Using our advent calendar

Yes, we're using our Advent Calendar! We settled on blue candles for the wreath this year (pink and purple were too hard to find, and blue looks like the ocean), and a globe-shaped pencil sharpener that sits in the middle and reminds us of God's love for the world. On Christmas Eve we'll replace that with a white candle.

I made up booklets for everybody to use during devotion times: they contain the list of readings and activities, an outline map of the world, two pages of songs, and some colouring pages for the younger ones.

I also remembered another resource we had: a Crayola GeoTrivia World colouring book (a book of world trivia questions divided into different categories). We go around the table and ask each person a trivia question. The younger kids are allowed to have extra hints, and use the big map in the kitchen to answer questions like "which is bigger, Brazil or Venezuela?"

This year's "world theme" just developed itself! But it did start with the Mennonite Central Committee's printout, so I'm very thankful for that.

(We were also blessed enough to be one of Ann's Glorious Coming e-book winners! So now I know what we'll be doing next year for Advent!)