This past Monday the 15th of November marked the beginning of the Nativity Fast for the Church. The forty days preceding Christmas are set aside for fasting, more intense prayer, and alms giving. All this is done in preparation for the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. Orthodox Christians prepare for Christmas exactly opposite from most in our society. We fast and soberly prepare our hearts to receive Christ, and then after Christmas feast and celebrate for 12 days (hence the twelve days of Christmas).
The Nativity Season is an exciting time for the children in the Church. Prior to Christmas two days that are particularly important holy days are St. Nicholas' day and St. Herman's day. Saint Nicholas was a Greek speaking bishop from modern day turkey who lived in the 300's AD in the Roman Empire. It is customary on St. Nicholas' day to attend services at Church in the morning. After the service and the communal meal the children are given gold coins. Well, not real gold, just those cheap chocolate ones. Though gold coins might be a good gift given the uncertain economy and the eroding value of the dollar. The gold coins are a remembrance of St. Nicholas' reputation of generosity and his special care given to children during his life. If you want to read his story follow this link: Life of Saint Nicholas
Elias is enjoying school. Right now his class is learning a different letter of the alphabet. Everyday he comes home and wants to tell us what letter he learned. At school they make the letter of the day out of some object that starts with that letter. So for the letter "A" they make the animal crackers in the shape of an "A". We've been taping all of the letters next to his bed. Elias is also very much "into" his toy cars and his train set. He has become a very imaginative boy and likes to make little villages out of his blocks and drive the cars around. Every house he makes is someone's house that he knows. He makes a house for Grandma and Grandpa, for Mimi and Pop, his house, and his friends houses.
Genevieve is sleep through night and is very close to walking. She just lacks the courage. But when it comes to climbing the stairs in our house, lack of courage is not wanting. She finds it funny to sneak up the stairs. When we notice how quiet it is and find her climbing the stairs she squeals and starts racing up the stairs. Some of you might have already seen this video. Genevieve has taken to drinking out of cups and thinks water is the coolest thing yet. Wait till she discovers juice! Genevieve Drinking Out of a Cup
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