Joyful Beginnings of Advent at Footprints
Today we celebrated the start of December in a very special and joyful way. Over the past days, the children and I prepared our own handmade Advent calendar — and with it, our hearts are beginning to prepare for Christmas, the celebration of Jesus’ birth.
A Unique Advent Calendar Filled With Anticipation
Our Advent calendar is made of 25 paper candles, each waiting for its little flame. Every morning, as we add a flame to the next candle, we are reminded that the light of Christmas is coming closer — day by day.
Today, on December 1st, the first candle began to “shine.” Tomorrow, the second one will join, and so the light continues to grow.
Because we have 39 wonderful children here, we also crafted 14 cheerful paper elks, each decorated with a child’s name. On the day with their name, the child receives a small treat — a simple moment of joy that brightens the whole house.
Filling Our Home With Christmas Spirit
While crafting, we listened to Christmas songs that speak of hope, peace, and joy. The children are already sharing memories from last year — “Do you remember when…?” — and their excitement is contagious. Together we are making plans for the coming weeks: possible outings, special meals, and the clothes we might wear for our celebrations.
This afternoon, we hung the Advent calendar in the dining hall. After a bit of searching, the blackboard became its home. In the coming days we’ll turn it into a place full of Christmas wonder — with the manger scene, Mary and Joseph, the Baby Jesus, the three wise men, an angel, and shining stars.
Preparing Our Hearts for Christmas
Beyond crafting, we have many joyful activities planned for this Advent season: baking cookies in the clay oven, rehearsing a small Nativity play, and spending warm, meaningful moments together.
Each of these moments helps us remember the message of Christmas — that God’s love came close to us through Jesus, bringing light into the world.
From all of us here, we wish you a blessed Advent season and a joyful First Sunday of Advent!
