First Week of Advent

The first week of Advent has not be quiet and contemplative with school still in session and the double ESL commitment and last shopping trips and preparing the 19 children's gifts for mailing out next week. It has looked a lot like Christmas, however, with many inches of snow. Looks beautiful but makes for difficult driving for a person who likes driving as well as I don't. On Wednesday I took my piano teacher's daughter to a family Advent festival at church--various stations at which children can hear stories, see a play, sing and play rhythm instruments, learn a liturgical dance, and create Christmas crafts. For someone not yet four years old, J did very well; she seems to have adopted me as a substitute grandmother since her own is a missionary in Dubai. Here is a picture of her--the smallest one at the back of the line--learning the slave shuffle that forms the powerful symbolism of the dance that begins all Advent services at our church--we are groaning under the weight of the slavery of sin. (Up until now, we were ok with the liturgical dance but not really helped to worship by it. This one is different.) Her favorite station by far was the music followed by the crafts.

Today we solved the dilemma we were facing (and helped the economy at the same time): We ventured out in yet another burst of snow and bought an artificial Christmas tree after learning that if we get a real one, we will have to dispose of it the same way we do our leaves. That was the straw that broke the Christmas tree camel's back. We'll decorate it next weekend when Karen is here for a few hours and after I have the fun of figuring out where to put all my creches in the new house.