12-12-12

Much talk today about this date only happening once every 100 years... guess I am doing some thinking about century markings this week.  2012.  looks funny to even write it - let alone say it....

But if I could pick 12 Advent thoughts this celebration of 12 today, what might they be?

 some nostalgic?  some predictive?  What have I leaned in over a half century of living Advent?

Wood and a Metal Nativity

1.  Prepare your hearts first.... Advent Living starts there.  Ask the Lord to give you an expectant heart.

2.  Keep a manger out in your house all year round. It helps to be a visual reminder that Christmas living is every day living.

3.  Make a list of Advent preparations.  Then cross off half the things.   Then start your getting ready for a Birthday.

Paper trees and metal Holy Family.

4.  Spend time with young children during Advent- they bring heart joy and a sense of wonder that we lose as we age.

5.  Look for those who celebrate without family living nearby and call them "family".

6.  Watch The Nativity video and sit in amazement at the regular people- Mary and Joseph- who loved that baby- who just happened to be God, and imagine yourself in their place.

Paper wreath- Joy to the World

7.  Play Christmas music all day long and dance if your heart is leaping.

8.  Research and learn about  using a Jesse tree, and find one that suits your age and stage of family.
     And mark the story of the Old Testament herald to the Messiah.

9. Find a live performance of The Messiah and let the music sink into your soul.

10.  Imagine being a different character of the story each day. One day be a shepherd, one day the innkeeper. One day be a Wise Man.

11.  Find a Living Nativity and go pet a sheep and smell a camel.

12.  Pray about who you might bless this year with the gift of fresh water, a goat for their family, or
a gift that means a new standard of living for another family around the world.


So on this day of 12-12 -12- those are my Advent thoughts to share...... some I learned long ago and some are new Advent thoughts...

And may the sights, and sounds, and smells of Advent preparations bring to your deep heart places--
the joy of knowing that Advent means Coming- for He is returning for each and every one of His children. Pray that each day we may pay attention and see our part of the story.