CTA's Holiday Train

This is a cheap holiday activity in Chicago that is sure to impress the kiddos.  For about a decade, the Chicago Transit Authority has had a special Christmas time tradition.  Every year 6 cars are decked out in festive Christmas garb and carry Santa and his elves throughout the city.  We've known about this tradition for a few years now, but it has always seemed to difficult to arrange to ride it.

This year, though, we finally did.  Because the train only runs for a limited time each day, it was proving difficult to find a time when we could all ride what with work, choir rehearsals, Sunday school retreats, etc... But after checking the schedules for weeks as they were released, I was able to pull all the family together last Friday night for a ride on the Santa Train.

DH takes the train home from work most evenings, so I arranged to pick up Humming Bird from a choir concert at 5:30 PM and meet DH at Penny's Noodles (just a couple of doors down from the Damen St. L station) for a family dinner.  We had a limited time because we had to be (back) on the platform by 6:45 to catch the Santa Train.  The staff at Penny's was great about getting us served quickly, and the food was tasty, too.  At 6:35 we walked back to the train, and Humming Bird was thrilled to be able to use her very own Ventra Pass to ride.

The train turned out to be slightly delayed, and it was super crowded because not only were families riding for fun, but rush hour commuters were also using it to get home (Saturday might be a better day to ride).  The train with its many Christmas lights could be seen approaching, and the girls were super excited.  Before jumping on, they glanced at Santa and I took a quick picture.  I got the girls on fairly easily, but DH was cut off by another passenger and almost didn't make it on.  However, I was an obnoxious customer, and stuck my arm out the doors despite the "Doors Closing" announcement.  I was not going to let my family activity get messed up... So, I grabbed DH's hand and pulled him into the train much to the chagrin of the elf standing at the door.  Deep breath... we were all on.

The girls were offered seats by another passenger and excitedly sat on the decorated seats.  Daddy and I stood, holding on to the candy cane poles.  There were Christmas carols playing and the aroma of cinnamon wafted through the car (not my favorite, but fortunately, I was coming down with a cold and couldn't really smell it).  We were in the back of the car , and a CTA conductor was standing by the back door.  He offered each of the girls a Holiday Train button, and he even gave them extras when they asked for ones to pass along to friends.  And DH talked to him about Santa Train logistics.

 

As people got off at various stops, they were able to make their way to a couple of elves who let them pick as many candy canes as they wanted.  I was quite pleased that they each took only two.  We rode the train all the way to its terminus at O'Hare, and we were able to get some more photos before catching a regular train back to the neighborhood.

 The ride home had its own specialness.  The train was much emptier and filled with more traditional CTA riders.  That included a homeless woman who asked for some money.  Not having any, we did offer some leftovers, and Hummingbird gave up one of her candy canes for "dessert."  It was also great to see the girls getting along so well.  Usually, they argue over who is going to sit by the window or some such nonsense, but this time they sat together smiling and talking agreeably.  

So, there may not be a whole lot to do on the train, but for $2.25 per adult (and $1.10 for kids over 7), it's an inexpensive holiday activity that brings together the whole family and everyone will enjoy it.

Celebrating Christmas after December 25

Fear not.  This is not a debate on old calendar vs. new… Rather it is a look at when to lay down the fast and begin to feast.  The rest of the world has already begun celebrating Christmas.  Ironically, one of my local radio stations began their "All Christmas Music" blitz the day we started fasting.  We are nearly a month into the Nativity fast with just a couple of weeks left until we celebrate Christmas.  Since I became Orthodox, I have not participated in quite so many pre-Christmas celebrations, but I certainly still want to enjoy Christmas parties and celebrate the season.  Consequently, I decided early on in my Orthodox life that I would celebrate the 12 Days of Christmas. 

So many people mistakenly believe that the 12 Days of Christmas refer to the days leading up to December 25.  When I was growing up as a Catholic in Southern Louisiana, we did not celebrate the 12 days of Christmas, per se, but we did know what they were, and as such we left our tree and decorations up until January 6.  Then, we exchanged them for King Cake and parades to celebrate Epiphany (The Three Kings journeying to meet the Christ child) and begin the carnival season before Lent.  For me, it was easy and natural to extend this recognition into a full celebration when I became Orthodox.

Before having children, I did this by hosting a Christmas party some time between December 26 and December 30.  I also turned to the latest technology – CDs at the time – to bring me festive holiday music (both secular and religious) long after the radio stations had forgotten all about Christmas.  As our family grew, the way we celebrated evolved.  While I wanted my daughters to enjoy the season and getting presents, it was important to me that they also realize the significance of the feast.

For the last eight years, it has been our tradition to put up a few decorations, in particular one small, funky Christmas tree and our stockings, just before the feast of St. Nicholas.  On the eve of his feast, the stockings are filled with a few gifts to make it a little easier to get through the Nativity Fast.  These include things like religious books, fruit, dark chocolate, 3 golden dollars (representing the 3 bags of gold), and perhaps random little things from the dollar section of Target that the kids have been bugging me for.

When we get to Christmas, we needn't to worry about Santa Claus.  At least that was always my goal.  My kids, of course, learned about the jolly man in red, and they asked to visit him at the mall.  So, this has always been a rather imprecise aspect to our Christmas celebration.  Anyway, here's what we do.  After the girls go to bed, I put out one large present – at times they've assumed it was from Santa, other times it was just from us to honor Christ's birth.  I also wrap twelve smaller gifts.  Each day from Christmas day to Theophany, they unwrap one of these presents.  On Theophany, they get one more large gift or big outing to celebrate the feast.   As they get older, I plan to reduce the gifts by one in observance of the strict fast on the Eve of Theophany.

Of course, Christmas isn't all about presents, so upon waking Christmas morning, the girls may play with their exposed present but the wrapped one must wait until we return from Liturgy.  We attend church for whatever services are available, and we continue to light our advent wreath, to which is added a white pillar candle at Christmas, at mealtimes.  I also try to have crafts or meaningful activities to do on some of the days.  While some ideas can be found online, I have also found Celebrating the Twelve Days of Christmas: A Family Devotional in the Eastern Orthodox Tradition by Amanda Eve Wigglesworth to be a useful tool.  For each day from Christmas through Theophany, she provides a background to the feast or saint that we remember that day.  She also offers an activity or craft project to do for the day.  Using the famous Christmas carol, she explains the religious symbolism associated with each day.  For example, two turtle doves should remind us of the Old and New Covenants.  The book covers activities from December 25 through January 6 but counts the 12 days starting on December 26.  I have always counted them from Christmas day.  Both ways of counting are common, so as I use the book, I keep this in mind and stick with my own reckoning (it is certainly flexible enough for this).  And given that many of us have other engagements that may prevent doing all of the activities straight through anyway, it is quite likely that while one would do all of the readings, schedules might necessitate picking and choosing a few activity ideas to do in a given year.

As we draw closer to the Birth of our Savior, let us not despair that we can't partake of the feasting the rest of the world is enjoying right now.  Rather let us continue our preparations and make plans for many days of feasting when the rest of the world has forgotten.

Feast of St. Nicholas Golden Ornaments

Today we celebrate the feast of St. Nicholas of Myra and Lycea.  This popular saint performed many miracles and helped many people during his life.  He saved the people of Myra from famine.  He protected sailors at sea.  He resurrected three children who were killed by a butcher for food during a famine.  And of course, we all know the story of how he saved the merchants three daughters from a life of immorality by secretly giving their father gold for their dowries. 

We also all know how the legend of this beloved saint has evolved into the secular character of Santa Claus.  In our home, my daughters do get gifts from Santa Claus on Christmas morning, but they also receive a visit from St. Nicholas on his feast day.  St. Nicholas leaves them golden dollars, fruit, a small religious item, and a few trinkets every year.  I make sure they remember his generosity every year, too.  We read The Life of Saint Nicholas the Wonder-Worker by Nina Seco and say a special prayer.   Until this year, I've never done a craft for his feast day, though.   This is a craft that will be a bridge between St. Nicholas Day and Christmas.  So, if you don't have time to get supplies and do it today, you'll have time between now and Christmas. 

Of the many symbols associated with St. Nicholas, this one can also be used for Christmas decorations.  The symbol of three golden balls reminds us of the three dowries St. Nicholas gave to the merchant.  This symbol also makes lovely Christmas tree ornaments that are meaningful to us, but also blend in with other Christmas decorations.  And they're super easy for kids of all ages to create.

Supplies:

3 smooth foam balls

Toothpick

Scissors or paper cutter

Sponge or Styrofoam board

Gold paint

Paint brush

Thin ribbon

Straight pins

Thumbprint St. Nicholas icon

Decoupage glue

Embellishments (optional)

Directions (repeat for each ball):

1. Insert a toothpick into a ball.  Insert other end in sponge or Styrofoam to hold it while you paint and while it dries.

2. Paint the ball gold, and let it dry.

3. Attach the St. Nicholas icon to the ball with decoupage glue.  Smooth it out and paint a layer of glue over it. (You can do this for each ball or just one in the set). Let dry.

4. Fold ribbon over once to make a loop, and attach it to the top of the ball with a straight pin.

5. Add any optional embellishments.

 Instructional Video

Good Deed Advent Wreath with Prayers and Carols

This is a fairly simple wreath to make and there are a few options for setting it up.  You'll need six candles or votive holders in white, purple, red, green, blue, and gold (or approximate colors).  These can be set into a holder (Ours is a wooden circle with 6 round holes for the votive holders, and 4 little feet. You could also just place votive holders in a circle or use a Styrofoam circle and press pillar candles into it.) Use the template to print leaves and berries with activities for your children or family to do.  Pick one (or one per child) each day to build your wreath through Advent.

The readings below are taken from a little booklet we received from our first parish when we became Orthodox.  I'm not sure who created, but they get all the credit.  I've corrected some typos and oddities here and there, but it is not my original work.  It is, however, a great family tool to use for advent, and I'd like to share it with all of you.

First Sunday of Advent

            Reader: This first candle is green to remind us of the faith we have in God that He will keep His promise to send His Son.

            Verse: One Advent candle now we light

                        To show the coming gift of light.

                        Bring unto our darkened sight

                        The Your holy Light.

            Reading: The Prophecy from Isaiah 9:1, 5-6; 40:3-5; 52:7

            Prayer: Gracious God, as the world that sat in darkness looked forward to Your coming, so we on this First Sunday light a candle to show our anticipation.  May Your coming to our souls rid us of the darkness of sin and pride and light in us the flame of love and service to others. Amen.

            Carol: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

Second Sunday of Advent

            Reader: The second candle is blue to remind us of the hope we have that Christ will come into our lives to bring joy and peace.

            Verse: Now, the Advent lights are two,

                        And our vows we shall renew,

                        As pilgrims over field and stone,

                        To seek the Christ and find our home.

            Reading: The Promise from St. Luke 1:5-31

            Prayer: Come, Lord, into our tired, sinful world.  Put a smile on our lips and joy in our hearts.  Take away our sadness for our hope is in You.  Amen.

            Carol: Joy to the World

 

Third Sunday of Advent

            Reader: The third candle is gold to express love. As we light this candle, let us recall the words of St. John when he said that, "God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, come into our lives to bring joy and peace." 

            Verse: Now, three Advent candles burn

                        To comfort aching hearts that yearn

                        Beneath the sky or in a cell

                        That Christ will come with them to dwell.

            Reading: The announcement to the Virgin Mary St. Luke 1:26-38

            Prayer: Heavenly Father, help us to remember Your great Gift to all people at the Holy Nativity -- Your Blessed Son Jesus.  May His love enter our hearts now and always and flow out from us to all.  Amen.
            Carol: O Come, All Ye Faithful 

Fourth Sunday of Advent

            Reader: The fourth candle is white reminding us of God's desire to give us peace. It is not the kind of peace that people try to make because that peace sometimes fails. Rather, it is the peace that comes from Jesus who is called the Prince of Peace.
            Verse: Four candles before us burn,

                        And we come to Him, the Prince of Peace.

                        We ask in prayer for hearts to turn,

                        So love may grow and war may cease.
            Reading: Psalm 4; Philippians 4:6-7
            Prayer: O Christ, You are our Peace. You broke down the wall that separated us from God. Now, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ. Teach us also to be peacemakers in our world.  Amen.
            Carol: Silent Night

 

Fifth Sunday of Advent

            Reader: The fifth candle is purple reminding us of our need to repent before we can meet the coming Christ.  "Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand."
            Verse: Five candles we now light

                        As we struggle in this fight.

                        Let us now turn our heart

                        That love may enter and sin depart.

            Reading: Preparing the Way: Mark 1:1-8, 14-15

            Prayer: Lord, help us to make straight the way for You to come to us when we celebrate Your Holy Nativity.  Grant us Your grace that we may be rid of our selfish pride and our many sins.  Grant us tears of repentance so that we may be restored in our communion with You.  Amen.

            Carol: O Holy Night

Sixth Sunday of Advent

            Reader: The sixth candle is red reminding us that Christ, who came to Bethlehem and who will come again at the end of the age, comes to us now in the Sacrament of Holy Communion.  He was born in Bethlehem so that we might ask Him to come and be born in our hearts.

            Verse: Six candles now we light

                        Reminding us of Christ,

                        Who came as a babe

                        Us all to save.

            Reading: The Coming of the Word: John 1:1-18, 6:52-58

            Prayer: Lord, help us to welcome You into our hearts and lives when we celebrate Your Holy Nativity.  Grant us Your grace that we may also find you in our encounters with our fellow man.  And grant that one day we may be fully in communion with You in the age to come.  Amen.

            Carols: O Little Town of Bethlehem and Away in a Manger

On Christmas light a white candle in the center of your wreath and pray the following prayer From the Festal Menaion; hymns from the Third Hour and Matins.)

            Before Thy, birth, O Lord, the angelic hosts looked with trembling on this mystery and were struck with wonder: for Thou who hast adorned the vault of heaven with stars hast been well pleased to be born as a babe; and Thou who holdest all the ends of the earth in the hollow of Thy hand art laid in a manger of dumb beasts. For by such a dispensation has Thy compassion been made known, O Christ, and Thy great mercy: glory to Thee.

Today Christ is born of the Virgin in Bethlehem. Today He who knows no beginning now begins to be, and the Word is made flesh. The powers of heaven greatly rejoice, and the earth with mankind makes glad. The Magi offer gifts, the shepherds proclaim the marvel, and we cry aloud without ceasing: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will among men.

Carols

Second Sunday:


Third Sunday:



Fifth Sunday (This one is actually just one that I thought was "cool." I love Weezer, and I had no idea they made a Christmas album...until last night. This isn't my favorite version of the carol, but I do like it.):

Sixth Sunday: