My friend Wanda @ Moments of Mine wrote a verse to one of my favorite Advent songs in a comment to me on one of my blogs (thank you, Wanda!):
People, look East. The time is near
Of the crowning of the year.
Make your house fair as you are able,
Trim the hearth and set the table
People, look East, and sing today;
Love, the Guest, is on the way.
~ Eleanor Farjeon
Of the crowning of the year.
Make your house fair as you are able,
Trim the hearth and set the table
People, look East, and sing today;
Love, the Guest, is on the way.
~ Eleanor Farjeon
Sometimes I feel bad when I think about all the 'fluff' preparations that go into decorating the house, trimming the tree, preparing food, etc. for Christmas. But then I think about all the things we do when celebrating a birthday for a loved one, all those 'fluff' things are exactly what we do. So why not do it all up extra special for Jesus? Love, the Guest, is on His way!
When our kids were little we used to bake a Birthday cake for Jesus and they would sing 'Happy Birthday' to Him. Now that we have grandkids I am baking Him one again.
Here are some really outstanding Nativity cakes. These creations are beautiful!
If I feel really ambitious I might try to replicate one of the following:
ADVENT:
From the Merriam-Webster Dictionary ~
1. the period beginning four Sundays before Christmas and observed by some Christians as a season of prayer and fasting.
2. the coming of Christ at the Incarnation.
3. (not capitalized) a coming into being.
From wikipedia ~
(from Latin meaning 'coming') a season of the Christian Church, a period of expectant waiting and preparing.
(my favorite web definition) ~
The arrival, coming, especially of something extremely important.
I came across some tips for a Good Advent (from various sources and various religious affiliations):
1. Ponder the words of Advent Songs
2. Use religious Christmas scenes in your decorating
3. Send religious Christmas cards
4. Participate in a 'Giving Tree' if your Church offers it
5. Attend Church frequently
6. Donate to charity
7. Listen to religious Christmas songs
8. Use an Advent wreath
'Hope you all enjoy this wonderful time of preparation!
When our kids were little we used to bake a Birthday cake for Jesus and they would sing 'Happy Birthday' to Him. Now that we have grandkids I am baking Him one again.
Here are some really outstanding Nativity cakes. These creations are beautiful!
If I feel really ambitious I might try to replicate one of the following:
ADVENT:
From the Merriam-Webster Dictionary ~
1. the period beginning four Sundays before Christmas and observed by some Christians as a season of prayer and fasting.
2. the coming of Christ at the Incarnation.
3. (not capitalized) a coming into being.
From wikipedia ~
(from Latin meaning 'coming') a season of the Christian Church, a period of expectant waiting and preparing.
(my favorite web definition) ~
The arrival, coming, especially of something extremely important.
Love, The Guest, is on His way!
I came across some tips for a Good Advent (from various sources and various religious affiliations):
1. Ponder the words of Advent Songs
2. Use religious Christmas scenes in your decorating
3. Send religious Christmas cards
4. Participate in a 'Giving Tree' if your Church offers it
5. Attend Church frequently
6. Donate to charity
7. Listen to religious Christmas songs
8. Use an Advent wreath
'Hope you all enjoy this wonderful time of preparation!
Neat, Eileen. I like the round chocolate one. They are all special, though. Thanks for sharing this. It's a great idea!
ReplyDeleteXO,
Sheila :-)
You know, I remember a time as a child when Advent was a time of fasting and penance, just like lent. Weddings were only performed with permission of the Bishop and, at least in our house, birthdays were celebrated without fanfare. The Christmas tree was not decorated until 10 days before Christmas and the only real "decoration" was the Nativity scene that my mother tenderly erected. It was a time of preparation when the real party was Christmas Day! I never felt numbed by all the hoopla Christmas Day!!! I really did feel exultant! There's a lot to be said for fasting during this Season of Advent in anticipation of this celebration!
ReplyDeleteThe cakes are all so wonderful!!! A really grand idea!! Thank you! Cathy
How wonderful! CHRISTmas is almost here. What a special time! The cakes are gorgeous! Thank you for showing us all in a gentle reminder what this time is truly all about, dear friend. You are such a blessing, Eileen!:) Lori
ReplyDeleteWonderful descriptions and explanations of Advent, Eileen. And the cakes! I think this is the first I've actually "heard" of Advent cakes. I like them all.Thanks for the great ideas & examples. I can't wait to see the cake YOU bake for the grandkids!
ReplyDeleteOh, I love this post!!! What fabulous ideas to make this time of anticipation so very meaningful! The cakes are fantastic!! And the advent ideas are wonderful!! Thank you!!! I love your blog decorating as well! And now I'm off to see what I can incorporate in our family's celebrations...Love you!!! Janine XO
ReplyDeleteI loved this post Eileen, however for some strange reason I have a sweet tooth now!
ReplyDeleteSomething that I really don't need, if ya know what I mean!
I do love the Advent season. You did a good job, if you make an Advent cake please post it for us.
Love Di
What a wonderful way of playing tribute to the Advent season....the cakes are so beautiful and another great idea to show children how to celebrate the Creator's birthday....so lovely a post Eileen, and now like Di I want something sweet.........:-) Hugs
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness that first nativity cake is so sweet, I love it.
ReplyDeleteLove your title, the cakes and your tips for Advent...what a great way to get people in the proper Christmas mode, Eileen!! I am always on the lookout for unusual nativities now and those cakes were awesome, but I doubt that I could pack them away year after year, although the green from the mold forming could be considered a Christmas color!!
ReplyDeleteblessings and adventy hugs,
marcy
Those cakes are so special. I love the white one with the stable on top. Certainly the reason for the season!
ReplyDeleteEileen all of these cakes are just beautiful! What a wonderful idea. Blessings to you and your family. As you can see I'm behind in just about everything but I'm so glad I have so much to do. Hugs to those sweet little grands of yours. Love to you Eileen.
ReplyDelete