Advent 4

Advent 4

Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. 

With your abundant grace and might,

 free us from the sin that binds us, 

that we may receive you in joy and serve you always, 

for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, 

one God, now and forever. 

Amen.

(Evangelical Lutheran Worship, 2006, page 20)

Gratitude Gifts Today

#4947 - #4787

- a yearly reminder in Advent of His coming again
- time to sew
- supper ready at 6 p.m.
- sleeping in
- quilted wall hangings

- creating with my niece
- seeing friends rally around her
- Christmas music
- sharing Sunday lunch with new friends
- cookies baked by a friend

- candles burning bright in the night
- cold, cold weather - but no snakes
- cooking lunch in a rush - having something to cook
- serving and loving outside of my comfortable box
- seeing another's perspective

- pear cheddar pie
- ordering books and games online
- sweet Christmas oranges
- morning sunrise, pink and gold, framed by the car window
- 3 p.m. golden light shining in the window as school dismisses

- Christmas teas
- finding just the perfect thing
- snowflakes falling
- inspiration
- life stories about passion, hope, miracles and service

- 1000 people laughing together
- hearing the words "thank you for producing food for us"
- a mail system that delivers boxes
- family photos
- God's protection while driving as the moose turned away from my lane

- babysitting Peyton
- marvelling at her little hands and feet
- giving her a bath and inhaling her beautiful smell afterwards
- late night chats
- surprising Helayna at school

- laughing with friends
- that I am supported by incredible women
- knowing that God holds us close even on incredibly painful days
- sure and certain trust that He calls us home
- the hymns of Christmas and their messages

Advent 3

(photo by MaritaBliss)

Lord Jesus, 
Master of both the light and the darkness.
We ask that you send the Holy Spirit
upon our preparations for Christmas. 
That we who have so much to do would seek
quiet spaces to hear your voice each day.
That we who are anxious over many things
would look forward to your coming.
That we who are blessed in so many ways
would long for the joy of your kingdom.
That we who have heavy hearts
would seek your uplifting presence.
We are your people walking in darkness,
seeking your light.
Come, Lord Jesus.
Amen

(from ELCIC Advent prayers)

Gratitude Gifts Today

#4902 - #4947

- finding pictures from our South American trip, printed and in an album
- wrapping gifts
- ordering online
- pumpkin hummus
- December Daily scrapbooking project

- cuddling little ones
- happy mail
- banana bread
- school assemblies
- text messaging

- playdough
- afternoon naps
- leaving supper set out
- red Christmas fabrics, red poinsettias, red candles
- sharing snacks and laughter

- Bible study discussions
- white twinkling lights, white perogies, white Christmas trees
- visiting with friends while touring lovely homes
- special gifts from faraway places
- hard conversations worked through

- Advent candle, altar candles, sun shining
- hosting coffee after church
- watching movies - and staying awake!
- fresh veggies and dip
- lunch packed for tomorrow

- pinning the binding on a quilting project
- unpacking Christmas decorations
- boxes of nuts and fruit
- fresh, soft, melt-in-your mouth Mejdool dates
- Christmas programs

- carrot loaf
- great discussions with grade 6's
- 3 gifts silver - bracelet from Eqypt, tea kettle, ornaments
- sleepovers
- reading books in bed

- 3 gifts sweet - poppycock, hot chocolate, eggnog covered almonds
- baking bread and buns
- keeping kitchen counters clean
- warm hats and mitts
- meeting friends for supper

- long, long discussions with friends
- working hard on relationships
- all my sins covered every day
- grace, grace, grace
- celebrating the Saviour's birth again

Advent 2

Stir up our hearts, Lord God, 

to prepare the way of your only Son. 

By his coming give to all the people of the world 

knowledge of your salvation; 

through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, 

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, 

one God, now and forever.

Amen

Advent 1

(Image from Patheos.com)

As we prepare for your coming Lord Jesus, 

come to us in the busyness of this season.
Come daily, that we may have calm.  

Come daily, that we may know your presence as
we do all of our preparations.  

Come daily, that our hearts and lives are truly focused on
you who are the reason for the season.  

We ask all this in your holy and precious name.
Amen.

(from today's church service)

Welcome, Advent!

Welcome to the time of great expectation,

the days of counting,

the time of quiet preparedness,

the time to sit with God and wonder,

the most exciting time of the year!

For He is coming!

The One I am waiting for,

the One who gathers me up and carries me,

the One on whom I rest my hopes and dreams,

the One who created me for His purposes,

the One who is always there.

He is coming as a little baby,

sent to a world who doesn't see Him, 

to remind me again that my life is nothing without Him.

And my heart leaps with joy and excitement

as the days count down.

And I expect that 

I will see Him in the faces that I meet,

 I will hear Him in the hymns and carols,

 I will feel Him in the hugs and greetings,

 I will serve Him by helping more of His children.

 I know that He desires these things for me

and that it will be very good to celebrate His birth.

And I am glad!

What are you expecting this season?

(Question based on Pastor Scott's sermon today)

Advent 1

Advent

Today is the fourth Sunday in Advent and our waiting is nearly over!!  

These banners were hung, one each Sunday, in our narthex at church.  They were created by women of our congregation and are beautiful pieces of fiber art.   Today during the morning service, the children of our congregation presented their program " Who is the Christmas Star".  They portrayed different characters of the Christmas story and the season, each trying to be the most important thing but in the end, Jesus is the star of Christmas - and our lives.  It was an awesome message from the sweetest messengers.  

And this prayer comes from our Advent Reflections book by On Eagle's Wings, an ecumenical Christian ministry serving remote and isolated areas of northern Canada.  It was written by Rev. Steve Meysing.

"Dear Jesus,

So many people want to rule over my heart and attention this month.  

But it is you that I long for as my Lord, my guide, my boss.

When I realize I am not in control, hold me close.

Use my comings and goings this month for your plans and purposes.

Help me see you at work and ever among us.

Amen"

Advent 2

Today is the second Sunday in Advent and our pastor explained that the second candle in the wreath is for the Angels, who brought the good news to the world.  He  preached about persistence and perseverance because the world isn't always ready to hear the Christmas message.  One of his illustrations was a story about a man who wanted Christmas stamps for some cards and it took many tries, with stamps of winter, hockey, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and snow before he was able to find Mary and Baby Jesus on a stamp.  It really made me think about the symbols of Christmas that fill the world and our home.  I've been thinking too about Pastor Scott's statement that we still have time to clean out the corners of our lives before Christmas.  Our focus for December is so meaningful and very peaceful this year.  Thank you, Lord Jesus, for being at the center of our lives and drawing us close to you as we prepare for your coming again.

I found this beautiful picture of a wreath taken  by veralebail at family webshots.com .  

It was taken in a flowershop in Vienna, behind St. Stephen's Cathedral.   I think her family travelled there for Christmas in 2005 and she has a gorgeous set of pictures posted.  This would be another beautiful place to visit again someday, especially at Christmas time!!

May your week be peaceful and filled with His light!

We went to the funeral of our neighbor this afternoon, despite the slush and rain.  The church looked so festive with a huge hanging Advent wreath, a Creche, purple and gold banners and beautiful stained glass windows.  And the minister reminded us that despite our thoughts about a funeral and our grief at this loss, going home to our Heavenly Father is indeed a festive occasion.  For it is at the foot of the cross that we celebrate our Saviour and the eternal life He gained for us.    It somehow seemed appropriate that we should be reminded of life, living each day and treasuring those we love during these days of light, excitement and wonderment.    Definitely not how we thought we'd be spending a day in Advent but a reminder of  the reality of our lives and that everything happens according to God's plan.  

And So It Begins -

Advent, that is.  The start of the Christmas season for us.  The reason why we celebrate this season.  The time of preparing - not of buying, or cleaning, or cooking, or partying.  But the time of waiting and preparing our hearts that Lord Jesus might claim us anew and set us on fire for Him.  

And so as afternoon light wanes, I set aside the wish lists, the cookbooks, the craft blogs, the worries and gather the candles.  Some slightly warped from summer's heat, in different colors with mismatched holders but all with a wick waiting for the Light to come and shine from them.  

I gather my Bible, the devotion ideas,  my prayer journal and turn my thoughts on to the One who gives me life, blesses me and calls me every day.  I will sit with His word awhile and then enter the season, preparing my heart and my home for His coming.  I will wait patiently, calling on His name,  knowing that He may come at any hour, preparing to meet Him.   

And my heart fills with calm as the music swells and the light shines brightly.  

"Come thou long expected Jesus,

Born to set your people free;

From our fears and sins release us,

Let us find our rest in thee."

(Charles Wesley, 1707-88)

Isaiah 60: 1 - 3

"Arise, shine, for your light has come, 

and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.

See, darkness covers the earth

and thick darkness is over the peoples,

but the Lord rises upon you

and His glory appears over you. 

Nations will come to your light,

and kings to the brightness of your dawn."

(New International Version)