Thursday, December 1, 2011

december 1st

Inside the Advent Calendar today:

"Have you ever wondered why this is called an advent calendar?
(Your latin class will help you figure it out and so will Wikipedia :)
Light a candle and read today's advent message
using the Devotional Link in our bookmark bar."

The scripture was Mark 13:35-37.

It was about keeping awake.

I asked the kids what they thought that meant. Did it mean Jesus doesn't want us to sleep? They thought He was saying to stay awake so you don't miss Him.

I like that. Not missing out on sleep, of course. But staying aware, above the stress and shopping lists, the decorating and the cooking, so that I don't miss the presence of God working in and through my world.

When my son was telling my husband about what we read, he said, "We read about staying awake to God and not letting ourselves be distracted by commercialism." (huh.)

My daughter said, "So are we going to get any candy today? Any presents?"

I said, "You did get a present."

And I mean it. It is always hard to do to the thing for my kids that may not be the next dream come true moment for them. But their lives are pretty dreamy. An opportunity to teach my children about the things nearest and dearest to my heart is a gift of christmas that I can easily forget to share with them when I am busy trying to make all their Christmas morning wishes come true.

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