Traditions are a part of life that bring an anticipated meaningfulness to everyday occasions. Each Christmas we bake. We make something gingerbread (house, tree, lanterns, ornaments) and we make goodies for giving.
I was captivated by Ana’s unique take on a chimney!
Trader Joe’s was the donor of the gingerbread house kit, to which we added whatever we could find in the pantry. These are such good motivators of resourcefulness and even some minor application of physics!!
This year we made Nutty Pretzel Bark to give to neighbors and friends. After making and breaking it apart (which is the most fun), we placed the assymetrical chunks into glass canisters from IKEA and tied them off with a pretty ribbon and card. We have begun to make these little ‘treat’ offerings a part of an ongoing attempt to extend some hospitality to those neighbors we don’t get to engage with very often.
The Fayette Street Blessing was an outreach event hosted by Imago Dei.
A corner of Fayette Street in downtown Baltimore is a well known and occupied “safe zone” for the homeless. It is here on a church’s private property that the homeless are given the freedom to ‘live’. As a family, we want our children to become familiar with the idea of charity and cultivate a heart for the poor. So we got them involved with the event.
The kids and I shopped for bag lunch items and then a group of us gathered at our home to assemble the lunch bags. Each one was finished with a handmade card and scripture as well as homemade cookies. A little touch of love and Christmas blessing to those alone and in need.
Ana and Mae actually accompanied the group dowtown and listened and observed as the adults shared their hearts with the homeless and as the homeless shared with them. Many adults cringe at the idea of the homeless, whether fear, pity, contempt or a sense of helplessness is at the heart. I was proud of my girls for their desire/willingness to be a part of something so very ‘unknown’.
Pierre has some mad sandwich building skills!!
