On the 17th of December we begin the “O Antiphons,” and the whole tone of Advent changes. We are only eight days (known as an Octave) away from Christmas Day, so there is an increase in activity and a renewed sense of expectation. During these last days, our prayers arise with an ever-increasing crescendo. They are cries from our hearts not only for ourselves but for the whole world, cries for the Messiah to come and reign and to set the world to rights. Christians around the world are so eager for this coming, that we cry out with one voice for Christ to come and to come quickly! One of the ways that we cry out as the Church is through the “O Antiphons”. The “O Antiphons” are a beautiful tradition going back 1,300 years. They are scripturally based prayers focusing on the titles given to Christ in scripture. Originally, they were chanted in monasteries during the last days before Christmas. The “O Antiphons” were prayed before and after “The Magnificat” during the service of Evening Prayer. One antiphon was prayed each evening from December 17 until December 23. Then on December 24, the Octave was completed by chanting all of the Antiphons. “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”, one of the Church’s oldest and most beloved hymns is the “O Antiphons” set to music. Each stanza is an Antiphon and was meant to be sung during the Octave with a new verse added each day. Ways to Celebrate “O Antiphons” A great way for you to celebrate these last days before Christmas is to add the “O Antiphons” to your daily devotion. They add to our sense of anticipation while also helping us to keep our focus on what Advent is all about, the coming of Jesus Christ. You can either say or sing the Antiphon appointed for each day and then, on Christmas Eve, pray or sing all them all. Traditionally, in the monasteries, the monks would recite the “O Antiphons” and then they would hand out special small treats. After your family has finished singing the Antiphon of the day, serve a special little treat that corresponds to the Antiphon. To help you celebrate the last days before Christmas, I’ve included the Antiphon for each day, as well as fun treat ideas. I’ve also included below the symbols to help spark creativity if you want to come up with your own treats. I hope this tradition is a blessing to your family as you move closer to Christmas! December 17 – O Wisdom (Isaiah 11:2) “O come, thou Wisdom from on high, who orderest all things mightily; to us the path of knowledge show, and teach us in her ways to go. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.” Symbols – Oil Lamp, Open Book, Dove (Holy Spirit) Treat Ideas – Serve a treat that is made with a “brain food” like blueberries or dark chocolate. Since a symbol for Wisdom could be a book,  you could make cookies in the shape of a book or serve fig newtons and decorate them with icing so that they look like little books. December 18 – O Lord (Exodus 6:6) “O come, O come, thou Lord of might, who to thy tribes on Sinai’s height in ancient times didst give the law in cloud and majesty and awe. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.” Symbols – The Burning Bush, The Ten Commandments Treat Ideas – Pulling from the reference to the law or the ten commandments, decorate graham crackers with icing to make them look like the ten commandments. You could add the roman numerals 1-5 on one half of the cracker and 6-10 on the other. You could also serve something spicy like salsa and chips to represent the burning bush. December 19 – O Root of Jesse (Isaiah 11:1) “O come, thou Branch of Jesse’s Tree, free them from Satan’s tyranny; that trust thy mighty power to save, and give them victory o’er the grave. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.” Symbols – Plant, Root With Flowering Stem Treat Ideas – Since the Messiah is the “root” of the tree of Jesse, serve root beer. You could also make carrot cake since carrots are a root vegetable. December 20 – O Key of David (Isaiah 22:22) “O come, thou Key of David, come, and open wide our heavenly home; make safe the way that leads on high, and close the path to misery. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.” Symbols – An Elaborate Key Treat Ideas – The monastic tradition on this night was for the monk in charge of the wine cellar to use his key to open the cellar and bring out a special bottle of wine. Serve a sparkling fruit juice instead. You could also make cookies in the shape of a key. December 21 – O Dayspring (Isaiah 9:2) “O come, thou Dayspring from on high, And cheer us by thy drawing nigh; disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death’s dark shadow put to flight. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.” Symbols – Sunrise, The Sun Treat Ideas – Serve oranges since oranges look like the sun or make any dessert made with oranges. December 22 – O Desire of Nations (Jeremiah 10:7) “O come, Desire of Nations, bind in one the hearts of all mankind; bid thou our sad divisions cease, and be thyself our King of Peace. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.” Symbols – Crown, Crown and Scepter, Cornerstone Treat Ideas – Make cookies in the shape of a crown. Make something in a loaf pan so that it looks like a cornerstone. You could make something like banana bread or pound cake. December 23 – O Emmanuel (Isaiah 7:14) “O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.” Symbols – Manger, Star Treat Ideas – Serve cookies in the shape of a manger or star. Make homemade chai tea using star anise. Serve chocolates from chocolate nativity set. December 24 – Sing Every Verse Symbols – Candle, Poinsettia Treat Ideas – Make cookies in the shape of a candle or a flower. Eat your special treats by candle light. Since it is Christmas Eve, serve something extra special and celebratory like chocolate covered strawberries and sparkling juice.

Happy Feast of St. Thomas! It’s almost Christmas! Saint Thomas was one of Jesus’ twelve apostles and is best known for not believing that Jesus had been raised from the dead. He is thought to be the only Apostle who went outside the Roman Empire to preach the Gospel. He is also believed to have crossed the largest area, including the Persian Empire and India. He was martyred for leading an Indian Queen to faith in Jesus. The Feast of Saint Thomas is the traditional day to begin all of your Christmas baking. Put on some music and have fun baking all of your favorite treats! Baking is such a great way to emphasize the Advent themes of preparation and of waiting. In many countries, particular cookies are made only for Christmas. The cookies keep for a long time and are often hung on the Christmas tree. What a wonderful way to emphasize the significance of the season with what we cook!

The season of Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas and is the time set aside when Christians around the world prepare their hearts for the coming of Christ. Advent is all about slowing down, waiting, and longing for the fulfillment of God’s purposes. As a young mom with four little kids, the season of Advent was anything but those things! It was not the most wonderful time of the year, it was the most stressful time! There were sugar highs, presents to buy, cookies to make, and so many activities to go to! For me, the season of Advent was hectic and filled with anxiety. Remembering Christ One of the things that centered me every year was the Bidding Prayer from the Anglican service of Advent Lessons and Carols. It’s called a “bidding prayer” because it’s bidding us, inviting us, to enter into Advent with all our hearts. It invites us to “let it be our care and delight” to step out of the frantic pace of this world and to hear again the message of the Angels, that a Savior had been born to us which is Christ the Lord. Here’s the first part of the Bidding Prayer: Beloved in Christ, in this season of Advent, let it be our care and delight to prepare ourselves to hear again the message of the Angels, and in heart and mind to go even unto Bethlehem, to see the Babe lying in a manger. Let us read and mark in Holy Scripture the tale of the loving purposes of God from the first days of our disobedience unto the glorious Redemption brought us by his holy Child, and let us look forward to the yearly remembrance of his birth with hymns and songs of praise… The bidding prayer was written by an Anglican priest named Eric Milner-White. He served as an army chaplain during the First World War on both the Western Front and in the Italian Campaign. He returned home from the war on January 5, 1918, and was made the Dean of King’s College. Within his first year of being home, he introduced the Lessons and Carols service along with his beautiful bidding prayer on Christmas Eve, 1918. Remembering the World Though it begins by remembering Christ, the Bidding Prayer does not retreat from the world. Its second section invites us to remember in our prayers “the needs of the whole world:” let us pray for the needs of his whole world; for peace and goodwill over all the earth; for the mission and unity of the Church for which he died, and especially in this country and within this city. And because this of all things would rejoice his heart, let us at this time remember in his name the poor and the helpless; the hungry and the oppressed; the sick and those who mourn; the lonely and the unloved; the aged and the little children; and all those who know not the Lord Jesus, or who love him not, or who by sin have grieved his heart of love. One hundred and ninety-nine men from King’s College alone died in the war, not to mention the hundreds of thousands of Milner-White’s countrymen. It is remarkable to think that having just returned from the war, with all of its senseless death and trauma, Milner-White could call both to pray for the world’s pain and also to delight again in Christ. An Advent Invitation for All If Eric Milner-White could delight in Christ in the midst of a World War, each of us can find hope in Chris in the midst of our struggles. As you enter into the season of Advent, maybe you feel overwhelmed, tired, or just distracted and anxious by all that needs to be done. Maybe, like me, you need to hear this bidding prayer – this invitation once again to let it be our care and delight in this holy season to prepare our hearts and homes for the coming of our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Here is the Advent Bidding Prayer in its entirety: “Beloved in Christ, in this season of Advent, let it be our care and delight to prepare ourselves to hear again the message of the Angels, and in heart and mind to go even unto Bethlehem, to see the Babe lying in a manger. Let us read and mark in Holy Scripture the tale of the loving purposes of God from the first days of our disobedience unto the glorious Redemption brought us by his holy Child, and let us look forward to the yearly remembrance of his birth with hymns and songs of praise. But first, let us pray for the needs of his whole world; for peace and goodwill over all the earth; for the mission and unity of the Church for which he died, and especially in this country and within this city. And because this of all things would rejoice his heart, let us at this time remember in his name the poor and the helpless; the hungry and the oppressed; the sick and those who mourn; the lonely and the unloved; the aged and the little children; and all those who know not the Lord Jesus, or who love him not, or who by sin have grieved his heart of love. Lastly, let us remember before God his pure and lowly Mother, and all those who rejoice with us, but upon another shore and in a greater light, that multitude which no one can number, whose hope was in the Word made flesh, and with whom, in this Lord Jesus, we for evermore are one.”

The season of Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas and is the time set aside when Christians around the world prepare their hearts for the coming of Christ. Advent is all about slowing down, waiting, and longing for the fulfillment of God’s purposes. As a young mom with four little kids, the season of Advent was anything but those things! It was not the most wonderful time of the year, it was the most stressful time! There were sugar highs, presents to buy, cookies to make, and so many activities to go to! For me, the season of Advent was hectic and filled with anxiety. Remembering Christ One of the things that centered me every year was the Bidding Prayer from the Anglican service of Advent Lessons and Carols. It’s called a “bidding prayer” because it’s bidding us, inviting us, to enter into Advent with all our hearts. It invites us to “let it be our care and delight” to step out of the frantic pace of this world and to hear again the message of the Angels, that a Savior had been born to us which is Christ the Lord. Here’s the first part of the Bidding Prayer: Beloved in Christ, in this season of Advent, let it be our care and delight to prepare ourselves to hear again the message of the Angels, and in heart and mind to go even unto Bethlehem, to see the Babe lying in a manger. Let us read and mark in Holy Scripture the tale of the loving purposes of God from the first days of our disobedience unto the glorious Redemption brought us by his holy Child, and let us look forward to the yearly remembrance of his birth with hymns and songs of praise… The bidding prayer was written by an Anglican priest named Eric Milner-White. He served as an army chaplain during the First World War on both the Western Front and in the Italian Campaign. He returned home from the war on January 5, 1918, and was made the Dean of King’s College. Within his first year of being home, he introduced the Lessons and Carols service along with his beautiful bidding prayer on Christmas Eve, 1918. Remembering the World Though it begins by remembering Christ, the Bidding Prayer does not retreat from the world. Its second section invites us to remember in our prayers “the needs of the whole world:” let us pray for the needs of his whole world; for peace and goodwill over all the earth; for the mission and unity of the Church for which he died, and especially in this country and within this city. And because this of all things would rejoice his heart, let us at this time remember in his name the poor and the helpless; the hungry and the oppressed; the sick and those who mourn; the lonely and the unloved; the aged and the little children; and all those who know not the Lord Jesus, or who love him not, or who by sin have grieved his heart of love. One hundred and ninety-nine men from King’s College alone died in the war, not to mention the hundreds of thousands of Milner-White’s countrymen. It is remarkable to think that having just returned from the war, with all of its senseless death and trauma, Milner-White could call both to pray for the world’s pain and also to delight again in Christ. An Advent Invitation for All If Eric Milner-White could delight in Christ in the midst of a World War, each of us can find hope in Chris in the midst of our struggles. As you enter into the season of Advent, maybe you feel overwhelmed, tired, or just distracted and anxious by all that needs to be done. Maybe, like me, you need to hear this bidding prayer – this invitation once again to let it be our care and delight in this holy season to prepare our hearts and homes for the coming of our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Here is the Advent Bidding Prayer in its entirety: “Beloved in Christ, in this season of Advent, let it be our care and delight to prepare ourselves to hear again the message of the Angels, and in heart and mind to go even unto Bethlehem, to see the Babe lying in a manger. Let us read and mark in Holy Scripture the tale of the loving purposes of God from the first days of our disobedience unto the glorious Redemption brought us by his holy Child, and let us look forward to the yearly remembrance of his birth with hymns and songs of praise. But first, let us pray for the needs of his whole world; for peace and goodwill over all the earth; for the mission and unity of the Church for which he died, and especially in this country and within this city. And because this of all things would rejoice his heart, let us at this time remember in his name the poor and the helpless; the hungry and the oppressed; the sick and those who mourn; the lonely and the unloved; the aged and the little children; and all those who know not the Lord Jesus, or who love him not, or who by sin have grieved his heart of love. Lastly, let us remember before God his pure and lowly Mother, and all those who rejoice with us, but upon another shore and in a greater light, that multitude which no one can number, whose hope was in the Word made flesh, and with whom, in this Lord Jesus, we for evermore are one.”

Happy first day of November! This is a slower month in the Liturgical Calendar, much slower than October (whew!). We are still moving through the season of Ordinary Time, the longest season of the Church Year. We start with All Saints' Day where we celebrate those who have faithfully served the Lord and who are now with him in heaven. At the end of the month, we celebrate Christ the King Sunday, a special Sunday where the Church recognizes and celebrates Christ as our King. We end November with the Feast of St. Andrew, the Apostle, a faithful disciple of Jesus who later became an Apostle to the Church. Follow along as I share everything you’ll need to celebrate every special day this month, including the history, recipes, and traditions. Helpful Links: All Saints' Day

When it comes to baking an apple pie, my family has a delightful twist to the classic recipe that brings out an even richer and more homely flavor: using grated apples instead of sliced ones. Growing up, this was the only way I knew apple pie. My grandmother made it this way and so did my mom. When I would eat apple pie at other people's homes, I never liked it, the apple slices were too tart, crunchy, or big. Grating the apples makes every bite so soft it almost melts in your mouth. This method transforms the texture and gives every bite a smoother, deeper apple flavor. I promise once you've tried grated apple pie, you'll never make apple pie the old way again! Grated Apple Pie The Crust 1 1/2 cups flour 1/2 teaspoon salt 6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cubed 2 tablespoons cold shortening 3 to 4 tablespoons ice water Whisk flour and salt together in a food processor. Add cubed butter and shortening. Pulse until the mixture resembles a coarse meal with pea-sized bits of fat throughout. Drizzle the ice water in, 1 tablespoon at a time until dough begins to form large clumps. Transfer the pie dough to a floured work surface. Using floured hands, fold the dough into itself until the flour is fully incorporated into the fats. The dough should come together easily and should not feel too sticky. Avoid overworking the dough. If it feels a bit too dry or crumbly, dip your fingers in the ice water and then continue bringing the dough together with your hands. If it feels too sticky, sprinkle on more flour and then continue bringing the dough together with your hands. Form it into a round disk. Wrap each tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to 5 days. After 2 hours, lightly flour the work surface, rolling pin, and your hands, and sprinkle a little flour on top of the dough. When rolling dough out, start from the center and work your way out in all directions, turning the dough with your hands as you go. Roll the dough into a very thin 12-inch circle. Use your rolling pin to help transfer the pie crust to the pie dish. Carefully roll one end of the circle of dough gently onto the rolling pin, rolling it back towards you, slowly peeling it off the work surface as you go. Pick it up, and carefully roll it back out over the top of the pie dish. The Filling 1 stick of butter 1 cup of sugar 1 egg, beaten 1 heaping tablespoon of flour 1/4 teaspoon allspice 3 cups grated apples Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan. Add grated apples, sugar, allspice, flour, and beaten egg. Stir together until fully incorporated. Pour into unbaked pie crust. Bake for 1 hour.

One of the main themes of Advent is on giving rather than receiving. We give because God first freely gave to us. He held nothing back! He even gave us his most precious gift - his only Son. One of my favorite ways to emphasize the act of giving is through the Christmas Crib tradition. The Christmas Crib has become one of our family's most meaningful Advent traditions. It is a beautiful and simple activity that emphasizes thinking of others and doing good deeds. To make the Christmas Crib, before the first Sunday of Advent, gather together a small basket or the manger from your nativity set, a small cup or dish, raffia or straw cut into 2-inch pieces, and a baby Jesus figurine. You will also need a bowl filled with the names of the family members on slips of paper. Then, on the first Sunday of Advent, right after evening devotions, set the small basket or manger out on your kitchen or dining room table. Next to the manger, place the small cup or dish. Fill the cup or dish with the pieces of straw and place the baby Jesus figurine next to it all. The bowl with the slips of paper is passed around and everyone takes a slip of paper with a name on it. The person whose name one has drawn is now in one’s special care throughout Advent. From this day until Christmas, one has to do as many little favors for him or her as one can. One has to provide at least one surprise every single day - but without ever being found out. Explain to your family that Advent is about preparing our hearts for the coming of our Savior, Jesus, and that during Advent we try to do as many good deeds for others as we can. Tell them that the person whose name they have drawn and who is under their care becomes for them the little helpless Christ Child in the manger. Explain to them that the straw in the cup is for baby Jesus’ manger. From now on, whenever they do a good deed for that family member or for someone else, they should get a piece of straw from the cup and place it in the manger. Explain to your children that the goal is to get the manger as full as possible before Christmas Eve so that baby Jesus has a super soft bed. My family takes this tradition very seriously! I can’t tell you how touching (and surprising!) it is to see my children doing as many good deeds as they can. They love to know that baby Jesus will be surrounded by their love and good deeds made visible with the straw. It is such a sweet tradition that creates a spirit of selfless love and generosity.

Looking for a simple meal idea for Thanksgiving week? Try my “Homemade” Pizza! I use a homemade pizza crust that is ready in less than thirty minutes. It’s crisp on the outside, soft on the inside and so, so good! Then, to make things even easier, use a bottle of jarred pizza sauce. It makes everything SO much simpler! Next, layer on your favorite toppings: mozzarella, pepperoni, thinly sliced onions, feta cheese, parmesan cheese, whatever you like! I hope this helps make this crazy week a little bit less stressful and hopefully a welcome break from Turkey overload! My Favorite Pizza Crust ▢ 1 cup warm water (105 degrees F) ▢ 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar ▢ 1 Tablespoon active dry yeast ▢ 1 TBSaTablespoon olive oil ▢ 2 to 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour* ▢ 1 tsp fine sea salt Preheat oven to 500 degrees F. Put a pizza stone in the oven while it preheats, and let it warm at 500 degrees F for at least 10 minutes.* Combine warm water, yeast and sugar in a large mixing bowl and stir to combine. Let mixture sit for 5 minutes, or until it becomes frothy and bubbles form. Gently stir in olive oil. Add 2 cups of flour and salt and mix with a spatula until a ball begins to form (dough will still be slightly sticky). Add more flour as needed to form a dough ball. Transfer to a floured surface and knead into a smooth dough, adding up to ½ cup extra flour if needed. Sprinkle a pan with a little cornmeal or flour, place dough on pan and gently press out with your fingers till the dough is your desired shape.

We have no school for the entire Thanksgiving week! I'm trying to keep things simple so I don't get stressed out but I'm also trying to throw in some things that will be fun and unexpected for my kids. Today I thought I'd make banana muffins before they woke up. Muffins are so easy to make and these are the best banana muffins ever! They are warm and moist and have a little bit of sour cream that really gives them an amazing depth! What’s a simple something that you make that's easy but also brings everyone joy? Best Banana Muffins ½ cup butter 1 cup sugar 2 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 cup mashed bananas ½ cup sour cream 1 ½ cups flour 1 teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon salt Combine the butter and sugar in a mixer. Add eggs, vanilla, bananas and sour cream. Then add flour, baking soda and salt. Beat for one minute. Pour into greased muffin tin. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes.

One of my favorite ways to celebrate Advent is with The Advent Wreath. An Advent Wreath is such a wonderful visual symbol to help us mark the passage of time through Advent. On the very first Sunday of Advent, my family collects greenery from our yard, assembles the wreath, and put it in the middle of our kitchen table. The wreath is such a powerful sign to our family that we are joyfully waiting for the coming of our Savior, the Christ Child, as we light a new candle every Sunday night. Everything about the wreath is symbolic and is an excellent teaching tool. The shape of the circle and the evergreens represent eternity. Candles represent a time of preparation and purification as well as the light or presence of Christ. The color of the candles is also symbolic. Violet represents penitence as we prepare our hearts for the birth of our Savior. Blue can also be used instead of violet to symbolize a sense of expectancy. The rose or pink candle represents Mary, the willing servant of God and the mother of our Lord. The white candle represents Christ and is lit on Christmas Eve. Every Sunday night, we gather as a family, have our Advent devotion, sing, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” and light the next Advent candle. It builds such anticipation to watch as every candle burns a little more. I love gathering in the evening, lighting the candles, breathing in the smell of evergreens, and reading through the story of our salvation with my family. Make an Advent Wreath from a kit or on your own and hang it from the ceiling or place it in the center of your dining table. I really like a large Advent Wreath so I am giving you instructions and supplies for the one I make. Once you have assembled your wreath, gather your family every Sunday night for Evening Prayer, light the appropriate number of candles and pray through your family devotions. Make Your Own: Large Wreath (16") Supplies Metal Advent Ring (16") 12 inch Advent candle set (three purple and one pink candle) One White Pillar Candle Fresh evergreen branches of your choice (pine, juniper, seeded eucalyptus, cedar, etc.) Pruning Snips Directions Cut and place the greenery around your metal wreath form. Use the ties that are included to attach your greenery. Place your wreath in the middle of your dining or breakfast table. Insert the purple and pink candles into the holders and place them equidistantly around the inside of the wreath. Place the white candle in the middle of the Advent Wreath.

The season of Advent is the special time set aside when Christians around the world prepare for the coming of Jesus. One of my favorite ways to mark the passage of Advent in my home is with a Nativity Set. Nativity Sets serve as a powerful visual reminder that we are drawing ever closer to the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In order to get the most out of you Nativity Set, set it up in a prominent place in your home so that it is visible throughout Advent. If you have children, make sure you use a set that is very kid friendly so that your children can help set it up and move the figures throughout Advent. Also, make sure that you allow them to play with it throughout Advent. Children learn so much when they are able to interact with play. Most people set their scene up all at once and we had as well until I discovered that traditionally, the nativity figures are set up in a certain way so that it tells the nativity story. Every day, figures are slowly moved to create a sense of anticipation. Mary, Joseph, the donkey and the animals are placed around the empty manger. The shepherds and sheep are further away and the Wise Men are the farthest away. On Christmas Eve, baby Jesus is lovingly added to the manger and the shepherds and sheep gather around. The Wise Men continue to move closer and closer until they finally arrive on the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6. I love this way of setting up our Nativity Set. It is so much more fun for the family! Historical Note - The first nativity scene is credited to Saint Francis of Assisi. On Christmas Eve in 1223, he had the idea to re-create the Nativity Scene using real people and animals. The idea of a nativity scene in one’s own town quickly spread throughout Christendom. Shortly after that, people began constructing large nativity scenes in their homes. As the years passed, the nativity scenes got smaller and now fit on a table or shelf. If you'd like to celebrate Advent in your home with a nativity set, here is a round-up of my favorite ones. Global Crafts Nativity Set $39.99 Fair Trade. Handmade in Kenya with banana leaves. Women in Kenya are taught the art of recycling dried banana fiber to make a sustainable living. Holy Land Olive Wood Nativity Set $38.58 This is the one that we own and I love it. It is indestructible and has such a simple beauty. Hand Carved Olive Wood Children's 12-piece Nativity Set made in the Holy Land. Vineworks Fair Trade 11 Piece Metal Nativity Set $49.00 Fair trade and made of punched tin in Haiti. WONDROUS' DECO Wooden Nativity Set $23.99 A cute mini nativity set. The whole nativity scene measures 11¾'' L x 1¼'' W x 7'' H. The set comes with a wooden house with 11 different figures. Global Crafts Handmade Natural Soapstone Nativity Set $59.99 Each sculpture is artfully hand-carved from a single piece of Kisii soapstone, found only in the hills of southwestern Kenya. Mining the soapstone from surface hills is a labor-intensive process, using little to no machinery. Laborers works with shovels, picks, axes and machetes to carve out large soapstone chucks, which are then carved into beautiful art. Metal Nativity Set 6 Pieces $39.99 ​This nativity scene is handcrafted from cold-rolled steel in Utah. For More Colorful, Toy Options: Fisher-Price Little People Toddler Toy Nativity Set $47.98 Melissa Dan Doug Classic Nativity Set for Kids $47.98

The season of Advent is the special time set aside where Christians around the world prepare for the coming of Jesus. One of my favorite ways to mark the passage of Advent is with a Nativity Scene. Over the years, I have been given sets from all over the world and I absolutely love each one. We have one made from olive wood from Bethlehem and one made from tin. My husband brought back some from his mission trips to Africa and Guatemala. I love them all. They are all so unique and they remind me that we are all part of the body of Christ no matter where we live. Did you know that the first nativity scene is credited to Saint Francis of Assisi? He had it created for Christmas Eve in 1223 and they used real people and animals. The idea of a nativity scene in one’s own town quickly spread throughout Christendom. Shortly thereafter, people began constructing large nativity scenes in their homes. As the years have passed, the nativity scenes have gotten smaller and now fit on a table or shelf. We always set up our scene all at once until I discovered that traditionally, the nativity figures are set up in a certain way. Like an Advent Calendar, figures are slowly added to the scene to create a sense of anticipation. As Christmas Day approaches, Mary, Joseph, and the donkey move closer to the manger where the other animals are waiting. The shepherds and sheep also move closer until they finally arrive on Christmas Eve when baby Jesus is added to the manger. The Wise Men are kept the farthest away and move closer and closer until they finally arrive at the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6. Here is a round-up of some really sweet Nativity Sets that I found. Global Crafts Nativity Set Was $49.99 now on sale for $39.99 Fair Trade. Handmade in Kenya with banana leaves. Women in Kenya are taught the art of recycling dried banana fiber to make a sustainable living. Holy Land Olive Wood Nativity Set $38.58 Hand Carved Olive Wood Children's 12-piece Nativity Set made in the Holy Land. Vineworks Fair Trade 11 Piece Metal Nativity Set $49.00 Fair trade and made of punched tin in Haiti. WONDROUS' DECO Wooden Nativity Set $22.99 A cute mini nativity set. The whole nativity scene measures 11¾'' L x 1¼'' W x 7'' H. The set comes with a wooden house with 11 different figures. Global Crafts Handmade Natural Soapstone Nativity Set $59.99 Each sculpture is artfully hand-carved from a single piece of Kisii soapstone, found only in the hills of southwestern Kenya. Mining the soapstone from surface hills is a labor-intensive process, using little to no machinery. Laborers works with shovels, picks, axes and machetes to carve out large soapstone chucks, which are then carved into beautiful art. Metal Nativity Set 6 Pieces $39.95 + there's a $2 off coupon! ​This nativity scene is handcrafted from cold-rolled steel in Utah.