Morning Coffee

Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful. ~Norman Vincent Peale

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Biblical Advent Calendar - Luke Chapter 4

There are 4 subheadings in my bible for this chapter: The Temptation of Jesus, Jesus Rejected at Nazareth, Jesus Drives Out an Evil Spirit, and Jesus Heals Many.

I found my Journal Verse for the day in the temptation section where Luke told of Jesus' forty days of testing in the wilderness. In verse 8 he wrote: "Jesus answered, 'It is written: Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.'"

As I read through the testing Jesus faced in the wilderness, I clearly saw my own weakness in the face of temptation. Dangle “stuff” in front of me and I cave to envy, offer me an ounce of power and I’ll probably grab a pound. I’m no pillar of strength that’s for sure. So not only do I need to write this in my journal, I need to memorize this verse as well, so I can readily call upon it in times of testing.


(I love this King James version:)
8 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. (King James Bible)

8 Jesus refused, again backing his refusal with Deuteronomy: "Worship the Lord your God and only the Lord your God. Serve him with absolute single-heartedness." (The Message)

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Gloria in excelsis Deo

From 25 Days 26 Ways by Ace Collins:

“Two hundred years before anyone officially recognized Christmas as a holy day, churches were singing of Jesus’ birth. One song held such great power that the early church leader Telephorus issued an edict in AD 130. He ordered that after reading Scripture about Christ’s birth, each congregation should sing the words “Gloria in excelsis Deo”. Like the shepherds, these pioneering Christians were echoing the message of the angels.

“Historical documents reveal that by the third century, this practice of singing Christmas songs was employed by all churches throughout Europe and the Middle East. It seems that even then, music was the key to making the Christmas season more spiritual.”

Collins likens these Christmas carols to mini sermons and he encourages us to really listen to the words of the songs. Even the secular songs like White Christmas and The Chipmunk Song evoke good feelings of warmth and joy and they, too, can be a spiritual experience. For children, these can be some of the first sermons they hear and repeat.

Most of us have a favorite carol that transports us back in time and just warms us from head to toe. Maybe it’s linked to a very special happening in our life; one that really brought the spirit of Christmas alive for us. Collins asks us to focus on that song, listen to it carefully and embrace its message. Play some carols today and feel that special joy; then pass it on to others. Joy to the World!

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(This is not intended to be an advertisement for Amazon but for those who are interested, Amazon is offering one free song to download each day through December 25th – here.

They also have a wonderful Album for downloading for just $5.00, The 99 Most Essential Christmas Masterpieces. I have this on my computer and I love it! )

Merry Christmas!

Morning Coffee

Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time. ~Laura Ingalls Wilder

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Biblical Advent Calendar - Luke Chapter 3

I've read Chapter 3 in Luke through several times now today, even the lineage of Jesus - back to Adam - as spelled out in verses 23 - 38. I can't say I've ever sought out those long lineages to read but this time I did find it interesting. And as Jane explained to me, "it is there to show us that Jesus is connected to Adam, and therefore to every man." It is genealogy and I like that.

But the verse I will enter in my Advent verse journal is 11:

"John answered, 'The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same.'"

No better time than the present season of Advent to heed John the Baptist's words.


11 He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise. (King James Version)

11 "If you have two coats, give one away," he said. "Do the same with your food." (The Message)

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Advent - Christmas Books

Things to do this first week in Advent – taken from The Festival of Christmas.

“Take out all the Christmas books and display them on the library table. All the past Christmases, all the volumes of favorite Christmas stories: The Long Christmas by Ruth Sawyer; Christmas Tales for Reading Aloud, The Fireside Book of Christmas Stories, A Grandmother for Christmas, The Sky Bed, Dickens’ Christmas Carol, ‘Christmas at Dingley Dell’ from Pickwick Papers, The Cricket on the Hearth. Keep a regular reading aloud time this Christmas season.”

I don’t have many of those stories and I don’t have a library table (much as I’d love one) but I do have a collection of Christmas books – old and new - that come out on display during December. Right now some are “displayed” under our tree – for the simple reason that it keeps our cat Toby from rooting around beneath the tree skirt and making a mess of it.

My oldest Christmas book is one called, Christmas Cheer for Boys and Girls. It was given to my Grandmother for Christmas in 1911 when she was 11. My Grandmother then gave it to my daughter for Christmas 1977 when Jenn was 5. (And in case you’re wondering, this book is not one of those under the tree.)

I have books from my childhood, and from my kids’ childhood. Now we are acquiring for our grandkids. I love getting these out at Christmas time! Do you have some special ones too?

Merry Christmas!

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Morning Coffee

A wintry-feeling morning; ice is forming on the pond; skiffs of snow are gathering here and there; and my steaming cup of brew is extra satisfying.

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Biblical Advent Calendar - Luke Chapter 2

Luke 2:49
49"Why were you searching for me?" he asked. "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?" (NIV)

Today I read Chapter 2 of Luke. Verse 49 seemed to be in bold type as I read. I’m not exactly sure why, but that really doesn’t matter. I’ll write that verse down for today and give it more thought. Eventually I will come to understand what it means to me.

My plan is to select one verse from each chapter of Luke and keep a “verse journal” for December. It might be interesting to see what 24 verses I will have collected by Christmas Day. Hopefully a personal journey will unfold for me.


Other versions:

49And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? (King James Version)

49 He said, "Why were you looking for me? Didn't you know that I had to be here, dealing with the things of my Father?" (The Message)

49And He said to them, How is it that you had to look for Me? Did you not see and know that it is necessary [as a duty] for Me to be in My Father's house and [occupied] about My Father's business? (Amplified)

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Advent - The Gift of Giving!

Things to do this first week in Advent – taken from The Festival of Christmas.

“A large family, like the Trapp singers, have a good custom in Advent. They draw names within the family and all during Advent do special favors for the secret friend whose name was received.”

Most of us have done this at one time or another and it can be a fun experience; both to surprise someone and to be the one surprised. If you don’t have a group to draw among, maybe just choose someone special to be a secret friend to during the next month. Surprise them with cards, a small gift or maybe simply honor them with your time. What a great gift to give ourselves; the gift of giving!

Merry Christmas!

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Biblical Advent Calendar: Luke - Chapter 1

In following the suggestion of reading and studying one chapter of Luke for each day of December, I read Luke 1 today. In this first chapter of Luke, verse 37 was the one that stood out for me; "For nothing is impossible with God."

Now, I know that; I've read that and been told that hundreds of times. But do I really believe it? Or more importantly, do I live like I really believe it?


37 For nothing is impossible with God." (New International Version)

37 For with God nothing shall be impossible. (King James Version)

37 “Nothing, you see, is impossible with God." (The Message)

37 "For with God nothing is ever impossible and no word from God shall be without power or impossible of fulfillment.” (Amplified Bible)

No matter the version, the message is clear; nothing - absolutely nothing - is impossible with God!

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Advent Wreath

I finished my Advent wreath today. Here is my helpful hint of the day. Stop by a Christmas Tree lot and ask if they have scrap boughs to give away. Bring those pieces home and use them to make your fresh green wreath.

Actually mine is more of an Advent "gathering" but considering how little talent I have in the arranging department, I am happy with the result. Plus I have extra greens left over and stored outside so when these become too dry, I can replace with fresh sprigs. I will also look for white candles - but the red ones I already have work, too, so maybe I'll just stick with them.

Along side the wreath is my Christmas Basket which will fill with special treasures as the season progresses. Right now all it contains is a vintage Little Golden Book - The Night Before Christmas and old pictures of my kids taken with Santa.

Merry Christmas!

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November 30 - Saint Andrew's Day

This is the day that determines the date of the first Sunday in Advent, which is always the nearest Sunday to Saint Andrew's Day. (More information about Saint Andrew can be found here.)

The Word for Saint Andrew’s Day – John 1 35-43

40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. 41 The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ).

Prayer
"Lord, if I have not found Thee, my Christ, help me to find Thee in this Advent season! If I find Thee, when I find Thee, compel me in love to find a brother and bring him to Thee! Amen."

(from The Festival of Christmas by Mary Hinderlie and Edna Hong)

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Cousins!

The fourth generation of the clan seemed to understand both the importance and the fun of families!

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Advent - The Perfect Calendar

I’ve been searching for an Advent calendar to use this season. I haven’t found just the right one yet. There are lots of cute one for kids and families but I have been looking for something for myself.

Then this morning I read an idea in Ace Collins’ book 25 Days, 26 Ways. Since the book of Luke has exactly 24 chapters, he suggests reading one chapter a day during December.

Perfect! This will be the ideal biblical Advent calendar!

There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and
delightful than that of a continual conversation with God.
-- Brother Lawrence

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Preparing for Advent – Making a Wreath

From The Story of the Advent Wreath – Fortress Press (year unknown)

“The wreath evolved from the use of a simple spray of evergreen placed near the hearth. The evergreen came to symbolized everlasting life found in Christ. Since the greens came from out-of-doors where nature was in its winter sleep, the evergreen testified to a continuation of life. The bending of the branch so that the ends touched further symbolized life without end. So came about the circle – a wreath.”

There is no mention in this booklet when the candles were added, but typically 4 candles are used and they signify God’s Son as the light of the world. The first candle is lit on the Saturday evening before the first Sunday of Advent. It is then lit each evening throughout the week. A second candle is lit for the second week and continuing on through the four weeks. Sometimes a fifth red candle is added in the center of the wreath and it is lit on Christmas Eve. This is referred to as the Christ candle.

So now it’s time to gather some fresh greens and four – or five - candles and assemble a wreath. According to tradition, the first candle should be lit this evening.

Merry Christmas!

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