First Week of Advent

Aside from the usual purchase of the Christmas tree and decorating of the house, my family has a few other Advent traditions that we'd like to share.

Our sons are 5, 3, and 9 months old and we want to celebrate Advent in a way they can understand.  We started by lighting our Advent wreath every evening while we read a devotion from Living Light was Born One Night by Arden W. Mead.  This devotional is perfect for young children because the Bible verses and meditations are brief and the reflection questions they ask are at an appropriate level for our kids.  This little booklet is also great because it's not limited to 24 days -- it has enough devotions for the 4 full weeks of Advent!

Activity for the first Sunday of Advent

Yesterday was the first Sunday of Advent and I wanted to do something different and more Catholic-flavored as we decorated our house.  I decided to make a big Advent Candle display in the boys' bedroom window, which faces the street. 

It was pretty easy!  All I had to do was cut four rectangles out of construction paper (3 purple and 1 pink) and four flames out of yellow construction paper.  I got them laminated at Lakeshore (yay for the teachers' discount for homeschoolers!!!) so they'd be a little more durable and hopefully be usable for next year.  I taped the four rectangles to the window and one of the flames over the first one, so it looks like one candle of an Advent wreath has been lit.  My husband was skeptical, but it ended up looking pretty cool.

All Hallows' Eve Costumes

Knight Templar Costume

Materials:

• Pillowcase (white or cream-colored)

• Red felt

• Leather Belt

• Dark Hoodie and pants

• Toy Sword

Cut a cross from the felt and use fabric glue to attach it to the pillowcase. If you’re up to the task, feel free to sew it on! Cut holes for your child’s head and arms. Dress your child in dark pants and a dark hoodie, then put the pillowcase over the clothes. Fasten the leather belt around your child’s waist and you have your very own Knight Templar, ready to protect Christian pilgrims on their way to the Holy Land!



Here are some photos to use as models:

St. Maximilian Kolbe Costume

Materials:

• White or Gray long-sleeved shirt (I used a onesie for 8-month-old Kolbe)


• Black iron-on letters and numbers


• Round glasses

• Rosary and/or picture of Mary

It's pretty self-explanatory -- just iron on the letters and numbers.  Here is a picture to use as a model:

St. Edward the Confessor Costume

OK, I didn't make this one, but I thought I'd give you ideas anyway!

Materials:

• Crown
• Coat of Arms (see picture below)
• Sword
• Eyeliner for a beard

Here are some photos for inspiration:

This coat of arms is attribued to St. Edward the Confessor

Good luck and have a blessed All Saints' Day!