Orthodox Ornament Exchange


If you're not familiar with the idea of an "Orthodox Christmas Ornament Exchange" like the one hosted by Sylvia at www.orthodoxmom.com, be sure to check it out and initiate an exchange in your circle of friends!

This fantastic idea has encouraged Orthodox pen pals amongst our children across the globe, and I can honestly say, our 3 year old seems to comprehend the idea, and is quite enthusiastic about it! Pictured here are our ornaments this year. We found things around the house, and used our own very hands to glue, glitter, string beads and weave ribbons! All of which were good practice in the realm of eye-hand coordination skills!

Who would have thought those plastic balls from the ball pit jungle gyms could suffice as Christmas bulbs? And the best part - they are light weight to ship and no risk of breaking!

So, off to the post office we go tomorrow, to send our small packages of love from Germany ~ We look forward to adding to our tree the new ornaments from your homes. Thanks to everyone who participated, and to Sylvia for organizing.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Teenage Confessions

Image
A dear friend spent all of July again this year hearing the confessions of maybe 300 or so teenagers in America. A tough job? Sure, it must be exhausting, but for him and every other clergy, our good Lord sends strength, accountability, and compassion to offer just the right medicine to these wounded souls. And this is just what he discovered: wounded souls . My clergy-friend and I both agreed, the devil is working overtime on our kids. What they are facing today is worse than we faced. It's more intense, more damaging, and more in their faces than ever. I share with you a few of these findings. For boys aged 11-18, they are simply bombarded with pornography. Our media has made this extremely accessible. But I liked my friends response- he explained that every time a young guy looks and deletes an image he is training himself to do this when the right one comes along, so therefore after a few short years of marriage, he will want to click "delete" and search for the next
Read more

Dwelling Place for Christmas

Image
The Nativity lenten season has begun... will God find an available "dwelling place" to be born? Will there be room at our inn? When He comes, as He did then to the city of Bethlehem, to knock on our doors....will there be room in our homes, in our hearts, and in the sometimes darkness of our lives for Panagia to lay and give birth to the giver of ever-lasting peace? What state will He find our caves in? Ready, asleep, or full to capacity with other things? You see, the cave is not only a physical place of historical importance, but a spiritual metaphor for each one of us. Isn't it also interesting that so many monks/nuns in our Orthodox tradition took up residence in an actual cave, where they decorated it with icons and burning vigil lamps living their lives in complete concentration and stillness. Hence, the "Light was born into darkness." Literally, and symbolically. How, might we ask, could God who is grander in size than any other "fit into" the
Read more

Presentation of Christ Activities - Ipapanti

Image
As you and your families prepare to celebrate the Presentation of Christ on February 2 I share with you the following activities. Page 16 of 39 in this Orthodox coloring book has the icon  to print & color https://www.scribd.com/doc/14024263/Orthodox-Christian-Icon-Coloring-Book Click, Print and Enjoy!
Read more