Advent

We celebrate Advent starting on December 1. I know tradition states that Advent starts on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, but we don't do the Advent wreath and candles since we only have all the kids here every other Sunday. (I guess we could always do Mondays though since they are all here then.) Since Advent calendars start on December 1, we do too.

Our December 1 traditions include a simple breakfast, this morning of almond-butter, spelt bread with homemade blackberry jam, canned this summer.

We also set up our two nativity sets, one for mama...

and one for the kiddos to build,

then knock down and rebuild. I always love seeing the different arrangements they come up with for the Holy Family and animals. Interestingly, this year the baby Jesus was elevated in several of the formations.

And of course, the opening of the first window of the Advent calendar! (This advent calendar is from Blueberry Forest, made in Germany.)

Happy December 1st and Advent!