Easy Advent Wreath

An advent wreath helps our family
focus on the

reason we celebrate

Christmas.

Advent, meaning simply "the coming,"
marks the 4 Sundays
leading up to Christmas.


One candle is lit on the first Sunday,
another added each Sunday,
until the final center candle is also lit on Christmas.

 

"the people living in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the
land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned."
Matthew 4:16

We've had a traditional advent wreath for years.
The kids enjoyed lighting the candles,
and the ritual helped center our attention on
the One
who all the hoopla is about.

This year I wanted something a bit different.

A cake stand from my mother
provided the inspiration.
In itself, it evokes memories of and gratitude for
the special love
of a mother.

Fitting, then, that it should represent
 a love so great that
God would choose to come
and live among us.

"The Word became flesh and
made His dwelling among us. 
We have seen His glory,
the glory of the One and Only,
who came from the Father,
full of grace and truth."
John 1:14

 

Any plate or serving dish will do.
I've used a small crystal candle holder for the taper,
purchased for a couple of dollars at a craft store.
Cuttings from my Japanese Holly shrub come in handy at this time of year. 
See more plants to use in Christmas decorations here.

 

Simply place the candles and some greenery,
add a personal touch or two....
and you've got a centerpiece that does more than just look pretty,
it helps keep Christ in Christmas.
 

  With anticipation,
Chris
gardensenses.blogspot.com

PS
Keep all decorations clear of flames.
Never leave the room when candles are lit.

 

A Stroll Down Memory Lane

 Christmas decorating at our house is

decidedly homespun.

No competition for the best dressed home here.

We pull out the same old 

boxes of decorations again each year.

Many show signs of age and 

some aren't fit to be hung anymore.

I should throw them out...

but I probably won't.

Just seeing them takes me on a 

precious stroll down memory lane.

 First come a few

made by me way back when

Then ornaments made by special friends

Projects made with the kids

when they were young.

Slovak folk crafts

Gifts from friends

My son's first gift purchased on his own for me

 

And my favorite nativity scenes

to focus the attention on the

One the celebration is all about.

Decorating the Christmas tree

was a big deal when I was a kid.

A joyful ritual

accompanied by our

favorite Christmas music.

My dad in the thick of it, 

and in his glory.

A depression child, he was determined to

make Christmas magical for his children.

He did it well and

the memories are sweet.

Precious memories of family, fun

and the love that filled our home.

I'm blessed to now share 

Christmas traditions with my own children.

I'm hoping that our family will also

create memories filled with

riches that money can't buy.

Christmas Accents

When December rolls around,
wouldn't it be great to
step outside your door to find
Christmas decorations?
Consider incorporating
these beauties into your garden
and your holiday arrangements.

The bold berries of Winterberry (Ilex verticillata) are 

an asset to holiday decorating.

 

Red twig dogwood's (Cornus alba) 

pretty red stems make a

great accent against holiday greens.

Ivy (Hedera helix) is a
versatile and easy decorating element.
While not as long lasting as evergreen branches,
ivy adds an elegant touch
wound into a wreath,
draped along the center of a table or on a mantle.

Boxwood (Buxus) is a classic broadleaf evergreen and is
ideal for Christmas decorating.While beautiful, it's a slow grower, so young plants and dwarf varieties won't have much foliage to spare.


Japanese holly (Ilex crenata) and Inkberry (Ilex glabra)
have similar evergreen foliage.

There are many well known needled evergreens.
Leyland cypress (x Cypressocyparis leylandii)
has gentle fern like foliage.
They are a stately tree which can reach an ultimate height of 60-70 feet or more.

Don't forget holly (Ilex meserveae and Ilex opaca),
but be sure to plant one male plant
so the females produce berries.

The glossy rosy leaves of Japanese Pieris (Pieris japonica)
add an original touch to
this evergreen arrangement at Hershey Gardens.


Take a look around your garden for
plants to include in your
Christmas decorating!


Check out Foliage Follow Up at Digging for more fun with foliage.