Advent Questions and Answers

Do you have a list? Yes and No. We've been doing this for three years, and building on it a little each year. Last year we maybe had 15 intentional sit down devotionals over the advent season, whenever the evening was free kind of deal. This year (now that I have my advent cabinet) I want to make it a daily event. I had to sit down and come up with 10 more "symbols" and I will still need to hunt down verses to compliment them.

How did you decide what to focus on? I have always been an intentional and meditative person (if you haven't noticed...) I am not going to just have a tree to have a tree, kwim? So I am going to use it as a platform to point us to true meaning and purpose. I just took the things that we already were using (for the most part) as our Christmas decor and searched out a spiritual truth that they can point us to.

How did you find the time to plan that all out? If you look at what Sanctuary Moment is doing for Advent here and here you will see how possible that is using even the most mundane objects from everyday existence. I am just so moved by her approach to advent this year, it's awesome. We on the other hand just use the regular ornaments of tree, star, lights, garland, angels, bells, apples and berries, balls, and any other ornaments I stumble across in the store that scream "symbolic!". =) The objects do the work of bringing to mind a scripture passage and then I just search for relevant passages on E-Sword and we're off.

The prep time and organization overwhelms me, or we're just not ready to do something like this this year. Maybe next year. I would encourage you to still hop on the celebration wagon, it's not too late! You don't have to do it every night, or have a special order, or do something pre-organized. Just take 10-15 minutes to sit down together, have four candles, light the first one, take something mundane from Christmas and talk about how it can remind us of something with deeper meaning. If you have a bible with a concordance you can just look up a verse that correlates in that same moment (or copy from me or someone else!) Here is another link to a Jesse Tree photo diary I scrounged up for Berry Girl the other day (all in one post) from Shannon at Rocks in My Dryer.

How do you keep the little ones attentive and involved? Good question. Sometimes I just let them "do their thing" and P-Guy tries to keep them settled. But other times I get creative and get the little kids to actually DO something. Like when we are reading the verses (we read them multiple times in different translations, starting with the youngest reader, and then P-Guy reading last) everytime a key word comes up, like "everlasting" in the case of the wreath, I told the kids to listen for it and make circles in the air with their finger. This gives them something worth paying attention for, cause it can be hard with little boys in the mix. The girls sit all prim and proper, totally enchanted wiht the whole affair... my boys... total nuther story. =) But when I gave them something to keep busy with , The Hero (4) was actually very attentive. When other words that were related in any way with everlasting came up (never ending, always, forever, etc) he would make the circle symbol. It was pretty cool. I also ask the kids first what the symbol reminds THEM of. My oldest said that the wreath reminded her of the crown of thorns. Cool.

Do you do this every single night? Like I said, we have never done a full 25 days of advent devotionals before, just when our evenings were free we'd sit down and focus on one small thing, I'd quickly look up a few verses in my concordance or have them written down before hand, and over the last three years I've made a little collection of what we are now working with. I also don't buy ornaments that reflect our "interests" or generic things like skates, snowflakes, snowmen, but ones that somehow can serve to reflect a spiritual truth. This is the idea behind the Jesse tree. This year I do plan on us getting 25 full devotionals in, in an attempt to truly centre our hearts on the reason for the season. Like I said, I don't want to give God "the leftovers" after cards and gifts and food and parties are the main course... I want HIM to be the entree, main course, second and dessert, and the other things to be mere special touches that add to the ambience.

Where did you find the little items for your advent cabinet? I am seriously scrounging these things up from stuff we have around the house. I made the wreath from a little piece snipped off an old garland, cut the "tree" off a little branch ornament we had, same with the "branch". I'm going to need to get creative as we go, and I am open to switching these items up as I find things better suited, or even using a little drawing from the kids if can't think of anything that will fit size or sentiment wise. We have had fun hunting things down each day that will "work" for the cabinet.

Thanks for all the emails and questions. I thought this would be much easier than trying to reply to you all privately, I've been hard put to even get my pics and verses up with all the extra little things this wonderful month brings. I want to be baking... not blogging =)

Advent ~ A Photo Diary ~ Day 1

I finally found an advent "calendar" that is going to work for me this year. I have been looking for 3 years now. I got this adorable little advent cabinet from Home Outfitters.
I have to find my own objects to fill the boxes, but I am so excited about doing that. The first one was easy, since the theme for day 1 is the tree of life, I just put a little christmas apple ornament inside. Phew! I'll need to be creative this year, but I know I will have so much fun collecting symbolic objects for all 25 boxes in the years to come. I also want to print out each days verses on pretty cardstock tags and put them in their appropriate boxes as well.

Tonight we began our 25 night advent vigil, complete with
first Christmas baking

Tree up and ready for decorating

lighting of the first advent candle

scripture readings, (the tree of life)
(Gen 2:9; 3:22-24; Isaiah 11:1-5; Rev 2:7; 22:12-14)

and songs from our beloved Readers Digest songbook.

Deck the Halls, Haul Out the Holly, Here We Come a Caroling; The Holly and the Ivy; O Christmas Tree;

Being the non-conformist rebel that I am, we completely keep advent to the tune of our own drum. I like to put a different series of symbolic ornaments or decor out each day and have developed my own symbolism and scriptures stemming from that. So day 1 centers around the tree and parallels the tree of life, day 2 we string up the garland which parallels Jesus being the vine and we being the branches, etc; day 3 the lights and Jesus being the light of the world. (as you can tell from the pictures I usually get a bit ahead of myself as we already have some garland and lights up. I get so excited about decorating I have a hard time holding myself back!)

Stay tuned for more as we rejoice over the Savior who came as a helpless babe and will come again as conquering king.

Advent ~ A Photo Diary ~ Days 14-19

As promised here is a conglomeration of the past week's advent celebrations in our home. The intensity has been building daily and we are all excited to get to the star and put it up on the top of the tree very soon!

Day 14; Extol Him.
Remember to extol his work, which men have praised in song. All mankind has seen it; men gaze on it from afar. Job 36:24,25

Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods. Psalm 95:1-3

Praise the LORD, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples. For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD. Psalm 117:1-2

Key Word, Extol
Symbol, Bells
Action, ring bells
Songs, I heard the Bells, Come on Ring those Bells, Carol of the Bells

Day 15 Mary
In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." "How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?" The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God... "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her. Luke 1:26-28,

Nativity Figure, Mary
Key Word, Mary
Action; smiley face with fingers(merry),
Songs; Mary did you know; Mary, sweet Mary; Precious Promise; Breath of Heaven

Advent Box, letter M

Day 16 Joseph
This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"—which means, "God with us." When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
Mat 1:18-24,

Nativity Figure; Joseph
Key Word; Joseph
Action; sawing motion (carpenter).
Songs; Joseph’s lullaby,
Advent box letter J

Day 17 Bethlehem

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:1-7

Symbol; Nativity Creche,
Key Word; Bethlehem
Action; rubbing straw between fingers and thumbs
advent box straw bundle
Songs; Away in a manger, Not that far from Bethlehem, Oh Little Town of Bethlehem

Day 18 Baby Jesus.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. Isaiah 9:6,7

Nativity Jesus in manger.
Key Word; Child
Action; cradle baby
Songs; What Child is this? Rose of Bethlehem; Born in Bethlehem, Jesus Born in Bethlehem, Our God is with us. Jesus, oh what a wonderful child. Welcome to our world (78)

Day 19 Angels.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[a] the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." Luke 2:8-15

Nativity Angels
Key Word; Angels
Action; halo
Songs; The First Noel, Angels from the Realms of Glory; Angels We have heard on high

Advent ~ A Photo Diary ~ Day 3

Unless I forgot to mention it, we started the First day of advent on the eve of December, rather than on the eve of the first. Thus we will finish our Advent celebration on the eve of Christmas rather than on Christmas day. For us advent culminates on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day is more a party of food and fellowship.

Thus today we arrived at day 3. Garland. The Vine and the Branches.


Scripture Readings
John 15:4-6 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.


Romans 11:17-21 It is as if some of the branches from an olive tree have been broken off. You non-Jewish people are like the branch of a wild olive tree that has been joined to that first tree. You now share the strength and life of the first tree, the Jews. So do not brag about those branches that were broken off. If you brag, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you. You will say, "Branches were broken off so that I could be joined to their tree. That is true. But those branches were broken off because they did not believe, and you continue to be part of the tree only because you believe. Do not be proud, but be afraid. If God did not let the natural branches of that tree stay, then he will not let you stay if you don't believe. So you see that God is kind and also very strict. He punishes those who stop following him. But God is kind to you, if you continue following in his kindness. If you do not, you will be cut off from the tree. And if the Jews will believe in God again, he will accept them back. God is able to put them back where they were. It is not natural for a wild branch to be part of a good tree. And you who are not Jews are like a branch cut from a wild olive tree and joined to a good olive tree. But since those Jews are like a branch that grew from the good tree, surely they can be joined to their own tree again.

We sang "If a Man Remains in Me" and "The Holly and the Ivy", and the kids helped me finish hanging our four picture windows and stair railing with garland. It was lovely.

I am so thankful to know that I have been rescued from the burning pile and grafted into God's family. That I have been given the gift of life and life abundantly. That all of it stems from and is rooted in His love and grace and goodness. What a glorious gift is ours. May others come to understand and receive His gift of life and love that came down at Christmas.

Making CHRISTmas Meaningful

A few links of wonderful sites with ideas for simple and spontaneous celebration of CHRISTmas. It's not too late to get in on celebrating advent, there are some wonderfully simple ideas out there that can be adopted and put into practice at the drop of a hat.

This great idea from Sanctuary Moment. All it requires is an everyday object of the child's choosing and some spontaneous conversation... I LOVED this.

This simple and wonderful Alphabet Advent Activity that you can do without any major planning or special supplies.

This post from Shepherds Grace was a big eye opener to me and challenged me to make sure that I am not offering God "the leftovers" over the holidays.

Nothing overtly *spiritual* here, but lots of practical help for curbing the chaos and keeping it meaningful, so that you have TIME to focus on the spiritual can be found at This site which has a wonderful brochure for free download (you need to sign up but the sign up is free, the brochure has so many creative gift ideas).

As for us, I am working on personalized calendars for each of the kids, with a photo of them in each month of last year to grace the months that, Lord willing, await us in the coming year. I plan to write out little verses, love notes, special events and stuff on their personal calendars throughout the year to come so that they can keep it as a keepsake and "scrapbook of sorts". I plan to make this a yearly tradition.

We are also starting a new tradition of buying each of the kids (and myself) a matching ornament for the tree (sneak peek at this year's ornament in the header photo), I will tag the ornament with their name, the year and a selected scripture passage from our advent readings. Then when they leave home they will take their collection of ornaments with them and we will all have "matching" collections in our respective homes that hold years of memory within them (we will use the decorations on our tree each year while they are at home.)

Daddy is giving the family gift of starting our new collection of nativity scene figures to replace our bruised and battered old cheapo Walmart set . An idea that hopefully will live on for many years as in the future we will be able to start giving the kids their own collection when they are no longer home.

We will be picking one family game and/or one family media addition (I'm voting for the full Anne of Green Gables video set at Costco but P-Guy has dibs on the BBC Natural History boxed set, I've heard there is a kid's version of the Farming Game....).

oh and our tradition of adding one new Christmas cd to our collection each year, this year it's Josh Groban (so hard to choose between that and Sixpence None the Richer!) We listen to it over and over on Christmas day =)

Each member of our family will be getting a little personal gift or pair of gifts that are simple, everyday things that were needed. A new Toque and mitts for P-Guy (shhhh....) pyjamas for The Hero. Journals for the girls (their old ones are full), etc.

The kids get 10 dollars each and free rein at Dollarama to buy little stocking stuffers for each other, and are dilligently working on "promise presents" for each other and Mommy and Daddy. I came up with the promise present idea and I just love it. The giver gives the givee a hand crafted card that contains the gift of a promise of either a certain "act" that will be performed for the givee by the giver, or a type "character" gift that the giver pledges to the givee. For instance, our Prairie Hero cries desperately when the race is on and kids go running and he gets left behind (whether it be running to the house for supper or running off to some fun activity, or running down the stairs to greet Daddy). So I know for a fact that one of my daughters is giving him the "promise present" that they pledge to always "let him run ahead" when they are on the run. Isn't that precious? So simple, but so meaningful, and surely something that will enrich his life much more than a monster truck or lego pack.

I am so excited about making this celebration more about what matters and less about materialism. It's okay to add gifts of love and gratitude into the mix but not at the expense of the true gift we are really celebrating. Now it's your turn... I know many of you are on this same journey and I have been blessed to read little tidbits of your plans as I find moments to meander around and visit your virtual homes. So if you have a minute, share what you are excited about and have up your sleeve for making this a meaningful CHRISTmas celebration.

Advent ~ A Photo Diary ~ Day 2

**Updated** I forgot to mention that as a fun addition to this advent devotional, the kids are also working on these adorable craft wreaths, that ANYONE can do (if your kids like crafts you NEED to subscribe to the Kids Craft Weekly Ezine... it is chock full of NEAT and DOABLE crafts (I'm so not crafty)... The kids are going to give these as gifts, with one of the above verses written on a cardstock tag and tied to it (with binder twine of course *grin*) we got the idea for making our own tags from Anna in this post at Pleasant View Schoolhouse. So easy and charming!

Everlasting Father.

Well, I'm only 2 days in and I already discovered something I want to tweak for next year. But that's okay. In trying to set apart 25 symbols for advent, the wreath gained a position as a symbol of God's eternal existence and qualities (eternal because a circle has no end). Next year I think I will switch it to day 1. but this year it's coming up behind door number 2.


Scripture Passages;

Isaiah 9:6,7 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.

Psalm 103:13-17 As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children-

Jer 31:3 The LORD appeared to us from afar, saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.

Isaiah 45:17 But you will be saved by the LORD with an everlasting salvation; you will never be put to shame or disgraced, to ages everlasting.

Thank you Lord because You Are. Before any of what we see was, You were. And after all is said and done, You Will Be. You, Oh God of Eternity, have chosen to give us the gift of eternal life, to share in eternity with you. What is man that you are mindful of him? The son of man that you care for him? (Psalm 8:4)

Advent ~ A Photo Diary ~ Day 10

Instruments of Praise

The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him. Exodus 15:2

Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. 1 Chronicles 16:8-12

I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High. Psalm 7:17

I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High. Psalm 9:1-2

Advent Symbol; harps and lyres
Key Word; Praise
Action; Waving hands of praise in air
Song; Hark The Herald Angels Sing; Oh Come All Ye Faithful; Angels from the Realms of Glory.

Just Checkin' In...

Well thanks ladies for all the warm well wishes and setting me "free" from my daily advent posts =) I missed just posting spontaneously and without premeditation as well. I will post a couple more advent conglomeration posts but I will piggy back them into one post that covers multiple days. Yay! I'm breathing a big sigh of relief. All of a sudden "blogging without obligation" went out the window with that idea =)

I've been holed up at home for the past few days (including from Church), I'm not sure I have ever done that before, or if I have I was too sick to enjoy it, but man... I hope this isn't heathenistic but I had the most WONDERFUL morning home alone in a quiet house (babe was here, but slept all morning). I didn't even veg out... I wasn't THAT sick, I just had too awful of a cough to go out in the sub zero temps. I got the whole house tidied, quiet music playing in the background, everything stayed all nice and clean the way I left it, I got a nice lunch on the table with flowers and china all in place for when the family got home. It was positively delightful.

I never realized until that moment that I can count on one hand the times that I have been home alone. I didn't realize how noisy and busy and crazy my life is until all of a sudden I am in this same "place" sans all the action of five little chicklets. The only time I get "away" from the kids is usually shopping (not relaxing,and rarely do I go shopping alone, usually I have all of them, at the very least I have the baby), or scrapbooking for a few hours once a month with girlfriends. But both those things are still DOING. I still have this "list" of stuff I want to get ACCOMPLISHED. Being home alone yesterday, just alone, with no pressing demands or to do list made me realize how very, very beneficial it would be to my sanity to get a time like that every once in awhile. Somehow those two and a half hours gave me a cushion and padding that equipped me to deal with the noise and punches that made up the rest of the day, and even into today. I just feel recharged.

I know I have often looked down my nose at the "me time" philosophy, the "you have to take care of yourself if you are going to be any good at taking care of anyone else" idea. I think there is danger there, in the area of expectations and disappointment and self centredness... but in reality, if not taken advantage of, in small doses, I think it does matter for a woman to have some moments to herself where she is not frantically serving or "to-do-ing" or even "on call", to just let down her guard, and hang. The funny thing is that I chose to use that time doing things that still were serving for the most part. Not because I had to, but because I could. I cleaned up, I cooked, but I also took a long bath and read a few chapters of my book. It was a little slice of heaven on earth. I think I'm going to put a bug in The Guy's ear about what a great "promise" present this would be for me...

We are holed up today and tomorrow at the very least, not going to set foot outside except to go and make sure the animals all have food and water and heat lamps are up and running. Lots of baking and reading and cleaning on the agenda. We are hosting a small group Christmas party here tomorrow so we need to get everything in order. Happy Christmas preparations, everyone.

I Choose Joy

I am so excited about this new year.  So blessed and happy as I reflect on this past year.  What a blessed Christmas time we spent, and what a great end to my year of “Peace”.  It truly was the epitome of peaceful and more reflective and meaningful than ever.

We took almost the entire season of Advent off of school to truly rest and revel in the season.  Baking, decorating, making Christmas cards from scratch, celebrating with advent verses and ornaments and Christmas songs each day.  Sleeping in, playing games, watching movies…. ah… familial bliss.

On Christmas Eve we had our traditional Christmas Dinner followed by a Candlelit Carol service at our church which was intimate and beautiful, back home through the snowy fields to cut the scrumptious Black Cherry Toblerone Chocolate Cake we had prepared for Jesus Birthday Cake, along with Hot Cranberry Wassail… mmm (will get these recipes up over at the Pantry soon).  We then let the kids open their stockings (very untraditional I know, but since Santa  doesn’t enter into the occasion in this house, that’s just how we do things) and the family game (Ticket to Ride) which we proceeded to play.

Christmas Day was relaxing and wonderful, we slept in, had a leisurely breakfast and calmly proceeded to open ONE gift per child per hour.  What a great idea this proved to be, it really brought peace and pleasure to the whole gift opening process, which I usually find to be a very busy, loud, messy and rather riotous time that leaves me feeling dazed and shell shocked when it’s all over. 

We are still in the process of simplifying the commercial aspect of Christmas, and trying to find our personal groove.  This year we chose to go with the four point idea of buying each child “something they want, something they need, something to wear and something to read.”   It gave us something to work with, but I’m not sure it’s THE fit for us or that we won’t try something else next year.  We’ll see.  I’m thinking of  letting the kids pick names, and buy for each other and then one special gift for each child from the parents, plus their Christmas tree ornament, plus one book, movie, or cd each.

Prairie Guy and I agreed not to buy gifts for each other at all this year, which was a good thing.  We are the kind of people who when we need/want/find something, we love to buy it for each other and we do.  Year round.  Since he had just bought me a treadmill at the end of October, plus all new appliances at the end of the summer (dishwasher just got hooked up a few days ago though!) well…. it was an extravagant year in the spending department.  I have a few fun gifts in mind for him for his birthday but we decided to keep Christmas spending free, and it was a relief.  It was beautiful to just revel in each other’s presence.

My extended family decided to pool money to give to a project of our choosing.  We decided on the World Vision 12 months of giving program where you give one yearly amount but each month a specific project  takes place where a village receives, animals, clinic supplies, fruit trees, school supplies or something of the sort.  I am very excited about this pick because it will mean that each month we can look at the project, pray for that village and the gift will keep living in us throughout the year.

Now, out with the old and in with the new.  As I said, I am very excited about 2010.  I started “listening” for my word back in the start of December and it came to me mid month when we were making our Christmas Cards.  We stamped the word JOY on a distressed piece of cardstock in rich burgundy ink.  As I looked at a completed card that one of my daughters handed to me I just smiled.  Yes.  That’s my word.  Then, wouldn’t you know that in the sermon that Sunday our pastor must have used the word “joy” about 100 times.  Exhorting us to take joy in the Giver of Life and the life and goodness He bestows.  

Joy.  I’m ready.  Joy in waking, joy in baking, joy in cleaning, joy in gleaning, joy in growing, joy in sowing,  joy in jogging, joy in blogging, joy in reading, joy in leading, joy as  lover, joy as mother, joy in playing, joy in praying.  Wishing you all God’s Joy for 2010.

“You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.”  Acts 2:28

 

 

Joy blocks available for purchase here.

Advent ~ A Photo Diary ~ Day 8

God So Loved the World.

"God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to judge the world guilty, but to save the world through him. John 3:16,17

God was in Christ, making peace between the world and himself. In Christ, God did not hold the world guilty of its sins. And he gave us this message of peace. II Corinthians 5:19

That is, in Christ, he chose us before the world was made so that we would be his holy people—people without blame before him. Ephesians 1:4

What I say is true, and you should fully accept it: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst. 1 Timothy 1:15

Symbol, papier mache balls
Key Word; World
Key Action at word; make ball with hands
Song; Joy to the World.

Supercalifragilisticexpi-halitosis...

I am feeling terrible that I have a half dozen new followers and commenters that I haven't even been able to "meet" properly yet. I promise that first chance I get I will pop over to your respective abodes and get to know you properly. Between being sick, and all the extra "things" that fill the hours of our holiday calendar I have not even been able to keep up with my photo diary of advent as you can see from the 3 back-posts up in one day =)

Today, to make up for my absence here, and for your viewing pleasure, I present, The Chick with no voice, The funny faced Punkin' and The Guy with... halitosis? (not really, but it was pretty funny just the same). Just another little glimpse into everyday silliness around here...

Advent ~ A Photo Diary ~ Day 11

The Holy Spirit.

When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased." Luke 3:21-22

"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Luke 4:18-19

Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. John 20:21-22

Theme; The Holy Spirit
Symbol, The Dove
Key Word; Spirit
Action; bird wings with hands
Song; Breath of Heaven

Advent ~ A Photo Diary ~ Day 4

Light of the World.
John 1:1-5 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.


John 3:18-21; They are judged by this fact: The Light has come into the world, but they did not want light. They wanted darkness, because they were doing evil things. All who do evil hate the light and will not come to the light, because it will show all the evil things they do. But those who follow the true way come to the light, and it shows that the things they do were done through God."


Later, Jesus talked to the people again, saying, "I am the light of the world. The person who follows me will never live in darkness but will have the light that gives life." John 8:12


The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. Revelation 21:23-24


songs; One Small Child; Silent Night; Oh Little Town of Bethlehem;

Cozy Christmas

Okay, so I caved and the big tree went up in the little sitting room and the result was not nearly as intimidating as I had pictured. Yes, I crammed it way into the corner and smashed the back branches up but who will ever know?

The kids hung all the decorations themselves as high as they could reach and told me the meanings behind each set. They even made up a new meaning, the harps represent King David who was a shepherd king who reigned wisely (just happen to be reading about him in our devotions) and was a picture of Jesus, the shepherd of our hearts who will reign with peace and majesty over all nations. Wow. Cool.

As we worship Him and remember His first coming in this holiday season, may our hearts look forward with expectation to His second advent. Merry Christmas from our house to yours!

I'm Alive! And Kicking!

Okay, so I've turned into one of "those" bloggers.  Those non-blogging-bloggers.  Eek.  I have contemplated shutting down, just because (the perfectionist in me says) I'm not blogging with any regularity, partially on purpose, but the other half of me (the non perfectionist half) says, "aw, what the heck, just leave it there and use it when you want to."  Cool.  I'm cool with that.  I think I am mellowing out as I age, and that is a real. good. thing.

Had a few rough days there, November can sometimes arrive accompanied by sneak panic attacks warning me that depression could just be looming behind any given door, waiting to catch me unawares.  I think it has to do with the short days, less time outside, less sunlight and fresh air.  Accompanying a dear friend through some struggles that she is facing, and fearing for her as I watch her teeter on the edge of her own depression brought me to a bit of a shaky place myself.  I started keeping a journal for her, with words of encouragement, hope and experience, and it has been therapeutic for me as well as I remember the faithfulness of God to carry me through the dark times and prove Himself true and able. 

I just realized I didn't post an update after going for my ultrasound on the 29th of October but happily, thankfully, that pesky placenta has moved into its proper position and I am good to go.  The lab tech was not able to get a good enough view of the area in question to tell us the sex of the baby, so we're going to get a surprise.  Got a girl's name all picked out from start to finish but drawing blanks on the boys (gee, we've already used up 7 boys names, it starts to get tough!). 

'Tis the season, once again, and while I know my American friends are gearing up for Thanksgiving this week, we are already steeped in preparations for advent.  Oh, how I love this season.  Any season really, it is so good to contemplate the gifts He gives in each season of life.

So although you might not see me much right here, you will probably catch a glimpse of me a litle more often over here as I don my apron and make merry in the kitchen with my girls.  Today it's easy breezy graham fudge.  Oh yeah.  Second batch this year.  Eek.

Advent ~ A Photo Diary ~ Day 7

Ribbons and Bows, The Gift.

When people work, their pay is not given as a gift, but as something earned. But people cannot do any work that will make them right with God. So they must trust in him, who makes even evil people right in his sight. Then God accepts their faith, and that makes them right with him. Romans 4:4


For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in[b] Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23


Thanks be to God for his gift that is too wonderful for words. 2 Corinthians 9:15


For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8


Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17


The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life. Revelation 22:17


Key Word; Gift
Action at key word; proffered hands
Song; We are the Reason

Baby It's Cold Outside....

The rebel in me is screaming and fighting against the daily post count I've set myself up for in the Advent Photo Diary series. It's fun and all, but it doesn't give me any time to do anything else here. I'm not ditching it. I'll upload stuff as we go here and there, maybe doing 2 or 3 days in one post or something, or just do a day here and there instead of an exhaustive diary. But today I feel like doing something else. Cause it's cold. And I'm feeling all warm. And I want to spread the warmth.

Now, bear in mind, when I say cold, I mean.... COLD.

We're talkin' 40 below with wind chill cold....

That's cold enough to bring the frost INSIDE our old storm windows....

and decorate the bathroom window with some natural lace
and make the handle of the storm window look like it belongs to the Ice Queen's Palace.

But have no fear cause baby it's warm inside.

Blanket and Book Warm

Fall Asleep on the Couch to the Sounds of A Christmas Carol Warm

Afternoon Nap Warm

Butter Tart Warm

Pop on over to the Pantry if you'd like the recipe