Advent 2009 has a personal, as well as a religious, meaning as we await the arrival of both the Christ child and the Matheson baby.

Lauren & Donna are preparing for the arrival of their baby around the 12th of December; so, on November 22, we had an early Advent celebration at “Matheson House” ( 78 Mountain Avenue).

For the event, the house was decorated (far, far too early) for Christmas, with the tree standing tall in the living room:

 

 

 

The tree was decorated with crystals, a few treasured ornaments and dozens of very old Christmas cards (most dating from the early to the mid 1900s) which we had found in the attic. These vintage cards had been sent to this house from the time when it belonged to Lauren’s great grandfather (C.J. Loney) and when his grandmother (Kathleen Loney) had lived here as a child.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Donna (the mother-to-be) was, of course, the centre of this celebration. This photo seems to catch her gracel and joyful mood and the sense of anticipation and expectancy of the coming of the child.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Donna (and the father-to-be, Lauren) along with uncle-to-be Ryan and grandmother-to-be Muriel each received an Advent calendar gift.

The Advent Dinner took place in our dinning room, marking the first time we had gathered in what is now officially our dinning room.

On this, the eve of Advent, George (grandfather-to-be) will open the first window in our own advent calendar as we send along this message of Hope, Joy, Peace and Love to Lauren & Donna.

Tana. November 30, 2009