Advent: Christmas is Coming

Happy Sunday!

I reserved this spot for myself (as well as Christmas day) so that I might connect with you, dear blog readers. I hope you are well and that the season is indeed Merry for you and your family.

I hope…

All your decorations are up.

All your presents are purchased and wrapped (or on their way).

Your cookies are made.

And your spirits are bright.

But most of all, I hope…

That you are deep in the Word.

That you know Christ as your Savior.

That even when things go wrong (I just had a rejection from a publisher—and I was really hopeful since they’d asked for the full manuscript), you know that you have someone who cares about you and is there ready to comfort you.

That you look forward to Christmas because a baby was born long ago (maybe not on that exact date, but He was born) who would grow up to the Savior of the world.

I hope that you are able to take time out and attend a worship service of your choice, that you leave feeling refreshed, and you have a church family who supports you and lifts you up.

Let me pray for us?

Dear Father God,

I come to you with all my heart and praises. I pray that every person who reads these words and prays them in their heart knows you and feels your love. I wish that they are able to experience the magic of this season, knowing that magic is just another word for the awe you inspire. Thank you so much for your son and his sacrifice for us, that we may look forward to an eternity with you.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Zephaniah 3:17: The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no loner rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.

Luke 2:3: An angel appeared to nearby shepherds with “good tidings of great joy.” The angel told them the Son of God had been born, and they hurried to find their newborn Savior.

And because Christmas is the time for giving...

Bonus Recipe:

Holiday Bread—delivered to all my neighbors and shared with colleagues at school—delicious!

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

1 cup sugar

A teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons cinnamon

3 eggs, beaten

½ cup milk

½ cup vegetable oil

1 3 ½ ounce can flaked coconut (or measured amount)

½ cup maraschino cherries

2 cups shredded carrots

½ cup chopped pecans

Mix together flour, sugar, baking powder, soda, salt, and cinnamon. Make a well in dry ingredients. Add eggs, milk and oil; mix. Stir in coconut, cherries, carrots, and pecans. Pour mixture into 3 greased regular-sized loaf pans or 4 mini-sized loaf pans. Bake in preheated 350 degrees oven for 30-35 minutes (test with knife to see if it comes out clean).

Happy Advent!

PS By the way, the pictures are of decorations in my home...my mother-in-law created ceramics and my father-in-law hand-carved wooden Santas. Blessings!