The Week of Hope

Thursday, December 3

Light the candle of Hope, the purple candle

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.  Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.    Romans 12:9-13

Create a bee condo One in every three bites of food we eat is related to the pollinating action of bees. To create a friendly home for them in your yard, get an untreated block of wood and a drill. Drill small holes about 1/4 – 1/3 inches in diameter and about 5 inches deep. Place the block in full sun on the south or southeast side of your house, on a tree, post, or shed. Google which plants are bee friendly for your area. (Adapted from Desert Leaf, Oct. 2015, p. 19.)

Tissue Ball Ornament. Use bottom of a glass to trace out a cardboard stencil. Cut 12 three-inch circles out of tissue paper, layering the colors. Stacking the circles on top of one another, fold circles in half, and half once more. Avoid making creases in the tissue paper. Take needle and thread and poke through tip of tissue papers. Tie off. Spread out the edges to make a ball. Hang from tree.              (Supplies: red, green, white, gold tissue paper, needle, thread, small piece of cardboard, like from a cereal box, scissors, glass for stencil)

Lord, we look forward to the celebration of your birthday, as we also look forward to your triumphant return when the trumpets will sound. We give ourselves fully to you today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

And is it true? And is it true,

This most tremendous tale of all,

Seen in a stained-glass window’s hue,

A baby in an Ox’s stall?

The Maker of the stars and sea

Become a Child on earth for me?

(John Betjeman, 1956)

Click here for printable Advent fun page December 3