Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Check it Out

Hey everyone!!! My son has a blog. http://nocondemnation81.blogspot.com/ Be sure to check it out. He posts everyday and the topics are always from the Word of God. He has some great thoughts, so head on over there and be prepared to be encouraged!!

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Advent

Celebrating Advent is a wonderful way to welcome Christmas into your heart and home.

The word Advent means "arrival". Christmas time is a season of preparing for the coming of something......or Someone. It is a time specifically set aside to ready our hearts to receive Christ, the coming King.

As Christmas nears it seems that our days get fuller. Our time is consumed with countless holiday chores, shopping, cooking, entertaining. Before we know it everything begins to run together in a blur. Advent is a way to pause and reflect on the wonderful news that God has given the world a Savior.

An advent wreath is traditionally made of evergreens symbolizing God's eternal love. Four candles - three purple and one pink - are arranged around the wreath. A white candle is placed in the center of the wreath. Each candle represents something and is to be lighted at specific times.

Advent begins the fourth Sunday before Christmas. Some families gather every night for activities and others just on Sunday. My family gathers every night. We always have a devotion and pray together. Sometimes we sing or make a craft, the possibilities are endless.

Week one - The Candle of Hope. This represents the promise of a Savior. A good passage to read before lighting one purple candle for hope is Isaiah 9:6-7

Week two - The Candle of Peace. This represents the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ. Micah 5:2 and Luke 2:1-5. Light two purple candles this week for hope and peace.

Week three - The Candle of Joy. This represents the tidings of great joy the angels announced to the shepherds. Luke 2:8-14. Light three purple candles for hope, peace and joy.

Week Four - The Candle of Love. This represents God's love for the world when He gave His only begotten Son. John 3:16 and Luke 2:15-20. Light three purple candles for hope, peace and joy and light the pink candle for love.

Christmas Eve - The White Christmas Candle. This represents Jesus Christ as the Light of the World. Isaiah 9:2 and John 8:12. Light all candles.

So instead of getting caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season. Find a perfect resting place, renew your spirit and transform this year's Christmas celebration into the best ever.

Christmas Traditions

Family traditions are the glue that binds one generation to another. They give kids and parents something to look forward to, as well as something to count on during the hectic holiday season. Here is a collection of some of my families favorite Christmas traditions.

Each year I get Dakota and Bethany a new Christmas ornament. The night we decorate our tree they get to open their ornament gift. They are the first ornaments hung on the tree each year. I try to get something that reflects something in their life. Bethany loves American Girls so for the last few years she has gotten an American Girl ornament. Last year Dakota got a mini guitar ornament and this year I found the cutest duck ornaments made out of metal. I just had to get him five, one to represent each of his 5 pet ducks. When the time comes for my children to move out and start a life of their own I will give them their collection of ornaments so they will have a nice start for their own tree.

We always string popcorn and cranberries for our tree. Our Christmas tree is not complete until we get the last strand on. We string our popcorn while watching a Christmas movie. I do believe that we eat just as much if not more than we string.

On Christmas Eve, my family and my sister's family gather together at mom's for Christmas dinner and presents. We always eat first and then before opening presents we read the Christmas story out of the Bible. This was a tradition that began with my dad. He would sit and we would all listen to him read. He is no longer with us, and my mom now sits in the same chair he did and reads the scriptures to us.

Another tradition that we have is praying on Christmas morning before the kids open their presents. On Christmas morning we gather together for a moment of prayer and thanksgiving before heading to the tree for presents. Jesus is the reason for the season and I want my children to know that it is not the presents, the tinsel, or the tree...but Christ.