Friday, November 30, 2007

Creating Enriching Family Memories!

Well the thanksgiving week is over and hopefully you took some time out to be thankful for the thoughtfulness, diligence and determination that our forefathers displayed settling this country.

Also of value, time with family. Time to be thankful for each other and for the many ways they were a blessing to us this year.

But most importantly, having a heart of Thanksgiving toward our Heavenly Father who gives us every good gift and blesses us in so many ways.

Sunday begins the first week of Advent and whatever form of worship you prefer and however frequent that may be, this next few weeks can be a special time of spiritual and family enrichment........a time for observing old traditions and creating new ones....for creating and growing memories.

Creating a memory or new tradition does not have to be an elaborate affair..in fact the more simple the better as we human beings tend to get lazy and easily forget when things get to hard or complicated. It is far better to have something simple that you or you and the kids can do and keep doing every year than it is to never do anything.

Candles are central to many celebrations and meaningful events in our lives. I am sure that millions of people around the world spent Thanksgiving by candlelight in some way (if the sales of candles are anything to go by!). As we prepare for Christmas, take some time to think about howe a simple candle can make an enormous difference to your family fun and fellowship when you apply some meaning that will never be forgotten. Advent is a beautiful symbolic candle lighting tradition that takes ideas and turns them into meaningful enriching moments.

We are going to try very hard this year to not get caught up with the work, school and community group parties, decorating, the buying of gifts and preparation of food and home for guests. It is so easy to have it rush on by and never actually take a minute to ponder and reflect on what Christmas is really all about. Hope you join us!