[Regarding repentance:] The more we defer, the more difficult and painful our work needs prove; every day will both enlarge our task and diminish our ability to perform it. Sin is never at a stay; if we do not retreat from it, we shall advance in it, and the further on we go, the more we have to come back; every step we take forward must be repeated; all the web we spin must be unraveled.
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#13-8: Advent Inspiration 2010

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#1 · November 28, 2010, 11:38 pm

Posted by: virginiaknowles <virginiaknowles@...>

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Hope Chest with Virginia Knowles

 #13-8: Advent Inspiration 2010

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Dear friends,

 

While I've been working on my "In the Middle of the Story" issue, Advent snuck right up on me!  I didn't realize until yesterday that today is the first Sunday of Advent, the season of preparation for the coming of Jesus.  So I'll save my story issue for January and give you what you're probably thinking about anyway: ideas for celebrating Christmas in a meaningful way with your family.  This is a short issue, but there is much, much more on my blogs.  To make it more convenient to find things, I put a special page on my main blog which links to the 20 Christmas-related articles, poems, and recipes on all of my blogs.  You can find that page here: Christmas. (I have also included all of the links at the bottom of this e-mail.) I will try to update it as I write more or come across other web links.  I've also spruced up the blog template with a holiday theme, so take a look!  (http://www.virginiaknowles.blogspot.com)
 

Invitation to Stillness

Advent Poem 2010

by Virginia Knowles

 

Quiet your soul to ponder, wonder, and worship the Amazing One.

In these still and focused moments, embrace his everlasting love for you.

Savor his sacrifice: Heaven to Earth, an infinite journey of grace

When he came to rescue, release, and renew you.

 

In sacred response, draw near with a whole heart, a deepening communion.

Be still in his presence, be filled with his presence

Father, Son, Holy Spirit: God with us.

Day after day, time with him is your most precious treasure.

 

Be the fruitful branch abiding in the Vine.

Be the little lamb in the Good Shepherd’s tender care.

Be the beautiful Beloved in the Lover’s embrace.

Ask, and he will surely show you how.

 

 

I have a hard time just sitting quietly to pray or read the Bible, meditating on God's goodness and listening to what he is trying to tell me.  Part of this is because I'm a busy mother of 10, but I can't use this as an excuse.  I think sometimes I just avoid it.  Maybe I just don't want to face myself in the light of his face because I'm too proud to humble myself and admit I've done wrong.  Maybe I don't trust him and I'm afraid of what he'll tell me to do or that he will reject me.  Maybe I have forgotten how very good and kind he is, that his plans for me are so much better than any that I could concoct.  Whatever the reason, there is always a way back to his open arms.  If he came this far to save us, don't you think he'll go to the same great efforts to draw us back when we've wandered?  And when I do sit still to wonder and worship, I wonder why I waited so long!  Do you need help learning how to quiet down and listen to God?  Read here: Busy, Dizzy & In a Tizzy?

 

I wrote this new poem last night, so imagine my delight to find that this prayer by Henri Nouwen was part of a responsive reading in church this morning for the start of Advent:   

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

We also sang the lovely Christmas song, "Joy Has Dawned Across the World" by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend.  I think we will be singing it often this month at church, and Josh Bales, the worship leader, encouraged us to sing it at home using the words in the bulletin.  I already have the CD, New Irish Hymns #3: Incarnation, so I put it on my iPod, made several copies of the lyrics, and we sang it tonight as a family.  You can order the CD or downloads by clicking on these links:  Incarnation CD, Incarnation CD MP3 Download, "Joy Has Dawned" Song MP3 Download  (The single song is only 99 cents!)
 

This morning two babies were christened.  As a special gift to help their parents raise them to know Jesus, each was given a copy of The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name.  You can click that link to read my review of it.  It's one of our favorite Bible story books! 

 

In the church bulletin insert are suggested Scripture readings for this week.  We will use these during our Bible reading time for school each morning.

  • Sunday: Isaiah 40:1-5

  • Monday: Luke 1:5-7

  • Tuesday: Luke 1:8-17

  • Wednesday: Luke 1:18-25

  • Thursday: Luke 1:57-66

  • Friday: Luke 1:67-76

  • Saturday: Luke 1:76-86

More Christmas links and ideas for you!

 

The very first person who greeted me at Lake Baldwin Church back in September was Jane Hursh.  I was so blessed by her warm welcome, and how happily she introduced me to others.  She and her family, who are on staff with Campus Crusade, had just returned from a mission trip to Haiti, where they were serving folks who had been devastated by the earthquake, and took the time to share in church about their journey.  Now Jane has started a business in hopes of coming alongside the women there with mercy.  Check out her gourmet shortbread, biscotti and granola at Janes Short and Sweet. I love her spunky descriptions for each of her culinary creations, and more than that, I love her heart for the needy in Haiti!  See Jane go!  See Jane bake!
 

I order a lot of books from Christian Book Distributors.  They just sent out a coupon code for free shipping if you order $35 or by 12 PM, December 9. (Is this midnight or noon?  I'm not sure!)  The coupon code is 338507. I am also an affiliate of CBD, so if you aren't using the coupon code and want me to automatically receive 10% of your purchase amount, just enter the on-line store through this link each time you shop: Christian Book Distributors Affiliate Link for Virginia Knowles.    (Please note that this doesn't work if you use the coupon code, but that's alright with me -- get your discount while you can!)
 

Ann Voskamp is one of the most profound and artistic Christian bloggers I know.  These three posts will bless your soul: Free Jesse Tree Devotional and 3 Simple Practices for a Peaceful Advent  and Christmas: Thinking about Whose Birthday It Is
 

 

Finally, a few pre-Christmas ideas for December from Julie Druck’s "Heart for Home" e-newsletter.   You can find the instructions for subscribing to "Heart for Home" in the sidebar of Julie's blog Life in Skunk Hollow.

  • December 6 – St. Nicholas Day – A celebration that many in Europe still take part in as a remembrance of the day that the kind-hearted Christian bishop, Nicholas, died in the 300’s.  Every year, I put chocolate coins in the boys’ shoes as a tribute to St. Nicholas Day.  One year when studying various Christmas traditions around the world, we read several books about St. Nicholas as well as how other cultures have adopted a Santa Claus.  Here are a few books we read:  The Baker’s Dozen by Aaron Shephard; Santa Who? by Gail Gibbons;  Can We Help You, Saint Nicholas? by Gierda Marie Scheidl.

  • December 7 – St. Lucia Day – The day is the start of the Christmas season in Sweden and also serves as a remembrance of a young martyr named Lucia from the 4th century.  At Christmastime  one year we studied various customs of the holiday in Sweden.  I served orange sweet rolls for breakfast as it’s common for the youngest girl in a Swedish house to wear a wreath of candles and serve Lucia buns and coffee.  We looked up Sweden on a globe and in an atlas and discussed the features, industry and people of the land.  For Eli-the-animal-lover’s benefit, we looked up the animals of Sweden in an animal atlas.  And we also checked out a website which listed various Swedish Christmas customs.  Lastly, several books were read aloud which added to our study:  Christmas in a Noisy Village by Astrid Lindgren; Annika’s Secret Wish by Beverly Lewis; and Hanna’s Christmas by Melissa Peterson.

Here are the links currently on my Christmas page:
 

 Virginia's Life, Such As It Is

Christmas Memories

  • The Paradox
  • The Story Did Not Start with a Stable and a Star
  • Shepherd's Tale
  • Chocolate Chip Cream Cheese Ball
  • Find more holiday recipes in my Recipe Box.
  • Third Sunday of Advent: "What Sweeter Music" with Paintings by Giotto 
  • Handel's Messiah & National Gallery of Art
  • "A Christmas Carol" by Josiah Gilbert Holland

    • Come Weary Moms  

    Start Well Home School (Preschool & Elementary) 

    Continue Well Home School and Providence Home Educators (Middle School) 

    Finish Well Home School (High School) 

    And three outside links from my Christmas page... 

    I guess this is enough to keep you all busy!  Let me know what you liked the best!   And don't forget to sit still and spend time with the Lord this month!
     

    Christmas Blessings of Love, Joy and Peace,

    Virginia Knowles

     

     

     

     

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