Showing posts with label Advent. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Advent. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Advent Progressive Dinner


We had a few years in the past enjoying the experience of a progression dinner when we lived in Southern California. The tradition was meaningful to our family and was on our list to share the wonderful experience with our church family /church plant this year. It was a lot of work and planning, but we pulled it off. I had a lot of help from a sweet family that has always been so willing to do stuff. It means a lot to have their sacrificial love for our little church. And so thankful they were willing to open up their home as one of the stops for the progression dinner.



(Hi Andrew!!!)







Freckles and I had a blast doing all the decoration at church. That is one of my favorite parts. I sure hope everyone enjoyed it as much as our family does. 









We hope to do this even every year...
Something our congregation can look forward to as Christmas approaches each year.
It was a blessing that we could share this with them. 

Monday, December 21, 2009

Advent Feast... A Journey in Food & Faith


For the last Advent Sunday we spent the entire
day with our church family. First with a wonderful service then
advent time began outside the corridors.
The journey begins in the Exile from the Garden
where scripture was read, the first candle was lit and we sang together.
We then feasted on dried fruits such as figs, apricots
and pineapple as well as nuts and citrus.



Cursed is the ground for your sake; In toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth to you, And you shall eat the herb of the field.

Then we all got into our cars and drove to our second destination.
The Exile in the Wilderness.
We gathered around as the second candle was lit, we read scripture, sang songs ,
fellow shipped and feasted on breads.

As it is written, "Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you.
And people shall go out and gather a certain quota every day,
that I may test them, weather they will walk in my law or not.

After an hour there, we got into our cars and
traveled to meet our Church family at our next destination.
Exile in Assyria.



The third candle was lit.
We read scripture and sang more songs.
Then a feast of soup was served.

As it is written, "
For the sacrifices of my offerings they sacrifice flesh and eat it,
But the Lord does not accept them."
"They shall not dwell in the Lord's land, but Israel shall return to Egypt,
and shall eat unclean things in Assyria."



The time came yet again to get into our cars
and drive to our next destination.

There we enter The exile in Babylon.
The Fourth candle was lit...
as we read scripture & sang songs.
Then the feast was presented to all who came.
We sat down and enjoyed a whole meal together.
It was wonderful and delicious might I add.


"Therefore we will hope in Him!
Though Judah was in Exile, hungry and in mourning,
she will return to her feast rejoicing."

After time of fellowship, and feasting, we went into another room for the last part of our journey. We enter the Restoration from Exile.
There the fifth candle was lit.
We all held glasses of champagne and apple ciders for the children to toast
Christ our Lord and His coming to earth in flesh.

This Son was born in fulfillment of all God had spoke to Israel concerning
His promise to send a Son of David to deliver them from exile.
For it is written concerning the child to come,
"He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest;
and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.
And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever,
and His kingdom there will be no end !"



Unto us , a son is given!
Christ is born, Alleluia!

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Simplifying Christmas Traditions

Today's topic on Simplifying Christmas
hosted by Heart Of A Mommy
is Christmas Traditions.

Family Christmas Traditions mean a lot to us in our home.
We have always done Advent with our kids.
We light a candle each week, reading scripture that
pertains to the coming of Christ's birth,
we open our advent box on that particular
day which holds a treat.

We also enjoy singing Christmas hymns.
It really sets a memorable tone and
mood to our advent time together.

Every year we make a special ornament or some sort of Winter craft.
I enjoy displaying Christmas crafts from the past as well.
My children even enjoy going through all the special memories.

Other traditions consist of baking Christmas cookies,
singing with/for the elderly in homes, going to a Christmas play or musical.
( Last Sunday after Church we went to see Handel's Messiah)
It was wonderful and it was FREE!
We also get together with our Church families to sing Christmas Hymns.
Next week we are having an Advent Feast with our Church...
which will become a new tradition for us.
Before Christmas we dig out all our favorite
Christmas movies and have a movie nite!

Every Christmas I make Potato pancakes with sour cream,
chunky applesauce with ham.
These are just a few of our favorites which has
become memorable traditions for our little family.
I would love to hear your traditions!
*************

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Sunday, December 6, 2009

Happy St. Nicholas Day

For the past several years we have been celebrating St. Nicholas day.
Why Celebrate?
* To tell the story of a Christian saint, whose model life
inspires compassion and charity
* To reveal the true identity of Santa Claus and Father Christmas
* To focus on giving more than on receiving
* To emphasize small treats and family fun
* To provide a bit of special festivity early in the waiting weeks of Advent
* To offer a spiritual dimension to gift giving
* To help keep Jesus the center of Christmas
*To learn about the true St. Nicholas: the man of
faith who lived his life in devotion to Christ.
Saint Nicholas loved children and cared for the needy.
*He brings the love of Christ.
When we honor this saint, following his example
of selfless giving, we honor the Christ Child
who selflessly gave the greatest gift of all—
Himself.

My kids leave a treat for good Ole' St. Nick
the night before, by the fire place
along with treats in our red wooden shoes for his white horse.
Freckles & I made this special cookie last night. Isn't it cute?



This is what they woke up to this morning!
It has been fun to add this into our family fun traditions.
Happy Birthday St. Nick!

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for my Christmas Give Aways!