Advent....New Traditions for Old Beliefs

It's December 1st, 25 days before Christmas, the count down has begun the rush is on.  Each year my children and I cut strips of paper to create a count down chain to that big day.....Christmas Day.

The days between December 1st and the 25th is full of activities such as parties, eating, giving and receiving gifts, parades, Christmas shows, shopping, decorating, singing Christmas carols, creating memories and special traditions.

Lindsay McConnell Evatt found herself last year at this time experiencing a miserable Christmas due to some big decisions she had to make and some health issues she was dealing with.  Lindsay said that when November rolled around this year she found herself dreading the Christmas season like never before; remembering how bad it was last year didn't help the matter. Lindsay said, "I can't really explain why I was dreading it so much. I've always loved Christmas!"

God then really began to deal with Lindsay about the true meaning of Christmas and how little she was stressing that with her children. She said her thoughts went on for days and she was heartbroken by the honesty with herself.

Lindsay said though they read the Christmas story every year and try to stress the reason for the season, we ALWAYS find ourselves so busy running from event to event and stressed to the max because we're spending money to the max all to celebrate Jesus' birthday? She said it all just didn't make sense, "Nothing was adding up to me, my heart wanted so much more out of Christmas, but so much more would mean so much less."

That is when she began researching the Advent practices.

Advent is recognized on the Christian calendar as the four weeks prior to Christmas; it's taking the 4 weeks leading up to Christmas to intentionally focus your time and efforts on the coming of Christ, his first coming to this world as a baby and His second coming when he returns. Lindsay said, "It's intentionally slowing the fast pace that we typically set for ourselves at Christmas." Lindsay has started a new tradition this year for her family to slow down Christmas; the Jesse Tree.

Representation usually in carving or stained glass of the genealogy of Jesus

 as a tree with Jesse at the base and intermediate descendants on branching scrolls of foliage.

"Unwrapping the Greatest Gift" 

by Ann Voskamp 
http://www.aholyexperience.com/category/greatest-gift/

Lindsay McConnell Evatt's inspiration for the Jesse Tree and her families
Jesse tree her dad (Tim McConnell) made.

"I absolutely love traditions, new and old, and I also live to have ones that are so rich in meaning and help me to visualize things.  Though some may think it's very ritualistic, celebrating Advent has been just what my heart needed this Christmas season."- Lindsay McConnell Evatt

The Evatt's Jesse Tree;
Devotion with their three children.

As a family, no matter how busy our days are, we set aside time each night in recognition of Advent. We have chosen to light candles on our Advent wreath (all rich in meaning) as we do our devotions each night.  Our devotions are focused on people in the Bible from the family tree that Jesus comes from, starting with Adam and Eve, all the way to the birth of Jesus. Taking the time to recognize all along the way, that it is part of our family tree as well. -Lindsay McConnell Evatt

Day 1: Shoot springing forth from Jesse Tree
All ornaments are hand painted by
Wes Evatt (Lindsay's husband)

Day 2: In the beginning...

Day 3: Fell for the lie that God didn't
love us.

Day 4: Christ comes like an ark;
to save.

Day 5: Promise Land, the blessing is His presence.

"We are slowing the usual pace of the season for our family.  Saying no to the hustle and bustle and taking the time each day to anticipate the coming of our Savior.  And it's working! The kids are excited and Christmas has never been so alive to me.  I'm breathing in the moments and God is speaking louder than ever before." -Lindsay McConnell Evatt

Lindsay and Wes Evatt

    

Tiny Town

Welcome to Tiny Town

     As a child during Christmas, I remember my parents saying we are going to Tiny Town. My brothers and I would be so excited because we knew we were going to see all the tiny houses with the dolls, cars, figurines, trains, nativity scene, etc. We knew we would get to go inside the tiny cabin, sit in the chairs, close the door and look out the tiny window.  This place was magical to us. My parents would load us up in the car and anyone else that wanted to go with us to visit this special place. It seemed like we rode forever and then there it was, you could see the lights from afar; so many lights. My parents pulled over on the side of the road and I remember the car always felt like it was going to turn over because of the ditch that they had to park next to. My brothers and I would jump out of the car, then you would hear my parents yelling at us to wait.  They told us we had to hold their hands because we have to watch out for the cars passing by. We always ran to the tiny cabin first, the one that we could go inside. After, we walked around looking at all the other fascinating things that Tiny Town had to offer. Tiny Town was part of our Christmas, and we looked forward to it every year.

Tiny cabin, can you still fit inside?

The start of Tiny Town, the Log Church

   
      Perry and Ollie Jennings started Tiny Town in 1974, it started with one log church in their yard. Ollie loved Christmas, and in 1977 she put lights on the tiny log church. It is evident around Tiny Town that she also loved and collected dolls; everywhere you look, you see dolls of all kinds.  The Jennings use to have 80 buildings in their yard at one time.  They built during the summer time and decorated them at Christmas. As you walk around Tiny Town you will see many different themes:  Elvis, Wizard of Oz, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, McDonalds, Disney World, 3 Manger Scenes, etc.

The many scenes you will see at Tiny Town...

 

Pat Kelly and Bill Jennings

        Mr. Jennings passed away in 1984, at the age of 64 and Mrs. Jennings passed away in May of 2009 at the age of 88. They loved the little Tiny Town that they had built in their yard, and they also enjoyed meeting the people that loved it too. The Jennings had 8 children. Mrs. Jennings told her children to continue Tiny Town if they want to, but if you get to where you can't do it, don't feel bad if you have to close it.  Out of the 8 children, a daughter Pat Kelly and a son Bill Jennings continues the tradition that the Jennings started back in 1974. Pat tends to the house, coffee/hot chocolate, and lights with the help of a good friend, Debbie Kelly. Bill tends to the fire, when you walk onto the land you will see wood and pallets piled high to keep the fire going to keep you warm as you enjoy the sights of Tiny Town.  Pat is now at the age of 73 and Bill is 64, I asked Pat will they be someone carrying on the tradition of Tiny Town when they no longer can?  Pat said that no one wants to take on the responsibility, she said that the younger generation shows no interest in doing so.  I asked her what would they do with all the antiques that is displayed and would they tell the public before they closed Tiny Town?  She said that they would have an auction and that they would put the closing of Tiny Town in the newspapers.

Step inside and visit with Pat Kelly for some coffee and hot chocolate.

Ollie Jennings' doll collection.

Dolls and Antiques

Warm yourself by the fire.

     Tiny Town is open from Thanksgiving night through New Year's Eve from 5:30-10:00.

     They have a Donation Well set up on the land that helps pay for the up keep of Tiny Town.  Pat said that people also donate coffee, hot chocolate, and lights.  They also have had other things donated to them as well, they built a special building to display the donated items. People from all around come to visit Tiny Town, they have had visitors from Hendersonville, Asheville, Fountain Inn, Piedmont, Seneca, Pelzer, Florida, China, and Puerto Rico to name a few. The next two Saturdays, December 14th and 21st the Green Valley Band is scheduled to sing.

     Tiny Town has made memories for many at Christmas time. The ones that grew up visiting Tiny Town as a child now take their children and grandchildren to see it. I asked Pat, "How does it feel to know you and your family have created such great memories for so many people?"  Pat said it feels good to make so many people happy, so much that they enjoy coming back and bringing their children and grandchildren. It's a good feeling!"

     Tiny Town is located off of Kay Dr. onto Latham Road in Easley, you can't miss it, just look for all the lights and the people.

Thank You Perry and Ollie Jennings for creating Tiny Town, you have given us such great memories.

Perry and Ollie Jennings

      Walk through Tiny Town with Ollie Jennings http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5u-nSeZRnz4