Advent

Advent has begun. Which is wonderful because it's my most favorite time of year. I love it. I just love it. The anticipation. The planning. The festivities. Husband was commenting today that this year, based on the calendar, that Black Friday was really kind of the baby shower for Jesus. We didn't go shopping but I actually like that idea in that then you can just relax and focus during Advent. 

We decorated today. Oh my gosh. It was wonderful. Carols were listened to. One of my favorite Christmas movies was watched. I'd share with you but I'm going to tell you you've never heard of it. Husband and my parents will tell you that you're better off for that. It's a childhood favorite. It gets me really really excited. I was super excited to watch it with C. He liked it too. 

In lieu of a fireplace we use our staircase. They rhyme. It's cute. It's what I remember as a youngster before we moved to the house with an actual fireplace. But those first 7 Christmases were especially fun because as we were coming down you could TELL that Santa had come and Christmas was really here because the stockings were full. I like that. 

This is our Jesse Tree/Special Ornaments Tree. It has a few of the special ones I need to put up. You know, the pickle and the pierogies, as well a the "Our First Christmas" one and all that good stuff. We read our first 2 verses for the Jesse Tree today. C may or may not have cried through part of it, but I am happy to have started this tradition for him while he's young and impressionable. We will eventually add an Advent wreath to our celebrations but we haven't found one that speaks to us. I guess we're picky. 

What I am basically saying here are those are two of my favorite things about Advent. The OLD and NEW. I love the traditions that we have started and the traditions we continue. It's just the little things that spread the joy and warmth of the season. And they bring focus on family and Christ and let's be honest those are the most important things in life. I feel like the holiday season just brings about a bevy of traditions that are created and continued. It's beautiful. It doesn't matter if you've done the exact same things forever either, some part of the experience will always be new. 

This is our real tree. Empty because while I am ahead of the game with the shopping I pretty much suck at wrapping. I make a beautiful gift bag. Really, I can arrange the tissue paper artfully and so that you can't see the item that is within. But wrapping? Nope. Not my talent. 

And my third favorite thing about Advent? The fact I can listen to carols and nobody looks sideways. I might possibly be one of those people who listens to Jingle Bells by Frank Sinatra whether it's July or December. So being able to listen to the songs I love loudly and possibly on the radio is winning in my book. My favorite secular carol is listed above but give me the religious O Come All Ye Faithful and O Holy Night and I am going to be a puddle of melty go. And in the secular/mash up world I love love love Trans Siberian Orchestra's Christmas Canon. (Not Christmas Canon Rock... the one with the children.) Chills. I get chills. 

So that's three things. I love the music, the old and the new. Wonderful. I am linking up with Micaela for her 3 Favorites Link-up.