reassuring about engaging yourself in blogging/writing (art, too) as it helps you start to think that maybe, just maybe, your brain actually can still function post-children! ;)
I'm not sure my brain will ever function again. :)
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