Christmas Traditions and Ornaments

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I can’t help it… I’m excited to be nearing the Christmas Season again. What does the season mean to you–on an emotional level? If you’re in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, I strongly recommend you visit the Grotto this year. It’s absolutely gorgeous.

My wife is also starting new glasswork in Christmas ornaments. If you’d like to see her new Christmas star or her holy water fonts, you might enjoy this video trailer.
 
Writer said:
I can’t help it… I’m excited to be nearing the Christmas Season again. What does the season mean to you–on an emotional level? If you’re in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, I strongly recommend you visit the Grotto this year. It’s absolutely gorgeous.

My wife is also starting new glasswork in Christmas ornaments. If you’d like to see her new Christmas star or her holy water fonts, you might enjoy this video trailer.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the lovely links. Is the Grotto already decorated with lights & all? When does it start?

Thanks:thumbsup:
 
I’ve been trying over the past few years to actually celebrate Advent as Advent instead of getting sick of Christmas before it’s actually here. :o I’ve found I really enjoy that as a time of preparation. In addition to the Advent wreath on the table, I hang wreaths with purple (and one pink) ribbon on our front window and light an electric candle under each one for the week. We put the decorations up gradually (I have a box for each week). Then after Epiphany, I put them back away gradually, with the tree finally coming down after Candlemas (Feb 2).

We also celebrate St. Lucia Day, and Our Lady of Guadalupe.

We found that Midnight Mass works really well for our kids. They go wearing their brand new pajamas.

ETA: The kids also have a toy nativity that they love. As soon as the leaves started changing, my 3yo told me "Soon it will snow and then it will be Christmas and I can play with the “badibity!” So I guess that’s the highlight for him.
 
I’m excited too and can’t wait to put up the Advent tree after Thanksgiving. 😃
 
Megan7 said:
Thanks for the lovely links. Is the Grotto already decorated with lights & all? When does it start?

Thanks:thumbsup:
Click to expand...
The Grotto Festival of Christmas Lights starts the Friday after Thanksgiving and runs though December 30th. There are choir/musical performances every night.
 
I’m looking forward to our Fast which begins on Nov. 15 (40 days before Christmas). I’ve had such spiritual growth during a Fast that I can’t wait for it b/c I really really need it this year!

Other than that I am looking forward to putting up the tree and decorations on St. Nicholas’ Day…we take everything down on Theophany (Epiphany). I love Christmas…love the food, the smell of christmas candles, everything!!!
 
I love Midnight Mass, too, but it’s hard logisticaly sometimes. 🙂
 
Because of the distance and work constraints, we’ve changed our usual Christmas traditions somewhat. We live next door to my husband’s family, but 100 miles from my family. Christmas Eve was always spent with his family–big dinner and gift exchange–Christmas Day with mine–big dinner and gift exchange.

Before, we’d get up in the wee hours of Christmas morning to drive 100 miles to attend Christmas morning Mass with my family then have dinner with them before having to return home to work the next day. Last year, we decided to attend the Christmas Eve vigil Mass in a neighboring town about 20 miles away (the closest town, 12 miles away, only had the Midnight Mass.) Driving home, at about 6 p.m., we drove through the closest town, Tularosa, at 10 mph, with the lights on our car off. Why?

Because every year, on Christmas Eve, dozens of volunteers spend the day setting up luminarias, small brown paper bag lanterns with candles in them, along the road (which is US 54/70) around buildings, the church, etc. It is absolutely one of the most beautiful and uplifting sights ever.

(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)
 
bluerose said:
Because of the distance and work constraints, we’ve changed our usual Christmas traditions somewhat. We live next door to my husband’s family, but 100 miles from my family. Christmas Eve was always spent with his family–big dinner and gift exchange–Christmas Day with mine–big dinner and gift exchange.

Before, we’d get up in the wee hours of Christmas morning to drive 100 miles to attend Christmas morning Mass with my family then have dinner with them before having to return home to work the next day. Last year, we decided to attend the Christmas Eve vigil Mass in a neighboring town about 20 miles away (the closest town, 12 miles away, only had the Midnight Mass.) Driving home, at about 6 p.m., we drove through the closest town, Tularosa, at 10 mph, with the lights on our car off. Why?

Because every year, on Christmas Eve, dozens of volunteers spend the day setting up luminarias, small brown paper bag lanterns with candles in them, along the road (which is US 54/70) around buildings, the church, etc. It is absolutely one of the most beautiful and uplifting sights ever.

http://www.artoflearning.com/art/pictures/sdSouthwest/LuminariaWebsite.jpg
Click to expand...
That sounds breathtaking!
 
My wife and I just recently bought an advent wreath (minus the garland), and a Christmas wreath for the front door. We’re going to be celebrating our first Christmas as newlyweds together. We’re really excited about it. 🙂
 
Hi Karl,

I love the music of the Christmas season. I love to play it on the piano, and I love to listen to it, too.

I also like to look at the Christmas lights out in the various neighborhoods in our area, to see how people have their homes decorated.

I looked at the video of your wife’s glass work. She does such beautiful work, and an amazing job. She is so gifted and talented! You must be very proud of her! 🙂
 
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