Every year, we prepare for Christmas….
We empty an alcove in our dining room and add some fairy lights…
Ooooh, this is a good spot for sitting in…
Very cosy, add a cushion…
Oh yes, and a cat too…
Use a staple gun to add some material in front of the lights. The ‘cave’ is made from a large thick piece of paper, flecked with paint and then scrunched up.
Get some nativity figures. Before we put them into our nativity scene, why not have a little play, maybe act out the Christmas story?
Whoops. Maybe we won’t include the headless shepherds and kings…
Cut out 24 stars from glitter foam. This one is sticky on the back (you need them to be able to stick) but make do with what you have using card, glitter and double sided tape….
Layout the stars in a ‘star path’ that leads to the cave where Jesus is born…
Mary, Joseph (and the donkey) are at the start of the path…
The kings are on their journey, the shepherds watching sheep on a hill…
…and the angels are in the sky, singing hallelujah…
And the cat is following the star!
Surely there was a cat or two present at the nativity…
Mmm…maybe not such a good idea to encourage cat participation…
Every evening, from the start of advent to Christmas day, we gather round…
We sign a song about Mary walking on the star path, then the children take turns…
…to move Mary along the star path, one star each night, then move the star from the path to the sky. Can you spot it?
By Christmas eve, there will only be one, big special star left on the path and the sky will be full of stars.
For now, there are two stars in the sky and two less stars on the path.
That must mean that Christmas is getting nearer…
I LOVE this tradition of yours. So much more meaningful. And the headless kings crack me up!!
xx
wonderful.
and very funnnnny!
Beautiful. What a meaningful way of approaching Christmas. So nice to see you sharing what Christmas really mean with your family, and with all who read your blog. Love the stars in your tableau instead of a chocolate advent calendar….
Thank you.
Thanks so much Judith 😉
Can you tell I’m catching up on your blog? ;0). I LOVE this idea! I’ve been trying to steer away from the chocolate or trinket everyday day advent and this is perfect! I love the night sky and well, that cat!
Ha ha! Yes, I do that too!! Lovely to have you visit 😉
Hello – Just found my way to this website as I was looking for tips on creating Mary’s Walk. Wonderful – thank you. You mentioned singing a song about Mary walking her path – would you be able to share the words? And even the tune? Many thanks.