As newlyweds, we’d spent our money on the wedding and honeymoon so our budget was limited. We found an artificial tree on sale and put it up together. I had a few simple ornaments I had made in years past which we used to decorate the branches. We had no gifts under the tree but were happy celebrating our first Christmas together.
When our sons were little boys, they could hardly wait for St. Nick’s Day when we’d open our stockings…what gifts would be inside? I hung them high, out of reach from eager eyes and curious fingers. Our neighbor bought the boys each an Advent calendar. They opened a window every day to find a little chocolate treat inside; counting down the days until Christmas.
Now that we’re older, we enjoy the waiting…listening to music, looking at light displays, attending grandchildren’s programs. The season of Advent is a special time of holiday concerts and worship services, culminating in the celebration of Christmas Day. We don’t really need any gifts except the presence of Emmanuel, God with us.
anticipation
waiting for return of king
our advent journey
_______
A traditional haiku refers to a season and nature so here’s another…
small creatures waiting
under snow’s winter mantle
for coming of spring
Linking to Imelda’s haibun prompt of “waiting” at dVerse Poets Pub
a poem in my pocket 
Dec 02, 2018 @ 22:54:55
Yes it is a special time… ‘advent’ and the anticipating of celebrating once again the birth of a saviour born in a stable….. Diane
Dec 02, 2018 @ 14:33:24
ah, beautiful memories of what our imaginations do for us
Dec 02, 2018 @ 18:29:14
Imagination is a gift…and so is the Christ child
Dec 01, 2018 @ 13:24:51
Love it!
Dec 01, 2018 @ 14:12:32
Thanks, Caroline!
Nov 30, 2018 @ 22:13:02
HI, Lynn. This is sweet.
My husband and I also did not have much to start our lives together with. He was a graduate student and shared an apartment with a roommate. And that is where we lived our early married years living on a limited budget. All those ‘hardship’ stories, however, proved to be good bonding moments and a rich source of family lore.
I can only imagine your story being told and retold to your children who listen like they are hearing the story for the first time.
Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Nov 30, 2018 @ 22:59:01
Thanks, Imelda, for your comments…and for an excellent prompt!
Nov 30, 2018 @ 14:25:11
You capture an essence of this season that I have felt in various ways but which you pull together well …it is a time of waiting.
Nov 30, 2018 @ 16:43:54
thanks, Janice 🙂
Nov 30, 2018 @ 05:37:28
a beautiful haibun, perfect in fact, telling of a journey of your own and ending with a precious haiku, advent journey, paying homage to the Risen King. really loved reading your contribution
Nov 30, 2018 @ 08:44:11
Thank you for reading and kindly commenting, Gina!
Nov 29, 2018 @ 15:22:38
Beautiful memory of waiting.