Advent Reading - Day 13

John 1:10-18

He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.  He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.  Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God -- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.  We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John testifies concerning him.  He cries out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.'"  From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.  For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.  No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known.

Fun Way to Count Down and Advent Reading - Day 8

In addition to our traditional Advent celebration, I have tried for the past several years to make some sort of fun 'count-down' to Christmas for our kids.  This year went like this . . .

I went to Michaels and picked up some small paper sacks (they have several sizes - make sure to get ones that will hold enough treats for your kiddos), sheets of number stickers (you'll need enough numbers to go from 1 to 25), wooden clothes pins (the kind with the metal spring) and ribbon (you can pick from hundreds of designs and widths).

Once you're back home with your goodies, lay out 25 sacks and start numbering . . . 1 all the way through 25 . . .

Next, fill the bags with all sorts of little treats - one for each of your children.  I usually buy several kinds of fun Christmas candy (Home Goods surprisingly sells some really fun and different candy).  In the past I've also used little toys (cheap ones!) and even coins.  The key is to go on the cheap.  This should be just a little fun moment in the day and definitely shouldn't get out of hand on the expense end!  I always try to find gold wrapped chocolate coins for Chrismas morning. 

Once the bags are all filled, find a good place to hang the ribbon.  For us, it has to be a fairly long span because the bag size has to be a little bigger to accomodate seven pieces.  This year, I hung it across the center rail of a picture window.

Bright and fun and almost the first thing the kids see when they come down the stairs.  This window is in the eating area of our kitchen.  We start at #25 and count backwards to #1.  That helps the littles know how many days are left until Christmas.  I try to save the really good treats for the days just leading up to Christmas.  :-)  Can't wait to share this tradition with the new kids!

Advent Reading - Day 8 (Second Sunday of Advent)

Today, we light the first candle - the Prophecy candle - and also begin lighting the Bethlehem (purple) candle.  The Bethlehem candle represents the preparations made for the coming Christ child.  It can also be called the "Preparation" candle. 

"Bethlehem is an appropriate place to signify preparation because, even though no room was available for Mary and Joseph when they came, God had orchestrated events so that Caesar Augustus called for a census to be taken.  Joseph and Mary had to leave Nazareth so that they could register in Bethlehem and the Scriptures below were fulfilled.

"One of the key characters associated with this week in Advent is John the Baptist because he prepares the way for Jesus.  He takes us from the prophecies of old and into the time of Jesus.  this week, we are one step closer, as God's hand moves in history to bring His Son to us . . . and us to Him."  - TeachingMom.com

Keep in mind that this prophecy was given 700 years before the birth of Christ! 

Micah 5:2-5

"But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
Too little to be among the clans of Judah,
From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel.
His goings forth are from long ago,
From the days of eternity."

Therefore He will give them up until the time
When she who is in labor has borne a child.
Then the remainder of His brethren
Will return to the sons of Israel.

And He will arise and shepherd His flock
In the strength of the LORD,
In the majesty of the name of the LORD His God.
And they will remain,
Because at that time He will be great
To the ends of the earth.

This One will be our peace. (NASB)

Advent Reading - Day 6 (Friday)

These three particular verses tie into one of the beautiful descriptions of our Lord.  He is the morning star!  "It is very meaningful that God uses a star to show both shepherds and the magi the way to the baby Jesus.  In Matthew 2:2, the magi even ask, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?  For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him."  They knew the prophecies about the Messiah and took the star as a sign - THE sign - for them."  - TeachingMom.com

Numbers 24:17, 19

I shall see him, but not now:  I shall behold him, but not nigh:  there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.

Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion . . . (KJV)

Revelation 22:16

I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches.  I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.

II Peter 1:19

And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. (NIV)

Embassy! and Reading - Day 3

We got an email tonight saying . . .

"Congratulations, your family’s paperwork is being submitted to the US Embassy tomorrow."

. . . and all  I can say is "YIPPEE"!!!!!  This means that if all goes well and their file looks good, we could be cleared for travel in as little as 8-10 days.  PRAYING! We feel pretty confident that it will be a smooth clearance.  Usually, hold-ups occur because of questions in their status (are they true orphans?, etc.) or issues with health (positive TB test, etc.).  Our kids' case is well documented, well investigated and they are healthy.  And yes, we are praying!  It would be such a gift to have them home and settling in before Christmas morning.  As a homeschooling mama, I would also love that month-long break to allow all the kids to have time to 'mesh' before the grind of school picks back up.

We've been gathering little gifts to send over to the kids with another family, but maybe, just maybe, we'll be delivering them in person!  :-)

And now, here's Day 3 - Waiting in anticipation . . .

Isaiah 42:1, 5-6

Behold, My Servant, whom I

uphold

My chosen one in whom My soul

delights.

I have put My Spirit upon Him;

He will bring forth justice to the

nations.

Thus says God the LORD,

Who created the heavens and

stretched them out,

Who spread out the earth and its

offspring,

Who gives breath to the people on

it

And spirit to those who walk in it,

"I am the LORD, I have called You

in righteousness,

I will also hold you by the hand

and watch over You,

And I will appoint You as a

covenant to the people,

As a light to the nations." (NASB)

Isaiah 60:1-3, 19-22

"Arise, shine; for your light has

come,

And the glory of the LORD has

risen upon you.

"For behold, darkness will cover

the earth

And deep darkness the peoples;

But the LORD will rise upon you

And His glory will appear upon

you.

"Nations will come to your light,

And kings to the brightness of

your rising.

"No longer will you have the sun

for light by day,

Nor for brightness will the moon

give you light;

But you will have the LORD for an

everlasting light,

And your God for your glory.

"Your sun will no longer set,

Nor will your moon want;

For you will have the LORD for an

everlasting light,

And the days of your mourning

will be over.

"Then all your people will be

righteous;

they will possess the land

forever,

The branch of My planting,

The work of My hands,

That I may be glorified.

"The smallest one will become a

clan,

And the least one a mighty nation.

I, the LORD, will hasten it in its

time."

Advent Reading - Day 2 - Prophecy Candle (Waiting)

Isaiah 11:1-2

Then a shoot will spring
from the stem of Jesse,
And a branch from his
roots will bear fruit.

The Spirit of the Lord will
rest on Him,
The spirit of wisdom and
understanding,
The spirit of counsel and
strength,
The spirit of knowledge
and the fear of the Lord.

Jeremiah 23:5-6

"Behold, the days are
coming," declares the
LORD,
"When I will raise up for
David a righteous Branch;
And He will reign as king
and act wisely
And do justice and
righteousness in the land.

"In His days Judah will be
saved,
And Israel will dwell
securely;
and this is His name by
which He will be called,
'The LORD our
righteousness.'"

Advent - Day 1

In our family we celebrate the anticipation of Christ's birth with Advent readings.  We gather around the table either right after dinner or right before the youngest ones' bedtime, light the Advent candle(s) and read.  Sometimes we cue up Christmas songs and sing along, sometimes not.  With younger kids, sometimes simple is best.  :-)  I have also printed out coloring sheets that relate if the readings are longer.  It keeps little hands busy and usually buys us enough time to read without interruptions.  (I'm also not above bribery with cookies and milk!)

(This year we're planning to combine this with the traditional Christmas Advent calendar (opening the little windows or untying a piece of candy each day of December).  I'm hoping to post some photos of fun things we've done in the past.  So many creative, easy and FUN ways to do this with kids.)

Over the years, our kids have looked forward to this time and it really does prepare our hearts for what the season is truly about.  On days that have been especially hectic, the calming effect of a quiet room, dark except for the glowing candle light, brings us all back into focus and recalibrates our hearts.  I think this year especially as we wait for our children in Ethiopia to make it home, it will mark these days of waiting with even more meaning.  Anticipation.  For Christ and also for what He has brought to our family this year.

The first week of Advent is marked by a theme of 'Waiting'.  We use a simple Advent wreath with three purple or blue pillar candles and one pink.  In the center we use a white 'fatter' candle.  Week one we light a purple (or blue) 'Prophecy' or 'Waiting' candle.  Week two, we light the first purple candle and then add the second purple candle or the 'Bethlehem' or 'Preparation' candle.  Week three, we light the first two purple candles and now add the pink candle.  This is also known as the 'Shepherds'' or 'JOY' candle.  It represents the message of great joy that is brought to the world about Jesus' birth.  On week four, starting with the fourth Sunday of Advent,  we light the three previous candles and now add the fourth candle (purple), the 'Angel' or 'Sharing' candle, which represents the love which God shared with the world when He sent His Son, Jesus.  It also represents the angels announcing the birth of Jesus to the shepherds and they then shared it with others.

On Christmas morning we light all four candles and last, and best of all, we light the white candle in the center.  This represents CHRIST, our Messiah.  Jesus, Light of the World, is finally here! 


Advent Reading, Day 1:

Psalm 62:5-6

My soul, wait thou only
upon God; for my
expectation is from Him.
He only is my rock and my
salvation: He is my
defense; I shall not be
moved. (KJV)


Isaiah 26:3

Thou wilt keep him in
perfect peace, whose mind
is stayed on thee: because
he trusteth in thee. (KJV)


Isaiah 40:31

Yet those who wait for the Lord
will gain new strength;
They will mount up with
wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not
become weary. (NASB)