Preparing Now for Advent

Hmmm... that title is a bit redundant. While the latin word for Advent means "arrival" or "coming", traditionally, it is used to signify the time period where believers prepare their heart... "the season leading up to Christmas" (J. Piper). So preparing for advent is like saying preparing to prepare!

Well... yes. That is exactly what I mean.

Advent begins four Sundays prior to Christmas Day. And I don't want to miss a second of it! I L.O.V.E. advent. Yet, if I don't prepare to practice advent IN ADVANCE, I'm sure to miss something good. At least that's how my mind works.

So each year I TRY to be prepared to prepare. I plan how I want to practice the presence of God in the days leading up to Christmas. While it always includes Sunday evening services (in addition to Sunday mornings), I usually include a daily time of reflection and meditation of some sort. Sometimes it is a book I want to read about Christ's coming, but usually it is a devotional written especially for Advent.

This year it was a no brainer...

In fact, I about shouted with joy when I saw Ann Voskamp had published her newest book, The Greatest Gift: Unwrapping the Full Love Story of Christmas. I wasted zero time getting to the bookstore to pick up a copy of my own.

And if the introduction is any indication of what awaits beginning December 1st, I will not be disappointed. {...warm smile...}

Just thought you might want to prepare to prepare and get your own copy... in advance of Advent. {... big smile!...}

Peace On Earth

It's interesting to note that the KJV of Luke 2:14 is translated differently than most modern translations. We typically know the King James Version best because it's what we hear quoted all the time in reference to Luke 2:14, but it's important to note that the translation does not convey the entire meaning of the Greek. Here is a comparison of three newer translations...

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."
Luke 2:14 KJV

"Glory to God in the highest,

And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”

Luke 2:14 NASB

“Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

Luke 2:14 ESV

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,

and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Luke 2:14 NIV

His favor rests on those with whom He is pleased... those who call upon the name of Jesus.

"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth."

John 1:12-14

The Good News is...

HE WELCOMES ALL WHO WILL COME, REPENT, AND MAKE HIM LORD!

Make your peace with God this Advent season. He came not just as a baby, but as God incarnate... a Savior! Pastor John Piper explains how you can know this priceless peace...

Simple & Natural Advent Wreath Ideas

We've practiced Advent devotions for many years. As a young married couple with a new daughter, it was a great way to begin family devotions since neither one of us grew up with families that practiced a daily devotional reading together. Starting with a simple Sunday evening time of worship during Advent was less intimidating and much more "do-able". 


In time, we carried it on throughout the year on a regular basis (although I can't claim that we've done it every single day). It has brought us a lot of joy gathering with our children to read the Word, a short devotion or discussion, sometimes a song, and always a prayer. 

ChicDeco

But back to Advent...


Advent basically means to prepare one's heart for the coming Messiah (the word comes from the Latin "adventus", which means “coming” or “visit”). It begins four Sundays before Christmas and ends on Christmas Eve, however, many practice a family devotion during the week as well on Sunday (it's up to each individual). Each candle symbolizes something different in preparing one's heart for the coming of the King and the readings match the symbolism of the candle. The main thrust is to prepare one's heart for the arrival of Jesus as a the baby King and Savior of the mankind.

Children love the lights; the candles illumine the room as a reminder that Christ is the Light of the World.  Traditionally, the round wreaths are a reminder that God is eternal, but again, it is your preference how your Advent "wreath" is set up and what you symbolize. You might choose to number your candles or label them with the themes of Advent: hope, peace, joy, and love.

Just about anything will work for your presentation... silver trays to mason jars, bundt pans to clay pots. Be creative with what you have and build from there. And the kids can go on a nature hunt to help gather greens and other natural elements.

The photo above is my Advent wreath from last year. I had lots of fun making it, mostly with stuff I had around the house and a few Dollar Tree items.

Apparently the Scandinavians have been faithful to keep up this practice of celebrating Advent because there are many lovely, natural ideas to be found...

Little Scandinavian

Sjarmerende Jul

homespun living

Hege Greenal-Scholtz

Freudentanz

Ett Rott Monogram

Patchwork-blomsten

Ivaalex

Fabric Paper Thread

Sivs hus

Even some mason jars will work if you don't have many supplies. The jars below have epsom salt to mimic snow or sand (for those of you who live near the beach or desert.

The Inspired Room

Budgetwise Home

If you're traveling this year, a small can converted makes a darling mini advent wreath. Personally, I might forego the mushrooms, but pinecones would be cute.

Lecker.de

If you need an Advent devotional, Anne Voskamp has written a lovely Jesse Tree Book which can be used for daily readings. 

By the way... it's never to late to start. You can begin today!

What have you used for your advent wreaths?

Cradle To Cross Wreath

Sunday Blessing

"The people who walk in darkness Will see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, The light will shine on them."
~ Isaiah 9:2


"Arise, shine; for your light has come, And the glory of the Lord has risen upon you."
~ Isaiah 60:1

Photo Credit

"Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life."
~ John 8:12


When you see all those Christmas lights this December... remember... 

Jesus is the Light of the World.

Let Him illumine your heart today. All you have to do is ask.

An Advent Activity

This year we're leaving town for the holidays to spend Christmas with family in another state. So we aren't putting up a tree and there won't be narcissus blooming throughout the house. Gifts will be hard to pack, so each item must be considered before it is wrapped as to whether or not it should go in the car (although we have already downsized considerably in that department). It would be easy to have a bah-humbug spirit about the holidays given our travel arrangements!

I decided a little creativity could make this Christmas a year to remember long into the future. Since I had been wanting to do a simple Advent activity for a couple of years, now seemed the right time to make it happen.

 First I needed to make an Advent chain with envelopes. In keeping with my decision to maintain a simple Christmas, I used some paper envelopes, a few stamps, some jute I had on hand, and clothespins from the laundry room.


I found the envelopes in the gift wrapping section of Michael's Craft Stores. Exactly 25 in the package! Did someone plan that?

Using store coupons, I saved 50% on a simple Christmas tree stamp and a set of numbers (which can be used for many projects as well as for future Advent activities should these need replacing!).

Another coupon saved me half on these two stamp pads. I think I would use a darker green next time, but I wanted a sage green and not seeing what I wanted, I tried the Verde Moss Green. The Cranberry was perfect though.

Next, on my computer I printed up some slips of paper with little messages on them. My ideas included some of the girls gifts to open early, such as a pair of Christmas pajamas, some lip balm that I usually put in their stockings, and a Christmas CD for the trip in the car. But I also included lots of activities, such as baking North Pole Cupcakes before we leave, watching a Christmas movie together and making popcorn, and riding in the car with a thermos of hot chocolate to see Christmas lights.

I also added some free events I found in our area... our community Christmas parade and Handel's Messiah performed by the Community Orchestra and Choir.

To keep it looking festive around the house, I added a garland on the staircase with a jute laundry line and pinned the envelopes to the line. When we get ready to leave on our trip, I'll just untie the line and take the remaining envelopes with us. Perhaps we'll hang it inside the car!

It's not too late to start your own Advent activity. Make it with whatever you have around the house and start with simple items that can be done on the spur of the moment. You can slip papers in the remaining envelopes or bags as you think of them. The kids will never know!

Update: don't forget to keep a calendar list someplace with every day's advent activity written on it so you know what's coming up and you can be ready!

Here's a list of suggestions to get you started...

• Christmas pajamas
• Christmas CD
• Lip Balm
• Christmas book to read
• Christmas earrings or other inexpensive jewelry (for girls)
• Drive around and look at Christmas lights
• Watch a Christmas movie (you could repeat this with different movies)
• Ring the bell for the Salvation Army
• Pack a box in advance for next  year's Operation Christmas Child
• Bake cookies
• Bake North Pole cup cakes
• Starbucks gift card for $5
• Christmas book on CD or mp3 download (such as Little Women)
• Scrabble Holiday Game (or another fun game)
• Go ice skating
• Go sledding
• Bake something for the neighbors or elderly and deliver it
• Decorate the car
• Decorate the tree
• Decorate their bedroom
• Decorate the chicken coop or barn
• Put up lights on the house together
• Make S'mores gifts for their friends
• Read the Christmas story from Luke 2 in front of the fire with cookies and milk
• Sew a Christmas pillow case together
• Make a paper chain or popcorn chain for the tree and listen to Christmas music (and sing loud!)
• Turn off all the lights except the Christmas tree and sleep on the floor by it one night

Okay, that ought to get you started, but I want to hear your ideas! What will you add to the list?

Advent: Week 4

"How lovely on the mountains

Are the feet of him who brings good news,

Who announces peace

And brings good news of happiness,

Who announces salvation,

And says to Zion, "Your God reigns!" 

~ Isaiah 52:7

Mt. Zion, Israel

Photo Credit: Marion Doss

"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; 

for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, 

and there is no longer any sea.

 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, 

coming down out of heaven from God, 

made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.

 And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, 

"Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, 

and He will dwell among them, 

and they shall be His people, 

and God Himself will be among them,

 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; 

and there will no longer be any death; 

there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; 

the first things have passed away."

~ Revelations 21:1-4

Good news, indeed!

Advent: Week 3

"For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace."
~ Isaiah 9:6

Photo Credit: Squiggle

The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
~ John 1:29


Prince of Peace, and Lamb of God... our King, and yet our Sacrifice...


"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!"
~ I John 3:1

Simple Christmas: Advent Wreaths

I may be behind getting the house decorated, but I do have the advent "wreath" in place! Since advent starts right after Thanksgiving, this is always my priority each year, even if getting the tree up takes me another two weeks!

Each year I use the same container for my advent wreath, but I wanted to do something "outside the box" this year, and I found the inspiration I needed over at Poppin's Garden. I love the simplicity of this arrangement along with the natural elements of oranges, nuts, and bulbs. While a round wreath is typically used since it symbolizes God as being eternal, without beginning or end, it's up to each person as to the elements they incorporate into an advent wreath. And this line of candles with the numbers on them was just what I wanted for my own advent arrangement.

Used With Permission: Poppins' Garden

Although I didn't have a tray, I did have a two-tiered centerpiece that would work nicely. I think I got a wee bit carried away and didn't keep it quite as simple, but all the same, I still like how it turned out. And as you can see, I ended up with a garden theme this year...

Most of the items were free, either from my yard, or a gift card I earned at my local nursery which allowed me to add the rosemary for nothing! I deadheaded my oak leaf hydrangea, cut some more rosemary from the garden, and added an orange. The local Dollar Tree had the white candle holders and moss. 

I added a few extra candles from around the house...

And some tags from the office supply store (about $1.50) which I tea stained...

And tied them around the candles. It's fun to just do something different and see how little money you can spend! 

So... I thought it would be fun to inspire you with a couple of other unusual advent arrangements this year. Like the one below with pebbles in an old rusty tin container that I used last year...

And how about these potted candles on a tray!

Used With Permission: Songbird

I think this bundt pan with cranberries is so colorful and simple. Wouldn't it be cute in a "country kitchen" with a red and white gingham theme? Imagine all the antique containers that would make fabulous advent centerpieces...

Used With Permission: Small Notebook

If you have a photo of your own advent wreath to share, come over to the Community Forum and add your picture and inspiration! And if you haven't started an Advent tradition, it's really not to late. It's always just the right time to prepare our hearts for Jesus.