The highlight of our week was definitely attending the temple with Sophie as she went to do baptisms for the first time. We went with a small group from our ward, mostly teenagers. Sophie was baptized for 4 of her own Danish ancestors. One of her ancestors shared her birthday, only born 101 years earlier. It always feels like a privilege to be in the temple, and we felt it such a blessing to share this experience with Sophie.
Helen has been busy making presents for Sophie. She works on them while Sophie is at school, then wraps them in bits of this and that before putting them under the tree. We love these beginning expressions of love and generosity.
Brandan scored this sequined, lace patterned newsboy cap at a white elephant gift exchange. A woman at the party explained the origin of white elephant gifts: In old Siam, the royal family would invite possible rivals to a special dinner where they would treat the rivals to a sumptuous feast. At the end of the feast, the guest would be presented with a very special gift-- a pure white elephant. White elephants were considered sacred and could not be used for work. It would then be the guest's responsibility to feed, house and otherwise care for the white elephant for the rest of its life.
On Saturday, Sophie played some Christmas music at the mall. In the past the mall has arranged for a grand piano for the piano students to play. Blaming the poor economy, they brought in a keyboard this year. Sophie adapted quickly to the awkward feel and sound of the keyboard during the first song she played and played her 2 songs with beautiful phrasing and expression.
We made pinatas at the end of November for a special advent calendar for our family. Inside each pinata is a candle and a scripture about Jesus being the light of the world. Gold paint and hot glue turned the pinatas into ornaments for our Christmas tree. Each night we break open a pinata, read the scripture and light the candle. We started December 1 by lighting one candle on a tray. Tonight we will light 13 and we'll continuing adding candles until we have 25 to light on Christmas.
The idea for lighting candles was pure inspiration that came as we thought about how to celebrate Christmas this year. The tiny flames are mesmerizing and we all gather around the table after they're lit. Light is a beautiful symbol of Christ-- inviting, life-giving, revealing, comforting, purifying.
And you can see in the photo that Sophie has claimed Brandan's hat, saving him from a lifetime of feeding and caring for it.
10 comments:
homemade paper mache Christmas orniments? You are Martha Stewart. We all know she doesn't come up with all of those ideas herself. You could be on Martha's staff and she could take credit for your ideas.
Those candles were inviting and beautiful. Such wonderful traditions.
Beautiful post about a beautiful week. What a delight to know the orgin of the "white elephant." We took Lauren to do baptisms for her first time a few weeks ago too. What a joy to be in the temple with your child!
What a great family! I am so happy that Sophie was able to go to the temple. It warms my heart to hear of her piano playing with such musicality and expression. I love the candles and what they symbolize. I always feel uplifted when I read your blog.
Helen's little packages are so sweet. She shares them whith such simple and pure kindness.
What a wonderful idea! I may have to 'steal' it for next year.
Loved this post. I love your advent calendar and I imagine no one is fighting over who gets to eat the candle. I hope you sing carols while looking at the lights.
What a wonderous and unique idea. I am glad you and your family do so many things to create beautiful memories. As they get older, you will be thankful you did. I love the lights. It is amazing to attend the temple with your child for the first time. It just gets better and better. You have so much still in store, I can't wait!
I was so excited for Sophie to go to the temple for the first time, how neat to have you and Brandon there as well as to do family names! Good for you for all your efforts to keep the holidays focused on Christ.
Love all the wonderful ideas and Christmas traditions you come up with. I have to say that my favorite photo was the one of Brandan wearing the beret...classic! We love you and will miss seeing you for the holidays, but can't wait for the vacation this summer!
I'm so grateful to have Sophie in YW. She's a beautiful girl (I haven't seen that black and white dress in a later post yet at church!) and so talented! It was so great to watch her and you both, as she went to the temple for the first time. It brought tears to my eyes and made me feel like a proud granny or something. I love her.
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