Friday, November 27, 2015

DIY Advent Calendar With Scripture

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DIY Advent Calender with Scripture

So, I vaguely remember doing advent things as a kid. I remember lighting a few purple candle and opening doors to some book and eating chocolate. To me, it signified that Christmas was coming. One goal that I have had as a mom was to be very intentional about explaining the purposes behind the holidays we celebrate and using them to expose Luke to the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. One way that I decided to do this was to make an Advent Calender with daily scripture reading that was short enough to explain to a young child.
Although Luke is still young this year, I made the Calender anyway and will start doing it this year. To make ours, I made Printables (click on the link and get them for free)  for each day. I used a frame from Hobby Lobby, some bakers twine, and Christmas themed scrapbook paper. I wrote the number of the day on the outside in gold and silver marker, and pasted the scripture inside from the printables I made. The finished product looks like this:
IMG_6386

Here is the scripture schedule I used, but you can also download the already made printables here:
  • Dec 1: John 1: 1-5
  • Dec 2: Isaiah 9: 2-7
  • Dec 3: Isaiah 11:1-10
  • Dec 4: Jeremiah 33:14-16
  • Dec 5: Luke 1: 5-10
  • Dec 6: Luke 1:11-10
  • Dec 7: Luke 1:11-17
  • Dec 8: Luke 1:26-38
  • Dec 9: Matthew 1:18-21
  • Dec 10: Matthew 1:22-26
  • Dec 11: Luke 1: 39-45
  • Dec 12: Luke 1:46-56
  • Dec 13: Luke 2:1-5
  • Dec 14: Luke 2:6-7
  • Dec 15: Luke 2:8-12
  • Dec 16: Luke 2:13-14
  • Dec 17; Luke 2:15-18
  • Dec 18: Luke 2:19-20
  • Dec 19: Micah 5:2-5
  • Dec 20: Matthew 2:1-2
  • Dec 21: Matthew 2:3-6
  • Dec 22: Matthew 2:7-8
  • Dec 23: Matthew 2:9-12
  • Dec 24: John 1:14

Thursday, November 19, 2015

New Testament Bibles & Bible Covers Instructions

I saw these sweet little
New Testament Bibles
and bought a few.
Then, I came up with the idea 
that they would make 
nice little
American Girl Doll Bibles!
 So - I made cute little
covers for them.
 I cut a strip of material just 
wider than the Bible
and hemmed the ends.
 Then I wrapped the fabric around
the Bible like this....
and slid the Bible out.
 Then I added double folded bias
tape to the ends and sewed it on
and slipped it over the cover 
of the Bible.
 And tied some remaining bias 
tape around the front
to make a bow.
They turned out so cute,
I kept making them.
I think they would make great 
little purse Bibles, so I may 
use them for stocking stuffers for 
the grown up girls, too.

And - they were super inexpensive.
I spend $1.00 each on the Bibles
and $7 and some change at Hobby Lobby
for sewing supplies.
I made 14 Bibles, so my approxamate
cost was only $1.43 each.

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

The Stable


The Stable

Twas a night that showed no sign
Of being any different from a hundred
nights before,
And peace was not the order of the day.
It was a long, exhausting trip, 
But little choice was given when it came
To matters of tax to pay.

The winding road had been a crowded
thoroughfare
And little courtesy was shown the two
young travelers
Who often fell behind the pace,
And when at last the many paths converged
Outside the city gate,
Exhaustion and the pain of pending birth
Showed all too clearly on the woman's face.

A room - a place of rest and solitude -
Was all that mattered now.
All else would hold
A few more hours before the secret they
had shared.
These many months would in the very sky
be told.
But with each knock, each door that closed
The truth became more clear.
There was no room, Dear God, no room.
The young man hid his growing fear.
As in that moment doubt that seemed
So, long ago resolved
Cast shadows on his face,
He thought, "If this is really
God's own Son,
Why is there not reserved a place?"
"A place" - the words cut through
his doubt.
"Behind the inn - a barn."
It was the keeper's voice.
One look at Mary's face dispelled
all other thoughts;
He knew it was the only choice.

The only choice? Nay, God's own plan,
That in this way His own Son came,
Twas no misfortune, for in stooping
from His throne.
He knew the world would never be the same.
As in that humble stall God's presence
Came to dwell that night,
The hay, the stable smells,
The beasts themselves
Turned somehow gentle in that light.

So from the stable that same Light
still shines
Across all time and years,
And sheds a glow that even
in the darkness
Calms our fears.
Where we too find a refuge and can lay
Our earthly cares aside,
As in that humbleness of heart
God sends, still now
His presence to abide.

It is a world that shows no sign
Of being any different from
2,000 years before.
While it seeks peace through conflict,
May you seek - peace -
And find it - at the stable door.

Written by Judith C. Braddy
Submitted by Debbie Thompson

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Dear Precious Jesus



 My dear precious Jesus, 
I did not mean to take your place,
I only bring toys and things 
and you bring love and grace.
People give me lists of wishes 
and hope that they came true;
But you hear prayers of the heart 
and promise your will to do.
Children try to be good and not to cry 
when I am coming to town;
But you love them unconditionally 
and that love will abound.
I leave only a bag of toys 
and temporary joy for a season;
But you leave a heart of love, 
full of purpose and reasons.
I have a lot of believers 
and what one might call fame;
But I never healed the blind 
or tried to help the lame.
I have rosy cheeks 
and a voice full of laughter;
But no nail—scarred hands 
or a promise of the hereafter.
You may find several of me 
in town or at a mall;
But there is only one omnipotent you, 
to answer a sinner’s call.
And so, my dear precious Jesus, 
I kneel here to pray;
To worship and adore you 
on this, your holy birthday.

Author Unknown
Submitted by Lori Phalange

Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Use Every Opportunity You Have To Share God's Love

We should use every opportunity
we can to share God's love!
Look for opportunities!
I just love how 
scripturecandy.com
is making it easy to share
God's word!
 
 It's a little late for ordering
this for CHRISTmas!
 But - they have similar
items for Valentine's Day,
Easter..... and just every day!
 And they're very affordable!
 I just love the idea of planting
a little seed when handing out a treat!
If there is anything our world 
needs right now, it is most 
definately JESUS!
Without Him, we have no hope!
Without Him, others have no hope!
Without Him, salvation is impossible!
So - if you have an opportunity
to share His love with
someone - do it!
Shine His light into the
darkness of this world.

Monday, November 2, 2015

Nativity Nuggets

 These Nativity Nuggets
make adorable Stocking Stuffers!
 And - they will remind the recipient
what CHRISTmas is all about.
 I made several!
And - this kit contains two sizes.
The large ones are perfect for stuffing
in a stocking - and the smaller
version is perfect for a 
classroom treat.
You could use these for School,
Sunday School or table favors
for CHRISTmas Parties and 
CHRISTmas Dinners.
I got the printable kit here.
Instructions are included!

Sunday, November 1, 2015

"Ready for Christmas"

As we get closer and closer
to December 25th
we're going to hear
the question again and again.
Are you "Ready for Christmas?"

But - what does,
"Ready for Christmas"
really mean?

To many it means,
Have you got your shopping done?
Gifts wrapped? Stockings hung?

But - to the author of this poem
I think it meant something 
else entirely.

Ready for Christmas

"Ready for Christmas," she said with a sigh
As she gave the last touch to the gifts piled high...

Then wearily sat for a moment and read
Till soon, very soon, she was nodding her head.
 
Then quietly spoke a voice in her dream,
"Ready for Christmas, what do you mean?"
 
She woke with a start and a cry of despair.
There's so little time, and I've still to prepare.
 
Oh, Father, forgive me, I see what you mean!
Yes, more than giving of gifts and a tree,
It's the heart swept clean that He wanted to see,
 
A heart that is free from bitterness and sin.
So ready for Christmas.... and ready for Him.

Author Unknown