How did you celebrate?

Thursday, December 10, 2009

What do you think about when asked this question:

How did you celebrate Christmas when you were a child?

I was presented with this question from a new Challenge I have started over at Triple the Scraps. Patter Cross has started a new Faith Journaling Challenge. It is not specifically about scrapbooking although I am sure I can incorporate it in some way and on many levels into my scrapbook pages. This has been a way for me to get my thoughts down on paper, in my handwriting and in a simple way (I decided to just use a regular spiral notebook...).

Well I did not celebrate Christmas as a child. I did, however, celebrate Chanukah.

I remember the menorah. An electric one in the window. A real candle menorah on the kitchen counter. I remember presents, spin the dreidel, chicken soup and latkas (yummo).

What has stood out for me today is remembering the words we spoke as we lit the candles. We would recite words very similar to this:

Barukh attah Adonai Eloheinu Melekh ha-olam, asher kideshanu bemitzvotav, vetzivanu lehadlik ner shel chanukah.

I didn't know what I was saying as a child. I knew I liked saying it and that it sounded beautiful.  Today I know it means something like this:

Blessed art thou, Lord our God, King of the universe, who sanctifies us
with Thy commandments and commanded us to kindle the light of Chanukah.

How did I celebrate as a child? I celebrated with my family together around the lights of the menorah.  And it was there that I was given a gift by my God. That His name was spoken over me and even on my lips when I didn't know it.  Blessed art thou, O LORD. 

 Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel,Who alone works wonders. ~ Psalm 72:18

Who do you see this Christmas season?

Thursday, December 3, 2009

I can see it. Can you?

Do you know how much God loves you? Do you see His love for you?

As I am working through the emotional consequences of our current situation, the Lord has provided to me eyes to see His love, His blessing and His provision.

I see my husband. A wonderful father to our children. I see my children. Healthy and growing. I see Grandparents who are generously giving financially this Christmas season. I am seeing more work opportunities being offered to my husband.

I see the Lord is my Jehovah Jireh. He sees my needs even before I know I have needs. And He provides.

Abraham called the name of that place The Lord Will Provide, as it is said to this day, “In the mount of the Lord it will be provided.” ~ Genesis 22:14

To Ponder:
~ Have you come to know the Lord as this kind of God? Can you remember a time when He provided for your needs?

Bring It Home: Start with the end in mind

Monday, November 30, 2009

What do you do when your expectations are not met?

Yesterday in our Sunday sermon I heard that I have two choices. I can either choose to escape from the reality of my life (and just live to survive) OR I can choose to get out of the foxhole and fight.

"We are in a war so we might as well fight"

So how do I fight? I first determine to start with the end in mind. With December starting tomorrow I have a choice. I can try to escape the realities of the Christmas season (the pressure of materialism for one) or I can fight for my family and choose to live out our Christmas season with the end (Jesus) in mind.

I choose Jesus. I choose to continue to live out my faith and to pick activities that reflect my beliefs. I choose to keep my family grounded and encourage them the best I can to seek God SO THAT we can help others to seek Him as well. I choose to be a peacemaker (Matthew 5:9). I choose to concentrate on my children's hearts and not their toy boxes. I choose to live in my reality and not feel bad that we do not have any extra money for presents. I choose peace.

To Ponder:
~ What hopes do you have for yourself and for your family this Christmas season? How will you choose to live out those hopes?
~ What expectations do you have for your Christmas season? Are those expectations grounded in reality?

Something to add to your Thanksgiving projects

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Are you working on any Thanksgiving projects this year? So far my project (our new The Act of Thankfulness Book) is mostly in my head. I do have a binder ready. Some of the pieces are printed. It just might be our Thanksgiving Day activity. Nothing better than having a plan to keep the kids busy in between the Parade, waiting on the turkey and football. :) 

This evening I found some really good Thanksgiving Quotes to add to our book. I thought I would share them with you. Enjoy!

Psalm 107:8
Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men. 


John F. Kennedy
As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.

Henry Jacobsen
Praise God even when you don't understand what He is doing.

Theodore Roosevelt
Let us remember that, as much has been given us, much will be expected from us, and that true homage comes from the heart as well as from the lips, and shows itself in deeds.


William Jennings Bryan
On Thanksgiving Day we acknowledge our dependence.

Hebrews 13:15
By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

Meister Eckhart
If the only prayer you ever say in your whole life is 'thank you', that would suffice.

Blessings,

Hope