Advent Angel Appears

This morning the boys were SUPPOSED to discover our new addition to our Advent tradition. Unfortunately, I had an early morning doctor's appointment and I was not at the house when everyone woke up.  So, I expected the boys to meet me at the door wanting to have some fun activities.  Well, I was mistaken....they did not say anything about our angel in our empty tree!

Yes...that is right...we have an empty tree in our front room.  We are using our Christmas tree (not lighted) for our Jesse Tree (If you do not know this tradition...here is a link to more information).  The idea is to fill the tree with ornaments that tell the story of God's promise for a savior throughout Advent.  Then we will complete our decorating on the last Sunday of Advent.  We have had a Jesse Tree for a long time and have always waited to decorate our tree.  However, setting up the tree AND decorating was always too much.  This was a perfect solution and we look forward to carrying on this tradition for years to come!

As for our Advent Angel, Sariel (which means Angel of Guidance), the boys said they saw the angel in the tree but did not give it much thought.  When I told them there was more to the angel, they ran to see what we were going to do for the day.

The main theme for the day was the candle that lights our way to Jesus.  We read from Isaiah 9:2-7...

"The people who walked in darkness
    have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
    on them has light shone.
...
For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
    and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

Then Brendan made a candle out of Legos that we placed on our mantel.

We talked to the boys about what is like to be in complete darkness.  We took the boys into our closet to give them the idea of being in darkness.  I talked to them about the darkness we saw in the closet was like a sinner feels in his life.  I asked them how they felt and what they wanted to do.  One said he felt scared...another wanted to fight back against anyone who touched him, and another said that he was fine in the dark.  Our little miss was back out the door and did not look back as she hopped into her Daddy's arms!

I told the children that that experience was much like what happens when we are in the darkness of sin.   Some are scared but do not know what to do, so they stay in the darkness.  Others will be angry and lash out into the darkness, which often times hurts others in the process.   And, still others do not see what the problem is...being in darkness is not so bad.  However, the one who wants nothing to do with sin and is willing to admit that they do not have the answer and will then run into the arms of the father...that is the person who will find the light and be forgiven.  I told them that to do anything else will keep us in the darkness of sin and lead to a state of despair.

SO....off they all ran out of the dark closet and back to our well lit dining room.  We talked about the need to seek the light of salvation.  It was a great lesson followed by dinner.  We all enjoyed a steamy bowl of broccoli cheese soup.  Then we placed the stable in the nativity scene and moved our candle to the next spot along the trail.

We ended the day with our Advent Adventure and placed our first ornaments on our Jesse Tree.  I think we will start doing this in the morning and discuss throughout the day.

More fun to come!  Happy Advent season to you all!