ADVENT!!!

I love this time of year!!!

HE's COMING!!!

It's so much fun to anticipate the coming of our Lord. And we have the benefit of seeing SO many of the OT prophecies fulfilled in Christ.

Remember:
The Messiah was prophesied to come and save God's people for years and years. He came, a humble baby in a manger announced to mere shepherds and foreign wise men, to bring peace and hope and freedom to a hurting world. He offered life eternal - salvation - by the freely giving up His own life.

Celebrate: 
We have so much to celebrate as we think about what His birth brought to us individually who believe as well as the whole world! There's Someone who can and has conquered sin and evil and death! WHAT A GIFT!

Hope:
We also get to anticipate what is still to come - one day He will come back and make all things new! We still suffer and there are still wars and death and deceit and hatred...but not forever! HE'S COMING BACK!

Oh the JOY of giving and receiving good gifts from each other...a picture of all God has given us in Christ Jesus!

There are some great resources I've enjoyed for this season:

Noel Piper's book, Treasuring God in your Traditions - on sale right now!!!

Paul Tripp has a devotional and some videos to help you think through the season.

Ann Voskamp's blogs on advent

Come Thou Long Expected Jesus is a collection of writings on advent

Random Acts of Kindness calendar - fun and simple ways to pour out love around you

Advent Readings for Children

resources

Finding resources to connect my children to the grace I've experienced in the Lord is important to me. There's so much in life that hinders me from rightly displaying this grace - my own failure or impatience, life's distractions and business, their attention diverted by countless other seemingly more exciting things. When I find something that looks like it will capture their attention and be solid in truth, I want to take note. Share what you've found!

I am excited to explore these new resources:

longer story for my tween:
http://stores.newgrowthpress.com/a-chameleon-a-boy-and-a-quest/

family devotional:
http://stores.newgrowthpress.com/proof-pirates-finding-the-treasure-of-gods-amazing-grace-family-devotional/

systematic theology for kids:
http://stores.newgrowthpress.com/the-ology-ancient-truths-ever-new/?utm_source=ngpenews&utm_medium=enews&utm_campaign=theologylaunchsingle40

(that one is 40% off right now!)

Parenting

First, I want to remember where my bread/life/sustenance comes from...

If I am going to parent purposefully, I need to intentionally neglect multiple things that cross my path throughout the day screaming for my attention. I am so easily tempted by seemingly "urgent" matters and often get distracted by things that don't satisfy.

So, I remember to abide...again, and again...

http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/what-to-neglect-to-have-a-rich-life

When I am full of life and light, I can reflect it and pour it out into my children. Oh how I want to reflect HIS GREAT love to them so that they never hesitate to believe how He delights in them.

http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/be-the-smile-of-god-to-your-children

And to have this humility when they fail, frustrate, hurt, or otherwise disappoint me:

"Because I once took gifts and didn’t say thanks. I took all that God gave me and didn’t honor him as God. I trashed my life down a flight of stairs, four or five times, or more. And he took my broken pieces, darkened as they were, foolish as they were, and he held them in his hands. He took me, obstinate as I was, in his sovereign hands, his merciful hands, and he spoke over me, “Let light shine” (2 Corinthians 4:6). He put me back together. Like brand-new, and even better. Redeemed and made whole. Because that is the kind of Father he is."

http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/the-kind-of-father-he-is

Laugh today
Smile on them today
Delight again today
Enjoy...for we have MUCH to hope in