Two + Two = Us

The Catholic school teacher in me absolutely loves all of the learning opportunities for our faith during the Advent and Christmas season. All of the special colors, feast days, songs, and tradition wrapped into these few short weeks. And oh how fun it has been to pass all of the festivities and Catholic culture to my own two eager kiddos!

One of my favorite Catholic bloggers posted a special Advent challenge. Essentially, for every purely seasonal thing you do for Christmas you also do something that pertains to the true meaning of the holiday. For example, for every "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" you sing, you would also sing an "Away in the Manger" or for every Santa you display, you would also put up a Nativity scene. And, while I didn't quite keep super close tabs on how I was doing, it helped me make a conscious effort to focus more on the birth of our Savior than on the commercialized version of the holiday.

For instance, I made it a point to celebrate the feasts of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Juan Diego, St. Nicholas, St. Lucy, and of course St. Francis Xavier. We listened to Christmas carols and made our own Advent wreath. We had our Advent book calendar that unfolds the story of Christmas each day. We checked out the life-sized Nativity at Opryland Hotel and had endless discussions on how we are celebrating Jesus' birthday on Christmas. We also helped with the food basket program that brings Christmas to the less fortunate of our area.

My Juan Diego and Our Lady of Guadalupe

Stocking boxes of food to bring to the needy of the area.

Of course, we took part in some secular Christmas traditions. We also had a chocolate Advent calendar. We had a tree and drove around town looking at beautiful Christmas light displays. We went to Cheekwood Holiday and the Governor's Mansion to see the decorations. The kids loved the Chipmunks' Christmas songs and singing "Frosty the Snowman." They visited Santa a time or two and had their wish lists for present ideas.

Annual Mommy/Daughter date to the Governor's Residence

Ice! with Lola

The easiest wish lists for Santa: socks, books, candy, and trains.

On Christmas Eve, we sang Christmas songs and made cookies for Santa before heading to church for a festive Mass. We came home to a lovely dinner and a birthday cake for Jesus before the kids set out their cookies and water (to be healthy) for Santa's arrival. They donned their special Christmas pajamas and were ready for bed.

Making cookies for Santa!

Proud of their gingerbread trees.

Christmas Eve pork chops, Justin's famous mac & cheese, cabbage, and rice.

And a birthday cake for our Savior.

In fact, the next morning on Christmas, they slept in a little and showed no real interest in going upstairs to look at presents and have breakfast. When they finally made their way to see their stockings and the gifts that were set out, they just stared for a very long time in what must have been shock and awe. They timidly started opening presents, getting more and more excited each time.

A little overwhelmed by the sight.

For never having seen the movie, she can't get enough of Frozen!

He got his trains! (Don't worry - she got her socks and books and there was candy, too!)

A fun new game!

Loving his new trains for his old table.

She was pleasantly surprised that Santa brought more than what she asked for.
She loves her new dollhouse!

After a yummy Christmas breakfast, we spent the rest of the morning playing with new toys before heading to Lolo and Lola's house for more celebrations, presence, and food.