Third Sunday of Advent Meditation

Traditional Advent Candle Wreaths have three purple candles and one pink or rose colored candle, and often a white candle in the middle. The color purple symbolizes both royalty and penitence. Today, the rose colored candle is lit. This color represents joy, which we can experience in the midst of our sorrow for our sin, because we know the Light of the World has come. The white candle is not lit until Christmas Day, and is called the Christ candle. Evergreens surrounding the candle wreath symbolizes everlasting life.

As we have move through the Advent season and contemplate the wonder of Christmas, we become one with those who have waited in darkness for the revelation of God's light and those who dared hope that God's salvation would come in the birth of a child. We are challenged to avoid those things in our lives that distract us from truly celebrating God's gift of love in Jesus. All that we do this season should reflect that love and our celebrating and giving should extend beyond our immediate circle of family and friends, to those who most need a touch of love and caring.

Take a moment to visit this link and enjoy one of my favorite Advent Hymns, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel: http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/o/c/ocomocom.htm

just can't help myself...

Had the two grands here four days this week, with my camera always at the ready. Please indulge me just a few more pictures!

Elylah and I are reading and listening to a CD. This book is "Grandpa's Magical Accordian" by my dear blogger friend, Jessica Errico and the music is by her husband, Tony Errico. Check it out here: http://3partharmony.org/ This would make a wonderful Christmas present for the little people in your life!

I am so filled with joy to see the world through the eyes of a child. Ethan is very close to walking on his own...and he loves to inch his way over to the tree! I can't believe he is my 4th grandchild! How'd THAT happen so fast??

Here he goes, sneaking up the steps...

But what goes up, must come down...he's "sliding"...

This photo came out a little dark, but it was so precious. It was only 15 degrees here in NE Ohio, and though they were excited to see a light snowfall, there was no way we could play outside!

Elylah begged me to promise she could do a few more cookies after a little nap. She is using her equipment and apron that Aunt Ellie gave her last year...I love having a helper in the kitchen after raising two boys and no daughters!

I helped her quickly whip up some frosting, and to save time, she just frosted and decorated some store bought, already baked sugar cookies. Worked for her, worked for me! She has her children's recipe book and I heard her muttering "Step One", "Step Two" etc. as she worked. She is just turning four on Christmas Eve, so she's not really reading yet. It was so cute!

I think part of the joy of grandparenting must come from the experience of seeing how fast our own children grew up and left the nest. (sniff, sniff)... I treasure each and every moment I have with the little ones, knowing how quickly it all will be a memory (sniff again). My SC family can't come up till New Year's weekend, with Andy have responsibilities at the church. So we will just be extending our Christmas season out another week or 10 days! I can't wait till they all get here and share some more pictures.

The Many Names of Jesus

A dozen years ago, I made up a list of 50 names of Jesus (there are others but I only took 50) and typed them, along with their Scripture reference, on nice 8 1/2 x 11 sheets of parchment paper and framed them for Christmas gifts. Each name was typed in a different font. I'm not able to do that here, but you can get the idea. I will list the names I used. Feel free to copy them and use your creativity to do something with them if you like with your word processing program. I titled mine "And Thou Shalt Call His Name" and at the bottom in small print I put "Fifty name of Jesus taken from the King James Version of The Holy Bible" and "Merry Christmas 1997 from Bob & Jacque Stager"

(If you see any errors here, please let me know.

I don't have it saved on my new computer so I just quickly retyped this.)

Jesus Matt. 1:21

Immanuel Matt. 1:23

Wonderful Counselor Isa. 9:6

Mighty God Isa. 9:6

Everlasting Father Isa. 9:6

Prince of Peace Isa. 9:6

Son of the Highest Luke 1:32

Light of the World John 8:12

Son of God John 1:34

Messiah John 1:41

Savior II Peter 2:20

The Root and Offspring of David Rev. 22:16

Lion of the tribe of Judah Rev. 5:5

Prince of Life Acts 3:15

Lord of All Acts 10:36

I AM John 8:58

The Bright and Morning Star Rev. 22:16

Advocate I John 2:1

Word of Life I John 1:1

Lamb of God John 1:29

Chief Cornerstone Eph. 2:20

Holy One of God Mark 1:24

Dayspring from on High Luke 1:78

The Door John 10:9

Son of Man Matt. 19:28

Shepherd and Bishop of Souls I Peter 2:25

Prophet of the Highest Luke 1:76

Faithful Witness Rev 1:8

Governor Matt 2:6

The Resurrection and the Life John 11:25

Horn of Salvation Luke 1:69

King of Kings and Lord of Lords Rev. 19:16

Head of the Church Col. 1:18

Man of Sorrows Isa. 53:3

Lord Jesus Christ Acts 15:11

High Priest Heb. 8:1

The Chief Shepherd I Peter 5:4

Prince of the Kings of the Earth Rev. 1:5

The firstborn of every creature Col. 1:15

Good Shepherd John 10:11

The Living One Rev. 1:18

Sun of Righteousness Mal. 4:2

Author and Finisher of our Faith Heb. 12:2

The Way, The Truth, and The Life John 14:6

Righteous Judge II Tim. 4:8

The First Begotten of the Dead Rev. 1:8

Bread of Life John 6:35

The True Vine John 15:1

The Almighty Rev. 1:8

The Alpha and Omega Rev. 22:13

"Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

(Phil. 2:10-11)

Getting ready for Christmas and having so much fun!

Here are just a couple of recent photos of what's been going on at my house. Enjoy!

Elylah helped decorate the tree last week...

finding a pretty angel in the box...

Thirty three years worth of ornaments!

Ethan takes it all in!

And decides he doesn't want to be left out!

Found these plaster ornaments at JoAnn Fabrics for only 33 cents each...

First we painted them, then added the glitter and a clear finishing spray

Yesterday we decorated pre-baked gingerbread cookies, which I bought at the end of the season last year for about 80% off the original price...

I was amazed at how easy it was to do, and a lot of fun...

As soon as I got the mess cleaned up, Elylah decided we should do the tree, too!

Today we will wrap some of Elylah's ornaments for gifts, and also make some candy-filled "crackers" with empty toilet paper rolls! (http://mistressofmydomain.blogspot.com/2009/12/couple-random-ideas-for-holidays.html)

And now I need to go put some Christmas music on!

What's going on at your house??

Second Sunday of Advent Meditation...

This year I've been hearing a lot about how Christ came into the world in the "fullness of time." That means that He made His appearance in history at the appropriate time, or at just the right time. The Bible tell us this:

"But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. " (Galatians 4:4-5, ESV)

I am sure there is much more deep theological meaning to this phrase "fullness of time" than I have a handle on. But I've been thinking about the times of the Roman Empire, and all the roads that were built during that time. This made it possible for the Gospel of Christ to be spread far and wide like at no other previous time in history. Amazing. What mankind thought was something of his own doing to show his own power and glory, God had another idea.

Today we have the internet. Again, a genius invention of mankind. In "real time" people can be in touch with each other instantly though separated by thousands of miles. But this tool has also enabled the Gospel to spread to the far corners of the earth like never before. God had another idea.

Another thing that is happening in today's world is that many countries have become officially "closed" to missionaries bringing in the Gospel in the former ways. But at the same time, people from some of these countries are free to move to other places for the purpose of education or business. There, they can freely hear the Gospel and many have responded. God had another idea.

During the Advent season as we recall the first coming of Christ, we also look to his return, or Second Coming. It is no longer difficult to imagine how the whole world will have an opportunity to hear the Good News of Christ before He comes again. And it will be just at the right time. God has it totally in His control. We live in an amazing time in history, when the fulfillment of time as we know it surely cannot be too far in the future.

Are you getting ready for His coming?

A random act of kindness...

Our church has started a tradition at Christmas time called, "You've Been Gifted". We have "business" cards available to pass out to folks we want to gift in restaurants or coffee shops. On one side, the cards say:

"You've Been Gifted. At Hudson Community Chapel we believe the greatest gift that God has given the world is Jesus. This gift for you is our way of sharing the gift of Jesus. We pray you enjoy it."

The other side has our church's website, service times, and location. (www.hudsonchapel.org)

The idea is to do this anonymously by having a waitress bring someone else's bill to you and leaving the church's card with them instead.

Believe me, with over 3000 folks attending our services each weekend, we are really not doing this to scout for new members. (We've had to turn people away for lack of parking spaces, and we have a shuttle service for members willing to park off-site to create more spaces.)

Last year our church received many thank you letters from those who had been gifted by members...and there were all kinds of heart-warming stories. This gesture simply flies in the face of what our world is all about, especially during a frenzied holiday season. People are stopped dead in their tracks to think that a stranger would pick up their bill. It's a random act of kindness that brings a smile to someone's face and softens their heart.

I can't wait for my husband and I to have the opportunity to do this. It will be a lot of fun. Perhaps I'll look for someone to gift who seems all frazzled and stressed out. Maybe a young family with whiney kids. Or perhaps a senior citizen who is alone. Blessing someone in the name of the One who has blessed us so much. Anonymously. Because of love. I can't wait!

The King Shall Come...

This Advent season, more than any other I can remember, I have been thinking not only of the birth of Jesus when He first came to earth, but also of His second coming, when He will return to take His own to be with Him in heaven.

The phrase "He's coming soon!" is one I've heard all my life. Some have grow weary of waiting, after all, it's been over 2000 years since He ascended to His Father. Others have tried to predict the date of His return. But Jesus told us that He Himself doesn't even know, only the Father.

Actually the word "soon" is a little mistranslated. The meaning is more like "quickly". When Jesus comes again, it will be a sudden event. The curtain will fall on history as we have known it, and we shall at last see the light of Christ in all His splendor.

The words to this old Advent hymn say it so beautifully:

The King Shall Come

John Brownlie (1859-1925)

The King shall come when morning dawns

And light triumphant breaks,

When beauty gilds the eastern hills

And life to joy awakes.

Not as of old a little child,

To bear and fight and die,

But crowned with glory like the sun

That lights the morning sky.

Oh, brighter than the rising morn

When Christ, victorious, rose

And left the lonesome place of death

Despite the rage of foes.

Oh, brighter than that glorious morn

Shall dawn upon our race

The day when Christ in splendor comes

And we shall see his face.

The King shall come when morning dawns

And light and beauty brings.

Hail, Christ the Lord! Your people pray:

Come quickly, King of kings.