Day 7 Advent Candle: Today is the last day of Prophecy week in Advent! Light the first candle. Bible Verses Malachi 3:1 "Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and he will clear the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming," says the LORD of hosts. Luke 1:67-79 ...Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: "Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us-- to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant, the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace. (NIV) We're getting closer! And that's why I chose these verses for our last day of "Prophet week" for Advent. In Malachi 3:1, we read the prophecy which foretold that the last prophet before Christ comes would make the way for the Messiah. John the Baptist is the perfect transition from this past week of expectation and hope to next week's theme of preparation. John the Baptist represents the urgency of expectation that those early Christians must have felt. For hundreds of year before, history had been sprinkled with prophecies about the Messiah, but always with the feeling that it was a far off event. But here is Johh the Baptist, in fulfillment of the Scriptures, preparing the hearts of those who would receive Christ when He started His ministry. In my mind, John the Baptist's work is God's way of reviving the excitement about Jesus and what He came to do. The years of expectation were beginning to bear fruit! Jesse Tree Verse: Genesis 22:1-14 Symbol: A Ram, to show how God saved Isaac from sacrifice and accepted a sheep in his place. Article/Devotion Are You Satisfied With Christmas? Good article on getting focused on the right things this season! I particularly like the points that: "Your level of joy at Christmas is directly related to what it is you seek...where you look...and what you give. Teen Devotional--It's All About Jesus Teen reading from Christianity Today. The 12 Voices of Christmas--Zacharias Listen in (or read) what Zacharias might say about his role in the Christmas story! Dinnertime (or anytime!) Discussion I was thinking today about the upcoming theme for next week's Advent candle--preparation. God prepared the world for His Son's coming through prophecies that He fulfilled and through John the Baptist who carried the message about being ready for Jesus. What are some ways that God prepares someone for making the big decision to follow Christ and become a Christian? (Circumstances, both good and bad...meeting someone who knew Jesus and shared...reading a special book or having a "close call"...many ways!) Personal example: I can remember the time just leading up to my salvation. I was 18 and my life as a teen had been so full of crazy choices that I made, difficult family times, work and school. By the time God used the many ways to show me Himself and His great love for me, I had been through a lot. I was at the breaking point! I believe that all of those circumstances worked together in a personal way so that I would be convinced that life without God was no longer an option! I made the big leap...and never looked back! And all of those trying times? After I reached that breaking point, it was those times that God used to show me of His lovingkindness towards me. They were necessary to show me the contrast of another way, and seeing how He had brought me through it all convinced me. Word to Know Messenger: 1. One who bears a message or an errand; the bearer of a verbal or written communication, notice or invitation from one person to another, or to a public body; one who conveys dispatches from one prince or court to another. 2. A harbinger; a forerunner; he or that which foreshows. Forerunner: 1. A messenger sent before to give notice of the approach of others; a harbinger. 2. An ancestor or predecessor. 3. A prognostic; a sign foreshowing something to follow. (The American Heritage Dictionary also says "a warning sign or symptom".) (Both definitions from Webster's 1828 Dictionary.) Book Suggestion The Last Straw by Fredrick Thury is our selection today! Be sure to find this book at your library because it contains a message that is both humorous and humbling--a clever take on the timeless story of Christ's birth. From the School Library Journal: Hoshmakaka, an old, foolish, and proud camel, is chosen to carry the wise men's gifts to the baby Jesus. Reluctantly, he agrees and boasts to the younger camels that he has the strength of 10 horses. As he embarks on his journey, people along the way ask him to take their gifts. Goaded by the younger camels, he keeps adding to his load. A small child asks him to carry one last gift, a piece of straw for the baby's bed, and Hoshmakaka is brought to his knees by the weight. Jesus reaches out and touches him and "From that time on there was no burden, great or small, that Hoshmakaka would not gladly carry." Advent Extras Art The two prints you see below are lithographs by the well-known printing company, Currier & Ives. To the right is "A Home in the Wilderness" and below is "Winter Pastyme". At age 15, Nathaniel Currier began his long career in lithography when he became an apprentice to William and John Pendleton of Boston. He learned the process of grinding a piece of limestone flat and smooth and drawing a mirror image of the picture on the stone with a special grease pencil. The printing stone is washed in a solution which leaves the grease markings raised (in relief) so that it becomes a printing block, much like a rubber stamp, when grease ink is applied. Hired colorists paint or draw in one color at a time, passing it down an assembly line of sorts until the picture is filled in. Nathaniel learned the business behind the lithography shop as well as the artistic aspect. At 20, Currier left the Pendleton shop and worked in Philadelphia for a year. Then, he traveled to New York City to work once again for Pendleton who had moved his business there. But Pendleton wanted to return to Boston and he sold his new shop to Nathaniel Currier and a local printer named Stodart. But in a year's time, Stodart wasn't impressed with the return on his investment and pulled out, leaving Currier almost empty-handed. Nathaniel Currier set up his own small enterprise and continued his work as a job printer. As a job printer, he produced and duplicated all sorts of lithographic prints from portraits to music sheets, architectural plans to newsworthy events like disasters. Soon his disaster and news prints began to be shown in the newspapers, which did not usually include pictures. His career took off when the New York Sun newspaper contracted him to print a single sheet addition of their paper with Currier's lithograph of a steamboat disaster included. This was the first illustrated newspaper ever published! In 1852, Nathaniel's brother Charles introduced him to a friend named James Merritt Ives and recommended him as a bookkeeper. Ives joined the business and soon improved Currier's bookkeeping and inventory methods. Ives also had many helpful artist contacts. By 1857, Ives was made partner and the company became Currier & Ives. The following three decades brought booming business to Currier & Ives. They produced scenes of all kinds: historical, news events and disaster scenes, sentimental and memorial images, sports, political and social events, rural scenes and landscapes, family life, ships, trains, and, one of their favorite subjects, firefighters. (Both Currier and Ives were volunteer firefighters in New York!) Sometimes they produced small quanities of a print and sometimes they made hundreds. By the time the lithography business became less popular in the first decade of 1900--as photography was invented and improved--Currier & Ives produced over 7500 titles and over one million prints! Their wonderful work, depicting changes in society and family life over time, have become popular collectibles and grace greeting cards and Christmas cards all over the world. Currier & Ives prints Currier & Ives prints 2 Christmas Carol or Hymn God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen Much of the religious music from the church in the 15th century was written in Latin and sung in somber tunes that did not evoke much enthusiasm or joy. But in their own circles, peasants wrote their own songs with lighter music and more uplifting religious subjects. These folk songs became some of the most loved Christmas carols. "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" was a lively tune that was sung and danced to; it was probably the most popular early Christmas carol. It's lyrics were closer to the actual Biblical account of Jesus' birth than many of the songs sung in church! In the 19th century, the song was published under Queen Victoria's reign for the Anglican church and soon became popular around the world. However, the words that were sung long ago (before publication) held a different meaning than they do now! In the Middle Ages, the term "merry" did not mean simply "happy". "Merry" was used to describe armies, soldiers, and rulers--it meant "great, strong, mighty"! Also, the word "rest" in the song's title did not mean to take a nap! It meant "make". So now we have "God Make You Mighty Gentlemen". And now for the final piece of the puzzle! In the original title, there was a comma after the word "merry" (mighty). Now we get the full impact of the original name to our Christmas carol: "God Make You Mighty, Gentlemen"! The unknown author wanted to convey the power of the message behind Christ's birth and how salvation becomes our strength. He must have wanted us to wish one another a Mighty Christmas as well as a Merry one! Holiday Tradition & History The tradition of sending Christmas cards began in the Victorian era. In the early 1840's, school children who were sent away to be educated wrote home at the holidays on Christmas themed papers. This helped to showcase their progress in penmanship throughout the year for their parents. Soon families began to write their own Christmas letters with holiday images along the borders of the paper. In 1843, Sir Henry Cole, a worker for the British Postal Service, found that between his writing and publishing and other ventures, he had little time to hand out his traditional written cards to family and friends at Christmas. So, he hired an artist named John Callcott Horsley to create a lithographic copy of a Christmas image to help him streamline his holiday duties! The image was in three sections or panels with a family enjoying Christmas at home in the center and the outside panels depicting a Christian charity: on the left, feeding the hungry; on the right, clothing the naked. It included the sentiment "A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You" so that Cole could simply sign his name. Cole hired a colorist to color the prints by hand. After giving the cards to family and friends, he ordered around 1000 more cards printed and colored to be sold in London that year. By the 1860's, Christmas card production took off in England. In the 1870's, a German emigrant named Louis Prang opened a small lithograph store in Massachusetts. He began producing his own versions of Christmas cards and later began to hold contests among artists to obtain designs as he'd seen the British cardmakers do. The wide variety of artistry helped to bring many subjects to the Christmas card: nature, Biblical scenes, the Nativity and other religious scenes. By 1881, Prang's shop was producing five million cards a year and the practice of giving Christmas cards was well-established in America. Christmas Cards Through the Years 'Round the World at Christmas Between the years of 1643 and 1660, English Puritans outlawed the practice of celebrating Christmas because they believed it was too similar to many of the pagan rituals held in the winter. But by the time Queen Victoria came to rule in 1837, many new traditions were appearing in Great Britain! Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert, brought the tradition of the Christmas tree with him from Germany. As we read above, Christmas cards were becoming popular. And the special feasts and customs of modern English Christmases were taking shape in the late 1800's and early 1900's. At the family Christmas dinner, everyone receives a "Christmas cracker". These are long tubes wrapped in colorful paper and tied off at each end so that it looks like a big piece of candy! Everyone takes the package and pulls the ends--when they do, a "popper" inside explodes, breaking the tube in half. Inside are NOT crackers, but candy, jokes, riddles and other messages, perhaps a tissue paper hat and a small gift! This tradition was taken from the French (who filled their "crackers" with sugar-coated almonds) by an English candymaker named Thomas Smith in 1844. British families serve plum pudding or Christmas pudding after a large meal (usually turkey) and sometimes place a foil-wrapped gold coin inside for good luck! Another sign of good luck is when the very first Christmas guest comes into the home bearing a gift. Later in the day or in the following days, the leftover mashed potatoes and brussel sprouts are fried into a crisp cake called "bubble and squeak"! Sound yummy? After the meal, most families listen to or watch the annual message from the monarch. On December 26, the British celebrate Boxing Day. On this holiday in years' past, the alms given to the poor at churches were distributed to the needy. Today, similar gifts are offered and families also bless the service people in their lives, like postmen, police or firemen, teachers and newspaper vendors, with financial gifts. Christmas pantomimes--more often plays or skits nowadays--are also held on Boxing Day. They depict classic children's stories like "Jack in the Beanstalk". These are just a few of the neat British Christmas traditions. If you'd like to learn more about Christmas in England, please take the time to visit this wonderful site! Christmas Archives: A Great British Christmas! There is so much to learn at this site, so take your time. You can also read William Shakespeare's Christmas a historical tale by Maria Hubert, owner of Christmas Archives. Have a taste of England in your house this Christmas! Here is an easy recipe for Wassail, a traditional holiday drink. Wassail is an Old English word for "to your health!" or a similar greeting/blessing. It is always associated with caroling, BUT it does not mean caroling (as in "wassailing"). So, cheers to you and good health this coming year! 1 12 oz can Minute Maid frozen orange/tangerine juice concentrate (no substitutes!) 1 12 oz can cranberry juice cocktail frozen concentrate (any brand will do) 1 t whole allspice 1 t whole cloves 1 large or 2 small cinnamon sticks Place both cans of frozen juice in large pot on stove over medium high, add 6 cans of water and heat. Heat to a boil, strain, and enjoy HOT. You can also cool, strain into a pitcher and heat a cup at a time in the microwave. It gives your home a festive smell. (Note: I make mine in the crockpot.) Here is another version: 4 cups Unsweetened apple juice 3 cups Unsweetened pineapple juice 2 cups Cranberry juice cocktail 1/4 teaspoon Ground nutmeg 1 Cinnamon stick 3 Whole cloves Lemon slices *Heat on stove or in crockpot. Make Your Own Christms Cracker! Try the tradition of Christmas crackers with these simple directions. Coloring Pages, Cooking and Crafts Today, our theme comes from the word "messenger" that is used for John the Baptist. A messenger is one who brings good news, word of something important. At Christmas, our children look forward to Jesus most of all, of course, but in a distant second place is someone our kids always have their eyes peeled for: the mailman! Today's craft/activity theme centers around some of the great printables that are available online to help you with all of those letters, cards and packages you'll be mailing! As you can see below, free printables are near and dear to my heart! HP Activity Center Hewlett Packard's print activity page. Lots of good stuff! Grandma George's Free and Fun Stuff Great country graphics of all kinds! Check here for stationery, recipe cards, candy wrappers, gift bags (that you make yourself) and tons more. Each section includes Christmas stuff. Tons of Printable Gift Tags LOTS of gift tags. The links are along the left side are a bit difficult to see--at least on my computer--but it's worth it. About.com's Themed Gift Tags Gift tags for bird lovers, gardeners, quilters, vegetarians... There are also links to other sites with gift tags. Activity Village Christmas Printables This is one of my favorite sites. Check out the printable "links" to use in an Advent paper chain! Canon 3D Papercraft Many cool printables and paper creations to make! Canon Print Planet Printable Christmas cards and stationery. Printable 3D Snowman Here is a neat little craft that I just found. Just print out the template, cut and paste! DLTK-Kids Christmas Printables All kinds of fun Christmas things to print out like Christmas Bingo, Memory game, etc. Magical Kingdom Paper Crafts 3 pages of paper printable goodies. Country Clip Art Free printable recipe cards and gift tags. Very cute! Jim's Printable Minis Miniature printables! This link takes you to the "play size" but there are even smaller items for dollhouses, etc. LOTS! Free Papertoys This site is LOADED with paper crafts of all kind...and all of the instructions are FREE! Ben & Jerry's Printable Victorian Village Build a Victorian home, church, apartment building and barn with these templates. Dayspring E-cards What better way to send Christmas greetings to your cyberpals (or others you don't "see" often) than with an e-card? I, personally, love to receive them! E-cards from Heartlight.org Ways to Recycle Old Christmas Cards Here are some fabulous ways to give new life to those old cards you've got hanging around from years past! More Card Recycling Ideas... Card Inspirations Projects for making all kinds of cards. This will give you some inspiration especially if you're a beginner at scrapbooking, rubberstamping, etc. like me! Templates by Donovan Templates for making all kinds of small gift bags, tags, envelopes and cards. Most of the ideas are adaptable for a Christmas theme. Pop-Up Tree Card Following the directions for these last 3 pop-up cards, you can make all sorts of neat Christmas cards with shapes other than a tree. Pop-Up Tree Card for Kids One More 3D Christmas Tree Card Christmas Fun! Make-a-Flake It took me a while to get the hang of it, but then I couldn't stop! Use the scissors to cut shapes and patterns out of the folded paper and watch it unfold into a beautiful--or not! LOL--snowflake creation. Christmas Quizzes These are from Christianity Today magazine...they're not so easy! Edhelper's Christmas Theme Unit Good selection of Christmas activities and worksheets from Edhelper.com. Home Holiday Preparations Today's Tips: *USE those printables I linked today or make sure you purchase new gift tags. This is the one thing I always forget each year and I get so mad at myself when I have to write on the packages with a Sharpie! Although, Sharpie now makes some pretty metallic markers...) U.S. Postal Service Holiday Helps The USPS has a helpful site for finding out postage rates, getting packages mailed on time and more. *Do some of your holiday baking, especially for non-family gift recipients like your neighbors, mail carrier, or others who serve you throughout the year! Movie Time The Shop Around the Corner (1940 with Jimmy Stewart). This cute and clever movie is the inspiration for its popular remake, You've Got Mail. They are different enough from one another that you could catch both in a mini movie marathon! 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