Thursday, December 16, 2010

O Antiphons ~ Another option

It doesn't occur to me to post ideas like the ones below way in advance because it really doesn't occur to me that someone might want to use these specific ideas. I am the kind of person who seeks inspiration from the blogs I read, usually inspiration to do my own thing based on an idea someone has. Sometimes, someone's idea fits perfectly with my family plans and sometimes, someone's idea is sometimes simply the avenue that the Holy Spirit chooses to make His way into my mind. So why do I post them? Those posts are really just ways for me to keep track of what I have planned and what we have done. If the Holy Spirit uses them as a means to inspire someone else, then I am happy to cooperate.

Anyway, I was inspired to come up with an alternative list of O Antiphon activities that anyone could pull off mostly with things found in the home or very close to home at the local grocery store. Here they are:

O Wisdom: Pull out a beloved book and share it with your children. Something that brought you wisdom or something that fills you with joy. Maybe a book of poetry or a prayer book, lives of the saints or a family bible.

O Lord and Ruler of the house of Israel: Graham cracker houses put together with melted white chocolate chips or peanut butter and decorated with colorful M&M's. How about drawing a picture of your house? Or maybe draw a picture of Jesus' first "house" which was humble and not very kingly at all.

O Root of Jesse: I still think root beer is the easy way to go and since my kids don't get sodas on a regular basis, they are very much enjoyed. But remember that carrots, yams, potatoes, radishes and garlic are all roots. Sounds like a delicious stew in the works! Your family has to eat anyway, right? But maybe you already have a menu plan, what about taking out a family photo album and looking at your family tree. Use it as an opportunity to discuss Jesus' family tree... the Jesse Tree.

O Key of David: Too busy to bake? Let the kids make key chain decorations for you and hubby (or grandma and grandpa) out of Sculpey, salt dough or even play dough. Too messy? Try craft foam or even just ribbon (like this one but without the doodads).

O Dawn of the East: Something orange reminds us of the dawning sun. Orange juice for breakfast, orange sherbet for dessert, or just some horizontally sliced oranges!

O King of the Gentiles: Make your own paper crown and place it in the center of your dinner table.

O Emmanuel: God is with us! Jessica linked to some fabulous free nativity scene printables. If you haven't had a chance to make one, do it today.


7 comments:

  1. This is great! Thanks for the alternate options for celebrating the O Antiphons. For Root of Jesse, I like Jessica's idea about getting a poinsettia that day to have in the house for Christmas.:) I hope the next few days go well in your home. I so appreciate the gifts you & Jessica both are for me providing such wonderful ideas and sharing them for all who want them. You're the best!

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  2. I would prefer that too, but with a dog in the house this Christmas, we didn't want to risk her eating it.

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  3. You and I are very much on the same wave length. I did much the same here in my post!

    Thanks for the inspiration!

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  4. I meant to post a link to my post,in case you find any of these ideas simpler as well!

    http://faith-and-family-blog.blogspot.com/2010/12/o-octave-of-christmas-golden-nights-of.html

    Kim

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  5. Thank you so much for these posts! I am planning on doing these for the first year this year, but was not really sure how to make it tangible- something that the kids would get in to. This is perfect. I was going to thank you for previous post and say I am making note for next year, but this should get us started.

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  6. GREAT! simplified ideas. I was just telling the littles tonight that we will be "trying" these this year. Brilliant!

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Thank you for sharing your thoughts and yourself!