Advent Idea Box: Day 21

Advent Verses

The time before His entering Jerusalem was foretold by Daniel in Daniel 9:25; and Matthew 21:4-11 tells of His grand entrance at the appointed time.

Jesse Tree

We don't memorize a verse or create an ornament for today, but Isaiah is the next traditional step in the story and you can't just ignore him.

Isaiah 1:16-20¹⁶ wash and make yourselves clean.

Take your evil deeds

out of my sight!

Stop doing wrong,

¹⁷ learn to do right!
       Seek justice,
       encourage the oppressed.
       Defend the cause of the fatherless,
       plead the case of the widow.

¹⁸ "Come now, let us reason together,"
       says the LORD.
       "Though your sins are like scarlet,
       they shall be as white as snow;
       though they are red as crimson,
       they shall be like wool.

¹⁹ If you are willing and obedient,
you will eat the best from the land;

²⁰ but if you resist and rebel,
you will be devoured by the sword."
For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

Verse 18 is a good one to focus on for memory work, if you choose. I believe it is an important verse to stay with them. This passage is a call to holiness. A symbol of purifying is tongs holding a hot coal, referencing Isaiah 6:7. A homemade ornament could be a piece of coal.

To Explore

Presents and Giftwrap! The first Christmas present ever given was a gift to.....you. John 3:16 says it all. Next, the wise men brought gifts to our Gift. After this, there was a lull in the gift-giving tradition at Christmas. The Romans gave gifts, but this was on the pagan side and was discouraged by the church as Christianity spread. However, the tradition won out and became popular originally in America in the early 1800's.

For an awesome history of giftwrap, read http://mymerrychristmas.com/2006/historyofwrap.shtml

Did you know that Hallmark began in Missouri? Hallmark's first wrapping paper sale was an accident. The Hall brothers' card store had run out of the colored tissue paper they usually sold for wrapping gifts and in a moment of desperation, placed a pile of envelope liners out for $0.10 per sheet. They quickly ran out and a new venture began.

Christmas Around the World

America!

As with many countries today, many who celebrate Christmas do so without a recognition of the spiritual significance of the holiday. Even some Christians prefer to treat it as a secular holiday, knowing that it is not likely the actual birthdate of Christ nor necessary to celebrate His birth as a religious holiday. My family's emphasis is not so much on the fact that He came, but WHY He came and that He is coming again. Regardless of individual family's traditions, each participant in the holidays agree it is a wonderful time to be close with family and to remember the many blessings God has poured out on us.

The basics are the same across America: Tree, Stockings, Gifts, Good Food. While variations are seen everywhere, here are some you may be interested in reading about:

Christmas in Hawaii - http://www.aloha-hawaii.com/dining/hawaiian+christmas/

Christmas in Alaska - http://www.christmasgifts.net/Christmasblog/2007/11/07/how-to-celebrate-an-alaskan-christmas/

Christmas in Louisiana - http://www.southernliving.com/travel/south-central/cajun-christmas-in-louisiana-00400000009294/

*Cajun 12 days of Christmas, this one is for parents - http://www.cajun-shop.com/cajun-twelve-days-of-christmas.htm

Amish Christmas - http://www.amishnews.com/featurearticles/germanchristmas.htm