Day 21 Advent Candle: Light the first two candles and then the Shepherds' Candle. Bible Verses 1 John 4:7-19 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. We love, because He first loved us. 1 John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. I was trying desperately to find some good verses to share today on this last day of the JOY week for Advent. But I kept coming across passages that talked about Jesus' death and sacrifice for us. Of course that is so very important, yet I thought, "No, that's too depressing to inspire any kind of Christmas joy!" Then, as it usually happens, the light bulb went on and I realized what I was missing! The reason that I couldn't find many Scriptures that were only about Jesus coming into the world as a baby was that the truth about our joy in Him this Christmas is intricately tied to what He did for us as a man on the cross. It is impossible to celebrate His coming without celebrating His "leaving" the world as the payment for our sins so that we COULD know the joy of heaven! Our love and joy in Him--and HIS in us!--is bound up in the humility of His coming to die. I thought that this might not be a pretty thing to talk about today, but it truly is. If there is any source of joy for us this Christmas, let it come from the WHOLE life which Jesus lived and gave FOR US! Let God's great love bring you joy and peace as we celebrate the beginning of His work here on earth. Article/Devotion Love Covers All from Encouragement Today at Crosswalk.com. Jesus: Our Source of Blessing from Revive Our Hearts. Dinnertime (or anytime!) Discussion The verses we read today are very convicting! We read that "No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us." What do you think this means? Discuss the importance of loving one another to perfect God's love in us. And how does our love, regardless of being able to SEE God, play into the equation? Book Suggestion Saint Francis Celebrates Christmas From CBD: "Nearly eight hundred years ago, the world's first nativity scene was created by Saint Francis of Assisi in the little town of Greccio, Italy. Now a delightful new children's book takes this story of Saint Francis from a thirteenth-century biography and retells it in the style of a charming folktale. Complete with colorful, expressive illustrations, Saint Francis Celebrates Christmas will inspire you as you prepare for the celebration of Christmas." If you can, the adaptation of The Nutcracker by Janet Schulman is a beautiful book to read. It also comes with a CD of Tchaikovsky's music and a narration of the story. Another very nice Nutcracker book is one illustrated by Maurice Sendak. Advent Extras Art I wanted to do something fun today because I'm getting tired as Christmas approaches! LOL Not only that, but I think that the perfect way to end our JOY week of Advent is by acknowledging that Jesus loves our laughter and God wants us to live with JOY! Today's artist is Johnny Hart. He is the cartoonist behind the popular and sometimes controversial (to unbelievers!) comic strip, "B.C." (and also "The Wizard of Id"). Bio of Johnny Hart A brief overview of his career. At the Hart of B.C. Interview with Johnny Hart about how he became a Christian. Johnny Hart: Not Caving In This is an interesting article about Hart and his faith. Our family always looks forward to what Mr. Hart puts in "B.C." at Easter and Christmas! Did you know that "B.C." is the only cartoon ever pulled from major newspapers for being "too religious"? Ha! Keep watching "B.C." with us: B.C. by Johnny Hart Christmas Carol or Hymn The Christmas Song Words by Mel Torme, first sung by Nat King Cole. The following is an excerpt from Stories Behind the Best-Loved Songs of Christmas by Ace Collins. Copyright © 2001 by Andrew Collins One of the most famous modern-day Christmas songs was written on one of the hottest California days on record. "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire"--the opening line of "The Christmas Song"--is, to many, one of the greatest moments in the history of music. No one thought about it at the time, but it was the first American Christmas standard introduced by an African American (Nat 'King' Cole). Its success helped open the door for other African Americans to put their own spins on holiday classics. Thanks to "The Christmas Song," for the first time in the commercial marketplace, Christmas was not reserved for "whites only." Mel Torme recalls what happened. His friend, lyricist Robert Wells, was trying to drive off the California heat with fans and positive thinking. The fans were doing little good, and the positive thoughts--which consisted of writing down everything that reminded Wells of cold winters in New England--were only making Wells warmer. "When I arrived, I saw a spiral pad on his piano with four lines written in pencil. They started, `Chestnuts roasting...Jack Frost nipping...Yuletide carols...Folks dressed up like Eskimos'. Bob didn't think he was writing a song lyric. He said he thought if he could immerse himself in winter he could cool off." It had been chestnuts that started Wells's strange train of thought. He had seen his mother bring in a bag of them to stuff a turkey for dinner. Wells was thrown back to the days when he saw vendors selling chestnuts on New York City street corners. Yet while Wells was after nothing more than an attempt to "think cold," Mel caught a glimpse of a song in the phrases he had written. With the temperature in the nineties, they got to work on what was to become a Christmas classic. It took just forty minutes. The assigned movie title songs were pushed aside as Wells and Torme climbed into a car and drove away to show off their latest song. Torme knew all the great singers who worked in Los Angeles. They all liked and respected Mel's work so when Wells and Torme dropped by Nat King Cole's home uninvited, it didn't seem out of the ordinary. It was just old, friendly Mel being Mel. After a brief greeting, Torme took a seat at King's piano. On the hottest day of the year, Mel played the new Christmas number. It might not have cooled anyone off, but Cole was deeply impressed. Nat King Cole had begun his career as a jazz pianist and was one of the best. Yet by the 1940s, it was his smooth baritone that had mesmerized fans all over the world with a long list of well-loved songs including "Mona Lisa," "Nature Boy," and "Too Young" From the moment Torme stopped in at Cole's Los Angeles home and played "The Christmas Song" on his piano, Nat loved it. Sensing the song was a classic, he wanted to record it before Torme could offer it to anyone else. Within days, Cole had rearranged the song to suit his voice and pacing, and cut it for Capitol Records. His instincts about the song's potential were right. Released in October of 1946, the song stayed in the Top Ten for almost two months. Nat's hit charted again in 1947, 1949, 1950, and 1954. "The Christmas Song" would ultimately be recorded by more than a hundred other artists--including Bing Crosby, Judy Garland, and Mel Torme himself. Holiday Tradition & History History of The Nutcracker Ballet The original story of The Nutcracker was titled The Nutcracker and the Mouse King (or Nutcracker and the King of the Mice) and written by E.T.A. Hoffman in 1817. The German author, however, was not writing a children's holiday tale at all! His original work was one of despair and unrealized dreams, violent and even confusing to read. The main character, Marie, lives in a loveless home and by the end of the story does not marry the prince as she does in the version most of us know but marries her grandfather's ugly nephew without love. So how did this story become such a well-loved tale and successful ballet? When the first edition of Hoffman's nutcracker story was not very popular, his publisher decided that it was just too dark and needed a lift. The publisher requested famous French author Alexandre Dumas (of The Three Musketeers fame!) to redo the depressing tale and give it a more exciting holiday feel, more like a children's fairy tale. Dumas' updated version of the book sold very well. Then, in the last decade of the 19th century, The Nutcracker and the Mouse King was given to the senior ballet master of the Russian Imperial Ballet. Marius Petipa was convinced the story would translate well to the ballet and asked his friend and writer, Pyotr Ilich Tchaikovsky to compose a score. By this time, Tchaikovsky was already a success in both Russia and the United States after composing the "1812 Overture", "The Sleeping Beauty", and a famous opera called "The Queen of Spades" which toured America. But Tchaikovsky was not impressed with the story of The Nutcracker and wanted to change both the story and its setting for the ballet. Petipa and his choreographer, however, insisted that the story take place at a children's Christmas party and were thrilled with the end result that Tchaikovsky produced. The composer was not thrilled! Apparently, neither were the aristocracy who attended the first production of The Nutcracker in 1892 at the Marlinsky Theatre in Kirov, Russia. Reviewers thought the dancing was bland and the story even worse. But for some reason, the common people loved this ballet! Despite the critical reviews, lower class families came to the production in droves and The Nutracker soon becamse a Christmas tradition in Russian. The Nutcracker was not introduced outside of the (then) USSR until 1934 when it premiered in England. It did fairly well but was not a smash hit. Finally, in 1954, George Balanchine's version of the ballet debuted in America. Along with Balanchine, 90-year old William Christensen transformed the nutcracker story into a delightful feast for the eyes. It was these two men who added the images of "Mother Buffoon", the huge growing Christmas tree on the stage, and the Sugar Plum Fairy! Filled with new fantastical scenery and characters, The Nutcracker was a smashing hit! After that, ballet companies around the world imitated this grand production of The Nutcracker and its popularity was secured! *********************** Long before the story of the Nutracker by author E.T.A. Hoffman and the ballet commissioned to be made from the story was the tradition of the actual nutcracker in European homes dating back to the 12th century! Nuts were a real treat to families of long ago and they were used to decorate the home and trees at Christmas. When the indoor Christmas tree became popular in different areas of the world, children looked forward to the twelfth day of Christmas when the trees were taken down and their fathers would crack open all the nuts that adorned the tree to share the fruit inside! Learn more at the links below and see some great pictures of unique nutrackers. Nutcracker Museum History of Nutcrackers Another History of Nutcrackers Kids Love Nutcrackers 'Round the World at Christmas Ukrainian Christmas Traditions Read about Christmas in the Ukraine! Ukrainian Christmas Spider Story & Ornament Read about the legend behind using tinsel on the Christmas tree in Ukraine and make one of the spider ornament ideas listed! Coloring Pages, Cooking and Crafts Jan Brett's Homepage This one site will give your children HOURS of fun activities! Coloring pages, things to print and make... I'm so thankful that one of my favorite children's illustrators is so generous with the free FUN on her site! Mrs. Claus' Cookbook Recipes for all kinds of goodies! Here is one for a Spiced Nut Treat which fits our nutty theme today: Spiced Nut Treats You Need: 1/2 cup sugar 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon cloves 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 2 Tablespoons water 1/2 pound pecans What to do: Combine everything except nuts in a large saucepan. Cook mixture until it reaches soft ball stage. Add pecans-Stir to be sure they are well coated. When they get a sugary look spread over wax paper, spreading nuts out evenly to cool. Once cool, break apart and store in an air tight container. Use within one or two days for best results. Spicy Spiced Nuts! and other great holiday nut recipes like Crockpot Sugared Walnuts! These snacks and appetizers are great to have on hand for guests. Christmas Activities from The Idea Box. Christmas Crafts from The Idea Box. I love the suggestions on this site because they are SO simple. Christmas Fun! CBH Ministries We LOVE this site! Check out the "zone" area for some fun stuff, Down Gilead Lane audio drama, and the Keys for Kids daily devotionals! Naughty or Nice? Put your name in (first name only or even a pretend name) and Santa "rates" your behavior. Cute! I went through 8 names to test it and didn't get any negative results...hehe! Christmas Tongue Twisters Say them three times fast! For your reading pleasure: A Parent's Night Before Christmas 'Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house I searched for the tools to hand to my spouse Instructions were studied and we were inspired, in hopes we could manage "Some Assembly Required." The children were quiet (not asleep) in their beds, while Dad and I faced the evening with dread: a kitchen, two bikes, Barbie's town house to boot! And, thanks to Grandpa, a train with a toot! We opened the boxes, my heart skipped a beat - let no parts be missing or parts incomplete! "Too late for last-minute returns or replacement; if we can't get it right, it goes in the basement! When what to my worrying eyes should appear but 50 sheets of directions, concise, but not clear. With each part numbered and every slot named, so if we failed, only we could be blamed. More rapid than eagles the parts then fell out, all over the carpet they were scattered about. "Now bolt it! Now twist it! Attach it right there! Slide on the seats, and staple the stair! Hammer the shelves, and nail to the stand." "Honey," said hubby, "you just glued my hand." And then in a twinkling, I knew for a fact that all the toy dealers had indeed made a pact to keep parents busy all Christmas Eve night with "assembly required" till morning's first light We spoke not a word, but kept bent at our work, till our eyes, they went bleary; our fingers all hurt. The coffee went cold and the night, it wore thin before we attached the last rod and last pin. Then laying the tools away in the chest, we fell into bed for a well-deserved rest. But I said to my husband just before I passed out, "This will be the best Christmas, without any doubt. Tomorrow we'll cheer, let the holiday ring, and not have to run to the store for a thing! We did it! We did it! The toys are all set for the perfect, most perfect, Christmas, I bet!" Then off to dreamland and sweet repose I gratefully went, though I suppose there's something to say for those self-deluded- I'd forgotten that BATTERIES are never included! Home Holiday Preparations *Put your feet up, make some hot tea or cocoa, snuggle with your kids and/or hubby under a blanket and take a break! That's what I'm going to do today! But as I'm sitting there, I'll probably notice that I need to... *Vacuum the upholstery, wipe down the windows that are smudged with tiny hand and nose prints from looking out at the pretty snow, Mommy!, and remember to find a spot to both store AND dry off the 80 pairs of kids' mittens and gloves that are lying NEAR, but not IN, the closet. Movie Time George Balanchine's The Nutcracker (1993) There are other versions of the Nutcracker, but this one is good for children because it is upbeat and has younger actors/dancers in it. Just remember that the nutcracker prince is played by an actor (Macaulay Caulkin of Home Alone) and not a professional dancer. He does OK. Home | Contact teachingmom 3.0    ©2003-2007 teachingmom.com All rights reserved. *Copies for personal home use permitted, however no part of the TeachingMOM Advent Calendar may be reproduced on the web or sold in any format. 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