Advent calendars (1)

I am very excited that I have already been sent two entries for the Christmas giveaway (see yesterday's post for details). Cat has sent me this photo of hers from last year, which I think sounds quite simple, but looks really effective:


And here is her explanation:

I made my first ever advent calendar last year, after being inspired by some other mums. It was really simple - I just covered an existing picture frame with wrapping paper, stuck some numbered envelopes on and filled them as we went. Each envelope had a little note for dinner and something else. The notes either had a Christmas joke or a mini-Bible study on some Christmas themes like 'joy', 'peace', 'hope', etc, and my daughter had the opportunity to look up a short passage and then we talked about how Jesus' birth relates to these ideas.

The something else ranged from little gifts (a bag of marbles, a 'Happy Birthday Jesus' colouring kit, etc), to home-made decoration activities (we decorated the tree, made paper-chains, made snowflakes for our windows), other activities (making jelly, getting both of our hair-cut, going to the beach, often the first clue in a treasure hunt around the house to find a special Christmassy dessert (like mince pies). We had so much fun and it made advent a really special family time, while also giving me more opportunity to include Jesus in our celebrations.

Janiel is going to use one like this and is going to paint/decorate it:

And this is what she writes about last year:

I put verses (from Disciplines of a Godly Family by Kent and Barbara Hughes) into each box - some longer and some shorter. This year they can all read so I'll work on similar passages but expanded. In each box there was also a small treat or something to do to create a family memory. One was going out in pyjamas for McDonald's ice-creams, one was watching a movie together, one was a special supper, one was making Christmas cards for friends and family far away. None were complicated or expensive but all 4 of our children have asked if we are doing it again.

Thanks Cat and Janiel, you're both in the draw to win one of the decorations from harrydesk. If you want to enter, all you need to do is email me with your photo and explanation - you have until the end of November.

And I would also love to hear your missional motherhood stories too - again, until the end of November.