Merry Christmas 2012

Merry   Christmas !

December 22, 2012

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Grace & Peace

Winter Solstice 2012

December 21st, 2012 has come and gone and it would appear that the dire predictions about the worlds demise were less than accurate. While my entire family being together is a fairly rare occurrence, much like the "galactic alignment", it did occur and we were blessed to be able to have everyone for dinner last night. 

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December 21, 2012

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Grace & Peace

Week 3 - Advent Season 2012

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Luke 2:10-12

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Third week of the Advent Season

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I can still remember as a small child how slow the passage of time seemed after Thanksgiving Day. The anticipation for the arrival of Christmas Eve, the gifts that would surely appear under the tree, and the opening of presents Christmas Day all contributed to this sense.  As an adult I am amazed at how quickly the period of time between Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day now appears to pass.  I now find myself looking for ways to slow down and savor the days, events and traditions that occur after Thanksgiving.

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Anticipation is a common theme found throughout the books of the bible.  The nation of Israel patiently anticipating for centuries the arrival of the Messiah.  Zacharias and his wife Elizabeth eagerly anticipating the birth of their first child as foretold to Zacharias by an angel while he performed his duties at the Temple.  And a faithful anticipation as a young girl from Nazareth engaged to be married is told by the angel Gabriel that she will have a son as a virgin.

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In these last days leading up to December 25th what do you find yourself anticipating?

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If you find yourself anticipating bills, credit cards, family members you really don't want to spend time with and childhood Christmas memories that are less than joyful then I suggest that you look at a fresh approach to the season called the Advent Conspiracy. A movement started a few years ago helping people to "help us all slow down and experience a Christmas worth remembering. But doing this means doing things a little differently. A little creatively."

Worship Fully

Spend Less

Give More

Love All

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Week 2 - Advent Season 2012

The word Advent is from the Latin adventus, which means "coming". The Advent season is a time of preparation  a time of reflecting on the birth of Christ and a time to anticipate Christs return.  The Advent wreath shown below has its roots in European traditions and simply serves as a reminder during our busy and hectic lives of several very important things.

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The coming of God's light into the world.

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The hope of eternal life.

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Second week of the Advent season

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As the second week of the 2012 advent season starts I am soberly reminded of the passage of time as I anticipate the arrival of Christmas Day.  The past week has been a wonderful blessing for me.  Time spent with family and friends enjoying Holiday traditions such as watching certain movies like "It's a Wonderful Life", and "White Christmas", listening to Mitch Miller Christmas music from my childhood , enjoying a brightly decorated home and eating meals on the Spode dinnerware. All of these activities and their associated memories are a wonderful blessing but they are also a stark reminder that it is quite easy to get distracted from the celebration centered around the anticipation of the birth of Christ and His return.

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Grace & Peace