Merry Christmas dear friends! We have come so far!
I hope you have finished your book, The Greatest Gift by Ann Voskamp.(affiliate link) If you haven’t, that’s ok…keep reading! It is a book to be enjoyed anytime.
This week the project is my gift to you…a free Advent printable! As I pondered over the pictures in my head I know the last days before Christmas are filled with travel, wrapping, cooking and visiting. No one has time for projects.
So I did it for you.
The free Advent printable here today is a last minute touch you can add to your home or give as a gift. Like the book, it isn’t just for Christmas.
You can search out an old 5X7 picture frame you have laying around to complete the look.
A fresh coat of black paint provided a quick facelift for my old frame, you could do the same.
This printable will print in a slightly larger than 5X7 size, so you can trim it down to fit your exact frame.
The thought of making room for the King and Isaiah 9:6 consumed me this week and was the driving theme behind this picture.
Click For Unto Us to download!
I sincerely hope you enjoy it!
Here are my thoughts, I’d love to hear yours!
December 21
Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming! Matthew 3:3
“You are most prepared for Christmas when you are done trying to make your performance into the gift and instead revel in His presence as the Gift, ” says Ann.
We rack ourselves with to-do list and tasks, busying our holiday in preparation for guests and gift giving. Doesn’t this sum up what we should be doing instead so beautifully? It doesn’t really matter if the turkey is dry, the gifts are wrapped haphazardly or if your house doesn’t look like the lobby at Macy’s. It matters that we truly grasp the breathtaking awe and wonder of the virgin birth upon us. That we be still and know. That we make a way for the Lord to seep into our daily-ness.
December 22
“Don’t be afraid Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God!” Luke 1:28
You are favored too.
We serve a polite God who only goes where he is invited. He wants to be invited.
Ann points out “There is no need to produce or perform or perfect – simply become a place for God.”
Mary was an open door to God, a blank canvas awaiting her artist. She had room for Him. She welcomed His love.
How often do I not allow His love to fill me. I close off my space and fill it with something less. It’s always something less. I pray you and I invite Him in, that we open our eyes and hearts with willing space for the Lord to occupy and overflow.
Accept His favor.
December 23
…they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us’ Matthew 1:23
Joseph. The man who made room for God. The man who valued God’s view of him over the worldly view judging him and his decision to stay with a pregnant fiancé. In that room he ushered in a tiny vulnerable King.
What could we witness and experience if we too took up Joseph’s heart of obedience and concern? A beautiful Lord that came so tender and exposed to love on us wants to be with YOU. The same one born in the manger, the mighty King, the Lord of Lords, has the same wonders in store for YOU that he had for Mary and Joseph.
Mind blowing.
December 24
She…laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them. Luke 2:7
Christ is coming, room or not. It’s just a matter of if he lands with you or somewhere else. He goes where there is room. He doesn’t care what the room looks like. It doesn’t have to be readied, all cleaned up, ducks in a row.
“He lays himself down in your mire,” says Ann.
He will, He does and He wants to. This Christmas Eve as you plan and make merry, don’t plan to invite God in once things are all cleaned up. Make room in your mire and invite him to your muck.
December 25
The Savior – yes, the Messiah, the Lord – has been born today… Luke 2:11
Lord God, on this day I pray you give us all eyes to see you, ears to hear you and hearts to love like you do. Be with us as we celebrate your birth. Your grace. Your saving. God show us how to forgive. To forgive ourselves and others. Let us put aside disputes and discord and be the one to make peace. Help us to give generously and love big. Father, we invite you in. Into this day, this place and our hearts. Thank you for sending your son to walk in flesh and save us from ourselves. May you relish in the celebration happening today in your mighty honor.
Amen
Previous weeks:
Merry Christmas!
Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
Happy New Year to You Susan!