Ashley Allen
Isaiah 40:1-5
“Prepare for God’s arrival. Jerusalem has served her sentence. All sins have been taken care of…Make the road straight and smooth…Then God’s bright glory will shine and everyone will see it. “ (The Message)
Advent calendars are always welcomed in our house (especially the ones with chocolate in them). Over the years we have had many different types of calendars. With each one we have tried to guide our children to prepare for the real meaning of Christmas. Our children love to be able to open them each day to see what special treat they will find. Whether it’s a task of kindness to do for others, a Bible verse to read, or an ornament symbolizing a part of the Christmas story, we want our children to pause and try to remember the real reason we celebrate this season.
Today our Woodland children and their families created a new Advent calendar for the season. Using simple objects (small rocks, wooden people, a popsicle stick stable) along with short devotional cards, we hope to help our children focus on preparing their (and our) hearts for the birth of Christ. May we all pause like children before God and give thanks for His Son.
Dear Lord, Thank you for Isaiah’s words. Thank you for reminding us that our sins have been forgiven. Our debt is paid. In this busy season please help us (no matter our age) to pause each day and focus on the real reason for this season. Thank you for showing us your glory. Amen