Advent devotions

We have started reading this advent book

today and by the look in my children's

eyes, the story is captivating.

As we have only read three chapters, I cannot

go into too much detail yet, but already,

I love the story line and how the word of God

is incorporated in a way for children

to gain a more in depth understanding of

Jesus coming to earth, and His

love for all Mankind.

Has anybody read this?

What devotions do you do in you home?

Mince Pies and a few confessions!

Would you like to know a couple of secrets of mine regarding mince pies?

1. I have never cooked them before these ones

2. I have never eaten them before these ones

3. The reason why I had never eaten them or cooked them was

because all my childhood I actually thought they were made out of

real mince meat...true story my friend!

So what inspired me to make them this time, you may ask!

Well memories of my Mother cooking them every year exists very much in my mind, and my mother has been away all year and only returned home on Wednesday and I knew that she would not have the time to make them. Also I wanted to make them so Mum could take some to my dear Nana!

Donna Hay also inspired me to make mince pies with this gorgeous recipe in the Donna Hay Christmas Magazine page 110! If you want the recipe then by the magazine, there is always so much simple creative ideas, it's worth every cent ~ Donna Hay magazine is the bomb!

I just found out from my Auntie that Nana loved the mince pies and my Uncle also, so that is very satisfying!

UP, UP and AWAY...

...Well that is what my parents are up to today! This morning they are leaving Darwin for good, Dad has finished his job and has resigned for now!

There first flight will take them to Melbourne where they board another flight to Merimbula where they will find there escort - Joshua, Grace & I!

This is exciting!

It's reminder that we are only separated from loved ones for a little while and a time comes when you are back together again.

My husband and I were discussing how being separated for 6 weeks is really such a short time in the scheme of eternity. We started to meditate upon the truth that since we have made Jesus our Lord we are never separated from God and His love through His grace!

Sometimes I really start thinking deeply about eternity and about all the people in my world that I know who at the moment are eternally separated from God, I can't help but feel burdened and I feel as though I am feeling just a tiny grain of what our Father feels.

This knowledge of eternal life is what drives me to continue to pray, to not give up on my family members, even though it looks like there is no change. I have wanted to just give up on praying after years of not seeing any change, but this is truly a very selfish attitude, and is certainly not the attitude of Jesus who will never give up on us.

As long as we are still here on this side of eternity there is always hope, grace and salvation.

'For He says:“ In an acceptable time I have heard you,

And in the day of salvation I have helped you.”

Behold, now is the accepted time;

behold, now is the day of salvation.'

~ 2 Corinthians 6:2

What else is Christmas really about other than salvation?

Do you Hear what I hear? Carrie Underwood

"This song was written in 1962 during the Cuban Missile Crisis as a powerful plea for peace by a man who had experienced the horrors of war.

The song’s message of peace is as desperately needed today as it was then."

Do you see what I see is one of my favourite carols and I love this version sung by Carrie Underwood who happens to be one of my favourite country singers. If you have 4 minutes to spare, you'll be enriched by this version of the song!

The hidden meaning of the 12 days of Christmas

Hey all...we arrived back home on Saturday around 5pm! We had a lovely holiday as a family, and glad to be back home!

Christmas has come around really fast...so for my first blog to celebrate the best season, is the beautiful hidden meaning of this classic Christmas song!

An excerpt from http://jmm.aaa.net.au/index.htm

"From 1558 until 1829 people in England were not allowed to practise their faith openly. During this era someone wrote 'The Twelve Days of Christmas' as a kind of secret catechism that could be sung in public without risk of persecution. The song has two levels of interpretation: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of the church."
"
Each element in the carol is a code word for a religious reality.

1. The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ.

2. The two turtledoves are the Old and New Testaments.

3. Three French hens stand for faith, hope and love.

4. The four calling birds are the four Gospels.

5. The five gold rings recall the torah (Law) the first five books of the Old Testament.

6. The six geese a-laying stand for the six days of creation.

7. Seven swans a-swimming represent the sevenfold gifts of the Spirit.

8. The eight maids a-milking are the eight beatitudes.

9. Nine ladies dancing are the nine fruits of the spirit (Gal.5).

10. The ten lords a-leaping are the Ten Commandments.

11. Eleven pipers piping stand for the eleven faithful disciples.

12. Twelve drummers drumming symbolize the 12 points of belief in the Apostles Creed.