Pumpkin scrambled into the middle spot on the couch, delighted to be seated between her beloved eldest brother and her mama. I only had to admonish Big J once to be a good example to his sister rather than encouraging her to be silly and disruptive. They responded by looking at each other and giggling.
Because it was Sunday, we had two reflections to cover. The lighting of the Advent candles, along with a short litany I had prepared, and the daily devotion for our Jesse Tree. Neither one is long or involved, I am not stupid, but the boys still managed to be moderately annoying and unfocused. Nevertheless, they did obediently participate and I think they might actually be able to explain the meaning behind the Jesse Tree. Maybe.
Pumpkin begged to be the candle lighter and we all obliged her for the first lighting of the first candle of Advent. However, I am well aware that Little T will not be interested in being so accommodating every evening and so I have a feeling we will have some tears, or multiple candle lightings, over the next few nights. It will be easier when there are at least two candles to light.
At the end of it all, it felt more like an exercise in gritted teeth patience, then the atmosphere of quiet expectation I had fantasized about. But as Superdad assured me, there is no way our kids are growing up without understanding what we value and believe. What they do with these traditions someday will be their own choice. Ultimately, their faith will be between them and God. But, in the meantime, I can continue to plant seeds, fertilize the soil, and pray for all of our efforts to bear fruit.
The first candle of Advent is the Candle of Hope. Indeed.
5 comments:
I find this interesting. In my family's faith the advent is a non-event. There are even some of the more conservative that do not celebrate Christmas at all because of the ties to paganism.
We have an odd mix of the secular and religious aspects of Christmas. But, at Church Christmas is not mentioned at all.
However, what your husband said is very much what we try to instill. We will teach and instruct and one day they will chose, but it will be after they realize how much we truly believe in what we have.
Wonderful-- while trying for everyone I am sure it will be a nice memory :)
I hear you, Lori, re the comment that sometimes it's an exercise of gritted teeth rather than the idyllic family time you imagined. We have family meeting every Monday night and sometimes it is magical, where we all love and respect eachother and find the space to be united as a family. Other times it's all we can do to hold the whole thing together. Keep up the good work, though, because even though the kids may roll their eyes now, they will remember this fondly later.
Lori,
These "exersizes of gritted teeth" will someday become more peaceful. I agree with Ally that even though the kids may fight, roll their eyes and sigh now, eventually they will cherish this time/tradition and who knows, they may even do it with their own children some day (and then they will have to contend with eye rolls, tears and sighs!)
It is wonderful to know that you are right there with me, it is not the easiest thing to be faithful when the kids are not the most cooperative, and it seems like you are talking to walls. But you are right, we are to sow and fertilize and pray, the rest is up to God.
Thank you for inspiring me once again, I would love to hear more about what you are doing and resources you may have found. I feel like I am floundering in the dark!
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