Preparing to Wait

This year, we will be celebrating our first Advent and Christmas in our new house.  Typically, Advent sneaks up on me as I am digesting the remnants of Thanksgiving dinner in a pumpkin-pie induced haze.  This year, I wanted to be ready.  Since I am now working outside of the home, I knew I needed to be "on the ball"--no procrastinating or leaving anything to the last minute (except those darned Advent candles--I am always running around the first week Sunday of Advent looking for purple and pink candles--or even white candles to which I can attach purple and pink ribbons--sadly, it looks like this year will be no different as far as the candles are concerned). BUT,  I am happy to say that I have already purchased some gifts on-line and begun reading Destination:Bethlehem to the kids.
I can't wait to start reading our Advent/Christmas books!  I ordered several to add to our collection and as gifts.  My husband's goddaughter is recently married and we have decided to purchase Christmas picture books for her each year to create a collection for her and her future family.  She's a schoolteacher and liked the idea.
One of my favorite books, which I purchased as gifts this year is by Eve Bunting, called "December."

It is a visually beautiful book about a homeless mother and her son who entertain an angel disguised as an elderly homeless woman.  My favorite line is what the elderly woman says as the mother invites her to stay with them in their cardboard box for the night. "It's warm in here.  It's warm with love."  Beautiful story.


Here are some of our other favorites, old and new:
The Miracle of Saint Nicholas
The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey
The Christmas Tapestry
The Donkey's Dream
and anything by Tomie DePaola:
     The Legend of the Poinsettia
     Old Befana
     The Lady of Guadalupe (Dec. 12--dont' miss it!)
     Merry Christmas, Strega Nona
     The Night of Las Posadas
     The Three Wise Men


Advent, the season of waiting, builds a sense of wonder and anticipation which culminates with the birth of Our Savior on Christmas Day.  It is good to thoughtfully and deliberately plan...to wait.