May God bless you richly as you celebrate Christ's birth. May God bless you intimately as you worship at His cradle. May God bless you sweetly as you sing His praises. May God bless you broadly as you share His truth. May God bless you abundantly as you rest in His riches. May God bless you deeply as you come to know His love. MERRY CHRISTMAS from DogFur and Dandelions! . [...Read More]
Christmas Is Coming…
December 21, 2012 By Leave a Comment
I can't wait till Christmas! This year, I get to enjoy the traditions I grew up with, since we'll be with my side of the family. And all the goodies too, like Mom's coconut macaroons and hand-made melt-in-your-mouth mint candies. Yes, my mouth is watering as I'm typing this... On Christmas Eve, we have a special dinner and a gift exchange with a few close relatives. Mom makes her signature cranberry meatballs (basically, regular meatballs with a cranberry gravy) for the main entree, and a classic cranberry pudding for dessert (like the old English plum pudding, which is almost like a cake, and has a dollop of sugary-sweet hard sauce on top). Of course, they're [...Read More]
Lessons from the Magnificat
December 13, 2012 By 2 Comments
Can you imagine the emotion that roiled through Mary's heart, as she anticipated giving birth to the great Messiah? On the one hand, she must have been awed by the thought that Almighty God would choose her, a simple maiden, to bear His Son. That He would choose her to bring old prophecies to pass. That He would choose her to help change the course of the world's future. On the other hand, she must have been overwhelmed by her situation. Here she was, betrothed to the man she loved (similar to the modern engagement, although much more binding), and all of sudden pregnant. Of course, back in that day, pregnancy outside of marriage was punishable by death! Can you imagine the [...Read More]
Hymns for Advent: Incarnation
December 11, 2012 By 9 Comments
Heaven’s arches rang when the angels sang, proclaiming thy royal degree; but of lowly birth didst thou come to earth, and in great humility. Israel’s Strength and Consolation, Hope of all the earth thou art! Dear Desire of every nation, Joy of every longing heart! Thou camest, O Lord, with the living Word, that should set thy people free! But in Bethlehem’s home was there found no room For Thy holy nativity. Born thy people to deliver, Born a child and yet a King. When the heav’ns shall ring, and her choirs shall sing, at thy coming to victory, let thy voice call me home, saying “Yet there is room, there is room at My side for thee.” Born to reign in us forever, [...Read More]
Celebrating Christ at Christmas: Card Intercession
December 10, 2012 By 12 Comments
Have you ever practiced Christmas Card Intercession? It's really quite a simple idea: pray for people as you write cards for them. Even if all you do is sign your name and address the envelope. Because everyone needs prayer. Maybe you don't really know what's going with that old friend or distant aunt -- but God does. Maybe you haven't heard from them since last year's Christmas cards. But God sees them every day. He knows their joys and their sorrows. He hears their heart-cries. So pray for them. Pray for their general spiritual welfare: Pray that they would seek Him first, acknowledge Him in everything they do, and trust Him to direct their steps. [...Read More]
Celebrating Christ at Christmas: Spiritual Wish Lists
December 6, 2012 By 3 Comments
*Note: Today I have the honor of guest posting over at The Deliberate Reader. I'm sharing a few of my favorite books for cultivating intimacy with God, as part of Sheila's "Favorite Books" series. Make sure you check it out -- then come back here; it dovetails perfectly with today's post! So far in this series: Observing Advent 2. Spiritual Wish Lists (originally shared 12/13/11) What’s on your Christmas list this year? No, not your own wish list, the other one. You know -- the {long} list of things that your kids want, the {really short} list of ideas from your spouse, the {creative} list of things you’d like to get for your friends or siblings or parents… I’m [...Read More]
A Moment of Anticipation: Hymns for Advent
December 4, 2012 By 4 Comments
Come, thou long expected Jesus, born to set Thy people free! From our fears and sins release us; let us find our rest in Thee. Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. O come, thou Rod of Jesse, free thine own from Satan’s tyranny! From depths of hell thy people save, and give them victory over the grave. There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. O come, thou Day-spring, come and cheer our spirits by Thine advent here! Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death’s dark shadows put to flight. ...for [he] will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge [...Read More]
Celebrating Christ at Christmas: Observing Advent
December 3, 2012 By 6 Comments
It's December already!! You're probably already knee-deep in baking and shopping and decorating and hosting and planning and everything else that has to be done before December 25th... But remember why we're celebrating. Remember WHO we celebrate and worship, not just in December, but every moment of every day -- our Lord Jesus Christ. I don't know about you, but isn't it tough to stay focused on Him during this time of year? We get so busy, so focused on our to-do lists, that we neglect our quiet time with Him. We rush through our prayers and speed through our Bible reading, just to check it off the lists. And so, over the next few weeks, I want to share some practical ways to keep [...Read More]
Christ-Centered Holidays {part 2}
November 13, 2012 By 17 Comments
Yesterday we looked at celebrating a Christ-centered Thanksgiving. The same idea of thankfulness carries through to Christmas, as well. But Christmas also offers extra challenges that make life busier and more stressful. And often more secular than we'd like. And every year, you wish your Christmas was more centered around Jesus, the true Reason for the season. Every year, you think about simplifying or spending less or savoring more. Right??? It's okay to celebrate with a tree, and presents, and lights, and get-togethers. But it's not okay to stress over it all. It's not okay to neglect your time with God, and time with family, for the sake of getting everything done. {<--tweet [...Read More]
Glorifying God at Christmas
December 23, 2011 By Leave a Comment
One thing to keep in mind this weekend: it's not about you. It's not about the presents, the decorations, the plays and cantatas, the lights and music, the cookies and candies, or even the family and friends. It's about glorifying God. However you celebrate Christmas, make sure you keep Him first through all of it. Determine to seek His pleasure in every little thing you do. Determine to put His purposes before your own. Whether you celebrate by giving time and money to local charities, or by simply exchanging gifts with your family and friends, do it for His enjoyment, not your own. Whether you bake cookies to give away or to enjoy within your own family, bake them for His glory. Seek His [...Read More]
