Our Advent Log
November 26, 2006
Our Advent Log "took root" this past summer, when Bill found a fallen birch tree in the woods out back. Birch is such a lovely wood, he knew it should not go to waste, so he chopped a few lengths, and stacked the logs next to our potting shed.
We imagined a few different gift and toy crafts, but as the months passed we gave the wood little more thought. And there the logs stood these many months, just waiting for some inspiration to strike ... and thanks to Rebecca and Alice, it did!
This year we decided to place our Advent candles in a birch log rather than a wreath. (We have a very pretty wreath, but for some reason it never holds the candles steady, causing what this timid mother believes to be a certain fire hazard!) So this Advent season, the log it will be!
The morning after Thanksgiving we set to work. Bill and the boys set up the saw on the deck, and brought up the logs.
While I kept a close eye on the boys (in other words, at a safe distance), Bill trimmed a log portion to a size that would fit our fireplace mantel:
Next, he drilled four holes (and thanks to Alice's advice, we remembered to use the candles as a guide).
And that was it! We brought the log inside to the mantel. We placed our candles in the holes, and Bill brought in some juniper greens and holly cuttings for a little festive and natural decoration.
And now our Advent Log is ready to serve us these next four Sunday evenings, as we celebrate this special season at home!
For another variation on the traditional Advent wreath, (a smaller-sized candle set for the children), please see my post at O Night Divine.
Have a good night and God bless!