The four Advent candles are lit ...

Hi all,

My pledge this past year has been to embrace life & travel more & that I have done, just returning from Christmas markets in Salzburg, Munich & Innsbruck.

While travelling pre Christmas, I saw the traditions & observances they hold dear - many of my ancestors came from that part of Europe & in many ways, I have observed similar ones so they feel familiar to me - familiar as I know them in various forms.

My Austrian hairdresser advised me on where to visit in Salzburg, one of her favourite places outside of Vienna where her Mother still lives. She always has an Advent candle in her salon & this is hers ...

Germany & Austria had some beautiful Advent candle holder on their traditional Christmas markets. There were Advent holders with space for the candles all over & it is something every home will have.

The Cathedral in Salzburg had a hanging wreath above its entrance, with the traditional market just opposite ...

 In the Salzburg Cathedral, on a rope so it can be lowered to be lit ...

The ceiling of the Cathedral in Munchen / Munich

The traditional Advent wreath in Munich Cathedral ...

The stunning green topped copper domes of the Munich Cathedral ...

The Heilige Geist Kirche in Munich

The Advent wreath, a Christmastime, elegantly lit & the traditional Christmas scenes ...

While visiting these amazing churches, I took the time to light a prayer / remembrance candle for my Mother who was born of Christmas day.  Her ancestry was very much of this region so it seemed appropriate to remember her in Cathedrals there ...

 This one next to the Frauen chapel in the Munich Cathedral

For the Mother’s who won’t be with us at Christmas ...

 In Salzburg, at the Cathedral ...

Another prayer for our Mum’s ...

As we approach Christmas, give thanks for all the blessings you do have & I think this is how we should all approach the festive season  .... 

Be blessed as we approach Christmas, stay real, keep Christmas special & above all, be kind to one another ... 

Dee ~💕~

Counting down to Christmas

The year has flown & we are now at the start of the festive season.

Do you have traditions in your home?

24 years ago, when eldest was facing her first Christmas as a toddler,  my Mom started a tradition by giving her a rather nice chocolate advent calendar from a specialist shop in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Advent calendars were not common, certainly not on every supermarket shelf & so it was very special.

We also lit an advent candle each night when we had our evening meal & so our tradition was born.

My Mom was born on Christmas day so her birthday was completely entwined with the festive season & these traditions were totally unselfish.

While the girls grew up in Africa, Mom always made sure they had their advent calendars - she scoured the continental shops to find them & it is something we have always continues.

Three years ago, having left it rather close to December to find the calendars, I found none so we switched to two fabric ones which now grace our inglenook fireplace - ready for the count down.

Our fireplace has a set of angels wings as a central part in honour of a beloved mother who we lost earlier this year ....

This was our lounge last Christmas .... as a family we always only decorate our tree & house after the first Sunday of Advent because the decorations will stay up until Epiphany / Twelfth Night.

The lighting of the candles signals the start of our Christmas season at home
What are your traditions over the festive season?

Thanks for stopping by & leave your link so I can return the visit,
Dee ~♥~