Awaiting the New Year

Our Christmas decorations are still up (til 12th Night)...we are still munching on fruitcake and other holiday goodies... I've made turkey pies with leftovers...and tonight, we are celebrate the turning of the years.

When I was younger, New Year's Eve was a "party night" - and often one I worked! The excitement, the crowds, the champagne, the cold...

Nowadays, New Year's Eve is generally a quiet night - and evening of snuggling with sweetie before the fire, sharing fond remembrances of the passing year, sharing hopes and plans for the new year, while nibbling fancy snacks.

2013 brought a lot of changes for our home...and we are very, very fortunate that most were good. We've had ups (I ghost-wrote a really fun Vikings bookazine! Trips to Disney and Boston! Grandbaby was born! Grand-niece was born!) and downs (I was laid-off 2 days before Christmas...ugh).

2014 brings promise...the promise of new and exciting writing opportunities, the promise of fun times with the grandbaby, the promise of time for deepening my friendships (which I allowed to "simmer on the back burner" for too long as work-clutter got in the way), the promise of new projects heading our way!

May the New Year bring blessings to each and every one of us!

Merry Christmas!

With my new grandson on Christmas morn!

A very blessed and merry Christmas to us all!

Joy to the world! The Lord has come
Let earth receive her King!
Let every heart prepare Him room
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven, and heaven and nature sing

Joy to the world! the Savior reigns
Let men their songs employ
While fields and floods
Rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat, repeat the sound in joy

He rules the world with truth and grace
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness
And wonders of his love
And wonders of his love
And wonders and wonders of his love!

I hope you enjoyed my Advent series - it went places I didn't expect to go! But I enjoyed every moment of writing it (and praying on it). Click on the button below to re-read all my Advent 2013 posts!

Advent Day 24: Christmas Eve!

Christmas Eve - that holiest of nights...night of wonder...night of joy! I look at the stars, and marvel that these are the same stars that shone down on Mary and Joseph...

"And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

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, good will toward men.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger." - Luke 2:1-16

Have a blessed Christmas!

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Fourth Sunday of Advent: LOVE!

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." - John 3:16

The Sunday, the Fourth Sunday of Advent, is the Sunday of LOVE. Love comes in many forms: the love between a parent and child, the love between man and wife, the love between sisters and brothers, the love between friends....

The Love that God has for us is often imagined as parent to child...a perfectly loving and patient parent...and we are His unruly children...sometimes loving, sometimes hating, sometimes making Him proud, sometimes making Him weep...but always, ALWAYS, beloved.

On the Fourth Sunday, the church often reiterates the prophecies, God's promises to a broken world, a broken people.

"Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." - Isaiah 7:14

"But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel. And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God; and they shall abide: for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth." - Micah 5:2-4

On this Sunday, I am spending some quiet time in reflection...seeing where I need to stronger in love...where I am letting my Holy Father down, and what I can do about it (mostly pray, I know!). 

Have a blessed week!

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Weekend Reading Edition - Advent Edition

World Vision's Share the Joy Challenge has a number of great posts - and ideas for ways to broaden your Advent!

Jen Fulwiler shared a great post of her Baby steps for celebrating Advent - 24 simple ideas to introducing Advent to your family.

Baby steps for celebrating Advent: 24 super simple ideas - See more at: http://www.conversiondiary.com/2010/11/baby-steps-for-celebrating-advent-a-cornucopia-of-ideas.html#sthash.e1YSEMZa.dpuf

Baby steps for celebrating Advent: 24 super simple ideas - See more at: http://www.conversiondiary.com/2010/11/baby-steps-for-celebrating-advent-a-cornucopia-of-ideas.html#sthash.e1YSEMZa.dpuf

Baby steps for celebrating Advent: 24 super simple ideas - See more at: http://www.conversiondiary.com/2010/11/baby-steps-for-celebrating-advent-a-cornucopia-of-ideas.html#sthash.e1YSEMZa.dpuf

Adriel Booker blogged a really thoughtful list of 150 activities to do with her chldren - the activities range from wholesome good fun to the spiritual!

Finding Joy: The Countercultural Practice of Advent Continues by H. Adam Ackley, Ph.D. - a very thoughtful post at HuffPo

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Advent Day 19: Sing unto the Lord a New Song!

"O sing unto the Lord a new song: sing unto the Lord, all the earth. Sing unto the Lord, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people. For the Lord is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the Lord made the heavens. Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
 
Give unto the Lord, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the Lord glory and strength. Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts. O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth. Say among the heathen that the Lord reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously. 

Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof. Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice. Before the Lord: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth." - Psalm 96

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The Advent Conspiracy

The Advent Conspiracy is a movement that started a few years back, when a group of pastors decided to encourage their congregants to, "Worship Fully, Spend Less, Give More and Love All" - pretty radical stuff for 2006! Advent Conspiracy (AC) has gained traction, as Christians are recalled to remember Christ in Christmas - and to leave behind the secular holiday madness.

I came across AC on Facebook several years ago, and liked its message and its challenge! Please click thru to their site to learn more - and to find projects to give to...or have your parish create its own giving projects. And don't forget that giving doesn't only mean cash...but time, talents, love...so lets all GIVE MORE this Advent season!

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The Shepherd Candle

With the lighting of the third candle, the rose-colored Shepherd Candle, Light overtakes dark on our Advent wreath. 

God is that much nearer...REJOICE!

While we tend to think of the Biblical shepherds in terms of welcome visitors at the Nativity, gentle men with sweet-faced sheep. The reality is harsher. Shepherds lived outside the city - city people were a bit wary of these men, men of the wilds, men of fierce physical strength - in fact, the Hebrews came to despise shepherds!

"That ye shall say, Thy servants' trade hath been about cattle from our youth even until now, both we, and also our fathers: that ye may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination unto the Egyptians." - Genesis 46-34 

This is a far cry from the honor given to shepherds like Abraham and Jacob! Shepherds, far from being honored, we actually outcasts at the time of Christ's Nativity! So it is a very special tradition that names the Shepherd Candle - the candle which, when lit, tips the balance from dark to Light on our Advent wreath.

Because we must never forget that shepherds are not just physically strong men who can endure the wilds with their flocks. Shepherds are leaders, they lead their flocks to clean water and good pasture. They are protectors, protecting their flocks from predators. They guard their sheep, and count them - they know their sheep, and they know when sheep are missing. They seek out their lost sheep, and they carry the weak. The care for the sick sheep. Sound familiar?

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Rejoice in the Lord Always!

"Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand." - Philippians 4:4-5

Gaudete in Domino semper: iterum dico, gaudete - Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice ... this is the verse that gives Gaudete Sunday its name. 

It reminds is the God is at hand...God is near! 

Isaiah's prophecy tells of God's coming:

"The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the Lord, and the excellency of our God.

Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. 

And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes. And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there: And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away." - Isaiah 35:1-10

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Third Sunday of Advent - JOY!

JOY be with you!

JOY is the focus of Gaudete Sunday, the Third Sunday of Advent.

Pope Francis reminded us in his message this morning that this JOY comes because God is always with us, "The Christian message is called the 'gospel,' that is, 'good news,' an announcement of joy for all people ... Christian joy, like hope, has its foundation in the faithfulness of God, in the certainty that He always keeps his promises."

The Church reading for today is from Isaiah, a reminder that Advent is a time of anticipating the Second Coming of Christ - and not just a Nativity Feast...we celebrate the Hope brought by the birth of an infant, the Light in the darkness... and that this Hope is ultimately brought by God's Salvation!

"And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.

And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the Lord." - Isaiah 2:2-5

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Zacharias Doubted

The actions and examples of righteous men and women fill our Christmas Story. One such man is Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist. 

Zacharias and his wife, Elizabeth, had no children - which was of deep distress and shame to them. When they were quite old (in fact, tradition tells that Elizabeth was quite past the age of child-bearing), God blessed them with a son...a very important son...a son who would precede God's own son, and prepare His way. 

Zacharias doubted - and can we blame him? 

The Bible tells how the angel Gabriel came to Zacharias, and told him that his prayers for a son would be answered. And Zacharias asked, "how can this be?" 

For this act of unbelief, his mouth was shut up until after the birth of his son. But once John was born, and Zacharias confirmed that his name was to indeed be John, his mouth was opened:

"And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David; As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began: 

That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; The oath which he sware to our father Abraham, That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.

And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." - Luke 1:67-79

I wonder if Zacharias lived to see John grow up to manhood, to begin his own ministry, and then to die a martyr - again presaging Christ? 

I wonder if Mary held her cousin, Elizabeth, as she shed tears for her dead son? 

And I marvel, again, at the humble obedience displayed by Zacharias. Yes, he doubted, but he also never failed to be God's servant!

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Joseph was Just

Joseph. 

Father, foster-father, saint. 

A skilled carpenter, who would raise his son to be the same. 

A just man who refused to publicly shame his betrothed - a just man who believed on the words of an angel in a dream...

"Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. 

But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 

Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus." - Matthew 1:18-25
 
Ancient tradition holds that Joseph was much older than Mary - some ancient texts say he was 90 years old, and Mary was a young teenager at the time of their betrothal, and that Joseph had been married and raised a family already. These ancient traditions have him situated by God to be Mary's husband, specifically because he would be just and patient and understanding and strong in faith. 

The Bible tells us very little about what sort of man Joseph was - the Bible simply says Joseph was a just man.

An angel appeared in a dream again - and once again Joseph obeyed - moving his young family out of Bethlehem and all the way to Egypt!

"And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt..." - Matthew 2:13-14

No hesitation at all - he instantly moved to protect his wife and son! I do not think he even thought of Jesus as a "foster son," but rather as the son of his heart - like any adoptive parent.

And then, upon another angelic visitation, Joseph once again makes a huge move - taking his family out of Egypt and into Galilee.

"But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life. And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee: And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene." - Matthew 2:19-23

As this map from BibleMapper.com shows, this was no small journey (click on the map for a link to the larger one)! 

Some speculate that the gold from the "Three Wise Men" was used to pay for these journeys, and for the family's time in Egypt. If so, what a lovely example of God's very practical provision!

  We know that Joseph beheld wonders at the birth of Jesus, and afterwards - and that he marveled at the things spoken of Jesus. We know that Joseph trained Jesus as a carpenter, and it is believed that Joseph died prior to Jesus' ministry.

There is a lovely song called "Joseph's Song," by Michael Card that imagines what Joseph's feelings were as he held his infant son, Jesus - his son, but not his son - his son, and his Savior. Click thru and have a listen, it is quite lovely!

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Mary and the Immaculate Conception

December 8, in addition to being the Second Sunday of Advent, is also the Feast of the Immaculate Conception in Catholic churches. There are many, many misconceptions about the Immaculate Conception - both within and without the Catholic church - so I will take a moment to explain a little.

First, what is it not.  

The Immaculate Conception is not when Jesus was conceived. It does not mean that Mary was conceived, like Jesus, by the Holy Spirit. It does not mean that Mary is a goddess, and it does not mean that Mary did not also need Jesus as her personal Savior. It also is not a sort of  "pre-condition" required so that Jesus would be born without sin.

So what is it? 

The doctrine of Immaculate Conception means that by God's Grace, Mary was conceived without the stain of original sin. She was conceived in the normal manner, by an act of physical love between her parents - but God preemptively saved her from sin, filled her with His Grace. 

As described in this article at Catholic.com, think of Mary as being saved from the pit of sin - not by being pulled out by Jesus (as we are) but by being prevented from falling in the first place - prevented by the saving grace of Jesus. 

Contrary to what many think, this does *not* mean that Mary did not need Jesus as her Savior - but rather that he already did save her and continued to save her.

Mary's obedience to God's Will is but one part of the Christmas story, what about Joseph? Tomorrow, I will explore a bit of about this man who stood by Mary.

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Advent Prophecies and Promises

 
"For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope." - Romans 15:4

This week, New Testament readings point to Jesus...and to our need for repentance and God's mercy. 

So much of the secular "holiday season" is focused on shopping and over-indulgence and self-indulgence - we forget that the period of Advent used to be a period of fasting and penitence and prayer, similar to Lent.

"And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof." - Romans 13:11-14

The Gospels tell of the coming of John the Baptist, the child of Elizabeth, who was born to prepare the way...

"There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came for testimony, to bear witness to the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness to the light. The true light that enlightens every man was coming into the world." - John 1:6-9

"The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it." - Isaiah 40:3-5

The Gospels show how the Old Testament prophecies are fulfilled in the birth of Jesus...

"And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel." - Genesis 3:15

"But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting." - Micah 5:2

"Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." - Isaiah 7:14

The Gospels reveal Mary's complete and utter obedience to God's Will...

"And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. 

And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. 

Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 

And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible.
 
And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her." - Luke 1:26-38

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Second Sunday of Advent: FAITH

This is the Second Sunday of Advent - the week of PEACE and FAITH. 

My readings today focus on how Mary points to Jesus in our Salvation story. 

When Mary was pregnant with Jesus, she went to visit her cousin, Elizabeth, who was pregnant with John - a miraculous pregnancy for this elderly woman. 

When Mary approached, John leapt within Elizabeth's womb - for John already recognized Him! 

Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit...

"And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord." - Luke 1:42-45

Mary herself was also filled with the Holy Spirit, and knew herself to also be a humble sinner in need of God's mercy:

"And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. 

He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. 

He hath helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever." - Luke 1:46-55

I sometimes wonder how Mary felt - pregnant and unmarried, albeit betrothed to a good man who stood by her. 

But still, pregnant. 

And unmarried. 

And with what must have seemed a crazy, unbelievable story about how she came to be that way! 

And yet, she always humbly submitted to God's Will. 

I think about my own attempts at to force God to *my* will...to have things *my* way...

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Advent Music Linky Roundup

This time of year, we are often inundated with secular Christmas songs...so I have linked to some beautiful Advent hymns here!

Lo He Comes With Clouds Descending : Lichfield Cathedral Choir

Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus - Red Mountain Music

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel - Enya 

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel - Casting Crowns
 
Wake Awake For Night Is Flying Traditional Catholic Advent Hymn

Cantata "Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme",  BWV 140 (Ton Koopman) -J. S. Bach

Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence - Concordia University Ann Arbor choir 

I hope you enjoy this lovely music, and please tell me of the songs that you enjoy for Advent!

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Weekend Reading Dec 6 '13

I hope you enjoy this week's Weekend Reading round-up! I plan to spend my weekend babysitting wee nieces, playing with my newborn grandson (our Thanskgiving baby!), and catching up on all sorts of domestic chores that didn't happen when grandbaby arrived (smile)!


I think I will try this simple pipe-cleaner snowflake craft from Martha Stewart with the wee nieces!

Erica at Confessions of a Homeschooler posted a classic tutorial for making beaded snowflake ornaments here.

First Palette has lovely paper snowflake folding and cutting templates here.

And Spoonful has a lovely 3D paper snowflake template here...I have to say, I think I am going to try it this year!

 

The Meaning of Advent

Advent (n) - The Church season before Christmas, a time of expectation and penitance.  From the Latin adventus "a coming, approach, arrival", ad-venio "to come to" (ad - "to" + venire "to come").

The roots of the observance of Advent run deep into the past. While mentions of a season of preparation prior to the observance of "The Feast of the Nativity" (ie - Christmas) is mentioned in several old texts, with homilies extant from the 500s, the observance seems to have crystallized into a form that we would recognize during the time of Pope St. Gregory (1073-85). 

Advent wreaths are a more recent tradition, starting in Germany - and then spreading through-out the world since the early 20th century. The evergreen circle of the wreath represents eternal God, and the four candles represent the four Sundays of Advent.

According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, Catholics are to use Advent as a time to:

• prepare themselves worthily to celebrate the anniversary of the Lord's coming into the world as the incarnate God of love,

• thus to make their souls fitting abodes for the Redeemer coming in Holy Communion and through grace, and

• thereby to make themselves ready for His final coming as judge, at death and at the end of the world.

There are many traditions as to the meanings of each week and its candles. 

The first week is universally HOPE - and the readings tend to focus on Old Testament prophet, Isaiah. The Church's lesson focuses on the children who have forgotten their Father, and the Promise of the coming Saviour. We celebrate the HOPE in the Promises of God, our Father.

The second week is in some traditions FAITH, in others is is PEACE, and in others it is THE WAY, with the candle called the Bethlehem candle. The Church's lesson focuses on fasting and acts of charity as part of our preparation for the coming of the Saviour. 

The second week also often falls within the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, and so the lessons will show how Mary points to the Saviour - within the writings of the prophets and within the Christmas Story itself - and honors her example of perfect obedience to God's Will.

The third week is Gaudete Sunday - the Sunday of JOY. Some call the rose candle the Shepherd's candle, honoring their JOY at the birth of the Redeemer. The Church's lessons for this week focus on John the Baptist, on preparing the Way of the Lord. We celebrate the JOY of the impending arrival of Our Saviour.

The fourth week is commonly LOVE, and this candle often called the Angel's candle. The Church's lesson tends to focus on the Magnificat. We ask for Divine Wisdom to teach us, for the Key of David to free us from the bondage of sin, for the Light of the World to release us from the darkness and shadows of sin and death. 

We celebrate the LOVE that God had for us, that He would give his Son as a sacrifice for our Salvation.

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Advent for Children

As I mentioned yesterday, in the first week of Advent, I have always brought out my manger and my Mary and Joseph figures. I place the manger in the spot where my tree will go...Mary and Joseph will slowly journey to the manger over the course of the month. 

When my son was little, Mary and Joseph started at the front door and moved a few feet forward every night, making a long and circuitous route thru our apartment.

As Mary and Joseph moved forward, we would either read a little from the Christmas Story, or discuss the wheres and whys and whats of the story. It is a simple and lovely tradition, and it makes the long-ago story just a little bit more real for the wee ones!  

For the first week, for example, we would read, "And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed [or registered, or counted, depending on your version], (And this taxing [or census] was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)" from Luke on Sunday. 

On Monday, we would look at a Bible map to see what area  "all the World" covered - and how that compares to "all the world" today. And we might make a mark at Syria on the map. 

On Tuesday, we would look up Caesar Augustus and talk a little about taxes and counting people. 

On Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday we would read about Elizabeth and Zacharias and John the Baptist. 

On Saturday we would sing "Prepare ye the Way of the Lord" from Godspell!

I always try to string out the first few sentences of the story, as most of the Christmas story takes place at the actual birth...and I try to save that for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day! 

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Advent: Day 3 - In the beginning...

The Christmas story often begins with Mary and Joseph and an Angel of the Lord...but doesn't it really begin right at the beginning? 

With Genesis? 

For there are no people to be beloved of God and saved by God without Adam and Eve. 

Without Genesis, there are no Mary and Joseph, no Elizabeth and Zacharias and John the Baptist, no Apostles, no...us!

"And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. 28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth." - Genesis 1:26-28

"And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed. And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil." - Genesis 2:7-8

"And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. And out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof. 

And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him. 

And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; and the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. 

And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. 

Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed." - Genesis 2:18-25

This week, this first week of Advent, I have always brought out my manger and my Mary and Joseph figures. I place the manger in the spot where my tree will go...Mary and Joseph will slowly journey to the manger over the course of the month. 

When my son was little, Mary and Joseph started at the front door and moved a few feet forward every night, making a long and circuitous route thru our apartment. 

Now that we are all grown-ups, Mary and Joseph start at the kitchen and move each Sunday. 

Of course, now that we have a new grandbaby, I imagine that in a few years we will revert to our more child-friendly practice!

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Advent: Day 2 of HOPE

Light and Hope...Light as Hope. In the older Anglican traditions, the Sunday before Advent is often called "Stir-up Sunday" ... after the prayer:

"Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people; that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may of thee be plenteously rewarded; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

Many families used Stir-up Sunday to start their Christmas Puddings (which have to age before eating). I used my Stir-up Sunday to start soaking fruit for my Christmas fruitcakes!

The Catholic prayer for the First Sunday of Advent also "stirs up":

"Stir up Thy might, we beg Thee, O Lord, and come, so that we may escape through Thy protection and be saved by Thy help from the dangers that threaten us because of our sins. Who livest and reignest for ever and ever. Amen."

I no longer rely on specific prayers, but rather focus on readings each night. Since my readings this week are all about Hope, and how God uses Light to bring Hope, here are my readings tonight:

"The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" - Psalms 27:1

"The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined." - Isaiah 9:2

As I light my Advent candle tonight, I notice how the light from the single candle shines out in my dark kitchen...

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Advent 2013: Welcome!

 
Welcome to Advent Reflections 2013! 

I had a very inspiring month exploring Advent scripture readings, Advent music, some Advent history, Advent activities, and more!

Merry Christmas! 
 

Advent Day 24: Christmas Eve!

Fourth Sunday of Advent: LOVE!

Advent Day 20: Weekend Reading Edition


Advent Day 19: Sing unto the Lord a New Song!


Advent Day 18: The Advent Conspiracy


Advent Day 17: The Shepherd Candle

Advent Day 16: Rejoice in the Lord Always!

Third Sunday of Advent: JOY

Advent Day 11: Zacharias Doubted

Advent Day 10: Joseph was Just

Advent Day 9: Mary and the Immaculate Conception

Advent Day 8: Prophecies and Promises

Second Sunday of Advent: FAITH

Advent Day 6: Advent Music Linky Roundup

Advent Day 5: The Meaning of Advent

Advent Day 4: Advent for Children

Advent Day 3: In the Beginning...  

Advent Day 2

First Sunday of Advent: HOPE

First Sunday of Advent: HOPE

Hope is the Light, shining in darkness, leading the way to Salvation. Hope is the Promise, believed and unseen. Hope is God's precious gift to us, a gift that sustains us in our trials.

Hope is the theme if this First Week of Advent. We Hope for the coming of the Saviour. We Hope for Promise of the Christ-child.

My reading for today is from Genesis, from the very beginning of our story.

"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day." - Genesis 1:1-5

The words God says in Our creation story is "Let there be Light." Light is God's first gift to us - the first time Light and Dark are separated.

God uses Light over and over in Scripture to show His way for us to follow. Jesus is the Light of the World... We are told to let our Light shine before men...we are admonished to not hide our Light under a bushel...

This Week of Hope, we will explore the ways God uses Light as his symbol of Hope. Have a blessed week!

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