Advent - Week 1

This is an especially fun Christmas season because it is the first one in which Jeremiah really gets what is going on. The lights, the sounds, the treats are all exciting and fun to him. It is so fun to watch the excitement and wonder of this season through the eyes of a 3 year old. Aaron and I are now especially aware of the fact that it is time for us to think more intentionally about the way we spend the few weeks before Christmas. We want the way we celebrate Christmas to point our children toward Christ and not toward themselves. With that in mind we have chosen to make Advent a major focus of our family life during this time. When we were in Holland last year I found this cheerful advent calendar and this year I have filled each drawer with a small piece of candy and a Bible verse from the Advent readings. Every night after dinner we gather as a family and go through the ritual of Jeremiah finding the correct number and excitedly opening the drawer. Aaron finds the verse in the Bible and we read it together. Then we spend a few minutes talking about the verse. We sing a Christmas carol and then read one of our Christmas books. It all takes about 20 minutes. Some nights we make it extra special and add hot chocolate.
Some nights the boys are well behaved and engaged. Some nights they can barely sit still. But the tradition is being set. As we read the Bible verses I realize that they are all familiar to me yet I am forced to think about them in a new way as I try and explain them in a way a 3 year old can understand. This family ritual also forces me to focus on Christ during this busy and hectic season. Spending 20 minutes at the end of every day to read God's Word and think about Christ's birth and what that really means helps me keep stress, materialism, and consumerism at bay.
This week we are reading from the Prophets and seeing how Christ's birth was prophesied 100's of years in advance. How amazing! A reminder that God always keeps His promises. The following verses from Isaiah never fail to inspire me on many different levels.
Isaiah 9:2-7
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined.
You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest,
as they are glad when they divide the spoil.
For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder,
the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian.
For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult,
and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forever more.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.