Yesterday, K. at Cirque de Moi asked about ideas for Advent that are similar to the Thanksgiving Tree. (I must compliment you on your excellent timing, K., as I had planned to post on that today!) The Jesus stocking is something I started when Anne-with-an-e was very young, and I was looking for ways to keep our Christmas focused on Jesus rather than all the (delightful and fun though they are) other trappings of the holiday. It's a simple stocking (I keep thinking I should upgrade it to something worthy of our King, but on the other hand, I think perhaps He's pleased with the simplicity) and I used fabric paint to add His name.
What goes in the Jesus stocking? It can be whatever you like, but we've done it a couple of different ways.
Like the Thanksgiving Tree, each night at dinner, we all name something for which we're thankful. It's written on a small piece of paper, and added to the stocking. On Christmas day, it's fun to read all the blessings that were counted during Advent, from the littlest things (such as a tea party with Tigger), to grown-up concerns (such as being thankful that the car broke down in our driveway instead of twenty miles from home on a sub-zero day), to every-day-but-enormous joys (such as friendship, family and faith.) Here are some samples from years past:
Another idea for the Jesus stocking is to use it for corporal and spiritual works of mercy. Many of us are familiar with the idea of setting up a manger for baby Jesus and filling it with soft hay (we use yarn) in preparation for Christmas day. Rebecca outlines her tradition here, and Mary Ellen mentions it in this post at O Night Divine.
The idea for the Jesus stocking is similar. Corporal and spiritual works of mercy, small sacrifices, kindnesses and prayers are recorded and dropped in the stocking as gifts for Jesus. The children are encouraged to fill Jesus's stocking with gifts throughout Advent.
For much of Advent, the Jesus stocking will be the only one hanging on the mantle (the small tree to the right is our Jesse Tree):
to remind us that He is at the center of the celebration to which we look forward with such joy. Surrounded by our favorite Advent books and calendars, this place of honor for the King is a constant reminder that what we anticipate in this season of hope is not a gift, but the Gift: our Lord and Savior.
10 comments:
That is such a great idea!! I was not able to do the Thanksgiving tree, but think I can do this one.
I love simple, manageable ideas like this. Anything too complicated and I fall by the wayside, but I think we could manage to keep going with this through to the end of Advent.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!
Karen, this is beautiful. We followed this tradition one year, and I still love to re-read the children's simple sacrifices.
Another great idea!
I like vision of the stocking growing in bulk over Advent with the small sacrifices of life. A neat idea, Karen!
cool, I really think this will work for us!
I love this idea, Karen! Some how I missed this post due to Bloglines woes but am glad to have found it now. Beautiful idea.
Re-reading my blogs from past Advents and was so happy to find this gem I had forgotten! Facebook would never hold timeless treasures like this one, Karen! Thank you again, and this year, we begin Advent once more with new ideas for the youngest family members.
Blessings,
K (formerly Cirque de Moi, now Running Towards Him.)
K, so nice to hear from you!
Isn't it fun doing the old traditions anew with younger ones?
Have a blessed Advent!
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