Advent is winding down!  Oh, there seems like so much still to do.  Isn’t that how it always is?  Still, I wanted to pop on and wish all of you a Merry Christmas.

Pretty

The stockings are hung by the chimney with care!  We did misplace one of the girls’ stockings, and fortunately they aren’t personalized so I whipped out my own personal First Christmas stocking for Littlest to use.  She won’t even notice, this year, at least.

No, the star does not fit above the tree.  The tree was just too tall!

And no fire in the woodstove this year.  It is far too unseasonably warm. 😦

The prints above the mantel are from “glorydesigns” on Etsy.

Upstairs we have our Jesse Tree and the IKEA stars that Haus Meister brought home for me last month.  When lit, they are very cheerful and may just be one of my favorite decorations this year.

Happy

I do love decorating with candles. Last year, also from Etsy, I purchased a set of vinyl Nativity cutouts to go on glass jars for a handmade candle holder effect. However, it was one of those things I didn’t get around to until this year.

This jolly St. Nick is one of the few decorations to have survived through our entire marriage.  He’s been at every Christmas in every place we’ve lived.  Even if he has to hide in a bathroom for survival…

And everyone was happy to get our big tree downstairs!

Funny

Everything is one toddler away from destruction.  (Actually, they’re surviving okay)

Real

As Advent ends and Christmas proper begins, I’m going to share with you some of our favorite carols.  Frohliche Weihnachten!

O Come O Come Emmanuel (this version has been a favorite in the Haus this Advent)

Mitt Hjerte Alle Vanker

Mitt Hjerte Alltid Vanker Mitt hjerte alltid vanker i Jesu føderom Der samles mine tanker som i sin hovedsum Der er min lengsel hjemme, der har min tro sin skatt Jeg kan deg aldri glemme velsignet julenatt Akk, kom jeg opp vil lukke mitt hjerte og mitt sinn Og full av lengsel sukke, kom Jesus dog her inn Det er ei fremmed bolig, du har jo selv den jo kjøpt Så skal jeg blive trolig, her i mitt hjerte svøpt Jeg gjerne palmegrene vil om din krybbe strø For deg, for deg alene jeg leve vil og dø Kom la min sjel deg finne sin rette gledesstund At du ble født her inne i hjertets dype grunn

My Heart Always Lingers My heart always lingers in the birthplace of Jesus My thoughts gather there as their main sum There my longing has its home, my faith its treasure I can never forget you, blessed Christmas night Oh come, I will open my heart and my mind and sigh with longing, yet come in Jesus It is not a strange home, you have bought it yourself So I will remain faithful, wrapped here in my heart I will gladly spread palm branches around your manger for you, for you alone I will live and die Come, let my soul find its right moment of joy for you that you were born here in the deep of the heart