This is officially a travel blog, and I generally am a stickler about sticking to my theme. But today I want to write about something a little different. I want to write about staying home.
As a child with divorced parents, then a long-time graduate student, then the only adult sibling without children of my own, I spent years traveling at the holidays. There were Christmas afternoons on airplanes and drives across Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana. I know what it’s like to leave new gifts, to lose luggage in the holiday rush, and to remove decorations from the tree on Christmas night. As recently as last year the four of us flew to Milwaukee on December 26th (and had a delightful time visiting family). But what I really treasure is a chance to spend the Christmas season at home. It’s the only time of year I feel that way about!
In a way, however, I view this as a different kind of journey. The season between Thanksgiving and Christmas is a time to reflect on everything I have to be grateful for. It is a time of happy anticipation. It is a time to give to others.
Advent is the season of waiting and hope, like the end of a pregnancy. I’ve found that focusing on Advent (rather than just Christmas) helps us see what is really special and important about this time of year. Each year the children and I gather dried flowers, branches, leaves, berries, and seed pods and make a wreath. The wreath goes in the middle of the dining room table and every night we light a candle – one the first week, two the second, and so on until the week of Christmas when all of the candles are lit.
There are other things we do as well – stories we share (right now I’m especially loving Great Joy by Kate DiCamillo), an Advent calendar, lots of baking, shopping for and making gifts for the needy and for each other. But it is the wreath that is the center of our celebration, sitting as it does at the heart of our home where we gather to share meals.
This week is the beginning of my at-home journey, both physically and virtually. I will be focusing on what I can do to help others by doing things like participating in Passports with Purpose. I will be traveling around the Internet visiting some of my favorite sites and posting links to them. I will be dreaming of places I’ve been and might go. And I will be sharing the small journeys I make with my children as we travel through this holiday season together, lighting candles each night and saying hopeful prayers into the darkness of winter.
I've taken with my children and those I want to take. Explore and you'll find family travel tips, information about vacation destinations, and lots of stories about our adventures! 
What a great post! I have the materials for my advent wreath but have yet to assemble it – will do tonight. I think the kids will be so pleased.
Ok. So, I have a funny Advent story for you…
On Sunday our pastor gave his children’s message about the Advent wreath. All of the children sat around him, and he gestured toward the large wreath of candles and asked, “Why do we use these special candles in church before Christmas?”
One of the little girls in the crowd raised her hand and replied, “Well, there’s this holiday called ‘Chanukah’…”
Ah, yes. That was a little more than the pastor was prepared to address!
Happy Advent!
Hey Anne – hope you have fun making the wreath.
Angela – that story is so great. I believe they call that a “teachable moment” no? Only perhaps in this instance it was for the pastor?
I know I have told you this before but you are a fantastic writer. I love when I see a new post from you pop up in my Reader.
Looking forward to seeing you next week
This is a beautiful post. I think the celebrating of Advent keeps the focus of Christmas where it should be rather than on the “one big day of gifts” that so often seems to be important.
Very fitting, as we just got back from our kids’ school Advent program. It was a beautiful service.
Hi Mara,
You’re such a talented writer… thanks for sharing with us. I long for a Christmas like that. Last year we drove 650km down to Germany to be “home” and spend some time with my husband’s parents, this year we travel to Florida to be with my family. Maybe next year, once we’re “settled” in Germany? Do post more about your traditions this holiday season. Afterall, it looks like everybody loves reading it!
~Liz
Great post — makes me want to snuggle in by the fire just count my blessings…which is what this season is about, after all.
We finally got around to assembling our advent wreath this weekend (only the second week of advent…not bad) and I’m so thrilled with the way it turned out. But the best part was “treasure hunting” (as the boy called it) in the woods behind our house — and knowing that this is a tradition that will always remind us to slow down and enjoy the season.