AN ADVENT DEVOTIONAL

  

This Christmas season I decided to go through the Scripture text of Handel's Messiah as a way of preparing for Jesus' birth.  

What an amazing experience!  

Here is a summary of  what I learned:

Part one: PREPARING FOR CHRISTMAS

1. "Comfort Ye" and "The Glory of the Lord"

Isaiah 40: 1-5

a. Jesus paid for my sins.

b. Keep the focus of Christmas on why He came.

2. "Thus Saith the Lord", "But Who May Abide, " and "He Shall Purify"

Haggai 2:6-7, and Malachi 3:1-3

a. This baby Jesus changes everything whether we accept or deny Him.

b. If we deny Jesus: loss of opportunity/possibility of what the Lord could do in our life, loss of comfort and peace in this life, loss of perspective and guidance for life choices, easier but emptier life, ultimately eternal life versus eternal death

c. Purifying is a painful process: squelching sinful response and choosing Godly response.

3. "Behold A Virgin Shall Conceive" (Recitative)

Isaiah 7:14 and Matthew 1:23

a. Jesus was not an ordinary baby- divine conception.

b. This prophecy requires faith to believe.

4. "O Thou That Tellest", "For Behold, Darkness Shall Cover the Earth", "The People That Walked in Darkness",  "and For Unto Us a Child is Born"

Isaiah 40:9, 60:1-3, Isaiah 9:2-6

a.  Have to realize the despair of sin to appreciate the joy of the Messiah.

b. How to Live: Counselor= comfort and strength, Mighty= power and authority, Everlasting= hope and priority, Peace= Love and Interaction with the Lord

5. "There Were Shepherds" (Recitative), "And Lo", "And the Angel Said Unto Them" (Recitative), "And Suddenly", and "Glory to God"

Luke 2:8-14

a. Do I have a powerful life-changing response to the message of Christmas?

6. "Rejoice, Rejoice" and "Then the Eyes of the Blind" (Recitative)

Zechariah 9:9-10 and Isaiah 35:5-6

a. The birth of Jesus should have an impact on the world around us.  

b. How can we help the world know and experience Christ?

c. Jesus brings healing- both physical and spiritual.

7. "He Shall Feed His Flock" and "His Yoke is Easy"

Isaiah 40:11, Matthew 11:28-30

a. We need to love people, not just stand up for the Truth.

b. Jesus brings relief, both physical and spiritual.

c. Jesus helps us do life.

8. "Behold the Lamb of God"

John 1:29

a. Christmas is really about the cross.  We need to connect the dots between the birth of Christ and the death of Christ.

9. "He Was Despised", "Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs", "And With His Stripes", and "All We Like Sheep"

Isaiah 53:3-6, Isaiah 50:6

a. Am I thankful and grateful for what Christ did for me?

10. "All They That See Him", "He Trusted God", and "Thy Rebuke" (Recitative)

Psalm 22:7-8 and Psalm 69:20

a. Cherish the beauty of the birth of Jesus even though the life ahead of Him would be filled with sorrows.

b. His mother Mary had to ponder this and have hope and faith in the Lord's plan.

11. "Behold and See"

Lamentations 1:12

a. Jesus either means something or nothing to you.  Jesus either is the reason for the season or He's not.  You have to make a decision.

12. "He Was Cut Off" and "But Thou Didst Not Leave"

Isaiah 53:8 and Psalm 16:10

a. What is my response to such love?

b. Jesus brings hope.

13. "Life Up Your Heads"

Psalm 24:7-10

a. Don't doubt it: this humble baby is truly King!

14. "Unto Which of the Angels" (Recitative) and "Let All the Angels"

Hebrews 1:5-6

a. Jesus is Lord of All.

15. "Thou Are Gone Up High", "The Lord Gave the Word", "How Beautiful Are the Feet", and "Their Sound is Gone Out"

Psalm 68:11-18 and Romans 10:15-18

a. The undeniable need for us to tell others about Christ.

b. The power of God's word to change lives.

Part Two: RESPONDING TO CHRISTMAS

1. "Why Do the Nations", "Let Us Break Their Bands Asunder", and "He That Dwelleth in Heaven" (Recitative)

Psalm 2:1-4

a. I should be more aware and committed to planting seeds for the Kingdom.  

b. God loves us so much.

2. "Thou Shalt Break Them" and "Hallelujah"

Psalm 2:9, Revelation 19:6, 11:15, and 19:16

a. God's awesomeness

b. Our reverence and adoration for the Lord

3. "I Know That My Redeemer Liveth" and "Since by Man Came Death"

Job 19:25-26 and 1 Corinthians 15:20-22

a. Choosing Christ means hope and assurance and a better perspective on life instead of fear of death and dying.

4. "Behold, I Tell You a Mystery", "The Trumpet Shall Sound", "Then Shall Be Brought to Pass" (Recitative), "O Death, Where is Thy Sting?", and "But Thanks Be to God"

1 Corinthians 15:51-57

a. Encouragement

b. Hope

c. Conviction

5. "Worthy is the Lamb"

Revelations 5:9-14

a. What we should strive for in our worship- this level of adoration and praise.

Handel's Messiah, Instrumental

Click HERE for Instrumental Videos by Song

Handel's Messiah, Singing

Click HERE for the Singing Videos by Song

WHAT CHRISTMAS MEANS TO ME

As I stated in the previous post, Andrew and I shared with the kids what Christmas means to us.  

I think this song best explains it for me.  

The message of Christmas is also the message of the cross, and both show God's love for us!

I also think this skit we watched in church on Sunday is an eye-opener to make you think about the real meaning of Christmas:

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

This was actually our annual cooking baking 2 nights before Christmas.  I was thinking the girls and I might not get to this tradition this year, but we found the time on Monday night!  Hmmm good!  Ben is in cookie heaven!

Yesterday the boys had to eat lunch by the piano bench "table" because the real table was already set for our candlelight Christmas Eve meal- filet mignon for the Lavey 5, minute steaks for the little Laveys.

Birthday Cake for Jesus!  The boys were soooo excited!  Andrew and I also shared with kids our favorite childhood Christmas memories and then what Christmas means to each us: see next post.

Off to church for our Candlelight Christmas Eve Service.  Great message about Jesus being the light of the world, and how we need to now be a light in the darkness.  

Christmas Eve family movie night- so fun watching the little boys watch the movie.  They know the lines and just giggled their way through the movie.

After the little boys were off to bed, we set up our surprise.  Five reindeer filled with each child's gifts.  I think I came up with a pretty good idea with this one!  Plus for mom: no wrapping needed.  We just placed the gifts in their boxes.  And we can use them again next year!  Even Stephen was impressed with my idea.  

We are ready for Christmas Morning!

Added bonus: Here are the boys coming down the steps on Christmas morning and discovering Santa's reindeer!

IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS...except no snow

December 2019 Memories:

Lydia played a gangster in the school play- she was hilarious!

Visiting with Santa at our local Crisis Pregnancy Center Christmas party.  Jonah asked Santa for a tuba (his latest obsession).  Ben enjoyed lots of Christmas cookies!

 

The boys in our church's Christmas program.  

By the second song, Ben's shirt was untucked.

  

Jonah endorsed his own check!

Best Christmas present ever: My mom came home to have Christmas dinner at her house!

So thankful everybody home for Christmas!

Weather was so warm and beautiful today, we just had to take a hike.  

I think Elton John hiked with us...

Finally, this was the Christmas letter 

we sent out this year:

2019 has been quite a year…

January: My mom suffered a massive stroke.  It was a very scary and trying time. 

February: Continued healing and recovery for my mom.   This has been quite an emotional roller coaster for us all.  On a lighter note, we had quite a winter- LOTS OF SNOW!

March:  Andrew and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary.  Surprising because we are so young, right?

April: We hosted a German exchange student for 2 weeks, and we had so much fun.  Impressively, she survived living with our crazy family!

May: Jonah had surgery to remove his thyroid because medication was not controlling his Grave's disease. 

June: Ben celebrated his 9th birthday!  My mom moved from the rehab facility to a nursing home.  She has made an amazing recovery considering the severity of her stroke.  We are so proud of her and my dad's hard work and dedication to each other.  What a lesson in what love can do!

July: Andrew and the three older kids went on a mission trip with our church.  This was something we always wanted to do as a family.  The trip was a very meaningful experience for all.

August:  We had a fun summer with lots of swimming and visiting parks for the boys!

September: Jonah celebrated his 9th birthday.  Abigail started her last year of college, Stephen is  in his 2nd year of college, Lydia started her junior year of high school, and the boys started 3rd grade.

October: Most unusual, there was a snow storm on Halloween!  This made trick or treating interesting.

November: Again unusually snowy cold days in early November.  Does this mean a loong cold winter in store for us?

December: As we reflect on this past year, 2019 has been a challenging year for many reasons.  However, we are so grateful for all the Lord has helped and guided us through this most interesting year.  It has been a time  of realizing the importance of faith, hope and love in our lives: 

                   Faith: 1 Corinthians 2:5 That your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the                                                                         power of God.

                   Hope: Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so                                                                that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

                   Love: 1 John 4:16 So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God                                                             is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

 

God's Blessings to you this Christmas and in the New Year!

Love, Andrew and Mary, Abigail, Stephen, Lydia, Ben, and Jonah

HAVE A GOOD CHRISTMAS LAUGH!

O CHRISTMAS TREE

Today we did our annual visit to the Christmas tree farm.  This year we actually had all 5 kids with us.  The past couple of years one or two of them have been off at college.  Nice to have the whole gang participate today!

Posing in Santa's sleigh.  Our fearless leader (ahem, always needs to be in charge) Ben took on the responsibility of Rudolph!

Feeding the sheep in the barn

Off for a ride in the wagon out to the field.  

It was blustery, cold, rainy, and muddy- but fun!  

Lydia found our perfect tree.  

The little boys "helped" cut it down.

Below is summary of something I found online that gives a Christian meaning to the many "things" of Christmas.  I love decorating for the holidays.  I thought these explanations would be good for the boys and I as we enjoy those pretty decorations- 

a good way to remember the real reason we celebrate Christmas!  

CHRISTMAS TREE remains green all year round, showing the everlasting hope of mankind. The needles point heavenward, making it a symbol of our prayers that always reach God.

STAR: The Bethlehem star was the sign of promises long ago. God promised to send a Savior to deliver the world. The bright star pointed to the fulfillment of that promise—God’s only Son had been born!”

CANDLE symbolizes that Jesus, God’s Son, is the light of the world. When we see this light remember the One who overcomes the darkness.”

WREATH reveals the endless nature of God’s love. Real love never ceases. Nothing can stop God’s amazing love.”

SANTA symbolizes the generosity and good will we show to others because God has given us His very special Son. 

CANDY CANE represents the shepherd’s staff. The crook on the staff rescues sheep who have strayed from the flock. God never gives up on people who wander from Him.”

ANGELS shouted the glorious news of the Savior’s birth. These heavenly messengers sang ‘Glory to God in the highest! Peace and good will to everyone on earth!’”

GIFTS: God deeply loves people, so He gave them His most precious gift—Jesus, His only Son. When the wise men arrived in Bethlehem, they bowed before the Child and presented gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. This is why we give gifts to others each Christmas.”

Click HERE for complete version of "Teach Children the Real Meaning of Christmas"

A LITHUANIAN CHRISTMAS!

On Sunday, 12-23, we celebrated a Lithuanian Christmas in honor of our Ben.  It was fun time!

 A LITHUANIAN CHRISTMAS

Traditions

Family Gathering: Emigration is quite a social problem in Lithuania, as many people have left the country to look for a better life abroad, especially since joining the European Union. But on Christmas, many come back to spend the holiday with their families, as everyone gathers together from all over the world to celebrate and appreciate each other’s company.

 Straw under the Tablecloth: everyone draws a piece of straw.  If you draw a long one, you will have rich life. 

Another interpretation of the straws is this: Single people find out when they will meet their other half by pulling straws from beneath the table (there is no data about the efficiency of this spell, though). 

Straw ornaments on Christmas Tree

 Animals will talk on Christmas Eve.  Pay close attention to Tucker tonight…

 Open gifts on Christmas Eve: we will get our stocking gifts tonight.

 Watch Home Alone [1990].  This movie has been the traditional Christmas movie in Lithuania for years. Many things change in Lithuania, but you can bet you’ll see Home Alone on TV during the holidays. More recently, the Harry Potter movies have also become a staple of Lithuanian Christmas.

 Go to Midnight Mass: will we try this on Christmas Eve?  Lithuania is mainly a Catholic country. 

 Lithuanians always prefer to have snow during the Christmas holiday. However, for the last couple of years, nature was not so kind, and kids had to learn how to build snowmen from sand and grass.

 12 Dish Meal: Lithuanians serve 12 dishes on Christmas because Jesus had 12 disciples.  In accordance with Catholic traditions, many Lithuanians abstain from meat on Christmas, so the main dish is usually fish.

1.         Apple slices

2.         Mulled Cranberry Juice

3.         Mushrooms

4.         Hot Cabbage Dish:

            substituted this for sauerkraut

5.         Cod- ironically our own little Lithuanian doesn't like this so there will be meat available too

6.         Baked Potatoes

7.         Carrots&Cucumbers and veggie dip: substituted this for beets as the veggie

8.         Wheat Porridge

9.         Dried Fruit

10.       Kūčiukai are bite-sized biscuits served with freshly made poppy milk that are only eaten            during the Christmas season. 

11.       Marble Rye Bread

12.       Apple Cake for Jesus' Birthday

linksmų Kalėdų

Merry Christmas in Lithuanian

Thank you Lord for our Lithuanian treasure!

THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR!

I love Christmas!  I love the decorations, I love the special church services and Christmas programs, I love the family get togethers, I love having all our kids under one roof for a few weeks!  I love that we get to celebrate and rejoice the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  It's just a great time of year.  This Christmas season was filled with lots of joy!  

 The boys had their school Christmas program.  An improvement I saw from last year's program is that the boys both tried to sing this year instead of stand there.  The funny thing is Ben worked very hard to tempt his brother to get into trouble on stage, but Jonah stayed strong and just stood there as he was suppose to!

The boys also got to be in our church's Christmas program.  They were in the children's choir, but somehow they also got themselves in the last scene of the play which is what you see in this photo.  Pretty good for two boys only attended the practice  on the day of the program!

Fun celebrations at school for the boys.

Our church had a manger scene set up that you could use for photos.  Something of interest, the last time our church did this manger scene 

for photos was way back when:

Weren't they super cute?  

This is Abigail and Stephen.

On Christmas Eve, we had the privilege of attending our own church's Candlelight Service at 6 p.m.  

Then at 10 p.m. we attended a Christmas Mass at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Port Washington.  As you can see, it's a beautiful church, and the service had beautiful music.  This was a very special way to celebrate the night of Jesus' birth. 

 

Christmas Morning!  

Boys discover Santa ate the cookies they left him!

  

Santa leaves a thank you note for the cookies!

We wake up to a white Christmas!  

We haven't had much snow so far this winter so this was very exciting for all of us.

 

Abigail and Stephen take Ben to the Grinch movie.  Jonah refused to go along.  I think he was scared of the theater being too loud, or he just wanted a break from a certain brother who shall remain nameless...

Each year Andrew and I give the 

girls tickets to a play.  

This Christmas season was unique because we were in the middle of Bathroom Boot Camp.  Since early December we have been intensely working on bathroom training both at school and home:  pants check every 15 minutes and bathroom break every hour.  Our house has been filled with the sound of timers going off to remind us of these things every 15 minutes.  It's sort of driving us all nuts, but the good news is we have had the most success we have ever had with Jonah.  Hoping the next few weeks we can really wrap this up and call it a success....finally!