Winter Break Approaching

The boys are getting excited...not sure if it is because of Christmas coming so much as our winter break.  For several years, we have made the decision in our house to take a break from school throughout the Advent and Christmas season (We make it up during the hot days of summer when no one wants to be outside!).  They know that the big break begins on the feast of St. Nicholas (December 6th) and lasts until the Monday after Epiphany (January 6th).  An entire month to dedicate to preparing for Christmas and then celebrating the 12 days of Christmas.  A great time of fun for everyone here.

SO we still have school this week but are trying to hold back the excitement with a few more Advent traditions.

This morning we found Sariel and we were told in a letter that we should focus on the kingship of Jesus today.  Edward was asked to make a crown out of Legos...he decided a miniature one would never due for our KING!  He thought he could take the entire morning to make a very bejeweled life-size crown!  I told him it was a great idea but would need to continue his creation AFTER school.

We also got active with a crown lifting exercise!  The official exercise is a simple overhead press, but we talked about the kingdom of God and how Jesus wears the crown.  As members of His kingdom through baptism, we are called to be priest, prophet and king (CCC 897-913)!  As we lifted our crowns in honor of Jesus, we called out words that describe our king:

• AWESOME!
• POWERFUL!
• ETERNAL!
• WONDERFUL COUNSELOR!
• ALMIGHTY!
• ALL-KNOWING!
• and many more!

We will continue throughout the day discussing this theme.  We will also add a roof to our nativity stable!  The Jesse Tree will lead us on the journey through salvation history stopping long enough to tell a story of sacrifice.  In Genesis 22, we read,

...the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!”

“Here I am,” he replied.

“Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”

Henry placed an ornament with a ram head to represent the sacrifice God gave to Abraham in place of his son, Isaac.

We also began reading from our Christmas library.  (We add more books to this each year.) Yesterday, Michael began Tabitha's Travels.  This is a story broken into parts for each day of Advent.  I also read what I like to call our "cuddle books" to anyone who wants to sit around me.  Today's book is The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey.  If have never read this book, be prepared to be touched.  I still feel a special joy when I read this book.  It is a great Advent book because it shows the healing that can take place as one prepares for Christmas.

Have I mentioned that I love this season?