Outside the snow is gently, softly drifting to cover the still green landscape. It will be a white Christmas after all. Inside, the house waits in quiet as three girls take an afternoon rest. Aside from a tree and our nativity, the usual decorations didn’t find their way up this year. But a clean floor speaks of a neighbor’s good will as she took time to wash it yesterday. This is no special baking hiding in freezer or cupboard (it could still happen), but the freezer holds Christmas dinner pies brought by a friend. We are eagerly awaiting the arrival of friends come to spend the Christmas days with us. There is a turkey thawing that was delivered by another welcoming neighbor. Our advent calendar holds just one last story signaling to the girls that the Day is almost here; the day where the stockings and gifts will be shared, the Christ candle lit bringing all five to light, and his birth will be celebrated. The phrase that Aneliese and Cecily have loved and often repeated; Immanuel, God is with us.
Advent 2011
Christmas Eve or Christmas Day: Christ Come
Verse: Isaiah 9:6
For unto 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.
Song: Joy to the World (The Lord is Come)
Lighting:
Light the first Candle of Hope: We light the first candle to remind us of the hope that we have in Christ; the hope that he brings to the world.
Light the second Candle of Peace: We light the second candle to remind us that Jesus comes to bring Peace to both the world and to people’s hearts.
Light the third Candle of Joy: We light the third candle; the candle of Joy to remind us that Jesus brings us Joy.
Light the fourth Candle of Love: We light the fourth candle of Love to remind us that Jesus loves us.
Light the fifth Candle, The Christ Candle: We light the fifth candle because Jesus is born; Immanuel, God is with us.
Reading:
The Birth of Jesus: Luke 2:1-20 We won’t actually read this as it is too long for the girls, but we will talk about his birth.
Action: Gifts! In celebration of Jesus, we share gifts with each other and also we will choose a gift for another from the World Vision Catalogue.
And so may you be blessed by Immanuel, God with us this Advent season.
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