Its less than a week until Christmas! Are you ready? I still have quite a bit to do, but I’m enjoying the process. 🙂
This anonymous poem went around the internet years ago. Since no one knows who wrote it, I took the liberty of changing it a just a bit to make a point for myself and my family. I hope it blesses you with a smile on your face and a pause in your heart as you continue to strive to Keep Christ AS Christmas this year.
Original author of the poem is unknown. Adaptations were made by Jennifer Walker.
“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” Mat. 6:33 (NLT)
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ChristASChristmas.com (for all other e-book formats)
Keeping Christ AS Christmas 2012 – Christmas Story Alphabet Poem
My friend, Cindy, found this poem and has been posting a letter a day on her FB page. Neither of us could find it’s original source. If anyone knows it’s author, please let me know. It’s too awesome not to give credit. 🙂
It would be excellent to use for Advent. I can see it used in a garland of 26 envelopes, each with a letter of the alphabet on the outside and the stanza and verse tucked inside. Or used in an Advent drawer box with the ABC’s labeled on the outside of each drawer… It would be especially fun if each stanza and verse was printed on a strip of colorful paper, and after the envelope, box, etc. was opened, the strip joined others to make a paper Advent chain
Thanks, Cindy, for sharing this with me and the SC readers! {BTW, Cindy is a beautiful servant who “works for Our Father oversees”… if you know what I mean. I know she would covet your prayers!}
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Christmas Story Alphabet Poem
A is for Angels, appearing so bright, telling of Jesus that first Christmas night.
“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host.” Luke 2:13.B is for Bethlehem, crowded and old, birthplace of Jesus by prophet foretold.
“But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel.” Micah 5:2.C is for Cattle, their manger His bed, there in the trough where He laid His head.
“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and
laid him in a manger.” Luke 2:7.D is for David and his ancient throne promised forever to Jesus alone.
“He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God
shall give unto him the throne of his father David.” Luke 1:32.E is for East, where shone the bright star which Magi on camels followed afar.
“Behold, there came wise men from the east asking ‘Where is the king of the Jews?'” Matthew 2:1,2.F is for Frankincense, with myrrh and gold, brought by the Wise Men as Matthew has told.
“And when they had opened their treasurers, they presented unto him gifts gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” Matthew 2:11.G is for God, who from heaven above sent down to mankind the Son of His love.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.H is for Herod, whose murderous scheme was told to Joseph in a nocturnal dream.
“The angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise and take the young child and his mother and flee into Egypt… for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.” Matthew 2:13.I is for Immanuel, “God with us,” for Christ brought man back to the Father’s house.
“Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14.J is for Joseph so noble and just, obeying God’s word with absolute trust.
“Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife.” Matthew 1:24.K is for King. A true king He would be, coming in power and authority.
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem; behold, the King cometh unto thee; he is just, and having salvation.” Zechariah 9:9.L is for Love that He brought down to earth God enfleshed in lowly birth.
“In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.” 1 John 4:9.M is for Mary, His mother so brave, counting God faithful and mighty to save.
“And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” Luke 1:38.N is for Night, when the Savior was born for nations of earth and people forlorn.
“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.” Luke 2:8.O is for Omega, meaning “the last;” He’s eternal present, future and past.
“I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.” Revelation 22:13.P is for Prophets, when living on earth foretold His redemption and blessed birth.
“I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a sceptre will rise out of Israel.” Numbers 24:17.Q is for Quickly, as shepherds who heard hastened to act on that heavenly word.
“And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.” Luke 2:16.R is for Rejoice. The sorrow of sin is banished forever when Jesus comes in.
“And you will have joy and gladness; and many will rejoice at his birth.” Luke 1:14.S is for Savior. To be this He came; the angel of God assigned Him His name.
“She will bring forth a son, and you will call his name JESUS, for he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21.T is for Tidings of joy, not of danger, telling of Him who was laid in a manger.
“And the angel said unto them, Fear not for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” Luke 2:10.U is for Us, to whom Jesus was given to show us the way and take us to heaven.
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11.V is for Virgin, foretold by the sage, God’s revelation on prophecy’s page.
“Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a Son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” Matthew 1:23.W is for Wonderful, His works and His words, the King of all Kings, the Lord of all Lords.
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given… and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6.X is for Christ. It’s X in the Greek, Anointed, Messiah, mighty, yet meek.
“God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power.” Acts 10:38.Y is for Yes, called God’s Yes in His Word; God’s answer to all is Jesus the Lord.
“For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.” 2 Corinthians 1:20.Z is for Zeal as it burned in Christ’s heart. Lord, by thy Spirit to us zeal impart.
“And his disciples remembered that it was written, the zeal of your house has eaten me up.” John 2:17.
E-book Keeping Christ AS Christmas: Preparing hearts, households, and homes for PEACE this Christmas season. Click here for more details, and “like”the Keeping Christ AS Christmas facebook page to share YOUR ideas on keeping Jesus as the Center of the Christmas season.
Keeping Christ AS Christmas 2012 {A Christmas version of 1Corinthians 13}
As the days draw closer to Christmas and each square of the family calendar is filled, the urgent constantly seems to compete with the important. And if I’m not careful, I usually tend to let the urgent win. But I so don’t want it to be that way. Do you?
Many years ago I came across this Christmas version of 1 Corinthians 13 and knew I had been gifted a treasure. I don’t know its human source, but it’s easy to see that it was inspired by the Lord. May you and I determine to lovingly answer to the important over bowing to the urgent each time the important calls. I have a strong feeling that when we come to the end of our lives, it won’t matter how many Pinterest ways we wrapped our gifts or decorated our homes, festively creative as they may be. What will matter is how well we loved. Lets not miss the soaking-in and the pouring-out of God’s love this Christmas season.
LOVE – that’s Keeping Christ AS Christmas!
1 CORINTHIANS 13 ~ A CHRISTMAS VERSION ~
author unknown
If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling
lights and shiny balls, but do not show love,
I’m just another decorator.
If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies,
preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned mealtime,
but do not show love,
I’m just another cook.
If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home
and give all that I have to charity,
but do not show love,
it profits me nothing.
f I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes,
attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir’s cantata…
but do not focus on Christ,
I have missed the point.
Love stops the cooking to hug the child.
Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband.
Love is kind, though harried and tired.
Love doesn’t envy another’s home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.
Love doesn’t yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way.
Love doesn’t give only to those who are able to give in return, but rejoices in giving to those who can’t.
Love bears all things,
believes all things,
hopes all things,
and endures all things.
Love never fails.
Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust,
but giving the gift of love will endure.
E-book Keeping Christ AS Christmas: Preparing hearts, households, and homes for PEACE this Christmas season. Click here for more details, and “like”the Keeping Christ AS Christmas facebook page to share YOUR ideas on keeping Jesus as the Center of the Christmas season.
Keeping Christ AS Christmas 2012 – Making those lists and checking them twice
To do lists:
Gift lists:
Thank you note lists:
Grocery lists:
Shopping lists:
Event planning lists:
Christmas card lists:
I must admit – I do LOVE a list. In fact, I’m one of those people who end up spending more time making the lists than I do accomplishing the tasks ON the lists. And, if I do something that wasn’t on the list, I’ll actually write it down just for the simple pleasure of crossing it off! So I get lists. Lists are part of my life.
But sometimes my lists overwhelm me. My husband says it’s because I always put more on my list than I can possibly do in one day. I think he’s right. So I’ve learned something that has made a HUGE difference in my list making – and I wanted to pass it along to you. This little activity actually helps me “Keep Christ AS Christmas” and I hope it will work for you, too.
I make my lists with Jesus.
My grocery list, gift list, to do list, daily list, shopping list, event list, etc.
Jesus is a great List-Maker-Helper. And when I’m doing the physical activity of writing the pressing things down, I imagine myself giving every item on those lists to Him. Then they become Jesus’ lists, and according to Jeremiah 32:17, Nothing is too difficult for Him!
{{Yes, Jesus is God and He is very focused on the weak, weary, hurting, starving, fighting people and areas of the world. But He is also big enough to focus on those things as well as us and our needs, as minimal as they may seem. I want to encourage you in this: Don’t underestimate God’s power and ability to help you with the little things. We expect God to do the big things, so we can readily give them to Him. But it is when we give the little over to Him and watch Him work – that’s when we see His presence in the details – and He gets great glory! Your grocery lists or gift lists are NOT too miniscule to give to Him.}}
How can this help us Keep Christ AS Christmas?
When we give our “to-do”s over to Jesus, when we ask Him to help us shop and wrap the gifts, when we consult Him on what to cook or to wear… when we surrender our daily lives and the “little things” that we tend to control, that is a form of worship. Laying down our all – the big and the small – and trusting Jesus with everything helps focus our crowded minds and hearts on the TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS ~ Jesus. It keeps us looking to Him for direction and instruction and for the solving of the problems that normally tie us up in knots.
Isaiah 30:21 tells us, “And your ears will hear a word behind you, saying, This is the way; walk in it, when you turn to the right hand and when you turn to the left.”
From now on, when you make those lists, make the lists, and check them twice – but do it with Jesus. Then you’ll remember that you don’t have to fulfill the lists alone. Make them with Jesus. Give them to Jesus. Then obey Jesus with every step, and you’ll be amazed at how this little practice will help you Keep Christ AS Christmas this year.
“Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed.” Proverbs 16:3, AMP
or as the Message puts it:
“Put God in charge of your work, then what you’ve planned will take place.” Prov. 16:3, MSG
Hope you have a wonderful Christ-Focused weekend … in whatever it is that is on your lists. 😉
E-book Keeping Christ AS Christmas: Preparing hearts, households, and homes for PEACE this Christmas season. Click here for more details, and “like”the Keeping Christ AS Christmas facebook page to share YOUR ideas on keeping Jesus as the Center of the Christmas season.
Keeping Christ AS Christmas – Advent Ideas
Updated in 2014:
I rarely pay attention to my site stats. Maybe I should, but because I blog to please and honor Jesus, I can’t put too much stock in how well pleasing this blog is to others. If it pleases Christ, then whether one or one million read it, in my way of thinking, it is accomplishing its full purpose. But I did notice something the other day: This post has been getting multiple hundreds of hits a week, and for this little ole’ blog, that’s pretty amazing… Especially since it shows that people are searching for ways to celebrate Advent. I’m so glad these searchers stopped by, and pray that even if they didn’t linger long, the presence and love of Jesus Christ could be sensed here on SmellingCoffee.com.
{And if you are one of the “searchers” who popped in, Welcome, my new friend! Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! I hope you’ll pour yourself another cup of coffee, or tea, or diet coke, etc… and visit a while. You are loved by the King and counted as precious to Him… and because of that, you are precious to me, too!}
In light of those stats, and because it’s still the first week of December, and there are probably some (or many) like me who have better intentions than time management… ha!… I thought I’d repost these ideas. Maybe this weekend a new Advent observance can be born in your heart and home. It’s never too late to set our eyes on Jesus! 🙂
Love to you all…
Do you observe Advent?
Advent means “Coming” or “Arrival”. When we celebrate Advent, we are looking toward the coming of Christmas ~ the coming of the time where we celebrate the Greatest Gift of All ~ The Gift of Jesus Christ and Salvation from God Our Father.
Individuals and families celebrate Advent in many different ways. For some, Advent begins the Sunday after Thanksgiving. If I have it together by then, we will too. However, most years, we begin our Advent countdown on December 1st. We do something each day that points us to Jesus Christ and sets our hearts on Him.
The internet is full of Advent ideas – and if you have Pinterest, you’ve got access to just about them all. I’ve been collecting a Pinterest Advent board for over a year now. If you’d like to see/follow that board, click here. Many families use Advent to count-down the days until Santa comes. There isn’t anything wrong with that. But as Christian familes, Christmas is to be so much more to us than the day that Santa comes. So, I seek to offer our family something each year that will help us put our focus on Jesus Christ and on His Gift to us.
As our children have grown older, the Advent activity has needed to grow with them. But I couldn’t find much to offer to a household of teens. So the Lord helped me write an Advent Devotional to be used with teens and adults. Click here for more info on that. PS: It’s free!
For young children, what can we put in these little envelopes, drawers, or pockets?
Some people put candy in each one. Or money. Or a fun activity for the day. (This site has some good ideas for that.) But in order to use Advent as a focus toward Jesus, we also include either a scripture verse (part of the Christmas story), or a Name of Jesus.
Our family has used the Names of Jesus in various ways at Christmas. I’ll usually choose 25 favorite names, or let the family contribute to choosing the 25. Then each name and reference is written on a small strip of paper. I’ll tuck it in whatever calender we are using, and if there’s room, I’ll include a little candy or something.
Or: How about putting a letter of the alphabet in each pocket/drawer? Whatever letter is drawn out for that day, have everyone list things they know and love about God and Jesus that begin with that letter… or a Scripture verse with a key word begining with that letter… or list things begining with that letter for which they are thankful. Just a thought I’m kickin’ around… 😉
As James 1:5 promises, if we lack wisdom, we can ask God, and He will give it to us! So ask Him what He would like for you to put in your advent envelopes and boxes this year. He will show you. It’s a promise! 🙂
Advent Ornaments
Last year I finally got around to making a set of ornaments with the names of Jesus on them. We used them in the mantle greenery – but then I saw an idea of using them as an Advent activity. We placed the ornaments in a beautiful bowl and each day we drew out one ornament, read about that Name from Scripture, then hung it on the lighted mantle greenery. It was a special way to begin each day as a family.
Here are a few of my favorite Advent Calendar ideas from Pinterest. If they were linked to a blog/website, I’ll link to that site.
Advent Envelopes
One envelope to be opened a day.
Advent Matchbook Calendar
The instructions to make this cute little thing are on this site.
Other Advent Calendar calendars:
This blog contains links to each of these cute ideas.
Advent Coloring Book
If you have young children, you could print out one page for each day and read the Scripture as your little ones color. This is the website for these pages (one per week). And this site has 25 individual pages to print and color.
Jesse Tree
Another wonderful Advent idea is The Jesse Tree. The Jesse Tree represents the family tree or the geneology of Jesus Christ, telling of God’s salvation plan beginning with creation and continueing through the Old Testament, to the comming Messiah. The name comes from Isaiah 11:1, “Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse, and a branch from his roots will bear fruit.”
Each day of Advent, a homemade ornament is added to the Jesse Tree. Each ornament represents a prophecy fortelling of Christ, or the ancestors in the lieneage of Christ, or symbols of Christianity. As the ornaments are made, and then later placed on the tree, the story is told, imprinted and remembered.
We did this last year using Ann Voskamp’s Jesse Tree Journey (free e-book for anyone who follows her blog via email.) It was wonderful. We made the ornaments and set up a tiny tree on our kitchen table. Because of our crazy family schedule, we usually did this devotion at nighttime before everyone went to bed. It was a special family time.
Jesse Tree Magnets
The directions for this Jesse Tree are in this blog post.
Felt Advent Jesse Tree Ornaments
These ornaments and the verses accompanying them can be found at this blog post. These ornaments could be made from paper, felt, fun foam, cardstock, anything.
Wooden Jesse Tree
These are just a few of many ideas. The fun thing about a Jesse Tree is that it doesn’t have to be perfect or extra beautiful. It can be made from paper and hung on the wall with the ornaments taped on it each day. You could even use those coloring pages (shrink, of course) as your Jesse Tree ornaments. If you have children at home, let them make the ornaments. I promise – it will be a treasure in the years to come!
One more thing:
This is a wonderful idea. A 12 day advent activity to begin on December 13th. Click here for the details and printables.
No matter what type of activity you choose, in order to help your household keep Christ AS Christmas, tuck in a little something extra of the Lord and His Word during the days leading up to the celebration of Jesus’ advent. You and all in your home will be blessed. 🙂
E-book by Jennifer: Keeping Christ AS Christmas: Preparing hearts, households, and homes for PEACE this Christmas season. Click here for more details, and “like”the Keeping Christ AS Christmas facebook page to share YOUR ideas on keeping Jesus as the Center of the Christmas season.
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