Advent Week 2 and 3

In theory, celebrating Advent seemed like such a great idea! In reality, we've been too busy! But we have managed to have at least one night of celebration.

Week 2:

Scripture: In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was take while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. Luke 2:1-7

Prayer: God, journey with us to Bethlehem. Go with us and lead us to your love. Go with us and teach us to love others.

Light the first candle, and then the second candle.

Sing or read: O Little Town of Bethlehem

Devotion: This is the second Sunday of Advent. Today we remember that Mary and Joseph went on a journey to Bethlehem. We too are on our own journey. We travel toward Christmas, and the birth of Jesus because we want to know Him better, to feel His love, to see his face in our life today.

Devotion Option: (I love this option!) If you have small children in your family ask them to play the part of the donkey Mary rode on. When you read the cue they are to say: "Clip clop, clip clop, clip clop." Every time  you say Donkey..

Joseph put Mary on a donkey (clip clop) to travel t Bethlehem.
The donkey (clip clop) carried Mary over hills high and low.
The donkey (clip clop) carried Mary under the sunshine.
The donkey (clip clop) carried Mary through the dark.
Joseph walked beside, but the donkey (clip clop) carried Mary all the way to Bethlehem.

Prayer: Thank you God for the donkey who carried Mary and for the animals that greeted them in Bethlehem.

If you've set up the stable or barn of your nativity set, now's the time to add the animals.
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Advent Week 3:

Scripture: And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior." Luke 1:46-47

Scripture: In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see - I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, The Lord. Luke 2:8-10

Devotion: Today is the third Sunday of Advent, the Sunday of joy. The young Mary who had every reason to fear, expressed joy in God's favor. The angels comforted the frightened shepherds out on a dark hillside with the joy of the good news. The joy we find is never in our circumstances but in our relationship with God in Christ.

Light the first candle, light the second candle, light the third candle (which may be pink) and say "Today we light the candle of joy."

Prayer: God, we too rejoice. We rejoice that Jesus is born in Bethlehem. We rejoice that you give us what we need. Fill our days with joy and help us to share that joy with others.

Sing: Joy to the World

Add Mary and Joseph and the Shepherds to your nativity scene.

*Disclaimer?* Once again I copied this from an insert my church has been giving us each Sunday!


Merry Christmas and may you all find some joy this week!

***Update: I had a really hard time concentrating on my OBS book "Greater" in light of the tragic events of 12/14/2012. I still can't read or watch any news related to it...my heart is just breaking for that community. So, I will be writing a "Greater" blog between now and January 10th...check back often! Check out the e-devotional I wrote for my church here!: E-Devotional written by Yours Truly  Also, check out my other blog: My Quirky Son Merry Christmas!***

Throwing Down My Net and Burning My Plows

I've struggled this past week with Chapters 3 and 4 of Greater! I am afraid of failure when it comes to stepping out into my faith. These concepts of casting away my "nets" and "burning my plows", has not been easy. It's taken a lot of quiet time to process these concepts. 

My life has sunk to the level of baseline living in my relationship with God, in work, and at home with my family. I have been praying less. Day in and day out it is the same routine over and over again. I've been experiencing a calling that I don't completely understand yet. I am scared yet burning alive inside with this fire that I know isn't going to disappear any time soon. I even tried ignoring the issue of figuring out my nets and what plows to burn! Do you know what happened? Friday as I was sitting in traffic surrounded on all 4 sides of my car, I realized that I've been stuck in life just like sitting in traffic going nowhere surrounded by all kinds of excuses, nets, and plows. God then smacked me upside the head with this on Saturday: I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. Psalm 119:10. I even read this on a Joyce Meyer's Facebook post: "Don't just serve God in your mind, serve Him in your heart." Then I decided well certainly my church's email devotional won't be talking about being greater...yeah not so much! Both Friday and Saturday's devotionals see for yourself:

"Have you ever heard that gentle whisper calling you like Elijah heard in 1 Kings 19:12? God can call us in so many different ways. But what he calls each of us to is unique. He may be calling you to minister to a friend going through a tough holiday season. He may be calling you in your profession. God uses doctors to serve those who cannot afford treatment, contractors to build a school in a poverty-stricken country, a lawn care worker to cut the grass of an elderly widow in the neighborhood, or whatever your talent might be. The important thing is for you to listen to His voice. He is calling you to be a light in someone's life this Christmas. So, go ahead and hit that snooze on your alarm clock, but answer the call of the Father on your life." (Thanks KB!)

I wanted to scream at my computer, "Yes, I hear you loud and clear! I will get to it let me be..." Yeah, I found out the hard way, God doesn't give up on you especially when He wants you to answer Him! These kind of things had been popping up for 3 days and then today at church was the major whammy!!!!! On the back of our connection card, What burden are you asking Jesus to take from you? and What faith step are you going to take this week? I think either God has a really good sense of humor or He really wants me listen...maybe both.

Today, I am leaving behind my old fears, reservations, anger, resentment, negative attitude, self doubt and I am moving forward with a new Jenny. I am going to burn my plows that involves self doubt, low self worth, and procrastination. I am afraid of failure BUT if God is with me, how can I possibly fail? Oh yes, believe me this greater thing is so big that my stomach hurts! The only word right now that I can decipher is trust. So Trust is where I am going to begin.

I like what page 41 says about talking with God about greater, "God, whatever the greater life You are calling me into might look like, I'm in. Whether it's a big thing or a small thing You call me to do, I believe it will be a greater thing because You're the One who is calling and You are greater than all things. Whether the greater life means leaving something behind or becoming more passionate about where I am, I've decided to follow you. Here's my life, Lord. It's open ended. And it's pointed in the direction of the next step You call me to take. No matter what it costs."

One more whop upside the head before I fall asleep...you ready for this? Right on my Facebook page, procrastinating and worrying about this not being good enough:

From Joyce Meyer Ministries Facebook page:

"Are you afraid of doing what God’s called you to do? You don’t have to be. God says you’ve got what it takes because you’ve got Him!"

He definitely wants me to understand all of this greater business! 

Tune in about 3:20 to 5:26! Beautiful Song!

And just because I really like this one too:

Advent Week 1

Yesterday, marked the first day of Advent. My family never celebrated Advent so I don't really know how to even begin this tradition with my own family. My church gave us an advent wreath yesterday! I have it sitting on my kitchen table. We have the candles: 3 purple and 1 pink. We then went out and purchased a white candle for the middle. Not sure if we were supposed to do that or not...

Then I took my kids to the "Dollar Tree". They each got to pick out one decoration. Kaelie picked out a red bird siting on a branch with pine cone, holly leaf, and glitter. Eli picked out, of course, a green bow. We also set out the creche with the angel. We are going to slowly put things out with that to build on the story of Christmas. Here are some pictures of our set up:

We didn't get to do our ceremony last night because Kaelie was not feeling well. But we are going to do it tonight!

Here is how our family celebration will begin:

Gather around the Advent wreath.

Scripture: A voice cries out in the wilderness, prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill will be made low; the uneven ground shall become level and the rough places a plain. Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all the people shall see it together. Isaiah 40:3-5

Prayer: God help us, we pray, to make a way for you in our busy lives. Help us to see your light and love in our world.

Light the first candle.

Scripture: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness - on them light has shined (Isaiah 9:2). Jesus said, I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life (John 8:12).

Devotion: This the first Sunday of Advent. We've gathered here to think about Jesus and His coming into our world. Jesus is like a light that shines on us and shows us the way out of darkness. Jesus' teachings are like a light to show us the way to live. We want to get ourselves ready for Jesus to come into our lives, into our hearts this Christmas. (Ask family members) What are some special things we can do to get ready this Christmas? Or, how can we be a light to others?
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Some suggested family activities for the week:

*Make or purchase an Advent wreath to take to your neighbor who lives alone, or better yet, invite them to your advent devotions.
*Relight the first advent candle at meal time and say a special prayer for those who need the light of God's love in their life.
*Make or buy tree ornaments that remind you that Jesus is the Light of the World.
*Make or buy candles to give to friends with a card attached to remind them to burn candles in honor of Jesus the Light of the World.
*If it's a clear night, go out and look at stars. Begin to talk about this special light that led the way to the place of Jesus' birth.
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Some ideas for thinking about Light:
*Ask each person to remember some special Christmas celebration from the past (get out pictures) or look through old Christmas cards recalling the folks who sent them and talk about how they "brightened" your life.
*Storytelling. Using real event in your child's life--tel the (child's name) story..."Once upon a time there was a little boy names Eli...." Tell how your child has brought light into your life and/or the life of the family.
*Rummage through a box of tree ornaments or Christmas decorations to find those that symbolize "Light" or Jesus as the Light of the World.
*Begin to talk about how your family can participate in one of the many projects that help others at Christmas.

If you have a creche, a nativity scene, now's the time to get it out. Put out just the empty stable or barn and talk about this special place that has been prepared for the baby. But don't tell the Christmas story yet, let it unfold and build week to week.

Let's pray:
Dear God,
We ask you to be with us as we prepare for Christmas. Help us to enjoy this time of waiting. Help us to care for others as you care for us. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

P.S. Here is a link that explains the meaning of the advent wreath and candles:

http://christianity.about.com/od/christmas/qt/adventwreath.htm
http://livinghopeomaha.wordpress.com/about-living-hope/bible-stud/the-meaning-of-the-advent-wreath/

In the meantime enjoy these 2 videos of popular carols:
1. Oh Holy Night

2. Joy To the World

***Update: Check out Week 2 and 3 Advent for another example. This is a new tradition my kids and I have been celebrating! Also, Don't forget to come back between now and January 10th for my newest Greater blog...which topic will I choose? Hmmm....I guess you will have to come back and see! Merry Christmas!***