Advent Chain Part 1

In place of an Advent Calendar I'm making a paper chain to help my children count down to Christmas.  Each loop will have a verse on it.  My older two children will be allowed to take turns cutting the loop off each day and we will share the bible verse.

Here are the verses.  I will share pictures when it is complete.

1. John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2. Genesis 3:14-15 (abridged) So the LORD God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, Cursed are you above all livestock, and I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring  and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”
3. Genesis 12:1,3 The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you…  I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”
4. II Chronicles 6:18 a But will God really dwell on earth with humans?
5. Matthew 1:23 The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
6. Isaiah 40: 1 Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.
7. Isaiah 41: 10a So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
8. Isaiah 42:1a Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight.
9. Isaiah 42:3a A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.
10. Isaiah 43:1b Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
11. Isaiah 42:4 He will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his teaching the islands will put their hope.
12. Isaiah 9:1b-2 but in the future [God] will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—  The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.
13. Isaiah 9:6 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.
14. Matthew 1:21 [The angel said to Joseph] “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.”
15. Luke 1:32 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.
16. Luke 1:41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
17. Luke 1:76 And you, my child [John], will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him.
18. Matthew 2:6 But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;  for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.
19. Luke 2:4 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.
20. Luke 2:5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.
21. Luke 2:7 …and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
22. Luke 2:10-12 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.
23. Luke 2:13-14 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
24. Luke 2:15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
25. MERRY CHRISTMAS! Romans 8:1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.   

This could spur some interesting questions from my 5 and 7 year old about virgin birth.  We'll see how it goes.  I hope it spurs good discussion about Jesus' identity.

Week 1 - Wednesday

JOY!

Reading: Isaiah 42

Oh, rejoice my heart, that God's chosen one did not come to snuff out the flickering candle, or break off the bent reed.  When I feel weary and shaken, I have a caring defender.

November 30th - Saint Andrew's Day

Happy Saint Andrew's Day!

Sometimes I wonder what Andrew's relationship with Peter and Jesus looked like.  Here was a man that was destined to be known throughout history as Peter's little brother.  I think I would have been annoyed by that.

The brothers James and John, along with Peter were part of Jesus' inner circle.  They were invited to see the resurrection of Jairus' daughter and to witness the transfiguration on the mountain.  Where was Andrew?  If it were me, I would have felt seriously slighted and left out. 

We know that Peter had a house and was married.  Was Andrew just a kid brother living with Peter? 

His actions don't show that he was put out with Jesus.  He remained one of the faithful disciples.  Tradition says that, like his brother, Andrew did not consider himself worthy to die the same way Jesus did.  So when Andrew refused to recant, he was crucified on an X shaped cross.

Andrew had been following John the Baptist when John announced that Jesus was the messiah, the Christ, the one they had been waiting for.  He was the brother that believed the message first.  He was the brother that first went out to share the good news.

From John 1
"Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus.  The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ).  And he brought him to Jesus."

Lord, please grant me the excitement to go and bring a brother.

Week 1 - Tuesday

JOY!

Reading Isaiah 41

This chapter spends some time talking about the idols of the nations.  It asks if they have ever successfully predicted the future.  Since God is the author of all history, He has foretold what would happen.

In my moments of disbelief, what do I turn to for predictions of the future?
The news, politics and elections.  Sometimes I adopt a posture of, "If I go to church, and put money in the offering plate, and pray regularly, then God has to protect me and my family."

What I really need is to trust the God who made me and loves me.  He has a plan for me and my family through the good times and the bad.

This chapter also describes how God will turn dry and barren land into rich, abundant land flowing with streams.  It made me think of the lives of some of my friends.  They were unbelievers.  Now they are in love with the Lord, and they overflow with life giving actions and words.  I do not have dramatic conversion story, but I can see even in my own life that God continues to mature me so that I can be more like a green land that refreshes.

Sarah's Christmas List 2011

My husband asked me if there was anything I would like to put on my Christmas list this year.  I realize that Cyber Monday is half through, but here we go:

1. A book by Vladimir Soloviev.  I have heard him described as “the C.S. Lewis of Russia.”  I am thoroughly intrigued.
2. The attention span and mental capacity to make it through some writings by Vladimir Soloviev, Dietrich Bonhoffer, and Ravi Zaccharias.
3. Tickets to Anchorage to visit friends.
4. “Simplicity Parenting” by Kim Payne and Lisa Ross
5. Dance classes with my husband.
6. Tickets to northern California to visit friends and maybe even to see giant Sequoias or Redwoods.
7. A new kitchen – since the cupboards that haven’t fallen off the wall yet are starting to break down.  Maybe something in shades of Ikea.
8. Tickets or a road trip to Kansas City and Saint Louis to visit friends
9. Patience – real patience.  I’ve told the kids that patience means waiting without whining.  I want more than that.  I want patience that waits and sees God’s plan and value in the waiting.
10. Marmalade – not the Smuckers, too sweet stuff.  I’m looking for the thick stuff that I turned my nose up at as a kid.
11. Tickets to San Antonio to visit friends
12. Eyes to see people as God sees them.
13. Little shining mirrors so that I can better see the good and the bad in myself, so that I can thank God for the gifts He has given me, and repent my prideful pernicious sins.
14. Ears to hear what people are really saying.
15. A quiet voice that doesn’t shout at my children, but backs up quiet words with meaningful consequences.
16. A fashionable neck scarf
17. A green cleaning guide that backs up its claims with scientific or medical research showing that the methods will really kill germs without killing me.  And I would like an explanation for why some things are better for the environment than others.  An aroma therapist author telling me that commercial product X contains such and such scary sounding chemical doesn’t move me.  Dihydrous oxide sounds scary too, but it is just water.
18. Courage to involve myself in the messy lives of real people
19. Daily doses of dark chocolate
20. Czech Language Lessons
21. Time with our children and wisdom to listen to them and to guide them.
22. Hope in Ethiopia
23. Peace in Afghanistan
24. Physical safety for Christians in hostile lands
25. A deeper prayer life

And maybe that little Advent Wreath thing.

Numbering the Days

I mentioned earlier that I hope to make a paper chain Advent countdown for my children.  Here is another idea for a combination Advent calendar and wreath.

http://www.aholyexperience.com/2010/03/if-youre-looking-for-deeply-meaningful/

Maybe I can talk my wonderful husband into making one of these for next year.  He was asking me this morning about Christmas gift ideas.

Week 1 - Monday

JOY!

Reading: Isaiah 40

This chapter is book ended with promises of comfort to God's people.  In the middle, the writer bursts out into a hymn of joyful adoration of God's greatness.  It's like he just can't contain himself. 

I prayed verses 27 through 31 today for a woman in my community who is grieving the loss of one of her children this season.  I will send her a card later this week.

A few goals and restrictions

I once attended a mom's group where we shared different fun and meaningful Christmas traditions.  It was exciting to hear all the different ideas, but at the same time my throat clenched up.  I was afraid that if I tried to adopt too many of those really wonderful ideas that I would have a breakdown.

So here are a few of my goals, and limits for the upcoming weeks.

I am uploading photos to a site so that I can make calendars as gifts for family.
I will not try to make homemade gifts for my friends this year.

I am going to make a paper chain in place of an advent calendar for my children this year.  I may include a few verses on the papers, but I will refrain from making a to-do item for each link.  Maybe I can assemble the chain while I am visiting a couple of my friend Tuesday night.

I am going to bake some cookies this season.  I've asked each family member to select one favorite type of cookie to make.
I am going to comp. myself the cooking time with some frozen convenience meals.

My darling husband usually take responsibility for getting the tree out and lighted.  I am going to let him, and not worry about trying to decorate every corner of the house.

I hope to get a family photo and letter to include with our Christmas cards this year.
To save a little time and sanity, I'm going to use mailing labels for most of the cards.

I hope to make it to my church's Women's Brunch next week.
I am going to give up my hope of  having a gingerbread house decorating party at my house this year.  Maybe we'll just get together for some cider and let our children play.

I miss singing in the choir, but it is just too much for me right now.  I'll get to be in the choir again in the future.

First Sunday of Advent

 JOY

Reading for today:
Romans 13: 11-14
How do we prepare our hearts for the day we will see by sight what we now only see in faith?

Matthew 21:1-9
Who was Jesus?  What was his identity?  How did he fulfill prophecy?

In church today we meditated on the first and 17th chapters of John.  We considered the glory of God and how to love Jesus for his glorious identity and what he has done for us.

"Oh, how shall I receive Thee,
How meet Thee on Thy way;
Blest hope of every nation,
My soul's delight and stay?
Oh Jesus, Jesus, give me,
By Thine, illuming light,
To know whate'er is pleasing
And welcome in Thy sight."
P. Gerhardt

Thanksgiving Remembered

My vision of Thanksgiving dinner is being refined.

When I was a child, Thanksgiving dinner meant lots of people.  It meant playing with cousins that I only got to see a couple of times a year.  It meant Aunts and Uncles and a dozen different dishes on the table.

With my father's family, it meant a labyrinth of card tables and TV trays around the tiny living room and spilling into the adjacent bedroom.  It meant my dad and his brother taking the cousins out for a walk along the Ohio River after the big meal to work off some of the bulge in our overstuffed tummies.

With my mom's family, it meant silver and mahogany and the children's table off to the side.  It meant playing with cousins in the basement while Grandma and her daughters prepared the meal.  One year my aunt made paper Pilgrim bonnets for the girls and paper headbands with paper feathers for the boys. 

My children do not have oodles of aunts, uncles, and first cousins.  In fact, they have exactly one aunt, one uncle, and one baby cousin.  It makes me a little sad that they do not have the bombastic family gatherings that I remember.  This year we went to my parent's house, and my sister had Thanksgiving with her husband's family, so our gathering was a little smaller.

Something came up Thanksgiving Day, such that we ended up having the big dinner in shifts.  Steve, my mom, and the kids were just finishing the meal when my Grandma, Grandpa, Dad, and I started. 

I think it was a little disappointing to all of us.  Nevertheless, I was really struck that the importance of Thanksgiving Day has less to do with the traditions observed, or the format, than it does with the people loved and the blessings remembered.

Here are a few of my blessings.
I am thankful that my children have had the opportunity to know a couple of their great grandparents.  It is a rare and precious thing.
I am thankful that I had some extra time on Thursday to be with my Dad and to chat with him.
I am thankful that I have a wonderful husband who was capable and willing to spot the kids for dinner without me.
I am thankful to my mom for preparing the meal and keeping her humor through some delay and uncertainty.
I am thankful for homemade stuffing and pie.
I am thankful that we were able to all have dessert together.
I am thankful for the fun time Steve and I had playing a board game with my parents after our children were tucked in bed.
There are so many other things, even from just one day. 
Lord, thank you, thank you, thank you.

Zechariah 9

I like reading Old Testament prophecies to prepare for Christmas.
Today I read Zechariah 9.

Some verses that struck me:

"City of Zion, be full of joy!
People of Jerusalem, shout!
See, your king comes to you,
He always does what is right.
He has the power to save.
He is gentle and riding on a donkey.
He is sitting on a donkey's colt...

I will set your prisoners free
from where their enemies are keeping them.
I will do it because of the blood
that put my covenant with you into effect."

I've been told that many Old Testament prophecies Christ have a two or threefold fulfillment.  One fulfillment was close to the time it was given.  Another fulfillment was in the life of Jesus.  The third fulfillment will be in the second coming.

I wonder what all this meant to the people who heard it the first time?  Did they recognize the first fulfillment?  Could any of them imagine what the second fulfillment would look like?  Would I have recognized Jesus as the one who was being predicted?  Could I have ever guessed whose blood would seal the covenant, or how it would be shed?

And I wonder what the final fulfillment will look like?  It is probably beyond my imagining.

What is Advent?

Here is a good description of Advent from "Our Sunday Visitor" a website hosted by Catholic Faith Resources.
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The Definitive Guide to Advent and Christmas
from Our Sunday Visitor

Advent is a time of preparation for the coming of the Christ Child, but in the midst of the pre-Christmas frenzy, it's easy to lose sight of the profound spiritual importance of the Advent season. Your greatest temptation during Advent will be scrimping on your spiritual needs because there are so many other things going on! There are presents to make or buy, cookies to bake, cards to mail, parties to plan, gifts to wrap and trees to decorate. Even your parish can put demands on your time with choir practices, pageant rehearsals, candy sales, food collections for the poor and Advent evenings of reflection.  There's nothing wrong with pre-Christmas preparations. But it's important to balance the sacred part of the Advent season with all of the other things you are doing. If you don't make time for quiet reflection, prayer and conversion of heart, you will find yourself physically, emotionally and spiritually exhausted by Christmas Day. Your Christmas celebration will look perfect on the surface, but will feel spiritually unsatisfying. You will have a hard time experiencing the joy and peace that the Babe in Bethlehem brings.

What is Advent?The word "Advent" comes from the Latin Adventus, which means "coming." It is a time for quiet reflection, prayer and conversion in anticipation of the coming of Christ from two different perspectives. The readings and the liturgies during Advent prepare us for the birth of Jesus, but they also prepare us for the Second Coming of Jesus at the end of the world. The season offers us the opportunity to share in the ancient longing for the coming of the Messiah, and to be alert as we await his Second Coming. Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas. It ends at sundown on Christmas Eve. Since Christmas falls on different days of the week, Advent can range in duration from 22 days when Christmas falls on a Monday to 28 days when Christmas falls on a Sunday. Advent marks the beginning of the Church year. Unlike the secular year, which marks the passage of time, the liturgical year celebrates the sacred mysteries of the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus. The year begins during Advent in anticipation of the coming of Jesus with reflections on the Hebrew prophecies and the ancient longing for the coming of the Messiah.
What do the colors of Advent signify?The purple or dark blue is a symbol of royalty that anticipates the coming birth of Jesus. It also reflects a spirit of penitence and the need to prepare our hearts. Pink is a secondary Advent color that symbolizes the joy of the season. The evergreens in the Advent wreath signify eternal life that comes to us through Jesus.
What are the rules regarding fasting and abstinence during Advent?There are no longer any "official" days of fast or abstinence during Advent, but Catholics are encouraged to prepare themselves spiritually during Advent with voluntary acts of prayer, fasting, penance and almsgiving.
Traditions: PosadasPosadas, a word that means "shelter" or "lodging," is an Advent custom in Mexico. It re-enacts Mary and Joseph's search for lodging as they traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem. The Posadas takes place over nine days, Dec. 16-24, which symbolizes the nine months of Mary's pregnancy. People go from house to house seeking lodging, but the "innkeepers" refuse to let them stay. On Christmas Eve, the travelers are finally welcomed at the last house where they celebrate the birth of Jesus.
Traditions: Advent CalendarThe Advent calendar started in Germany during the 1800s. Families drew a chalk line or lit a candle every night to mark the days until Christmas. Gerhard Lang produced the first printed Advent calendar, which contained small pictures that could be glued to a piece of cardboard each day.
Traditions: The Advent ChainAn Advent Chain is a way to mark the days through Advent. Cut one strip of purple construction paper for each day of Advent. Use a pink strip for the third Sunday of Advent and a white strip for Christmas. Some families like to write something special on each strip such as: "Call Grandma today." "Do something nice for someone." "Say a Hail Mary for someone who is sick." "Read a book about a saint." Let everyone in the family brainstorm other things to write. Then paste or staple the strips to create loops that interlock to form a chain. Each morning detach one loop and read the message as you prepare for Christmas.

© 2011 Our Sunday Visitor, Inc.

Clinging to Christmas

I kind of fell out of love with Christmas.
Too many sweets.
Too many traditions to try to keep.
Too many expectations.
Too many parties.
Too much to do.
Too much spending.
Too much stuff.

But I am still looking for the coming of my Savior.

How do I redeem burn out season? 

How shall I prepare for Jesus?

I mean no disrespect for people who love all the holiday buzz.  And I don't want to be insensitive to those who are going through really tough times of grief, loss, and uncertainty.  I want to make Christ's birthday party a Joy.

Two years ago, my beautiful baby girl was born at the end of October.  I made a point of not committing myself to any activities that December.  Lo and behold - when Christmas rolled around I was not a stressed out mess. 

One year ago, I swore off sweets for Advent.  Consider it a modified fast if you will.  Instead of reaching December 25 feeling like an overstuffed whale on a sugar crash, I felt excited about the party!  Christmas was here.  Let's celebrate.  Let's enjoy the chocolate now without feeling burnt out on it.

So what about this year? 

I have two books that I am using as guides.
"The Adventure of Christmas: Helping Children Find Jesus in Our Holiday Traditions" by Lisa Welchel

and

"Festival of Christmas" by Edna H. Hong and Mary Hinderlie

My plan is to use these books, not to cram the season with more stuff, but to give priority to the stuff that refreshes the spirit, encourages the sojourner, and points to the Lord.