Feast of the Holy Family: Uncle Vova’s Tree
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Merry Christmas!! I hope that you are enjoying this wonderful Christmas season to the fullest. I love that today is the Feast of the Holy Family since most of our Advent was focused on family and simplicity. Let’s keep it going all the way to Epiphany.
Uncle Vova’s Tree
Epiphany is one of my favorite Christmas Season’s feast. In Uncle Vova’s Tree Patricia Polacco takes us along for a wonderful celebration full of family traditions. This one might be my favorite of her Christmas picture books. The beauty and the emphasis on the visit of the Three Kings just brings up the true spirit of the season to me: Christ, family, simplicity and celebration. This is a nostalgic and beautiful tale of family and celebrating the Christ Child. This picture book is a great way to bring us closer to the close of the Christmas season with joy in our hearts and prepare us to celebrate the Solemnity of Epiphany on Sunday January 4th, 2026.
Family traditions
Once again, family traditions are at the heart of this beautiful story. How we remember our loved ones who have preceded us in death is so important. Especially at a time such as Christmas. Very often, I feel that Christmas, and the Holy Family, belong at the heart of our own family and family history. I have so many memories of Christmases past, from laying on my grandma’s couch with the flu to our first Christmas as a family of 3 with a little 3 months old babe in arms. It brought a whole new meaning to the Holy Day. Loved ones are always recalled and brought to mind during this season. Let us not forget them. Maybe that is why the Church, in Her wisdom, dedicated the month of November to the souls in Purgatory. So that at Christmas, in our joy, we do not forget them…
The Christmas season
This year is the first time that I have seen Christmas trees up one to two weeks BEFORE Thanksgiving! What is going on? This is crazy! People have lost all sense of what Christmas is about, and that is why I love my Catholic Faith, it always provides great opportunities to be counter-cultural, lol. That’s the little bit of rebel in me, I guess. We set up our tree later, on the Third Sunday of Advent, and we will keep it up all the way to Epiphany next week! Let us celebrate the greatest birthday in history to the fullest! The Church gives us the first 8 days as a holiday. In convents, during the Octave, this is a time of great rejoicing, when so many things are different: from better foods, no fasting is allowed, more recreation time and beautiful and joyful liturgies. So let’s follow the example of our religious brethrens and make this the best time of the year! Make exceptions, build memories, be present and make it special.
Paper stars
Make your own paper stars and bird treats to decorate your own “Uncle Vova’s Tree”.
Paper Stars supplies:
- Cardstock
- Star Stencils (you will need 3 or 4 different sizes) or you can use this fold and cut tutorial.
- Decorative sticker dots (optional)
- Markers (waterproof, remember this will go outside, whatever you have on hand will work too, just won’t last as long))
- Glue
- ⅜” Ribbon of your preferred colors
- 10” Skewers (or whatever you have on hand)
Can come in handy:
Cut 5 stars out of different colors of card stock paper, cut 2 of the largest size.
Layer 4 of them together, reserve the second largest one for later.
Glue them together.
Decorate them with markers and stickers.
Turn your layered star upside down.
Glue two lengths of ribbon (I would do 5” and 6” or longer) to the back of your star.
Either hot glue or tape the skewer to the back of your star, with pointy end down. The skewer should not show above your star.
Glue the second large star to the back of your decorated star, sandwiching the skewer and the ribbons.
Make more and go decorate a tree.
Bird treats
There are so many different bird treat recipes everywhere. But let’s keep it simple with one of these recipes. Then add the right seeds to attract the birds that live in your region and backyard. Place the treats in sight of a window from which you can admire your guests. Spend some time studying your visitors and create beautiful Nature Journaling entries.
Kutya
Patricia Polacco remembers the sweet aromas of her grandmother and aunts cooking their own versions of Kutya based on where each of them came from. Using a basic Kutya recipe, add at least one new element that defines your region in the world. For Colorado I would add roasted pine nuts. I could imagine someone in Maine adding cranberries. What would be a good regional nut or berry to add to your Christmas Kutya?
Enjoy new family traditions leading to the coming of the Three Kings next week! Please share pictures of your “Uncle Vova” trees on Instagram, tagging @adailypicturebook.
Merry Christmas!
Love,
Mattie
