Today I will set up our creche. Years ago we saw a nativity set that I fell in love with, full of village buildings, props of different kinds, and an array of people playing out their roles in the story of Christmas night. It was not very expensive, and it became ours. Through the years…
preparations
Faith, Love, Joy
I bought a wooden cutout sign a few years ago that creates a pine tree shape from the words “Faith, Love, Joy”. It manages to incorporate swirls, a heart, and a star all in one very Christmas-y design. I had bought it at a hobby store, and always meant to paint it, but the more…
Elements, The First Advent Sunday
It hardly seems possible that Advent of 2014 has already arrived, although I have been preparing for it for several months. This year is a bit different for me, and thus for this devotional. The elements of Christmas, my Christmas celebration will be opened day by day. The thoughts attached to the photos will be…
“Simple Does It” Christmas
A few simple things make the best celebrations: Of course, some added extras make the event spectacular: themed decorations and music for the season. Now that makes a party! Some people like to throw a Jesus party for Christmas. It is His birthday, after all! and it has all the right components: The right people?…
First Sunday of Advent
December 2, 2012 begins the season of Advent; this Sunday we light the “Hope” candle. If you have not yet started Advent preparations, or simply wonder about the celebration of Advent, starting off with some of the earlier posts of past seasons may be the best way to begin your devotional time. Ways To Observe…
Christmas Advent Devotions
It starts tomorrow! Do you have your Advent Calender? Your wreath and candles? If not, simply start your Advent with a candle in a candle holder, your readiness to begin, and tomorrows devotion- the accouterments of the wreath or Advent candle stand can come later. The important thing is your expectant and reverent attitude, your…
Advent Day Seventeen: Whale
Precious Truth: God so loved the world, that He gave His Only Begotten Son. Today’s Reading from The Word Luke 11:29-32 As the crowds increased, Jesus said, “This is a wicked generation. It asks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah. 30 For as Jonah was a sign…
Advent Day Ten: Scarlet Thread
Precious Truth: Be Loyal to God. Today’s Reading from The Word Joshua 2:1-21 1 Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim. “Go, look over the land,†he said, “especially Jericho.†So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there. 2 The king of Jericho was…
Advent Day Three: The Fall
Precious Truth: God’s Word Is True Today’s Reading from The Word Genesis 3 The Fall 1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?†2 The woman…
First Advent Sunday: Hope
Each new season we start with hope: hope of something better, different, of progress. The beginning of Advent season is filled with such anticipation, but what was it like that first Christmas season? The Jewish people had been under subjection of conquerors for a long time. They had held hope for their prophecies of the…
