Christmas is for those who hate it most

An encouraging post by Matt Redmond at the Gospel Coalition blog. Here's an excerpt:

We have it sunk deep into our collective cultural consciousness that Christmas is for the happy people. You know, those with idyllic family situations enjoyed around stocking-strewn hearth dreams. Christmas is for healthy people who laugh easily and at all the right times, right? The successful and the beautiful, who live in suburban bliss, can easily enjoy the holidays. They have not gotten lost on the way because of the GPS they got last year. They are beaming after watching a Christmas classic curled up on the couch as a family in front of their ginormous flat-screen. We live and act as if this is who should be enjoying Christmas.

But this is backwards. Christmas—the great story of the incarnation of the Rescuer—is for everyone, especially those who need a rescue. Jesus was born as a baby to know the pain and sympathize with our weaknesses. Jesus was made to be like us so that in his resurrection we can be made like him; free from the fear of death and the pain of loss. Jesus’ first recorded worshipers were not of the beautiful class. They were poor, ugly shepherds, beat down by life and labor. They had been looked down on over many a nose.

Read the whole thing.

HT: Eric Ortlund

The Digital Story of the Nativity

This is cute! If you click on it, you can watch the full screen version on Youtube.

Kate's letter to Santa

Dear Santa,

How are your reindeer going?

May I please have a Easy Bake Oven? I have ben good. I like you Santa. How is Mrs. Claus going?

Thank you.

Kate

An Advent Brunch at St. Aidan Anglican Church

(This post is part of the Caronport Advent Synchroblog.)

Someday, I would love to spend the season of Advent in a remote monastery. No shopping, no Christmas music, no decorations--just prayer, penitence and Advent worship music. After all, Advent is a time to prepare our hearts for Christ's birth, and yet in our modern society, it feels like we have a whole month of Christmas! In Canada, lights and decorations often go up in early November or even before. I enjoy it, but it seems like Advent and Christmas get blurred together.

And so, I always appreciate the Advent focus of our church, St. Aidan Anglican Church in Moose Jaw. In the children's Sunday school, each week has a different Advent theme For example, last week, we used the Godly Play story set to introduce Isaiah, as well as other prophets who pointed the way to Jesus.

And every year, we have a Saturday Advent brunch. While many of the activities are especially appealing to kids, all ages are welcome! Volunteers come together to plan craft projects, skits, and a delicious brunch. Older kids help the younger ones with crafts that are tricky to do on their own.


The Sunday school church calendar on display. One thing I appreciate about the Anglican church is the attention to the church year. The children are taught early on about seasons like Lent, Pentecost, and Advent. At the brunch this year, we were all taught that Advent is the beginning of a new church year.



Advent boards and candles used in Godly Play



People brought all sorts of tasty food to share


Kate and Will with Father Allen Doerksen




Eric playing the part of John the Baptist, in a skit showing yet another person who pointed the way to Jesus. In honor of his "interesting" diet, the kids decorated and ate grasshopper cookies. In past years, we've had St. Nicholas visit us and explain the real story of how he helped the poor--leaving each child a bag of chocolate coins.



Kate with a Christmas tree craft




Will cutting paper



Nate with a tree craft



Kate's glitter art



Kate and Will making crafts

Each person left with some simple printed prayers that could be used over the Advent Season, and other ideas for observing Advent at home.

The Jesus Storybook Bible

We have come to love The Jesus Storybook Bible. It's a beautifully illustrated children's Bible, and every story points the way to Jesus. It brings the Bible to life for children, and shows them how all the Scriptures are a unified whole.


Here's the Christmas story using art from The Jesus Storybook Bible:

Interesting blog posts!

At Cheese-Wearing Theology, a thoughtful post on how God Uses Messy People.

Gavin Ortlund writes about staying fresh and balanced in the midst of a busy ministry schedule.

I am enjoying reading about life in Jordan from Lisa Gertz, as she homeschools 3 kids while her husband Steve learns Arabic.

And the Greens teach us all about life in Australia, where they've moved their family so Chris can teach theology in Sydney.

Jon Coutts tells us about some new music by my old college friend, Sufjan Stevens. Sufjan is certainly always original and thought-provoking!

Abbie can't wait for "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" movie--neither can I! The kids and I read the first chapter by candlelight the other night--what a gripping story!

And finally, my own Eric talks about his Workout of Doom, and why our bodies matter to God.

The Boar's Head Carol

Briercrest puts on a fantastic Christmas production every year. This year, Kate's elementary school choir got to join the college singing group Resonant in entertaining the crowd during the intermission. They sang for four different productions this past weekend. Kate is on the left, second row, red dress.

Caronport Advent Synchroblog

If you are someone who lives, has lived, or would like to live in Caronport or the surrounding area, you are invited to be a part of the Caronport Advent Synchroblog. Those who have worked or studied here are also welcome to participate. A Caronport friend of mine is heading this up, so if you're interested, click on the link, and follow the directions. Write a blog post or Facebook note on an Advent theme (check out the list for ideas). On December 14, send an email to cdntheologianscholar (at) mac (dot) com. Then come back to the original post and be encouraged by what your brothers and sisters in Christ have to say.