Enter His gates...

We're going to take a break from Christmas-ing for a couple of days and ponder Thanksgiving. How appropriate it is that we have a holiday of giving thanks to kick off the Christmas season.

Let's take a minute to focus on Psalm 100:

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.

As we, His sheep, enter into this holy season, let's do it the way our Shepherd calls us to do it... with thanksgiving! Thanksgiving brings us through the gates. Praise draws us into His courts.

So right now, as you're sitting at your computer, take a minute or two and start to thank Him. For the things He's done for you. For the things He's done in you. For the things He's done through you.

Then take this attitude of gratitude to the world around you... your spouse, your children, your parents, your friends, your neighbors and your co-workers. Let them know why you're thanking God for them today.

Advent blogging...

Wow... we've been hitting Advent pretty hard, haven't we? If you're lighting the Advent wreath, then next Sunday, November 30th, is the day that you need to have everything ready to go. If you are keeping an Advent calendar of some sort, then Monday, December 1st, is the big day for you. Pray and ponder and see how the Lord would call you to walk with Him in an extra special way as you contemplate the wonder of His incarnation and the glory of His grace.

Let's bring Advent into 2008 and see where technology fits into the mix. If you are here, you are likely a blogger or reader of blogs... or both. Back in the day, people kept journals. Some still keep a personal journal, but the trend is to blog... keep a web log of important thoughts and events. Unlike the traditional personal journal, a blog is usually for an audience.

One of the most fun things about blogging is getting to know other people. I look forward to reading things like "Stuff I like Sunday" and "Domestic Goddess Monday" and "Friday Favorites." Of course I love it when someone recommends a new blog or shares a recipe or reviews a book or movie. And my friends are among the funniest women in the world, so I always appreciate the laughs. But the biggest blogging blessing for me is getting to know my friends better as I see their world through their blogs. How encouraging!

So... here's a little Advent challenge to all you bloggers out there. What about picking one day each week throughout the season to be Christmas Sharing Day (or something that means the same but sounds much more catchy, as my brain is a little tired from the weekend)? Write a post based on a prompt and either tag others to write about the same post topic or ask that they leave a comment sharing their responses to the same prompt. Or write a post based on a prompt and tag a friend with a different prompt. Then have her tag another friend with a third prompt. And on and on and on.

Here are some ideas for prompts. These are just a micro-number of the ideas that are out there, so be creative!

* My earliest Christmas memory ...
* My favorite Christmas present I've ever given ...
* My favorite Christmas present I've ever gotten ...
* What makes me feel like Christmas ...
* The story of how Jesus came into my heart ...
* Why my favorite Bible verse is my favorite ...
* Five things I can do to show people the love of Jesus ...
* My favorite Christmas carol ...
* Three gifts I will give the King on His birthday ...
* Three gifts I have received from the King for which I give Him all the glory ...
* The coolest Christmas ornament in my collection ...
* How I see the Light of the world shining in the darkness ...
* Three people I want to thank for helping me know Jesus ...
* My favorite part of the Christmas story ...
* Christmas morning at our house ...
* Gifts I'd like to give that don't cost any money ...
* What excites me most about the Christmas season ...
* My funniest Christmas memory ...
* My favorite Christmas decoration ...
* The ugliest ornament ever ...
* A prayer for my friends ...
* Three people I've shared Jesus with this Christmas ...
* 'Twas the night before Christmas and all through my house...
* A Christmas tradition I tried to start ...
* My favorite Christmas cookie recipe ...

Any other ideas? Feel free to leave a comment!

Thanks to Heather for sharing her photography!

The Jesse Tree...

Think of it as a little Christmas tree with great big significance. Traditionally a Jesse tree bears either symbols of the Old Testament heritage of Jesus or symbols of the fruit that comes from knowing His love. In earlier days, families would decorate a literal branch off of a tree with these symbols.

The Jesse tree gets its name from the passage in Isaiah 11:1-2:

A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots, a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him--the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord---

You can decorate a Jesse tree all at once for the whole season, or you can place one ornament on it each day during Advent so that by Christmas Day, it is complete.

Below is a picture of a Jesse tree decorated with the names of Jesus. Many of these names are found in Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah's coming. Some are New Testament names of Jesus that echo things found in the Old Testament.

The mini glass ornaments each have written on them in gold paint one of the names of Jesus.

Passover Lamb

Alpha and Omega

All you need to make this tree are:

* 1 small (2' - 4') Christmas tree with lights
* 24 mini glass ball ornaments (available this season in the Dollar Spot at SuperTarget and Target Greatland)
* 1 gold or silver paint pen


Here is the list of names of Jesus and their Scripture references:

Son - Isaiah 9:6; Luke 3:22
Wonderful Counselor - Isaiah 9:6
Mighty God - Isaiah 9:6
Everlasting Father - Isaiah 9:6
Prince of Peace - Isaiah 9:6
Creator - Colossians 1:16
Alpha and Omega - Revelation 22:13
Savior - Luke 2:11
Lamb of God - John 1:29
Good Shepherd - John 10:11
Root of Jesse - Isaiah 11:10
Bread of Life - John 6:35
Light of the World - John 8:12
Holy One of Israel - Isaiah 49:7
King of kings - Revelation 19:16
Lord of lords - Revelation 19:16
Anointed One - Psalm 2:2
Foundation Stone - Isaiah 28:16
Redeemer - Isaiah 59:20
Servant - Isaiah 42:1; 49:5-7
Passover Lamb - I Corinthians 5:7
Root of David - Revelation 22:16
High Priest - Hebrews 2:17
Righteous Branch - Jeremiah 23:5
Atoning Sacrifice - I John 2:2

Or you can make your own list. What a blessing to seek Him out in His Word this Christmas season!

Psalm 145 moments...

Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise;
his greatness no one can fathom.
One generation will commend your works to another;
they will tell of your mighty acts.

They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty
and I will meditate on your wonderful works.
They will tell of the power of your awesome works,
and I will proclaim your great deeds.
They will celebrate your abundant goodness
and joyfully sing of your righteousness.
Psalm 145:3-7

There's a sparkle to the Christmas season that jumps from generation to generation. Have you watched a child talk about Christmas recently? Put aside the grown up world of shortages of time and money and patience for a couple of minutes and go talk to a kid about the Christmas season. They start with a twinkle... growing into a sparkle... fanning into a flame... until there's a full blown blaze. It's an amazing thing.

As moms and grandmas and aunts and sisters, we have the privilege of sharing the true sparkle of Christmas. You see, kids will sparkle with whatever we get excited about. If we focus on presents, they'll camp on the Christmas gift list. If we delight in food, they'll clamber for cookies and candies. If we value family and friends, they'll jump at the chance to visit with loved ones. Yes, kids have the sparkle all right. But ours is the task of helping them sparkle with love for Jesus.

One of the best ways to share Jesus with a child during the holiday season is by making Advent calendars together. Of course you are trying to stay organized. Of course you are trying to get the house clean for Thanksgiving and the rubber-hits-the-road Christmas kick-off that immediately follows. Of course it will be messy and take twice as long as you planned. But this weekend, consider pulling out the pretty papers and markers and scissors and glue and for a couple of hours and sit down with a child and make an Advent calendar.

Our friend Heather sent the link to a wonderful online newsletter that highlights kids' crafts. Click here to see the issue on making Advent calendars with kids. The traditional lift-the-flap calendar style is just one way to approach this project. This newsletter gives some other... slightly easier (!) ways to celebrate Advent in a crafty way with kids.

What a wonderful opportunity to create and laugh and share your heart. In addition to the newsletter's suggestions for what to write for each day, here are a few more ideas:

* Have an older child share the Christmas Story, in his or her own words, in 24 sentences. Write one sentence for each day. As your family shares the Advent calendar together, read all the sentences to date and make an especially big point to add a new one each day until the story is complete.

* Have each child take turns making thumbprints for each day. Let each one turn his or her thumbprint into a unique little angel. Write a praise to go with each angel for each day of the season. Then you'll have a heavenly host singing praises in your house this holy-day season.

*Together make a list of prayer requests for people and events and situations that are near and dear to the heart of your family. For each day, write down a request per day and pray for it during family devotions. If you want to use pictures, digital photos or even magazine clippings work well as illustrations.

*Encourage serving with a happy heart. Title the calendar "To Show Jesus' Love Today..." and for each day write something that one member of the family will do for another each day of the season. Examples: "Kayley will read the Christmas story to Baby Alex," "Sasha will help Mom wash the Christmas plates," "Ben will help Dad clean out the garage," "Ella will make a special dinner for the family."

*On Thanksgiving Day, divide the number of days in Advent (24) with the number of people in your family. Have each family member write down that number of things he or she is thankful for. (Example: 24 days... 5 family members... 4 "Thanks" per person, plus 4 whole-family "Thanks.") In family worship each day of the season, read each "Thanks" and spend a few moments in an attitude of gratitude together before the Lord.

These are just a few suggestions. What works with your family? Try it!

How to make an Advent wreath...

There are MANY ways to make an Advent wreath, but we're going to show you this way because it is the least expensive way. (And if you've seen the economy lately... you'll notice stuff costs a lot more than it used to and there's a lot less cash hanging around to get spent!)

Supplies needed (Click on the item name to link to a page with a picture):

-1 x 10" Styrofoam extruded wreath ring (preferably green) and
4 x green candle cups
-or-
-1 x 10' flat Styrofoam wreath ring

-22 or 24 gauge paddle wire

-wire cutters

-1 x 18" Christmas wreath ($1.99 at Michael's this week)

-Christmas holiday picks or 3' of Christmas garland

-Advent candles

-White pillar candle or taper


Once you've made the big trip to Michael's or A.C. Moore, here's what you do.

If you are using a flat wreath ring, you need to place the candles directly in the ring to make an indentation. Make certain that the hole is deep enough that the candles won't fall over. Once you have made starter-holes evenly around the ring, take the candles back out.

If you are using an extruded wreath ring (which we recommend), place the candle cups evenly around the ring. Using candle cups tends to make the candles more stable that if they are simply mounted on the Styrofoam itself.

With candle holes completed or candle cups secured, use the paddle wire to attach the green Christmas wreath to the wreath ring.

Then decorate the wreath itself, using holiday floral picks or a 3' strand of garland. If you use garland, secure it to both the wreath ring and the Christmas wreath using paddle wire. Make certain to leave room for the candles at the holes or cups.

Finally, place the purple and pink Advent candles in the holes/cups. Place in the center of the wreath a white pillar candle on a small plate or a white taper in a candle holder. Light the candles on the appropriate Sundays of Advent, beginning with a purple one on Sunday, November 30th.

Readings for the Advent-wreath-lighting are available from many sources. Our family uses the devotional printed on an old bulletin from a Christmas Eve Candlelight service many years ago. But two books that we recommend as resources that are available from Christian bookstores and various online booksellers are:

Celebrating A Christ-Centered Christmas, by Sharon Jaynes

and

A Family Advent: Keeping the Savior in the Season, new this year from Thomas Nelson publishers

Advent wreaths you can buy...

This Christmas season, there are many different variations of the traditional Advent wreath. These were just a few of the ones available at the local Family Christian Store.

If you choose to make your own, you can assemble all the parts--wreath, candle holders, floral decorations, candles-- for about half of what you can purchase a comparable store-bought wreath and candles.

Tomorrow... How to make an Advent wreath.

Countdown...

Advent is much more than a season to count down the days until Christmas Day. It is a season to reflect... to prepare our hearts for the coming of the King. While tradition gives us many wonderful ways to count the days from the beginning of December until December 25th, with a number of them involving chocolate, there is never a more appropriate way to prepare our hearts for Jesus that by reading God's Word. Not that chocolate is bad, mind you. "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above..." (James 1:17).

The drawer calendar above is perfect for placing a rolled up Scripture inside for each day of Advent. You can also include a small toy or... hummm... CHOCOLATE! But the most important thing is the Scripture because the written Word prepares our hearts for the Living Word.

First, write or type a verse or short passage on a piece of paper. At the end of this post, there are two sets of verses you can use, if you want a unifying theme for your Advent verses. Once you've written or typed the verses, cut the paper into strips. Roll the strips tightly to form a little scroll. Place a ribbon around the scroll to hold it together until the time comes to read it.

Place the rolled up Scripture passage in the drawer with whatever else would appeal to the people who open the drawers -- toys, peppermints, CHOCOLATE. Scripture scrolls also work well for Advent calendars with pockets for the goodies instead of drawers.

Below are two lists of readings for the season of Advent, just to get you started. Choose one or the other... or make your own. Short Scripture passages work for Advent calendars, Advent journals, and drawer calendars. The main idea is to get into God's Word everyday throughout the entire holy-day season.

The Birth of Jesus Advent Verses

December 1 - Luke 1:30-33
December 2 - Luke 1:41-42
December 3 - Matthew 1:20-23
December 4 - Luke 2:1,3
December 5 - Luke 2:4-5
December 6 - Luke 2:6-7
December 7 - John 1:14
December 8 - Luke 2:8-9
December 9 - Luke 2:10-12
December 10 - Luke 2:13-14
December 11 - Luke 2:15-16
December 12 - Luke 2:17-19
December 13 - Luke 2:20
December 14 - Luke 2:21
December 15 - Matthew 2:1-2
December 16 - Matthew 2:3-4
December 17 - Matthew 2:5-6
December 18 - Matthew 2:7-8
December 19 - Matthew 2:9
December 20 - Matthew 2:10-11
December 21 - Luke 2:28-32
December 22 - Luke 2:38
December 23 - Luke 2:40
December 24 - Mark 1:9-11


The Coming King Advent Verses

December 1 - Genesis 3:14-15
December 2 - Genesis 22:18
December 3 - 2 Samuel 7:13
December 4 - Isaiah 7:14
December 5 - Isaiah 9:6
December 6 - Isaiah 9:7
December 7 - Isaiah 35:3-4
December 8 - Isaiah 40:3-5
December 9 - Isaiah 40:10-11
December 10 - Isaiah 42:1-3
December 11 - Isaiah 52:13-15
December 12 - Isaiah 53:1-2
December 13 - Isaiah 53:3-4
December 14 - Isaiah 53:5
December 15 - Isaiah 53:6
December 16 - Isaiah 53:7-8
December 17 - Isaiah 53:9
December 18 - Isaiah 53:10
December 19 - Isaiah 53:11
December 20 - Isaiah 53:12
December 21 - Jeremiah 23:5-6
December 22 - Micah 5:2
December 23 - Zechariah 9:9
December 24 - Luke 1:31-33

Some of the most adorable Advent calendars this year are available for purchase in Target stores and online.