Waiting for Christmas and Decorating

I have to apologize for my pictures. My camera needed charging and none of these are clear.

We "Church Mice" as I call the ladies on the Arts and Environment committee, came together yesterday morning...to take down the fall decorations and put up some things for Advent. We are starting our peaceful waiting. This picture isn't very clear, but it was so cute that I had to include it. The little boy had been playing with the creche figures, talking to them and arranging them oblivious to my watching him with my camera. He had a special conversation with the baby Jesus. The Advent wreath...decorated and ready for Mass. Three violet candles represent the penitential aspect of Lent. One pink candle symbolizes the anticipated joy of Christ's birth. The large white one in the center represents Jesus and will be lit on December 24th and then again on Christmas day. These candles are lit, one by one, each week during Advent.

Here are the ladies setting up the Nativity. It is a favorite thing for us to do. When finished, it is the most beautiful scene. The ledge above is the place where we put the kings, coming from the east on their camels...following the star.

As you can see...we had all ages there yesterday. Seven women and some brought their kids. The kids come to Mass each week and have "Church" manners. Everything is very hushed and reverent, when in the Sanctuary. They have been taught since birth. These people are decorating trees with tags hanging from them. On one tree the tags have names of people who are in our town nursing home. The other is for children. We take a couple of these tags and buy presents, bring them to Church, and they are distributed closer to Christmas.

And finally the wreaths are hung on the doors. All in all, it was a great morning. Just enough help to get the job done. We will get together this next week to light up the outside of the Church. Lighted swags around the posts at the doorway, trees and bushes will get lit up, the big Manger will be set up. The inside of the Church will be decorated in white and gold for Christmas. When we go to Mass on Christmas Eve...it will be beautiful. The first time I saw it...it took my breath away.

Now we begin the wait...Christmas is coming.

Balisha