When I think of the celebrations of Christmas, my very favorite time is that of Advent, the days and weeks leading up to the celebration of the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, on Christmas Day. Our family has always loved pulling out our Advent Wreath, and placing it in the center of our dining room table, on the first Sunday of Advent.
Last Sunday, we lit the first candle, the candle of "Hope", on our Advent wreath. In years past, when our children were growing up, we always lit the candles for each week, every night after supper, and read from an Advent devotional, and then sung one of our favorite Christmas hymns. It was a very special and blessed time for all of us, and now, my husband and I continue to enjoy the daily Advent reading, lighting of the candles and singing a Christmas hymn together.
"Hope in Hard Times" was the title of one of the daily Advent devotionals this week. "How appropriate", I recalled saying to my husband. In these very difficult times, sometimes it is not an easy thing to 'keep on hoping and praying', because we feel so helpless at times to make a difference, but we know that when we have faith and hope, and trust that our prayers are being heard, we have everything. We have HOPE for today and tomorrow and for the future. For with God, "all things are possible."
Although a little later than I had hoped to start some of my Christmas stitching, I have enjoyed pulling out some of my JCS Ornament Issues, as well as the current 2011 one, and started this piece this week.
 |
| "Christmas Joy" By Cherished Stitches JCS 2009 Ornament Issue |
As this week comes to a close today and a new week dawns tomorrow, may you be blessed with the hope, peace, faith and love of Advent in your hearts and homes everywhere.
Blessings To You, My Dear Friends!
I like the ornament - Can't wait to see it completed ;)
ReplyDeleteLooks like you are off to a wonderful start with your ornament. I can't wait to see what else you might stitch.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely tradition Kathy! Love your ornament - so sweet!
ReplyDeleteI love Advent as well. Such a special time of year.
ReplyDeletehello dear..sweet stitching..
ReplyDeleteblessings and love for you cucki xx
Lovely post. I started a similar tradition as I have a lovely devotional book. Can I find it???? Nope and the start of advent is gone. I'm glad we have a God who never changes unlike us!!! Xx
ReplyDeleteKathy what a lovely blog this week , and your write up about Advent. I love the words Hope and Faith, and always buy Christmas ornaments with Hope and faith on when i can.
ReplyDeleteMost people here now sadly have lost the true meaning of Christmas.
Love your stitching.
Have a wonderful week.
Such a lovely blog post.
ReplyDeleteTraditions with the family are to treasured.
Beautiful my talented friend. Love your Advent Candle. Lovely~
ReplyDeletexoRebecca
We always did that as kids, too--the lighting of the Advent candles, saying prayers, etc. With four kids in our family, we took turns from youngest to oldest--each one had a week. I was always SO excited when it came to my week, because I also had the different colored candle. We didn't do it with our kids--DH didn't grow up with an Advent wreath at home, just at church--and I regret that.
ReplyDeleteLove your stitching!
I loved reading your post Kathy. Family traditions are so wonderful.
ReplyDeleteLove the ornament.
Such a beautiful tradition to keep Kathy. What a sweet ornament too.
ReplyDeleteLike you we have an advent wreath on our coffee table and light the candles on the appointed Sunday. It's a time of quiet reflection for us after the bustle of a busy week.
ReplyDeleteYour ornament looks lovely!
Very beautiful shot and post.
ReplyDeleteLights
Lovely tradition! And a lovely ornament!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas!