Re-Establishing Rhythm and A Simple Advent Celebration

Thinking of the holiday season brings to mind all the celebrations, gatherings, and special outings that come along with this time of year.  With all of this merriment and merry making  it can be quite easy for the daily rhythms of life to get thrown out of whack.  This is what has happened in our little household over the past week. 

Last Sunday, we went to Frankenmuth for the annual visit with my husband's side of the family. I honestly can't recall whether it was Monday or Tuesday we had lunch with my mom. Wednesday my sister came over to spend the day with Gabriel.  We went out to lunch and thrift store shopping.  Thursday was Thanksiving and an overnight visit at Grandma and Grandpa's.  On Saturday we went to a local German restaurant with my parents, brother, and sister.  On Sunday my brother came over to visit.  We ate lunch at a local deli and then walked over to the university art museum.  After we dropped my brother off, we went to the market and JoAnn Fabrics.

So much going on!   Today, Monday, we did nothing and went nowhere until after the afternoon nap and snack.  To be honest, we spent half the day in our pajamas but keeping to our regular eating and changing diaper rhythms. 

Then we went to Ikea. It seemed like a great idea at the time.  The house felt like it was starting to close in on me.  After eating a meal in their cafeteria and changing his diaper, we did some shopping. I needed a small table for Gabriel's room since we decided to get rid of his easily tippable bookcase. The back of the bookcase wasn't solid wood so a furniture anchor would not be a good solution.   We decided it was safer to put his books in baskets on and under a small table, as well as a smaller bookcase.

After Ikea we picked up Daddy from work.  We came home and I set to work reorganizing Gabriel's book area. Unfortunately it was past nine when the room was restored to a peaceful space, stories read, pajamas on, and teeth brushed. Poor little guy was so tired by the time we gave him Good Night Kisses and Daddy put him in the crib.  So while the intent was good, it was a bit of poor planning on Mama's part.

We, ourselves, are just exhausted.  The house is an absolute mess. Laundry piled up.  Toys strewn about.  Books stacked here and there and mixed about with this and that.  This is a household out of sync.  It is a household in desparate need of homekeeping and the re-establishment of our daily rhythm.  For Gabriel, for Mama, and for Daddy. This upcoming week, God willing, will be dedicated to restoration and rhythm. We are in need of an anchor, of peace, of a gentle and predictable flow to the days.

Last night, we had a moment of peace in the simple celebration of our Advent festival.  A single votive candle and a small ceramic bowl of river stones inside an evergreen wreath.  One candle for the first Sunday of Advent, the stones to celebrate the Festival of Minerals.  We also placed the first "candle" in Gabriel's felt Advent Wreath. 

We kept the explanations simple.  "Tonight is the first night of Advent so we are lighting the first candle of our Advent Wreath."  "We have stones to remember that God created all the Minerals of the Earth."   Then we said the Prayer for Advent and sang, "O Come O Come Emmanuel."  After we finished, an enchanted and delighted 19 month old said, "Again!"  And so we sang it again! 

Even a simple Advent festival can be beautiful