Once upon a time (second grade to be exact), I learned “O Christmas Tree” in German for my school’s Christmas concert. To this day, I don’t actually know the words in English.
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For all I know, these are the lyrics.
From Pinterest |
Mac and I recovered from St. Barbara’s by decking our halls (or just the family room) in festive Christmas decor. This is the first full Christmas season that we’ve spent together, ever. Two years ago (a few weeks after he deployed), I was really depressed and half-assed our decor. I went to Michael’s three or four days before Christmas and bought a small tree, ornaments, and cookie cutters for $20 total. Score one for procrastination. Last year (right after he came home), we threw up our tree for a week or two since we didn’t spend Christmas at home.
This year, we bought a lot of Christmas ornaments at the many Christmas shops in the Outer Banks. Mac also decided to upgrade to a large tree. We wound up with a 7.5 foot, pre-lit, artificial Hartford pine. I’m a fan of fake trees because they require no maintenance, you put them in a box and reuse them, and pets can’t drink out of the water bowl. We also avoid tinsel because certain kitties have a penchant for eating it. Nothing says Christmas cheer like pulling tinsel out of your cat’s butt.
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| Please note our Yoda Santa tree topper. |
I also found this super snazzy Advent wreath / Nativity scene and Advent candles at Hob Lob. Each candle has significance to the Advent season, and one is lit each Sunday leading up to Christmas. We don’t have a white candle because we’re not going to be home to light it. Maybe next year. The churches I’ve attended use the first meanings of the candles are explained below.
From Living Hope Church in Omaha, NE
1st CANDLE – (purple) THE PROPHECY CANDLE or CANDLE OF HOPE – We can have hope because God is faithful and will keep the promises made to us. Our hope comes from God. “And again, Isaiah says, ‘The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him.’ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:12-13)
2nd CANDLE – (purple) THE BETHLEHEM CANDLE or THE CANDLE OF PREPARATION – God kept his promise of a Savior who would be born in Bethlehem. Preparation means to “get ready”. Help us to be ready to welcome YOU, O GOD! “As is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: ‘A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all mankind will see God’s salvation.‘ (Luke 3:4-6)
3rd CANDLE – (pink) THE SHEPHERD CANDLE or THE CANDLE OF JOY – The angels sang a message of JOY! “…and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.’ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” (Luke 2:7-15)
4th CANDLE – (purple) THE ANGEL CANDLE or THE CANDLE OF LOVE – The angles announced the good news of a Savior. God sent his only Son to earth to save us, because he loves us! “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:16-17)
5th CANDLE – (white) “CHRIST CANDLE” – The white candle reminds us that Jesus is the spotless lamb of God, sent to wash away our sins! His birth was for his death, his death was for our birth! “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!‘” (John 1:29)
Any one else do an Advent wreath?
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