Kids just can’t wait for new toys at Christmas, so doesn’t it make sense to use toys to make it through Advent? No? Yes? Maybe?

There are two Playmobil sets that stay up in our attic all year, but one of them was brought down today: The Playmobil Nativity Manger with Stable. I decided that somehow, this priceless set could help the boys prepare for Christmas. Boys are so hands-on, after all.

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Figuring out where everything goes…

It didn’t take long to get it all set up, and this is what it looks like as an empty stable:

The Empty Stable

At this point, because we are doing the “Spiritual Christmas Crib” together as a family, I reminded them about Day 1, which was about the Stable, and then introduced Day 2, which was the Roof. Everything made sense to the boys, as they touched and looked at the toy stable and roof. It was easy to imagine how their roof better not have any holes in it, or else Baby Jesus will get wet. All day today, there were PLENTY of opportunities to point out the “uncharitable remarks” that were heard; I reminded them that now, there were holes in the roof, and they would need to fix them by “loving my neighbor as myself” – as Day 2 suggests.

As I look ahead in the Spiritual Christmas Crib daily prayers, I see that we have almost ALL of the items as pieces in this set, so I am just so thrilled to make this so “real” for the boys, and also so fun!!

And where are Mary and St. Joseph? They are journeying through our home, making their way to the stable. Every day or so, I will hide them, and the boys will find them somewhere. (Got that brilliant idea from Catholic Inspired!)

The Playmobil Three Wise Kings are going to come down from the attic the day after Christmas, and make their way to the stable just in time for January 6th. Judging by how the older two talked excitedly about last year, I have a feeling this is our new family tradition that they will talk about fondly when they have kids of their own!

The boys set up the stable…all ready for Mary and St. Joseph to arrive!

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God bless you this Advent!