An UN-usual Christmas ... by Maureen

"Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:11

The sun was rising and the chill of the day could be seen on the interior walls of my apartment where ice was forming over the brown floral, soviet-era wallpaper. Gently rubbing the frost from the window pane revealed a bustling world outside. Silhouettes glided down the ice-covered sidewalks ... people rushing to catch their buses, precisely wrapped in layers of black fur and wool with only rosy cheeks and glassy eyes peeking through.

Today was December 25th ... Christmas Day! All over the world people were waking up this morning to find neatly wrapped presents under the tree, the smell of turkey roasting in the oven and hot chocolate warming on the stove. Yet, when I looked out the window I couldn't help but think, Something is missing. Today was just another day, not a holiday, not Christmas, but another usual day. I was off to the university to teach my class.

A few weeks earlier the department head asked me to put on a "special" play for the English students. Not having any drama experience, the only play I could even imagine was the play I had seen every year since I was a child -- the Christmas story! Yes! We were going to do the Christmas story! I carefully typed up the entire Biblical account of the birth of Jesus, gave the scripts to the "star" students, and brought in a nativity set to explain the story further. It was a beginner's play -- no props, no costumes, no music or effects. I was a bit nervous to imagine all the teachers, faculty, and the rector of the university coming into my class to see my novice "work" -- surely they would send me packing after this!

All my fears melted away that morning when I arrived in my classroom to find an amazing sight -- a fully clad Mary, Joseph, Gabriel, Wise Men, a baby Jesus, and some shepherds. My students had taken the scripts home, studied the birth of Jesus, and decided to create the costumes themselves! They wanted their fellow students REALLY to understand the story!!! As people crowded into the classroom to watch, I carefully jotted a few vocabulary words on the board for reference (Messiah, Savior, salvation, prophecy, etc). For the next 30 minutes my non-believing students shared the gospel message with over 100 of their fellow students, faculty, and the rector of the university. For all of them, this was the FIRST time they had ever heard this story!

The play was a success -- not because of anything I had done, but because our Lord chose to use that time and place to reveal HIMSELF to those HE loves! Afterward, I not only retained my teaching job, but the "powers that be" asked for me to do the play every year! WOW! Even in a dark land that does not know our Savior, He uses creative means to call people to Himself! From that small group of students, two became believers that year, the first student Bible study was formed (and now has grown to a fellowship of over 100 students), out of which one student continued on to become the first "national" staff of an evangelical student group -- to this day still leading others to Christ!

That Christmas there were no decorated trees, carefully wrapped presents, or golden turkeys ... just the pure and precious gift of the message of our Savior, a message being given to those who had never heard before!

A Little Christmas Tour ...

Thanks for sharing your photos of the beautiful Christmas decorations!

Here's a little tour of the beauty our Friends have created in decorating their homes in celebration of the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ.

Tina



Carmen

Karen

Other Friends

Christmas Card Garland Tutorial ... by Tracey

One of my favorite Christmas decorations is the Christmas Card garland that will hold all the wonderful cards we accumulate throughout the season. I got the idea from one of my friends that had her garland over a doorway with red clothespins holding each card. For my garland, I had my kids color a set of wooden ornaments and I glued them to a set of clothespins.

Here's a peek at the finished product :

Here's what you'll need :

*A wooden ornament set. (I bought my set at Michael's several years ago.)
*Clothespins
*Glue gun with glue sticks
*Fabric markers (easier for little hands to color on the wooden ornaments)
*Garland

Step one : With your little ones wearing a smock, have them paint each ornament with the fabric markers. It is only necessary to paint one side. My oldest two children were 5 and 6 years old at the time they painted the ornament set.

Step two : Paint one side of the clothespin. I painted the clothespin to match the ornament that would be attached.

Step three: After the fabric paint has dried, glue the ornament to the clothespin.

Step four : Attach the clothespins all over the garland.

Step five : Wait for your wonderful friends and family to send Christmas cards so you can fill your garland! Once you get a card, do this....

Just a note : Don't be afraid of letting your little ones paint the ornaments. While my 'little' painters are now 10 and 11, they enjoy seeing their 5 & 6 year old artwork used every year...and it is an urgent reminder for me to savor every moment (especially during Christmas) because they do indeed grow up too fast.

Wishing you a blessed Christmas season!

Giving of your gifts...

Then Moses said to the Israelites, "See, the LORD has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts -- to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones , to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic craftsmanship. And he has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach others. He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as craftsmen, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers--all of them master craftsmen and designers...."

Exodus 35:30-35

Our Friend, Susan, is an artist. Recently she's begun to market her art more widely. She's named her line of artwork, "handmade to praise His name!" We used one of her pieces in an earlier post. Take a look at a few of the other beautiful things she makes:



"handmade to praise His name!" How perfect! Nothing we do is of ourselves. Our skills and craftsmanship, our gifts and talents, are from the Lord Himself and for His glory.

How are you blessing others with your gifts this season? Are you giving handmade gifts? Are you baking goodies to share? Are you babysitting a friend's children so that she and her husband can go to the company Christmas party? Are you writing a special note in the Christmas card that goes to an elderly friend? Are you singing His praises in the choir or leading others in worship as a musician? Are you being a shoulder to cry on for a neighbor who just found out her husband didn't make it past this round of lay-offs? Are you smiling and saying "Thank you" to the store clerks and wait staff and flight attendants and receptionists who help you everyday? Are you teaching a skill or a lesson? Are you stitching with love? Are you documenting life with joy? Are you organizing special teacher appreciation events at school? How are you being a blessing just by being you?

As I cooked dinner one evening recently, I stood in my kitchen looking at the beautiful artwork Susan had painted for me and listening to the CD my friend, Mary (an accomplished pianist), gave to our family a couple of Christmases ago. While the entree was simmering, I wandered into the office and started blog-surfing through my friends' sites. The words, the pictures...everything about the way they shared their hearts made me smile. I am blessed by the gifts my Lord has given to my friends.

The thing is, we don't have to aspire to see our works enshrined in a museum someday. Or our deeds formally recorded for posterity. We just have to be faithful to the gifts He has given to each one of us. (And if for some reason you think you might not be gifted at all, please see I Corinthians 12.)

Do you want to bring glory to the name of Jesus this Christmas season? Then do what He's made you to do. It's that simple.

Being all here ...

There's a famous quote by Jim Elliot: "Wherever you are - be all there." Words to live by, for certain.

So much of the time we are caught up in the next moment without ever really enjoying the one we're in. I am guilty as charged. All the personality tests I've ever taken identify me as a visionary. I live in the what-could-be's. Which is great if you want to buy a fixer-upper house. But not so great if you want to slow down and simply enjoy life right where you are.

Christmas can be the worst. I plan and shop and spend and clean and bake and make and decorate and wrap and pack and mail. Everything about the customary American Christmas propels me towards December 25th with such force that I slam through it instead of landing in it. The day arrives. In a blur. And then it's gone. And there's a void.

Sunday morning I was sitting in church watching a sweet couple light the second candle of the Advent wreath. It was a beautiful moment. Ah! I caught myself! I was enjoying the moment. THAT moment. Whoa!

And then another thought occurred to me. I have enjoyed this Christmas far more than any other I can remember and December 25th is still a couple of weeks away. Why has this year been so special? As I pondered that thought while we sang "O Little Town of Bethlehem," it dawned on me that each day has become a treasure because I'm looking for the treasure in each day.

We are lighting the Advent wreath each Sunday. We are opening a drawer on the Advent calendar during family devotions each night at bedtime. And we are also documenting this Christmas with the 24 Days of December scrapbook. Each day I've gotten to mine a magical moment to photograph. Each day we've sat down as a family ... even one night with a friend who was here for a sleepover ... and read God's Word and talked about just what it means that God became a man and lived among us. Each devotion brings forth a jewel, adding to the treasure of the holiday.

As I work to be present in the moments of each day, I find myself, like Mary, rejoicing in my Savior, who is filling my Christmas season with Himself. And doesn't that just fit? He is, after all, the great "I AM."

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One of the daily treasures I've discovered is that our Friends are out there celebrating Christmas with us. Jenn sent these photos of the traditions her family has started during this Advent season.

Their Advent wreath...

Their Advent calendar...

It's not too late, you know. Even if you haven't done the first thing to celebrate Advent this year, jump in where you are. You can find Scriptures here. You don't have to worry about "catching up." Just jump in and go. Same goes for starting and missing a few. Jump back in today.

Remember God is "I AM" ... He'll be right there in the moment with you, wherever that moment is.

Survey says...

What makes it feel most like Christmas to you?

#1 answer - Spending time with family
#2 answer - Listening to Christmas music
#3 answer - Decorating the Christmas tree

Thanks for sharing!

Jesus is the Prince of Peace...

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude
of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those
with whom he is pleased!"
Luke 2:13-14

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith,
we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:1

For he himself is our peace...
Ephesians 2:14a

Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely,
and may your whole spirit and soul and body
be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.
I Thessalonians 5:23-24