Advent: Salt Dough Spiral Reloaded

The kids helped me add greenery under the salt dough spiral. Then, they took some already-recycled holiday wrapping paper and upcycled it into decorative "balls" in amongst the greenery. Since stables have animals in them, the kids decided that *ALL* animals could be included in the advent scene, including more exotic animals! Why not?!

My attempt at a salt dough Mary-like figure that would stand properly didn't quite work out as I had hoped, so this Playmobile doll got a make-over!

Here is what we are presenting to the children for our family advent honorings:

There was a child of light that was born. From him, we hear that good deeds were done and that he shone his inner light to the world wherever he went. While we celebrate the return of longer days, we also will honor that birth of a child of light during the darkest time of the year, the Winter Solstice.

I found an advent poem online (if you know the source, please let me know) that I have altered to fit our family.  We are planning to recite one section each week:

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In the first week of Advent shines,

The light of crystals in the mine

The rocks, the jewels and the stones

The seashells and our bones.

Now the stones are on the earth

Waiting for the Sun's re-birth.

In the second week of Advent shines

The green grass and the lovely trees

And all the flowers that we see.

Now the plants are on the earth

Waiting for the Sun's re-birth.

In the third week of Advent shines

The wondrous beast of every kind

Beasts who tread upon the earth

And gave their stable for the birth.

Now the beasts are on the earth

Waiting for the Sun's re-birth.

In the fourth week of Advent shines

Our open hearths, our hearts with love

And shining light from within and from above.

Now humankind is on the earth

Waiting for the Sun's re-birth.