May You Have A WONDER-filled Christmas Season

It beginning to feel a lot more like winter in our area -- colder with the possibility of snow. I'm adjusting to my new work schedule and I'm finally beginning to feel comfortable with my new job responsibilities -- so much so that my daughters and I are making some hand made items and art. Also working on plans to open our own etsy shop in the Spring. More about that later. Right now, it's beginning to look to look a lot like Christmas!

Here in our home the beginning of Advent turns us towards a time of reminiscing, reflection, anticipation and celebration. I love the Advent season, both the magical side of Christmas with family and friends but also the spiritual, which are inseparable for us.  I enjoy the change of season and bring out special books, music, and decor to point to the "reason" of our holiday season. We've begun our Advent readings for this season which is our way of focusing and meditating on Christ throughout the holidays.

Decorating has started. The day after Thanksgiving we put up the tree, stockings are now hanging by the fireplace, and the wreath is on the front door. A list of our favorite, traditional baked goodies are listed in their special order with home made Peppermint Bark at the top of the list. It was made right after Thanksgiving so we could have a special treat while putting up the decorations. Memories of loved ones and events of the past years are a loved topic of conversation, mingled with both happiness and sadness. Photos and photo Christmas cards are be sorted and organized for display. We have so many that I'm making a new display board this year for our ever growing collection.

While all the excitement builds with the expectation of a brand new holiday season, our minds and hearts yearn for the meaningful, satisfying reasons for celebrating the season. While we can't perfectly, completely understand or explain everything about Christ coming as a baby in the manger, we celebrate because He is THE baby born in a manger that night long ago, He is THE provided sinless, sacrificial Lamb who came to redeem His people from the bondage and guilt of their sin. That God became man to come looking for us so we could be with Him again, to love us when we hated Him, to take away our sin and to give us His righteousness, to set us free from the power and control of sin, to make me His own when He could have rejected me as I deserved -- is a marvelous WONDER far greater than I can fully comprehend. This is a WONDERful time of year!

Here are some links about Advent and Jesse Trees for varying age groups and other resources:

List from my home education blog: New Advent & Christmas Resources I've Found
RCA: Jesse Tree Family Devotions Advent 2011
Advent Devotional 2008
Pastor Randy Booth's Advent Readings
Celebrate Meeting Jesus
Mary, Mary Mother of Our Lord by Nancy Wilson Femina blog
Artcyclopedia's Advent Calendar
Go To Bethlehem and See...
Advent Calendar
Full Homely Divinity Advent Calendar
Love Blooms Bright
BBC Radio Bach Christmas Calendar
Medieval Advent Calendar
Simple Mom: A Simple, No Frills Advent Calendar
Half Pint House Jesse Tree PDF
Jesse Tree: Calendar Daily Activities
Jesse Tree: A Christian Family Celebration of Christmas
Our Jesse Tree
Jesse Tree Project 2008
A Big God For Little People Seven Christmas Eve Meditations
Advent Readings: Book Review

Last year I posted a list of of some wonderful, artful Advent calendars to make.

I wanted to share an image of three 1950's vintage Christmas gift tags I've scanned. Each measure 1 x 3 inches.

 

These are free images from my personal collection. They are free to download and you may use them in your art only, NOT for Sale on a Collage Sheet or a CD.

If you use these mini Chrismas tags for any personal art or art projects for sale, please, make a reference back to me here at my altered heART works blog May You Have A WONDER-filled Christmas Season. If you use them I would love to see what you make. :-)

ENJOY!

Our countdown begins. May you have a WONDER-filled Christmas!

Is there anyone there? from FLN on Vimeo.

“Unto Him who loves us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever! Amen."

Revelation 1:5–6