Today the kids found gold coins in the Advent Banner.

One legend of St. Nicholas tells the story of how he helped 3 poor girls and their father. 

As the legend goes, St. Nicholas learned that the girls were too poor to pay their wedding dowries.  He secretly tossed a gold coin down the chimney and it landed in the first daughter’s stockings, which she had left by the fireplace to dry.  After also secretly helping the second daughter, the father hid out on the roof and discovered the identity of their benefactor when he helped the third daughter.

What a wonderful reminder to be aware of needs around you and of the real reason we give at Christmas—Loving Others. 

Today, the kids had a challenge: 

List 3 people who we need to remember with a small gift this season. 

This challenge was easy. 

I think we counted

18 teachers/faculty/staff at school,

7 judges/clerks/supervisors,

and 17 church teaches. 

Wow! 

That’s a lot of cookies!

After the children’s’ music at church tonight,

we tried to get a Christmas picture to share. 

I have some very silly children.

And the best shot…

Have advent banner, will travel! We took pocket #4 on the road with us to a swim meet this morning. Today’s goodie was a “Dear Santa” stamp that we used to write our letters to Santa!

The advent banner held an ornament for Big Girl today. 

It’s just a little ornament from that store with the big ‘ol bulls-eye. 

It’s a stocking with the word ‘Believe’. 

But that little word is why the ornament is so special. 

You see, this Christmas, a little of the magic is gone for my Big Girl. 

She’s growing up. 

That makes me a little sad. 

On the other hand, now that a little of the commercial magic is gone,

we can take more time to remember what Christmas is really all about.

Christmas Card 2003

The LM pulled a polar bear out of the advent banner! 

This kid has a serious love of all things polar—

bears, penguins, walruses. 

He actually wanted to be a walrus for Halloween,

but we talked him out of that one!

We hung our advent calendar!

This was made with a Moda precut advent banner kit and fabrics

from Sandy Gervais’s Adoring line.

I’ve filled each pocket with a goodie,

a clue to a goodie, or a challenge for the kids.