Advent Calendar (on the Christmas Story from the Bible)

The Christmas season is my favorite season of the year. It's the joyous time of the year when we celebrate our Savior's humble birth. As a parent, my priority in life is to share the stories and life of Christ with my children. The Christmas season has become so cluttered with activities and false priorities that are not centered around the meaning of the season. This Advent calendar is just one way of instilling just a piece of the Christmas story and taking the focus away from Santa and back to whom the credit deserves - our Savior.

I had desired to do an Advent Calendar, but had no clue where to start. I searched the creative side of my brain (a.k.a. - Pinterest) and stumbled upon a great tutorial for this Advent Calendar from www.howsweeteritis.blogspot.com. I adjusted the format of the print-out (below), but the text is verbatim. I also got creative with how I would like to store the Advent Calendar and the items for each day. I decided on the ease of a craft box from the craft section of Walmart ($7, 30 non-adjustable sections). This item can be found year-round. Hobby Lobby carries a standard 25-compartment box (1 large piece with 25 small sliding compartments) that is in stock only in the Christmas season. There are other thrifty ideas on Pinterest on how to create your own Advent Calendar box (using matchboxes, etc.).

The scripture for the corresponding day and symbol/item is cut and place into that box (ex: 2. Two gold rings, Mary & Joseph's engagement, Matthew 1:18 - would be placed into day 2/box 2. In that box would be 2 gold rings.). 

The scripture for the corresponding day and symbol/item is cut and place into that box (ex: 2. Two gold rings, Mary & Joseph's engagement, Matthew 1:18 - would be placed into day 2/box 2. In that box would be 2 gold rings.). 

"Copy" and "paste" the following into a Word/Open Office document, for instance, re-size/re-format to your desire and print:

1. Angel wings, "halos", picture of an angel (ex: clipart)

(Angel Gabriel)

Luke 1:26-28, 31

²⁶ In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, ²⁷ to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. ²⁸ The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” ³¹ You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 

2. Two gold rings 

(Mary & Joseph's engagement)

Matthew 1:18

¹⁸ This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about^: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.

3. Shrunken sheet music/music notes 

(Mary's song)

Luke 1:46-55

⁴⁶ And Mary said:

 “My soul glorifies the Lord ⁴⁷ and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, ⁴⁸ for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, ⁴⁹ for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name.

⁵⁰ His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.

⁵¹ He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;  he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. ⁵² He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. ⁵³ He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. ⁵⁴ He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful ⁵⁵ to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.”

4. White satin or organza/Guardian angel 

(Angel)

Matthew 1:20

²⁰ But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.

5. Cross 

(Salvation through Jesus' sacrifice)

Matthew 1:21

²¹ She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

6. Bridge or string 

(Jesus bridged the divide between Heaven and sinfulness (on earth))

Matthew 1:22-23

² All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ²³ “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

Isaiah 7:14

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

7. Star of David/house/chain 

(House and line/chain of David & Jesus' genealogy)

Luke 2:4

⁴ So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.

8. Donkey or horse 

(Journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem)

Luke 2:5

⁵ He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.

9. Lion or Purple Cloth 

(Lion represents house of Judah; purple cloth indicates royalty)

Micah 5:2

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”

10. Baby 

(Baby Jesus)

Luke 2:6-7

⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

11. Piece of soft cloth 

(Swaddling blanket)

Luke 2:7

She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

12. Peace Sign 

(Jesus is the Prince of Peace)

Isaiah 9:6

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

13. Wool/stuffing/shepherd's staff 

(Sheep/shepherds)

Luke 2:8-11

⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

14. Pieces of straw, hay, or dead grass 

(Manger)

Luke 2:12

¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

15. Many gold "halos" 

(Multitude of angels)

Luke 2:13-14

¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

16. Jingle Bells 

(Spreading the word and carrying the message to others)

Luke 2:15-18

¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” ¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

17. Dirt or rocks 

(Kneeling on the ground - our right response to Jesus as God)

Psalm 95:6-7

Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; ⁷ for he is our God

and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.

18. Heart 

(The emotions Mary as Jesus' mother)

Luke 2:19-20, 33-35

¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. ³³ The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. ³⁴ Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, ³⁵ so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

19. The Name of Jesus 

(The name "Jesus" is the Greek form of "Joshua", which means "The Lord saves")

Luke 2:21

²¹ On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.

20. Two doves or feathers 

(Sacrifice of doves by Joseph and Mary; the Holy Spirit is like a dove at his baptism later in life - see v. 21)

Luke 2:22-24

²² When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord ²³ (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), ²⁴ and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”

Luke 3:21-22

 ²¹ When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened²² and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

21. Googly eyes/ Mr. Potato Head eyes 

(Revelation of Jesus as Christ the Savior to Simeon and to all people)

Luke 2:25-32

²⁵ Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. ²⁶ It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. ²⁷ Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, ²⁸ Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: ²⁹ “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. ³⁰ For my eyes have seen your salvation, ³¹which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: ³² a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel."

22. Small book or scroll 

(Knowledge and wisdom of the Magi)

Matthew 2:1

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem.

23. Crowns, rhinestones, jewels, throne, or purple cloth 

(Jesus is King of Kings)

Matthew 2:1-2

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem² and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

24. Star 

(Star that the Magi followed)

Matthew 2:9-10

⁹ After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. ¹⁰ When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

25. Three gift boxes/picture(s) of gold, frankincense, myrrh 

(Gifts from the Magi to Jesus)

Matthew 2:11

¹¹ On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

All I See are "Filthy Socks"

Image from www.thishappymom.com

From In the Eye of the Storm, by Max Lucado:

"When Jesus saw the people, he saw an opportunity to love and affirm value. When the disciples saw the people, they saw thousands of problems." (Based off of Matthew 14:15-16, Mark 6:37 / The Feeding of the 5,000)

I don't know about you, but I've been in the disciples' shoes on many occasions...."did you see how she just talked to her husband?....I can't believe that man just pulled out in front of me!.....Why is this lady taking so long checking out of the grocery store in front of me?" Lucado also calls these negative character traits "filthy socks", and they sure do stand out like a sore thumb! (My "filthy socks" can be just as putrid.)

I do it often. Too often. I throw the stone at others before I handle my own sin in the presence of Almighty God. I have plenty to work on myself. Even then, I am not called to judge others' problems - I am called to love them for where they currently are. What if that lady and her husband need to see a loving marriage but have never had that opportunity - my husband and I could be that opportunity? What about that man that pulled out in front of me in traffic - what kind of example am I being by getting raged at him for a simple mistake? It certainly doesn't portray the love of Christ. And what about the sweet lady who is in line in front of me at the grocery store - what a great opportunity to casually talk with her, and hopefully create a conversation with her that could lead into her spiritual life? Seeds could be planted! The problem is...I didn't see any of these scenarios in the way Christ would have.

I need to start seeing the opportunities to love people and build them up in the manner Christ would have. 

Luke 6:31 - And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

John 8:7 - So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.

1 John 3:18 - Little children, let us not love in word or talk, but in deed and in truth.

Lord, I pray that you would help me in seeing people through Your eyes. When others' problems become apparent, help me do what I can to help, yet trust You with the problem itself. Help me, instead, to see the value and the beauty in each individual, as You have created us intricately and with great purpose. Thank You, Father, for seeing me as someone worth dying for, despite all my failures. You have redeemed me, and set me free from my chains of bondage! I praise You, Abba!

Are you blessed?

I am beyond blessed! I have a beautiful and healthy family, God is using my hardships for His glory (eek!!!!) and God is the center of our home. We may make mistakes on a daily basis (apparently, that takes some people by surprise ;D), but we are covered by God's wonderful grace - oh, how we don't deserve it! I pray our boys find His grace when they reach the age of accountability (only God knows that time). What is there to complain about? When God is the center of our lives, we will find ourselves content in every situation. I can tell when I begin to fall out of the center of God's will when I become ungrateful and make complaints. It's a great way to self-check where we are spiritually. Where do you stand right now, spiritually speaking? 

Philippians 2:14 - 16 Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.

It's My BIRTHDAY!

Today, on October 9th, 2013, I am 14 years old. That is, it was 14 years ago that I was reborn in Christ. What exactly does that mean? I laid down my old and sinful self (which we are all born with) and clothed myself with righteousness through Christ (Isaiah 61:10 - He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness. ). The term "righteousness" simply means that we (believers of Christ) follow His commands and do His will for our lives. The Christian life is not easy if we live according to God's will, but I have never regretted my decision to surrender my life to the Lord - never.

Something happened to make me realize I was a sinner. Was it knowledge, was it a person in my life or godly parents? I think it was a little of all of this. I will say that I firmly believe that God runs after us, even before we run to Him. I believe the Holy Spirit was the biggest contributing factor in the opening of my calloused heart to hear and receive the truth of God.

As I gathered at a church lock-in with a youth group and my best friend (I was a guest at her church that night), something began to lay heavy on my heart. I was 13 years old at the time. At 8 years old, I had said the sinner's prayer with my Mother and been baptized. So why was I having such strong feelings of doubt? As the youth minister began talking about Jesus' amazing sacrifice, the truth began to resonate within. I knew at that moment that 5 years ago, I had simply said a fancy prayer and gone for a swim in the baptismal. It meant nothing when I was 8, simply because I had not yet been able to comprehend the immense torture, pain, sacrifice, grace, forgiveness and love that was centered around the symbol of the cross. Now, at 13 years of age, I finally understood enough to truly believe and be a child of the true King. I felt, for the first time in my life, the presence of God fill my life. It was the most indescribable joy I've ever felt, and I wept in awe of the Holy Spirit's presence that immediately filled my soul.

14 years later, I look back to see everything God has done through my redeemed life in Christ. I have completed my bachelors degree in music education, taught elementary music education for one year, began a family despite the risks involved due to my conditions (a set of twins, which are our miracle babies - click HERE to see our testimony of the twins), I was baptized by immersion in February 2013 (I had not been baptized after my sincere decision to follow Christ when I was 13 - I made this right in February), I am privileged to be a volunteer counselor and Earn-While-You-Learn mentor with our local crisis pregnancy center (Sav-a-Life), my husband has been placed in a stable job (as a math instructor at JSU), I am a stay-at-home mom and wife (which i love), and we are now in the process of jump-starting a Chronic Illness Ministry for Women: Sufficient Grace Ministry (click HERE for the link and to see more information).

One of the most challenging, yet rewarding times in my spiritual walk would be that of my chronic medical conditions. I thank God for the opportunities He brings through my pain and turmoil. I praise Him for the intimacy that many do not understand, simply because I have had to learn to lean on and trust in Him more. How would we ever begin to understand the sufferings that Jesus was put through on this earth (preceding death and on the cross) if we ourselves were exempt from pain and hardships? It is a pure joy to be able to help others that struggle in similar ways (through chronic illness or pain) and be able to encourage and relate to them with genuine understanding and compassion. It doesn't make tribulations in life easy, but it certainly makes them possible.

2 Corinthians 1:3-7 - Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. 6 If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. 7 Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.

Thank you, Lord, for yet another year under your wings. I love you, with all of my heart, soul, strength, and mind. You are my Romancer, my Great Redeemer and Savior, and there will never be another like You.

How Can I Use My Hardships for God?

www.thehighcalling.org

A  friend of mine shared this quote on her Facebook page, and I couldn't help but share. We all have struggles in our life, but the question is how do we handle those struggles? Do we whine and complain, maybe even asking God "why me"? Many times, it's hard to understand why God has us in certain situations. But once we understand that God has a divine purpose through the rough times, those wounds don't ache quite so much.

We are told in 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 that we are given rough circumstances in order to experience the unsurpassing comfort of our Lord. Check out verse 5 - "For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with His comfort through Christ." In essence, we are given earthly hurt and sorrow to experience divine joy, peace and comfort.

When we accept our troubles as a part of God's plan, we will experience the rewards of following Him. And He won't just give us those rewards - He will shower us with those rewards. We will be caught in a downpour!

Now that we've experienced God's wonderful gift of comfort, we can share that same comfort with others. Be contagious with compassion for others. "Our wounded places become ministry spaces", and oh, how He fills me with joy! Try it. Find someone who you can relate to (ex: chronic illness, divorce) and genuinely invest in him/her. You will see God's blessings overflow.

2 Corinthians 1:3-7
³ All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. ⁴ He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. ⁵ For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. ⁶ Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. ⁷ We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us.


She Doesn't Look Handicap...

Can you count how many times you've seen someone misuse a handicap decal? Probably not. Or maybe it is a common case of mistaken judgment. Sure, people misuse handicap decals, but many do not. How can you tell the difference...the wheelchair...the cane? The answer is that you can't tell the difference between proper use and misuse.

There are so many hidden or invisible illnesses that society is simply unaware of. Now days, people have to see evidence of a disease, impairment, or disability in order to accept that someone is truly ill. However, the vast majority of disabilities and illnesses are hidden. Chronic pain, chronic fatigue syndrome, arthritis, and diabetes are just a few hidden impairments. 96% of people with chronic medical conditions live with a condition that are invisible (according to John Hopkins University). These people ARE qualified to have a handicap decal by means of a doctor's approval.

So the next time you see a young lady, like myself, park in a handicap space with a legal handicap decal, don't assume I'm using my Mother's handicap decal - it is indeed issued to me. Please don't be one of so many that cuts their eyes at me with a nasty look or leaves me a cruel note - you are better than that. And please don't teach your kids through your actions that it takes someone in a wheelchair to be legitimately disabled. Think before you make judgments. 

"Psalm For a Dark Night"





Image from http://exodusinternational.org



 

Lord, Just today I read
That Paul and Silas were
Stripped and beaten
With wooden whips.
"Again and again the rods
Slashed across their bared backs"
But in their desolate dungeon
Their feet clamped in stocks
They prayed.

They sang.

 They praised.

In the musty midnight of my life
Imprisoned in the dungeon of confusion
Bound by chains of anguish
Help me, please help me
To pray
To sing
To praise

Until the foundation shakes
Until the gates fling open
Until the chains fall off
Until I am free
To share the Good News
With other chain-bound prisoners.
 

- Ruth Harms Calkin
 

(Quoted in the book

When Your World Falls Apart - Seeing Past the Pain of the Present

by Dr. David Jeremiah)