Day 3 - Rethinking Gift Giving

~A Practically Perfect Christmas~

This is something I’ll be adding from time to time. I am a practical person (but far from perfect)… I don’t mind getting things like boots or scarves or mittens for Christmas. I love it that my mother in-law gives me wooden spoons and measuring cups EVERY year! I get irritated when I am given things that aren’t useful or meaningful…

So I’m adding in practical notes for things to help you and others this Advent season. Things like recipes, ideas, and tips.

Here is the first, and probably the greatest advice I can give you…

Consider giving gifts that GREATLY IMPROVE the lives of PEOPLE!

Did you know that Americans spend $450 billion dollars a year on Christmas?

That seems absolutely silly to me.

It is estimated that to educate, feed, and get clean water to all the children in the world it would only take $46 billion. Which leaves $404 billion left over to spend on Christmas just in the US.

I wonder how many of those $450 billion gifts were taken back or “re-gifted” or just tossed in the trash a few months later? Save everyone the time and trouble and give a gift that will save or improve someone’s life.

GO HERE or somewhere else…

but let’s all rethink how we give and why we give it!

World Vision

Beads For Life

Haitian Creations

Sseko Sandals

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.”

1 John 3:16

Day 2 - A Birthday

Today is my birthday!
I find it odd that that is exactly what Advent and Christmas is all about… a birthday.
My children LOVE their birthday; really they love anyone’s birthday.

Seeing Christmas like a child does really has many benefits. First, children aren’t aware of how Christmas gets sullied with things like corporate boycotts, scams and family feuds that are fueled because of this season. They see it for what God intended it to be. They can just marvel in all that it should be… one big celebration, with a Guest of honor, with a child that is THE gift to the whole world, and lots and lots of love from a Father to us His children.

Matt. 18:3 “And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Matt. 21:16 “Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him. “Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read, “‘From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise’?”

Mark 10:13-14 “People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

Children allow themselves to marvel, to be honest and to be humble.
It is amazing that this whole season is about a birth, a baby and a plan to restore us through a gift!

The simplistic nature of this season is most often over looked. It ought to make us stare with our mouth open like a little child looking at his sagging stocking on Christmas morning!


What is one thing you are marveling at today?

Day 1

Does it seem like Christmas yet? Are you in the mood for holiday cheer? Are you ready for all this season brings?

Well, ready or not, here it comes!

Well over a month ago many stores started putting up Christmas décor, marketing gifts and Christmas items. This wasn’t out of honor to the King of Christmas. Nope, it all came down to something green… but not evergreens.

In light of this, it is SO easy to be jaded about Christmas. I know, I get overly irritated about it too. It is hard to feel in the Christmas spirit when the distastefulness of materialism is all around us. It is also easy to become overwhelmed by the stressful things that this season brings to the point your dread it all. So, for one moment, focus your mind, your heart and soul on what Christmas IS truly all about…

Luke 19:10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.”

John 1:14 “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

John 18:37 “Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”

Listen to Him today, this week, and this whole season.

Love the things He loves and put aside the things He hates.

Realize He CAME.

Realize He’ll do it again!

What things about Christmas really annoy you? Get them out there.

What things do you think God wants you to focus on this Advent season?

It All Starts Tomorrow!

Tomorrow is Advent!

Here's what I've got planned...

Daily thoughts, devotions, and ponderings from here until Christmas!

Some will be song, scripture, stories and even a few videos sprinkled in!!!

So get some rest tonight and remember to come on back tomorrow.

Please spread the word and participate... comments are always encouraged.

Winner is...

Drum roll please...

The winner by drawing is....

Erin Brianne!!!

Congrats Erin!

I'll get your details and mail that off as soon as possible.

Thank you all for playing along!

Follow Along!

Advent is starting in ONE WEEK!

Are you ready?

'Cause, HE's coming, HE already came and He's God With Us every single day!

Join as a follower!!!

Daily I'll post thoughts on Advent, Christmas and Our Lord Emmanuel through all of Advent!

~BOOK GIVE AWAY~

I'll be giving away an Advent family guide this week!

Deadline: November 26th

(I'll draw a name and send it out Friday afternoon!)

To enter you must do only 2 things...

1. Become a follower of this blog.

2. Post a comment to this entry and ...

Please tell me one Christmas/Advent tradition you see Christ in.

Advent... It's Coming!

Advent is coming... now is your time to order Advent, the book.

This week only Advent is 25% off... that is an amazing deal!

This year Advent has been updated, added to and polished up.

It is 20 pages longer and has included short stories and recipes!

Not only that, but all proceeds go to helping the Miller family adopt a son.

Our prayer is that a book about the coming of one Son would help the homecoming of another!

Check it out and get your copy...

right in time to start you celebration on November 28th!