to be content

Well here I am.  I’m back.  After a year of not writing anything on this blog, with the exception of the more informational Advent entries, I am returning with a humble attempt at putting language to my heart and a logical flow to my thoughts of late.  As the last entry before Advent made clear and most of you know, I spent most of 2011 pregnant… and those of you who have had the pleasure of experiencing pregnancy, or being married to someone who is experiencing pregnancy, know that there is a phenomenon in pregnancy called “pregnancy brain” whereas one loses about 25% of their normal brain function.  In my case, this led to what could only be described severe writer’s block and a remarkable inability to put written words to all that I was feeling or thinking.  I feel like there is still a semblance of this “condition” present as I am in the first few months of my sweet baby Ephraim’s life as well, but I decided today to attempt my first entry of any substance since his birth (and really since pregnancy as a whole).  So all that to say, in a rather long-winded way, please bear with me this time around and forgive my inadequacies in communication as I try to get my “wind” back.

First things first… I must announce the arrival of my sweet, wonderful, miraculous little gift from Heaven: Ephraim Venable (pronounced like the letter “F” followed by “rum” [like the drink]).

Ephraim arrived the first week of October in a rather extraordinary way.  Like Noah when he was born, Ephraim (or rather the Lord) decided he would come ahead of the scheduled c-section and it ended up that me and my bestie (Dana Candler) both went into labor and delivered our little ones on the very same day, in the very same hospital, with the same doctor and all the same nurses… just down the hall from each other.  It was a little like “Father of the Bride 2″ with a different twist. I was able to be in the delivery room with Dana to witness and be a part of the magnificent arrival of her sweet little Phoebe and then just four hours later, see my own little miracle face to face as well.  It was one of the most surprising and surreal and wonderful days of my life.  Arriving at 37-38 weeks, Ephraim was 8 pounds and almost 2 ounces and 19 inches.  (He takes after his daddy).  And he’s just a dream.  He’s a little angel baby so far.  He eats well, sleeps well, and rarely cries.  But more importantly, he’s just amazing and cute and happy and healthy… and we are all completely smitten with him.  (I think Noah most of all… he’s so happy to be a big brother.  On the evening Ephraim was born and Noah held him for the first time, one of the first things Noah did was spontaneously sing “Jesus Loves You” over him… seriously – best.moment.ever!)

And so the last few months have been quite an adjustment for our little family, now four instead of three.  Everyone says that the jump from one to two kids is the hardest (after the jump from none to one of course), and I think that is definitely true… at least in the day to day.  Just getting out the door with a disabled mommy, a four year old and an infant, and daddy seems to be quite the challenge.  We’re still figuring things like that out (i.e. the new abundant time allowances we must give ourselves).  Fortunately, I have an amazing and selfless husband who always puts his family’s needs above everything else, except the Lord thankfully, and a wonderful support system at the House of Prayer.  Stephen also had the last quarter of the year off from teaching, which was a huge help.  He’s back in the saddle again at IHOPU (and thus I am in a new day as well), but we are somehow making things work for the most part.  Ephraim is already sleeping through the night and smiling and laughing, and really he’s just the cutest little guy ever, just like his brother.  Truly, I have said this before but it is just so overwhelmingly real to me now more than ever, my cup overflows and I am such a blessed woman.

And yet, as I sit here writing this blog, I must confess that there has also been a wilderness to this season.  It’s such a strange season in the Lord for me, because all of the above is so true.  My heart is overflowing with joy as I bask in the wonder of a new life and my sweet family.  I am happy beyond measure.  At the same time, with the gift of a growing family, I am feeling the limitations of my frame physically and struggling with those limitations probably more than I ever have before.  Thus, I am also maybe grieving, for lack of a better description, in some ways.  As I celebrated my 30-somethingth birthday (and no, I most certainly will not disclose the 2nd number) shortly after Ephraim was born, I was confronted with my mortality and with the reality of the process of degeneration that lies ahead in my bones and joints because of this disease (short of a miracle) and what that really means.  I don’t know why in the midst of one of the sweetest times I’ve known for our family, I’m also in a really bitter time of wrestling with this ‘other’ reality of life… but for whatever reason, the two realities have merged and my little soul is trying to walk through it while abiding in the Vine, and longing to do so with a heart that is burning and living on the inside before the Lord.  I wish that I could add that I’m in one of those times where I’m also “feeling” the Lord’s nearness or presence in a real and tangible way through all of this; but unfortunately, it’s also one of those drier times in the Lord where you are setting yourself before Him mostly in faith, without that felt-grace in doing so.  I know what I feel doesn’t change the reality of His love.  And I know that He sees my heart in the coming and going and loves me all the more for believing and loving and trusting when I don’t ‘see’ or ‘feel’ or ‘hear.’  But oh how I am longing for His voice to speak — that just a Word from Him can make the joys even brighter and bring hope to the pain and make the bitter wrestlings of my soul much more bearable.  Just a whisper… a whisper and I’m new again.  Well, at last, a few weeks ago, it came… that still small Voice that breaks the cedars…

After several days of being in one of the most significant flares of my spine that I’ve had in over a year, I woke up with this verse running through my mind, prodding and provoking me with every word (in a not-so-enjoyable way, to be honest):

“…for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.  I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.”  (Philippians 4:11-12 ESV)

To be content.  Oh how I have prayed for this reality to be true within my soul.  That in every season, in every circumstance, I would be able to say, “I am content.  I am at rest.  I am rejoicing.”  He gives, He takes away… blessed be His Name.  And just when I think that I have gained some ground in contentment in Christ, how that ground is shaken.

And this is where Jesus has me.  Pressed on every side, tasting both ecstatic wonder and joy as well as deep sorrow and loss all wrapped into one little season before Him, and He is beckoning me toward contentment.  Contentment = [“An internal satisfaction which does not demand changes in external circumstances”—Holman Bible Dictionary]… contentment in Him.  That peace that comes when the heart is satisfied in God alone.  That reality that Paul spoke of in his letter to Phillipi where all of our confidence and aspiration is found only in the worth of the knowledge of Jesus Christ… all other things lost for the sake of knowing Him.  It’s a corner only Jesus can back you into… that great place where soul and spirit are split asunder and He asks but one question of the human heart, “Am I worthy?”

There’s so much more going on, so much more that I would even like to write… and maybe I will in the days and weeks ahead.  But for now I will rest my head upon my pillow and the truth is that right now, in this moment, I am content.  I am content because despite what happens tomorrow or what happened today or yesterday, I know that God Himself has set me on a journey – a journey which begins and ends in Him, a magnificent journey of discovering His surpassing worth.  And oh, the places I will go…

the Advent tree – traditions

The Advent Tree is something we added to our family traditions when Noah was finally old enough to participate more fully.  I originally got the idea from the old tradition of the ”Jesse Tree,” but we call ours an Advent Tree and focus more specifically on the Incarnation and birth narratives as well as waiting and watching for Jesus’ Return (which is a bit different from the way the Jesse Tree devotionals are laid out – either is great, the above is just our preference).

Every year, we set up a little tree in our dining room that we call the “Advent Tree.”  We set it up at the same time as our regular Christmas tree and turn on the lights after our Matthew 25 devotional (usually before Advent starts).  Then starting on the first Sunday of Advent, which is the first night of the Advent Wreath too, we have daily devotions as a family (ours are in the evenings).  At the end of that time together, Noah (and when Ephraim gets to be old enough to participate, we will divide them up between both boys) gets to put a new ornament on the Advent Tree that somehow symbolizes what we have just read in the Word.  Sometimes it’s a stretch, but you just have to be creative.  You can make homemade ornaments as another great DIY Advent project, which can be a very good hands on way to reinforce the heart of Jesus during Christmas and Advent for kids, or use ornaments you already have that will work, and/or you can purchase ornaments.  We do a little of all three.  For any that are store-bought, we try to add just a few ornaments that are new or just better each year (rather than making a big purchase up front).  (A good time to shop for them as right before Christmas or right after – for next year).

We also have an Advent Calendar that hangs on our refrigerator. We have several of these that were handed down from Stephen’s family, and we have one or two that we bought. You can find these at christianbook.com and depending what you get, they are relatively inexpensive.  If you are a Pinterest follower or just really creative yourself, there are lots of great DIY Advent calendar ideas out there as well.

Every morning, Noah opens the appropriate “window” on the Advent calendar, and we read the verse together.  The verses are very short, so it’s a great tool for memorizing and talking specifically about different events surrounding the birth of Christ each day.

For our evening times of devotion as a family, we basically combine the themes or verses from our Calendar, our daily Bible Reading (mine and Stephen’s), and the Wreath wherever and however we can.  I am including the verses we are using for our evening devo times this year, some suggestions that could be used for ornaments, and the general theme for the devo on the chart below.  If it doesn’t show up in your browser, I’ve also included a pdf file that you can click on.  Sorry if it looks a bit weird on phones or tablets (suggest looking at the pdf instead if you are using an iPhone, etc). If you decide to do an Advent or Jesse Tree with your family, you are more than welcome to use all or parts of what we are doing and make it your own. Enjoy!

Advent Bible Reading 2011 (click to view pdf version)

Advent Tree 2011 (click to view pdf version)

………..

Day & Date	Advent Tree Verses – Family Devo	Ornament/Symbol Ideas	Theme
Sun, Nov 27th	1 Pet 1:10-13 & Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 & Titus 2:11-14	Jesus or Isaiah 9	Prophets’ Candle – Candle of Hope: “Unto us a child is born…”
Mon, Nov 28th	John 1:1-5 & Heb 1:1-3	Creation	Jesus was in the beginning & His role in Creation
Tues, Nov 29th	John 1:9-13 & John 9:5	Lit Star atop Advent Tree	Jesus is the Light of the world
Weds, Nov 30th	John 1:14	Word became Flesh	The Word became flesh & dwelt among us
Thurs, Dec 1st	Col 1:15-20	Earth/Globe	Jesus made all things, upholds all things, He is supreme & over all things
Fri, Dec 2nd	Phil 2:6-11	Cross	He humbled Himself at the Cross, Jesus is exalted above all
Sat, Dec 3rd	Psalm 24	Crown/Scepter – King	Jesus is the King of Glory
Sun, Dec 4th	Isa 40:1-11 & 1 Pet 1:13-25	Heart	Preparation Candle – Candle of The Way: Preparing & examining our hearts
Mon, Dec 5th	Luke 1:5-17, 24-25	Angel	Angel visits Zechariah; Elizabeth’s pregnancy
Tues, Dec 6th	Luke 1:39-45	Donkey	Mary visits Elizabeth
Weds, Dec 7th	Luke 1:57-66, 80	Baby Boy or Birth	Birth of John the Baptist, the forerunner
Thurs, Dec 8th	Malachi 3:1 & Mark 1:1-3	Scroll/Message	The messenger and forerunner
Fri, Dec 9th	Tit 2:11-13 & Zech 14:4, 7, 9	Hope	Longing for Jesus’ Appearing & Return
Sat, Dec 10th	Rev 19:5-9a, 11-16 & Rev 21:1-5a	Bridegroom or White Horse or King of Kings	Faithful & True Rider, Warrior Bridegroom, King of Kings & Lord of Lords who is coming and who will make all things new
Sun, Dec 11th	Matthew 2:9b-11 & 1 Peter 1:8-9 & John 15:9-11 & Isaiah 12:2-5 (Isaiah 35:10)	Joy	Shepherds’ Candle – Candle of Joy:  joy in Christ at His birth, joy in Christ now, joy in His Return and Reign, rejoicing in His leadership
Mon, Dec 12th	Luke 2:8-14	Singing Angels or Glory to God in the Highest	Shepherds and the angels; “Glory to God in the Highest”
Tues, Dec 13th	Luke 2:15-20	Shepherds	The shepherds see Jesus, rejoice and tell everyone
Weds, Dec 14th	Matthew 2:1-7	Camel or Star	Wise men journey to Bethlehem
Thurs, Dec 15th	Matthew 2:8-11	Wise Men	Wise men give gifts to Jesus
Fri, Dec 16th	Mark 14:3-9 & Rev 5:7-14	Gifts or Treasure	Giving everything to Jesus because He is worthy
Sat, Dec 17th	Psalm 47	Music or Rejoice	Sing to Jesus, He is the King & Ruler over all
Sun, Dec 18th	John 3:16 & 1 John 3:1-2 & 1 John 4:8-10 & 1 Cor 13	Love	Bethlehem Candle – Candle of Love: the journey to Bethlehem and the love of God revealed through Jesus Christ
Mon, Dec 19th	Luke 1:26-27	Angel	Angel Gabriel visits Mary
Tues, Dec 20th	Luke 1:28-30	Mary	Angel’s greeting & description of Mary
Weds, Dec 21st	Luke 1:31 & Isaiah 7:14	Immanuel	His name is Jesus, Immanuel (God with us)
Thurs, Dec 22nd	Matthew 1:18, 20-23	Joseph	Angel visits Joseph in a dream (His name is Jesus, Immanuel)
Fri, Dec 23rd	Luke 1:32, 35-38	Crown	The baby is a King – He is the Son of God – He is God
Sat, Dec 24th	Luke 2:1-7	Jesus in Manger	The Birth of Christ
Sun, Dec 25th	Luke 2:1-21 & Matthew 1:18-25	Happy Birthday Jesus or Nativity	Christ Candle:  The King is born!
evening 25th	Rev 21:1-7, vs10-26 & Rev 22:1-5, vs12-13, vs16-17		Come, Lord Jesus!

Advent Bible reading plan

Last year, Stephen came up with a Bible reading plan focusing on the first Advent (coming) of Christ and the second Advent (return/coming) of Christ that we dug into together.  I liked this reading plan so much that I am re-posting this year for you all in case you want to join in individually or if you are married, as a couple, or even as a family.

May Jesus meet you by His Spirit as you embark on a journey into the Word made flesh and may He fill every corner of your heart and your life with the light of His presence in this season of beholding… and may we all sing with gaze and voices lifted before the Throne, just as the herald angels did so long ago, “Glory to God in the highest!”

Day & Date	First Coming	2nd Coming/ Prophetic Lit
Sun, Nov 27th	Matt 1-2	Deut 32
Mon, Nov 28th	John 1	Deut 33
Tues, Nov 29th	Luke 1-2	Psalm 2, 24
Weds, Nov 30th	Luke 3-4	Psalm 47, 48
Thurs, Dec 1st	Luke 4-5	Psalm 72, 75
Fri, Dec 2nd	Luke 6-7	Psalm 110, 118
Sat, Dec 3rd	Luke 8-9	Song 5, 8
Sun, Dec 4th	Luke 10-11	Isaiah 2, 4
Mon, Dec 5th	Matt 1-2, John 1	Isaiah 9, 11
Tues, Dec 6th	Luke 12-13	Isaiah 24, 25
Weds, Dec 7th	Luke 14-15	Isaiah 32, 35
Thurs, Dec 8th	Luke 16-17	Isaiah 40, 53
Fri, Dec 9th	Luke 18-19	Isaiah 62, 63
Sat, Dec 10th	Luke 20-21	Jer 25, 33
Sun, Dec 11th	Luke 22-24	Dan 2, 7
Mon, Dec 12th	Luke 1-2, John 1	Joel 2, 3
Tues, Dec 13th	John 2-3	Zeph 3, Hab 3
Weds, Dec 14th	John 3-4	Zech 13, 14
Thurs, Dec 15th	John 5-6	Mal 3, 4
Fri, Dec 16th	John 7-8	Matt 24, 25
Sat, Dec 17th	John 9-10	1 Cor 15, Heb 12
Sun, Dec 18th	John 11-12	2 Tim 3-4
Mon, Dec 19th	Matt 1-2, John 1	1 Thess 4, 5
Tues, Dec 20th	John 13-14	2 Thess 2, 3
Weds, Dec 21st	John 15-16	1 Pet 1, 2 Pet 3
Thurs, Dec 22nd	John 17-18	Rev 5-6
Fri, Dec 23rd	John 19-20	Rev 14-15
Sat, Dec 24th	John 21-22	Rev 19-20
Sun, Dec 25th	Matt 1-2, Luke 1-2	Rev 21-22

the Advent wreath – traditions

This is an updated version of previous post (from last year) explaining the tradition of the Advent Wreath.

The Advent Wreath is a venerable tradition held by many different denominations of the Church which, depending on who you ask, probably dates back to somewhere around the Middle Ages.  The Wreath itself is arranged with four or five candles of any size.  The candles are all set on the base of an evergreen wreath which can be decorated in many different ways.  There is extraordinary imagery and history associated with the Advent Wreath.  It is one of my favorite traditions.  I honestly didn’t even know what an Advent Wreath was before I married Stephen, but it was one of the first traditions we started for Advent… and because of that, it is something I really treasure each year.  The wreath is a tradition of remembrance, expectation, and celebration of Jesus during the month prior to Christmas.  There is just something powerful about lighting all four candles and finally lighting the fifth “Christ” candle in the center on Christmas morning!

WREATH:  The wreath itself is typically made of pine branches or even holly.  You can purchase a fake wreath just about anywhere during the holidays, and you can also find the real deal, all-natural pine wreaths (Lowe’s carries them, as do most home stores) – though obviously be mindful of the candles with a real wreath, especially as it dries out.  And of course, there are all kinds of other advent wreaths out there that aren’t evergreen wreaths at all.  Personally, we prefer the simple pine wreaths.  You can find out more about the different ‘meanings’ and symbolism behind the wreath online but here are a few tidbits:

The evergreen is meant to symbolize the God who is “ever with us,” and the circular wreath represents the faithfulness of the One Who is from everlasting to everlasting.  You can also include red berries for “the blood of Christ.”  Noel Piper suggests using a manger scene within your Advent Wreath if you have young children, as a sort of visual aid to help remind them what the wreath is all about.

“The symbolism of the Advent wreath is beautiful. The wreath is made of various evergreens, signifying continuous life. Even these evergreens have a traditional meaning which can be adapted to our faith: The laurel signifies victory over persecution and suffering; pine, holly, and yew, immortality; and cedar, strength and healing. Holly also has a special Christian symbolism: The prickly leaves remind us of the crown of thorns… The circle of the wreath, which has no beginning or end, symbolizes the eternity of God, the immortality of the soul, and the everlasting life found in Christ. Any pine cones, nuts, or seedpods used to decorate the wreath also symbolize life and resurrection. All together, the wreath of evergreens depicts the immortality of our soul and the new, everlasting life promised to us through Christ, the eternal Word of the Father, who entered our world and was victorious over sin and death through His own passion, death, and resurrection.”   (The History of the Advent Wreath – Fr. William Saunders)

The flame is a symbol of the One who is called “the light of the world.” We who follow Him “will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).  The light, brighter by the week, points us toward Jesus who has called us to be “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that [we] may proclaim the excellencies of him who called [us] out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9).  (Treasuring God in our Traditions – Noel Piper)

CANDLES:  You can use four or five candles (we prefer five).  Traditionally, three of the candles are purple (representing Christ the King and His royalty – also a symbol of His suffering and of the Prince of Peace).  Following this tradition, on the third Sunday of Advent, the candle is pink or rose colored symbolizing early dawn (it’s the halfway mark of Advent so it marks the rejoicing of the soul in expectation of the Light of the world on the horizon).  And then the center candle, representing Christ, is lit on Christmas morning.  The final candle is white and is placed within the center of the wreath while the other four are placed around the circular part of the wreath.

Many churches and individuals choose instead to have all white candles or four red candles with a bigger white one in the center.  The color and size of the candles are really a matter of personal choice, and in my humble opinion, not all that important.   It’s the reminder that each candle brings during Advent and on Christmas morning that is glorious and good for the heart.  Each week the new candle for that week is lit after the previous candles are re-lit.  As you light each new candle, a passage or passages can be read out loud and/or explained for children.  After that, you can worship, sing, and pray together - just a simple time of devotion in whatever way works best for your family.

The four weeks of Advent are a period of waiting that also signify the four centuries of waiting between the last prophet Malachi and the birth of Jesus.  On Christmas morning, you will light all five candles, the center one being the last one in remembrance of Jesus’ coming in the flesh in Bethlehem, and also in looking forward to His return.

Below I have listed a theme for each candle and suggested passages that you could use with each one (we only read through one or two passages to keep it easy for Noah to follow along).  However, just like the elements of the Advent Wreath, the meaning or theme for the individual candles varies greatly depending on the denomination or individual… the suggestions I have outlined below are mostly based on what we do as a family.  By simply searching online, you will find many different varieties and takes on Advent Wreaths that you can pick and choose from.

CANDLE ONE (Sunday, November 27th) - The “Prophet’s Candle” OR “Candle of Hope”:   The first candle is lit in remembrance of the prophets who foretold the birth of Christ and represents hope and expectation in anticipation of the coming of the Messiah.  There are really many Biblical passages that you can use for the first candle, but if you have younger children, I recommend keeping it very simple so that they can understand and follow the meaning of whatever passage you choose.

Verses that can be used for the Candle of HOPE: 

• 1 Peter 1:10-12
• Isaiah 7:10-14
• Isaiah 9:6-7
• Isaiah 11:1-5
• Jeremiah 33:14-16

NOTE: there are many different verses you can choose from for any of the candles.  You can use one of the verses that you are reading through or studying specifically during Advent or whatever you want.  I would keep it pretty simple if you have smaller children (they will be more likely to follow along and remember with a lot of repetition as well), and if you are also planning on doing an Advent Tree along with daily family devotions, you might want to overlap the passages for your Advent Tree and ornaments with your Advent Wreath for that day. 

CANDLE TWO (Sunday, December 4th) – The “Candle of the Way” OR “Candle of Preparation”:  The second candle is the candle of preparation.  With the lighting of this candle, we hear John the Baptist proclaim, “Prepare ye the way of the Lord,” and we also hear Jesus say to us, “I AM the way and the truth and the life.”  This candle reminds us to examine our own hearts that we may be prepared and sober-minded with our hope set “fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:13)  I love John’s exhortation to a righteous life of abiding in Christ, waiting and watching in 1 John 2:28: “And now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears we may have confidence and not shrink from Him in shame at His coming.”

Verses that can be used for the Candle of PREPARATION: 

• John 14:6 and 1 Peter 1:13-25
• Isaiah 40:1-11
• Malachi 3:1-5 and 4:1-6
• Luke 1:5-17
• Mark 1:1-3
• Matthew 3:1-6
• Matthew 11:1-18

CANDLE THREE (Sunday, December 11th) – The “Shepherds’ Candle” OR “Candle of Joy”: The third candle is the pink or rose-colored candle, if using colored candles, and it marks the middle of Advent with rejoicing and joy just as (or somewhat resembling what) the shepherds must have known when the heavens opened and they were met with a HOST of angels and the songs of Heaven itself.  This passage is one of the most striking stories of the Bible. I have never knowingly encountered an angel, but I am quite sure if the heavens opened up above me at this very moment and I was face to face with just one angel, I would feel almost every kind of emotion known to man all at once.  Butangels “with good news of great joy” and a HOST singing songs of GLORY?  Joy is one way to describe it…

But we have something those shepherds did not know or experience… we are the children of God, born anew with the Spirit of the living God abiding within our hearts and a promise not just of JOY, but of the FULLNESS OF JOY!   I don’t know if I can even comprehend what those three words mean, but I’m praying and asking the Lord to make this more real to our hearts and in our lives.

Verses that can be used for the Candle of JOY: 

• Luke 2:8-20
• Romans 15:4-13
• Isaiah 35:1-10
• Psalms 16, 30, and/or 126
• Luke 10:17-24
• John 3:29-30
• John 15:7-13 and 16:22b-24
• 1 Thessalonians 1:6-7
• Hebrews 12:-1-3
• James 1:2-4
• 1 Peter 1:3-9
• 1 John 1:1-4
• Jude 1:24-25

CANDLE FOUR (Sunday, December 18th) – The “Bethlehem Candle” OR “Candle of Love”: The fourth candle is lit in remembrance of the manger of Christ in Bethlehem.  When one beholds the Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths resting in His mother’s arms and grasping at her finger… when we stop to ponder that this child is God Himself, the One clothed in unapproachable Light now wrapped in the flesh He Himself created from the dust of the earth, everything else fades as Beauty Himself bathes our heart with the incomprehensible Love of the Holy Three that They would go so far to come so near.  Love is the only possible response.  Awe… worship… and absolute abandonment to Love Himself.

Verses that can be used for the Candle of LOVE:

• Micah 5:2
• Luke 2:1-7
• Matthew 2:1-12
• John 13:1-15
• Romans 8:31-39
• Ephesians 3:14-21
• Exodus 34:5-7, Nehemiah 9:16-17, Psalm 86:15, Psalm 103:8, & Psalm 145

NOTE: the Bethlehem candle is sometimes done on the second Sunday of Advent instead of the fourth, and some churches call the Bethlehem candle the “candle of peace.”  And then there are others who put the “Angels’ Candle” in the fourth week as the ‘candle of love’ without doing a ’candle of preparation.’   Since this is your personal Advent Wreath at home, you can obviously choose to set up the candles in any way you want.  The order and themes above are merely suggestions based on our personal preferences and what we do with our family.

CANDLE FIVE (Christmas Morning, December 25th) – “Christ Candle”:  This is the candle that is lit on Christmas morning (along with the other four).   With this candle, we celebrate the birth of Christ.  May our hearts rejoice at the passion and glory revealed in the heart of God as He stooped so low and drew so near to us in Bethlehem on that day.  May we fall to our knees as we gaze upon and give our hearts to Him – Immanuel, God-with-us.  And as we gaze upon His face, let us also gaze upon the horizon – for surely He is coming soon.  Oh for the Day when at last we will see and know as we are seen and known!

The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.

He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.”

Amen.  Come, Lord Jesus!  (Revelation 22:17, 20)

Verses that can be used for the Candle of CHRIST:

• Isaiah 9:2-7
• 1 John 1:1-3
• John 1:1-18
• Luke 1:26-56 and Luke 2
• Matthew 1-2
• Revelation 21-22

And that, my friends, is everything you need to know for setting up an ADVENT WREATH this month.  Next up, the Advent Tree.

Light of the world, illuminate our hearts, remind us of Who You are and of the manner of love with which You have loved us, and fill every room of our hearts with Your presence and glory.  Oh how we long for Your Appearing.

let the Advent celebrations begin…

Well, it’s about that time again… our FAVORITE time of year in the Venable homestead – ADVENT!  As you know, Advent is all about preparing your heart, waiting and watching, pondering Jesus in the Incarnation, and longing for His return.  It’s a glorious time of year — sobering to be sure, as we prepare our hearts and take stock of the ‘oil in our lamps’ (Matthew 25), but also a time of hope, love and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 15) as we dive deeper into the heart of Christ that we may love Him more.  We love this season and our hearts are even more tender and expectant as we gaze into our newest little arrival’s wonderful little face and ponder that the great God of the universe, Who holds the stars in His hands, also came in such a small and vulnerable way.  Oh the glories of the Incarnation and how they cause our hearts to long for His nearness and return!

Every year around this time, I like to post some of the things that we do as a family during this season in hopes that it will inspire others to begin their own Advent traditions and more importantly to set their hearts before the Incarnation that longing would arise for Jesus’ nearness and return.  I am always so surprised by the response, so much so that I almost feel an obligation before the Lord to continue this each year… I guess it’s my “mite” and offering.  So I pray that you, dear reader of this blog, might be blessed by it somehow.  Advent doesn’t officially begin for a couple more weeks, but we are putting the tree up early this year and thus, some of our own traditions will begin as soon as tomorrow.   In the next few days and weeks, I plan on posting a Bible reading plan for Advent, some suggestions for family devotionals if you wanted to use an Advent Wreath or Advent Tree (or both) – will explain what both those are as well if you haven’t read about them in years past or aren’t familiar with them, suggestions for family activities and ideas for giving to others in need this year, and maybe just maybe I will even be able to post some of my own Advent meditations as I have in previous years.  We will see – I do have a newborn : ) this year.

In case you don’t know much about Advent, and as a review again for 2011, the word Advent means “coming” or “arrival.”   The focus of this time of year is meant to be the celebration of the birth of Jesus in His First Advent, and the anticipation of the return of Jesus, the Bridegroom, King, and Judge, in His Second Advent.

 “Thus, we celebrate with gladness the great promise in the Advent, yet there is also sobriety as the theme of judgment is added to the theme of promise, which is reflected in most of the Scripture readings for Advent (where there is a strong prophetic tone of accountability, repentance and judgment).  But this is also faithful to the role of the return of the King who is coming to rule and reign. 

 Advent is a time of preparation that is marked by prayer. While Lent is characterized by fasting and a spirit of penitence, Advent’s prayers are prayers of humble devotion and loving commitment, prayers of submission, prayers for deliverance, prayers of preparation for the heart, prayers of expectation and hope, prayers of those walking in darkness who are awaiting and anticipating a great light (Isa 9)!

 The spirit of Advent is expressed well in the parable of the bridesmaids who are anxiously awaiting the coming of the Bridegroom (Matt 25:1-13). There is profound joy at the Bridegroom’s expected coming. And yet a warning of the need for preparation echoes through the parable. But even then, the prayer of Advent is still:

 ‘O Come, O Come, Emmanuel…’”    

[above in italics is a paraphrased version of an online source about Advent]

Tomorrow is Matthew 25 day at our house – the day we put up our Christmas tree and begin our journey into the very heart of Jesus as revealed in His first coming and His second.  Every year before we turn on the lights for our tree and other decorations the first time, we read through the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25.  First, we turn off all the lights and we light ten candles.  We go through Jesus’ story in a way that Noah can easily understand it, and at the right time according to the parable, we blow out five of the candles.  We then give the illustration that at our house, whenever we are going to have visitors or company come and stay with us, we clean up everything in the house, we set out our nicest towels and wash cloths, we make the room and bed where they will be staying as nice as possible, we even offer other little amenities to bless them (I’m a hospitality junky – I confess), and last but not least, we leave the porch light on for them (when they are arriving at night – which guests at our house usually do for some reason, so Noah understands that).  This is just something that Noah is really familiar with that gives a simple illustration of the lamps of Matthew 25 – you can probably come up with something similar or even better!  We then talk about how during Advent, we are doing the same thing… we are preparing our hearts, cleaning out the things that aren’t obedient to Christ or loving of Him and others, offering the best of everything we have [much like Mary of Bethany] to the One we love, and making ourselves ready for His coming.  We discuss how the lights of Advent and Christmas in our house are a way of saying, “we’re ready for You to come, Jesus!”  And so from the first time we ever turn those lights on and then for every day after (before we turn on the lights each day), we pray beforehand and tell Jesus that we are making ourselves ready, that we love Him, and that we’re ready for Him to come!

We loved doing this last year with Noah. Every day, Noah would pray, “Jesus, we’re ready for You to come!”   And we witnessed something unfold in Noah’s little heart, in my heart, and in Stephen’s heart each time.  As I wrote on the blog last year:  “With every prayer, every time those lights go on, our hearts grow more tender, tears are nearer to the brim, and a longing wells up within that is indescribable… a longing that accompanied by a growing and uncompromising zeal for righteousness in my life and within our little family.   Oh, how I want to have oil in my lamp when that midnight cry is heard.”   O Jesus, we are so ready for You to come… and where we are not ready, I pray, Holy Spirit and Teacher of our souls, make us ready.  Amen and amen.

hello again

Well, I really wanted to post on Passion Week since it is Palm Sunday; but as I sat here to start typing, I realized that I haven’t written anything in such a long time on this blog and that I probably have “some ‘splaining to do” before I launch into anything else.  So this is just going to be a brief family update and a “HELLO AGAIN” to the blogosphere friendlies before anything else.

Well, if you are wondering where we’ve been… it can be summed up in two words:  First Trimester.   We had an extra-special Valentine’s Day this year in that we found out, to our very great surprise, that we were pregnant!   And the Lord has been surprising us, in many ways, ever since.   We are due in October… official due date is now October 17th, but because I will have to have a c-section, our little one will probably come closer to the 7-10th range.  We find out if we are having a boy or a girl in May, and we cannot wait to know more about this little miracle God has given us.  And, praise be to God, I am finally entering into the second trimester this week!!   The first few months have been a little rough physically and in other ways (like Stephen left the country shortly after we found out we were pregnant and right when I was going through the process of going of all of the medicines I was on)… but mostly, I remember what a glorious time the 2nd trimester was with Noah, so I have been eagerly awaiting this day.

So that is mostly the explanation of where I’ve/we’ve been and even of where we are going.  This has been a weird and glorious season.  We have so much going on, it seems, though it truly feels like a time of change… of the newness of Spring and singing of Song of Songs 2:10-15… even the catching of the little foxes (more on that later).  Jesus is more beautiful and unfathomable to me today than He has ever been.  I am undone even as I read the pages of His story and as He unveils each new chapter in our story with Him.  He is so faithful, so true, so good, so endlessly loving and holy.

So I think I will just end there, and finally adding the words of Paul to Corinth that have been resonating in my heart on this beautiful Palm Sunday:

“But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of Him everywhere.”  (2 Corinthians 2)

PS:  With a new baby on the way, physical therapy as the only option to manage pain for bone/joint disease during pregnancy, some pretty major upcoming home repairs, and a bit of change in our income, we are working hard on a few different fundraising projects if you are interested or would consider giving (even a small amount is a huge help).  Click on the GIVE tab at the top right hand corner of our blog for more details and information.

things i love right now – Feb 2011 edition

This book, ROSE FROM BRIER, by Amy Carmichael has been such a treasure for me in the last several weeks, from which I feel I am finally emerging somewhat triumphantly.  Amy wrote this book during an extended illness with intense pain that was the result of an accidental injury.  Amy Carmichael was a Christian missionary to India where she opened an orphanage and founded a mission in Dohnavur in the early 1900′s.  She is one of my heroes of the faith - I have been so provoked by her life, her devotion to Christ, and the rare sacrificial and abandoned life she lived before the One she loved. 

This book is actually based on a series of letters she wrote particularly to those (in her time and beyond) who suffer with physical illnesses, whether acute or chronic, and who love and trust Jesus to both heal and uphold the one He loves in the midst of suffering or pain.   As I have been reading through the book, I have been undone again and again as it often feels like I am reading my own story.  She knows something of the rooms of my life and soul that almost no one has ever entered or known – things that would be hard to know unless you have traveled down similar roads.  It has been almost as if I am fellowshipping with a Hebrews 12 friend across the boundaries of time as her words and the Word of God through her speak to me right here where I am today, almost 100 years later.  That is a rare gift indeed.  I love how Ruth Bell Graham describes the book, “most books of comfort for sick people are written by the well and so miss their mark,” and that is what sets this book apart for my own heart, that knowing and understanding which is so rare.  The title of the book, Rose from Brier, was taken from this poem:

Thou hast not that, My child, but thou hast Me,
And am not I alone enough for thee?
I know it all, know how thy heart was set
Upon this joy which has not been given yet.

And well I know how through the wistful days
Thou walkest all the dear familiar ways,
As unregarded as a breath of air,
But there in love and longing, always there.

I know it all; but from thy brier shall blow
A rose for others.  If it were not so
I would have told thee.  Come, then, say to Me:
My Lord, my Love, I am content with Thee.

Such a statement of her life… and of this book… for surely it has been to me a “rose” from the brier of her own trial through pain and all that comes with it.  And also of her love for Jesus, that like Paul, she was able to say (just as my own heart has learned and is learning): “…for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation… I can do all this through Christ who gives me strength.”  (Phil 4:11-13 NIV)  Or as Amy writes, “Until this tyrrany be overpast, Thy hand will hold me fast.”  That doesn’t mean that we stop contending for the “joy not given yet” of restoration and healing, we must contend, and that does not mean that we don’t have tears or struggles or even that the Lord does not weep with us (His sovereignty and weeping are not incompatible).  It just means that we have believed in that which is and will always be sung in Heaven, that great and glorious proclamation of the faithfulness of God in EVERYTHING which we will sing in that Day when at last our eyes can see: 

“Great and marvelous are your deeds,
   Lord God Almighty.
Just and true are your ways,
   King of the nations.”  (Rev 15:3) 

If you are struggling with an extended illness and in the midst of what many call “the delay,” I highly recommend this book.  The language is very “King James” because that is how Amy learned the Word and also how she wrote being from the UK in that era, but once you get used to it, I think it makes the words fall upon the soul with sweeter honey.  There are a few points in which I would probably diverge from her thinking and theology, but even in those driftings, her heart and motivation to love Jesus wholly remains very much as the foundation of her thinking (and thus, it is easy to pass over the disagreements in order to enjoy the deeper truths and gems within every letter). 

So in keeping with the theme of this particular post, things i love, I thought I would share a few of my favorite quotes from the last week or so from the text of this book.  I pray that these words would also fall into another’s heart as a bouquet of beautiful roses from Heaven to encourage the soul that even in the midst of winter, while He speaks a word to cover the earth in a blanket a snow (see Job 37:6-14), still underneath the surface of the frozen dirt life is watered and surely, by His same word, life will grow… the result of winter is always spring.  He is always present, in every season of the soul, and His promises are true, His kindness is real, His love endures, His peace guards, and His faithfulness sustains.  I pray that these words and any of my own experiences that I have shared here in the words of this post or other posts on this blog from my own journey with the Lord may be just as the Lord spoke to Amy Carmichael, as roses from the brier.

            WINTER   — by Amy Carmichael

When my leaves fall, wilt Thou encompass them?
     The gold of autumn flown, the bare branch brown,
The brittle twig and stem,
    The tired leaves dropping down –
Wilt Thou encompass that which men call dead?
    I see the rain, the coldly smothering snow,
My leaves dispirited,
     Lie very low.

So, the heart questioneth, white winter near;
     Till jocund as the glorious voice of spring
Cometh His “Do not fear,
     But sing; rejoice and sing,
For sheltered by the coverlet of snow
     Are secrets of delight, and there shall be
Uprising that shall show
     All that through winter I prepared for thee.”

Listen! My beloved! Look! Here He comes, leaping across the mountains, bounding over the hills. My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag. Look! There He stands behind our wall, gazing through the windows, peering through the lattice [of time].

My beloved spoke and said to me, “Arise, My darling, My beautiful one, come with Me. See! The   winter is past; the rains are over and gone.  Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land.  The fig tree forms its early fruit; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance.  Arise, come, My darling; My beautiful one, come with Me.”  (Song of Songs 2:8-13 NIV)

NOT ANYTHING IN THE HOUSE   — by Amy Carmichael

Thy servant, Lord, hath nothing in the house,
Not even one small pot of common oil;
For he who never cometh but to spoil
Hath raided my poor house again, again —
That ruthless strong man, armed, whom men call pain.
I thought that I had courage in the house,
And patience to be quiet and endure,
And sometimes happy songs.  Now I am sure
Thy servant truly hath not anything;
And see, my songbird hath a broken wing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My servant, I have come into the house —
I who know Pain’s extremity so well
That there can never be the need to tell
His power to make the flesh and spirit quail;
Have I not felt the scourge, the thorn, the nail?
And I, his Conqueror, am in the house,
Let not your heart be troubled — do not fear;
Why shouldst thou, child of Mine, if I am here?
My touch will heal thy songbird’s broken wing,
And he shall have a braver song to sing.

I love the poem above.  Oh, how I know the corridors of these words.  Pain (of any kind) has a way of taking one to the very end of oneself and back again… of ‘emptying’ the house of anything but the raw nakedness in which we both come into this world and leave the same.  But it is in the very midst of those moments when we feel so stripped and laid bare that Jesus enters before us, walking the long road of Calvary, bearing the agony and shame of the Cross and three days in the grave… He meets us with a tear upon His cheek and hanging on a crossbeam, but He doesn’t stop there.  He takes our hand, or carries us if He must, and leads us down a road of triumphant Love, an enduring Love so prevailing that even the grave could not contain Him (nor us in Him).  He comes to us as a Lamb who knows and understands, but He stands in our ‘empty rooms’ as a Conquering Lion before Whom all must bow and by Whom all things are made new and turned to good for those who love Him.  He is the Light in our empty house.  ”The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear?  The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?”  (Ps 27)  “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose… What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?… Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised – who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?  As it is written, ”For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor power, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  (Romans 8)

A FEW OTHER FAVORITES OF THE HOUR…

My hubby is actually using Twitter… I never thought I’d see the day, but I’m so loving it.  My favorite tweet of late: @StephenVenable Chopping wood for storm-in awe that I can fellowship with One who made the snow & who cut wood with His own hands. Stunning.  #Incarnation 

The IHOP-KC Prayer Room Webstream.  Oh, how I love the prayer room webcast.  I honestly don’t know how I’d live without it… and I know many of you tune in as well.  Such an incredible gift.

Two of my favorite friends have posted several times on IHOP-KC’s blog, but I like these two posts and thought I’d share: 1) Wordless Words of God in Bethlehem (this is an excerpt from one of my all time favorite books – which you should definitely buy if you don’t have already – “Mourning for the Bridegroom”) and 2) Turning Thoughts into Prayers.  Both Lisa and Dana also have personal blogs (links to the right under Friends on the blogroll).  I am provoked and so humbled by the great and beautiful souls the Lord has surrounded me with, especially in this last season.  What a gift to fellowship with those whose hearts burn ever more with love for Jesus.