It's NOT Christmas, it's Advent!!!

As I keep telling my children, who have been bombarded by the commercialism of the season; it's NOT Christmas, it's Advent!!! For Catholic Christians, Christmas doesn't officially begin until Christmas day, hence the 12 days of Christmas that follow. Prior to Christmas, we celebrate Advent. This is a time of anticipation, waiting, and longing for our Savior to arrive. We try to prepare our hearts and minds for the awesome event that changed our lives forever. Therefore, at the Dougherty household, you will find no babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger until Christmas Day (well, I do put a Nativity in our yard). You will find no wise men hovering over the creche until their appointed time (Epiphany)!! And speaking of Advent, one of our favorite traditions is to keep the baby Jesus hidden until Christmas day. I usually hide him somewhere in the house and on Christmas morning, the kids run around trying to find him. The one who finds him gets to place him in his "SOFT" bed...yes, I said soft. All during the Advent season the kids place cotton balls in his straw bed for each nice thing they say or do...and by Christmas morning, hopefully we have made a cozy bed for our Savior! Yes, I even make Taylor participate and sometimes Mama and Daddy do too!! This is a special reminder, that the things we do and say everyday, do make a difference. When we hurt others, it hurts Christ, and when we help others we are helping Christ. Don't forget those who are sick, lonely, hungry, cold, and needy this season and ALL year long! One of my favorite Christmas songs is by Celine Dion and isn't a traditional carol, but I think the words say everything that need to be said..."Don't save it all for Christmas day, find a way, to give a little love everyday." God bless you during this Advent and Christmas season!

Keep on Dancing!!