Establishment of ritual has always been important to us. Approximately 25 years ago, when our family was very young, we established the tradition of the Advent Log. Lloyd drilled 28 holes in a 2×8 piece of wood, and we secured a candle in each of these 28 holes. At the beginning of Advent, 28 days before Christmas, one of our children would light the first Advent candle which we let burn for maybe a half hour or so. The next evening, another one of our children would light the first and second advent candles, and so on, until the grand finale on Christmas Eve, when all 28 candles would be lit. While the appropriate number of candles were lit each evening (our kids took turns lighting) we would gather around the piano and sing a few songs or do an Advent reading of some sort. We’ll never forget the time when we transported our Advent Log to Racine, WI, where we went to spend Christmas with Grandpa and Grandma Veenstra. Our Advent Log sat on top of their piano in the living-room, and after we played Christmas carols together, with violin (Kristin and Reuben) cello (Nicholas) and flute (Lloyd), we blew the advent candles out and inadvertantly flung candle-wax all over the wall of Grandpa and Grandma’s living-room! They were very gracious about this, and with us, cherished the power of the ritual itself.

Eventually, as our kids grew up and became busier, this family advent tradition atrophied. We never again, resumed the same tradition. Today, however, a new and similar candle ritual was born. While we were talking over coffee this AM, a number of ideas came together. Many of our recent readings, coupled with new ways of seeing things, and a burst of creativity resulted in this new ritual for us:

The eight candles of different colors in this dining-room centerpiece represent POVERTY, UNSAFE DRINKING WATER, DISCRIMINATION AND ABUSE, EDUCATION, DISASTER, HUNGER AND MALNUTIRTION, WAR, AIDS. These are the “barriers to HOPE” identified by World Vision International. They are areas where, we believe, God cares deeply about and where Jesus points to a way of living that can make a global difference if we all work together. We are planning to light all 8 candles each evening of Advent, and pray for restoration and direction in each of these areas. We also wrote a brief liturgy to accompany/guide this new Advent tradition. We are eager to re-visit candles with our now-adult children and their families when they come to Des Moines for Christmas.

Here are Emma and Claire playing “Nana and Papa” this past weekend, at our Richard Terrace GR apartment. Very very cute. We are wondering what it will be like when Eden and Marley join them in this playful game:)

Here is Lloyd with Claire. She has been a Papa’s girl for almost two years now. What a special relationship!

On Saturday evening, we served first meal out of 330 RT: roast beef, boiled baby red potatoes, fresh stir-fry asparagus, mushrooms, onions, garlic and peppers, and fresh green salad with dressing. Mmmmm…….Kristin&Curt, Emma and Clarie, Kim&Paul and Marley, were able to join us for this first meal. The stove/oven/ electric outlets for crock-pot actually work! Wow. We are so thankful for this small space that we can enjoy and share with others:

And then, a pic of Emma and Claire with their fun big lips from CVS. What a sight! When Marley and Eden are just abit older, maybe they will be able to join the fun:)