Tis the Season

 

And it was at Jerusalem the feast of dedication, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch. ~John 10:22,23 KJV

It’s that time of year. Cookies, gingerbread houses, and decorations galore. As I tried to copy the picture of a winter gingerbread village in a jar, I wondered what winter was like for Jesus. There were no Christmas trees, no holiday cookies, no . . . . But wait, there was the Feast of Dedication – Hannukah! Jesus walked in the temple on Solomon’s porch! He saw the city all covered with snow. There may have been holiday cookies and gifts. There was a menorah burning in the temple by the altar of incense. Jesus may have been thinking about the lights of the temple and the miracle God had performed. Hanukah celebrated the fact that God caused the temple lamps to burn for eight days with only enough  oil for one day.

Today, we are in the midst of the Hannukah/Christmas season. Though the world tries to put out the true meanings of Hanukah and Christmas, we must keep the light within our hearts shining, demonstrating God’s love to the world. Whether we read Isaiah 53 or John 3:16 the message is still the same. It is our job to let the world know that God sent His only Son to be the sacrifice for our sins. May we dedicate our lives to the Messiah. May we let our light shine before others to glorify our Father which is in heaven. 

  How are you keeping the Messiah in the Season this year?

Heavenly Father, as the lights shine around us this Hannukah/Christmas season remind us to let our lights shine for you all year long. In Jesus the Messiah's name. Amen.

Hey Kids:

Do you have special traditions for Christmas or Hannukah? We often see gingerbread houses but I thought a gingerbread village in a snowglobe might be a fun activity that would be edible for the whole season. Just click on the link from Better Homes and Gardens for the video and instructions. 

It may be fun to add a menorah cookie to the village. You can probably find a cookie cutter of a menorah at a hobby store or online. 

Enjoy all the fun, but remember the reason for the season is a time to celebrate the greatest gift of all— the birth of Jesus Christ who came to die for our sins. 

  

Give thanks to the Lord of lords, For His lovingkindness endures forever. Psalms 136:3 (AMP)

I want to share a beautiful children's book I received the other day. Before I even opened it I was impressed with the artwork, at how well Olya Bodulina, who lives in Russia, knew our animals and our scenes. 

There is lots to share with your child. Author Jean Matthew Hall's child-friendly rhythmic language invites the reader/listener to share in God's blessings. The words and pictures are well matched to invite children 4-8 years old into the world of fall.

The blessings God has provided for the animals and us will help open children's eyes to the happenings around them. Some of the scenes are familiar, others will be new but intriguing to young minds. Parents can use the story and pictures to help children notice the animals and the changes in their own backyard or on trips to apple orchards, pumpkin patches, and leaf-peeping adventures. As a parent, I would love to make a checklist or a bingo game for my children to look for the animals and the blessings God has provided for them and for us. 

Blessings are all around us this fall. Taking time to notice brings joy in the midst of our craziness. I want to encourage my family and others to give prayers of thanksgiving for all the blessings of the fall. 

God's Blessings of Fall is available on Amazon and other booksellers. Be sure to watch for more of Jean's books to come in the Blessings series. 

I give God's Blessings of Fall 5 stars! 

Heavenly Father, thank you for all your blessings of a beautiful fall, food on our table, and warm homes with family we love. May we honor and thank you not just at Thanksgiving but all year long. In Jesus's name. Amen.

Hey Kids:

I'd like to share a few books about family get-togethers as we celebrate Thanksgiving this week. They are not about Thanksgiving but about family visits, some in the mountains, some at the beach, some may just be next door. Look for things the families have in common as well as their differences. 

The Pink House by Sally Kate Palmer

The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant

She'll Be Coming Round the Mountain by Chris Demarest

Grandma's Feather Bed by John Denver

How is your family like the families in the books? How are they different? What sounded like fun? What new celebrations would you like to add to your family gatherings? 

In God We Trust

 

O give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people. ~Psalms 105:1

You know the picture in our minds we all get of the Indian brave who walks into the Pilgrim village in the spring of 1621 to show the Pilgrims how to plant corn, and beans, and pumpkin? Wasn’t his name Squanto? Or didn’t anyone ever tell you about Squanto?

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. ~ John 14:6

My grandson is playing high school football this year. I'm beginning to learn more about the game by following his number across the field. He's a defensive end, but the ones I'm noticing besides him is the running back, the guard, and the tackle. The running back follows behind the guard and the tackle who open up the way for the back. If either of them fails to do their job or the running back fails to follow the plan then the man with the ball is flattened by the defense who is always looking for the weak spot in the line. 

By now you know I don't know much about football but I do know a lot about the One who guards my soul and tackles any problem I come up against. 

When I was about my grandson's age Jesus called my heart to follow him. I've tried to let Him lead the way ever since. When I fail to follow his life plan for me I end up flattened by what Satan throws at me. There is no weak spot when I follow the Lord and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. I will make it to the goal - heaven -  because I repented of my sins to follow Jesus many years ago. 

Heavenly Father, please guide our days. Help us follow you regardless of how hard it may seem because you have the best plan. May we depend upon you to open up the way through each day and give you the praise for what you accomplish through us and in us. In Jesus's name. Amen.

Hey Kids:

What's your favorite game or activity? Football? Basketball? Chess? Band? Every activity, even cooking, has to have a plan, a direction, for the best results. 

The next time you participate in an activity, try to think about how it relates to your spiritual life. 

By the way, our football team begins and ends each game with prayer, not to win but for the safety of each one involved. Prayer is always an important part of following Jesus.