The Week of Joy

Light two purple candles: the candle of Hope, and the candle of Preparation.         Light the candle of Joy, the pink candle.

Read Hebrews 1:6-9   Read Luke 12:15

 

Drink hot chocolate together, using an unwrapped candy cane to stir in the marshmallows. Serve hot chocolate in a mason jar with marshmallows, chocolate chips, and a candy cane as a stirrer.

Living Ornaments. Go outside and collect snippets of nature from your neighborhood: lichens, moss, feathers, seeds, evergreen and holly sprigs and berries. Insert snippets into a clear glass ornament. Place a few drops of water inside to keep moist. Use tweezers to arrange.   (Supplies; glass                           ornament, items from your yard)

Father in heaven, let us not become self-absorbed with the details of decorating, grocery and gift shopping, and Christmas cards. Help us to look beyond our own concerns and remember the deeper reason for lighting these special candles. Bring us beyond the daily frustrations and fill our hearts with the true joy that can only come from You, our perfect Savior. Let us carry your light and love to others, even in the small moments of the day. Amen,

The first person to decorate a Christmas tree was reportedly the Protestant reformer Martin Luther (1483-1546). According to legend, he was so moved by the beauty of the stars shining between the branches of a fir tree, he brought home an evergreen tree and decorated it with candles to share the             image with his children.  (Gulevich, Tanya. 2000. Encyclopedia of Christmas.           Detroit, MI: Omnigraphics, Inc.)

Click here for printable Advent Fun December 18