“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.”

Orthodox Advent began yesterday. Just as we take 40 days to prepare for Christ’s death and resurrection at Pascha (Easter), we also take 40 days to prepare for Christ’s birth. So, November 15 is the day we put up our Christmas decorations. (All but our stockings, which we hang up for St. Nicholas day on December 6.) You can click on the pictures for larger versions.

Our tree is not one of those fancy-looking coordinated trees. It has 5-year-old tacky tinsel and most of the built-in lights don’t work.
A lot of the ornaments are handmade ones the kids have brought home from daycare. But those little treasures make our tree so beautiful!