It’s the third week of Advent and there is an air of expectation around our little farm house…
There is a palpable spirit in the air; crisp, clear mornings great us, and we bustle with a sense of urgency to put things in order.
Yet we are not a family who gets all of our decorating done on the day after Thanksgiving…
Instead, each week, as we light another candle, we add a few more symbols to remind us of the upcoming celebration.
It’s a gradual process that draws out the anticipation.
The slowly changing decor works to remind us of the wonder and reverence that often gets lost in the mad rush of Christmas.
And as we clean, and prepare, and bake, and wrap…
We have the chance to remember…
…and reflect.
…and sometimes repent.
The beauty we invite into our home can be an awesome and holy reminder of what came to pass one winter night in Bethlehem.
And with expectant hearts we prepare to worship.
{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }
That was beautiful! Your home is very beautiful too. I think it's wonderful that you and your family use decorating to worship. It's often a chore for our family but it should be an opportunity. Thank you for sharing!
What a beautiful home you have—what a beautiful way to decorate and celebrate!
Fabulous post and reflection! Thank you for sharing!
Your home not only looks beautiful but it is full of love and each decoration is meaningful…it celebrates the real reason for the season!
Thank you for sharing these lovely pictures and words and thanks also for visiting me! So glad I have found another wonderful blog to visit!
Best wishes from summery and hot Australia!
Natasha.
Beautiful!
Thank you for reminding me to slow down in the midst of the season that can (and does) get lost in all of the hubbub.
You have a beautiful home. One that makes me excited to see where our new one will be. The thought of an old New England farm house makes me want to swoon with pleasure (until we had to renovate it all, of course!), especially since we don't have such things in the Southwest.
Your home makes me want to spend Christmas there. Utterly Beautiful.
Such a peaceful post. Your home truly looks serene. Thanks for sharing! Now I need to go clean
O my goodness what an absolutely wonderful post. Your home is beautiful also, but your beautiful heart is what shone through in this post.
Your home looks so peaceful. I wish I could spend a Christmas at your house! THanks for sharing your beautiful home and heart!
I love that you guys decorate slowly instead of just putting it all up at once. Sometimes I become so overwhelmed with getting all of the decorations up so quick that I don't really even enjoy it. They look lovely!
You have a beautiful home. I would love to have all that character in a house!
Thanks for sharing the photos.
BEAUTIFUL! I always wanted a farm house with lots of land – maybe someday. I am continually working on bringing faith back into the holidays – but need to try harder. What a beautiful post – I love my Willow Tree nativity too!
Thanks for sharing with us.
It's beautiful!
Hello from Romania ,
please read the blog – My heart His words – at archive blog please look at November – Humbled and Convicted-
, my friend Tammy Nischan wrote them the story and some pictures of some hungryes poors kids , what we try to help them for Christmas .Our LORD will be so proud of us if we will do something! Many kids dont have food ,or Christmas tree becouse theu are so poors ! I fight so much to help this kids but i cant alone ~ if anyoane wants to know much more or wish to help in anyway you can please let me know email me at :
tibivio72@yahoo.com
I love you blog,
sweet blessings and MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Violeta
? your decorations! Your house looks fabulous, very festive! May you be blessed beyond measure this Holiday Season! Thanks for sharing.
Blessings~ Trisha
I wish I could spend a Christmas at your house! THanks for sharing your beautiful home and heart!
Work from home India
I just love the simplicity of your decorating and your farmhouse is wonderful!
Carey
You have a lovely home. I like your method of combining decorating with focusing on what Christmas is really about.
Love the birdhouse!
Your home and decor are so refreshing! What a wonderful way to keep focused on THE real reason for CHRISTmas!
So beautifully put. Thanks for reminding us!
It all looks so festive! I am stopping in from Nester's place. To see my tour click on the 'Christmas 2009' tag on the left sidebar of my blog.