Christmas Day… Merry Christmas!

May the love of Jesus coming to us as the babe in the manger surround you and your families all year long. Many blessings to you and yours.

Please share an Advent family tradition or memory that you do now or perhaps did when you were growing up:

A couple of years ago I was a table leader for a local Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) group. At the December meeting, we were instructed to share our Advent traditions. The women at my table were amazing, and I was way out of my league to be considered their “leader.” As we went around the table they shared their long-standing traditions.

One family wrapped up baby Jesus and put it under the tree to symbolize the gift God gave us in the birth of Jesus, a mystery gift someone different opened each year. A couple of ladies shared that they gave three gifts to their kids because there were three wise men and each brought one gift. Wow! Honestly, when we started the discussion my thoughts immediately went to picking out Christmas trees, Black Friday shopping, and what kind of cookies we made each year (frosted sugar, marshmallow caramel krispies, peanut butter balls and those ones with the Hershey Kiss on top.)

I know it is a sin to compare yourself to others, but I have to admit I felt sub-par. I felt like my kids foundation was built on flour and sugar. Quick I thought, how many years do we have to do something for it to be considered a family tradition? My oldest at the time was 11. Technically, I only had seven more years to get this right. There is still time.

On Dec. 24, I decided I needed to have a baby Jesus under the tree. I spent a couple of hours looking for figurines of baby Jesus. Nothing felt right. I spent so long at Hurley’s Religious Gifts that I didn’t realize it was already 3 p.m. I needed to rush home to get ready for the 4:30 p.m. Christmas Eve service. We started attending that service when our oldest was a baby. Eleven years ago, the pews were at best half full. This particular year we arrived around 4:10 p.m. The church was already full. The candles were gone. For the first time since 1990 our pew was not available for us to sit in. Furthermore, we were going to have to split; some of us in the balcony, some on the main floor. It was that moment that I knew we had a family tradition. This year it was only going to happen half way because I was trying to be like somebody else. Our tradition is hard to beat and it happens every year at First Lutheran Church.

We attend the 4:30 p.m. family worship service at FLC. Of course we love coming to hear the Christmas story, but our favorite moment the whole season happens around 5:18 p.m. The lights dim, the ushers process down with their master candles and the candle lighting begins. Nothing compares to looking down the pew at everyone’s face washed in candlelight as the congregation sings “Silent Night.” For that brief song, everything melts. All the stress of getting everything right, finding the perfect present, decorating the house, wrapping the packages … none of it matters. Life really does pause and for that brief time, we collectively realize the best gift has already been given to us and all we have to do is receive it.

Advent Scripture

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” –Romans 6:23 (KJV)

Advent Prayer

Dear God, may the blessing of Jesus Christ come to us, warming our hearts and brightening our way. Please help us to remember our true gifts and joyously fill us with your spirit to share the Good News.

Heidi & Paul Van Veldhuizen, Jack, Winter, Gabrielle and Sasha

Please share an Advent family tradition or memory that you do now or perhaps did when you were growing up:

Growing up in my family during Advent we had a Jesse tree. And each day during Advent we would read a message that was assigned to that day. After we read the message for the day we would hang an object on the tree that related to the message that we read. We did this so that we could learn about Christ and his history. We would also light Advent candles. And let’s not forget the Advent calendars where each day you opened a little box in the calendar and one day there would be a piece of candy and on other days there would be a verse. These are some of the activities that we would do during Advent.

Share your favorite Advent hymn and why it speaks to you

My favorite hymn would have to be, “Joy to the World.” I love how uplifting the song is and how encouraging it is, and I just love the way that it glorify God in such a great way and how it gives so much thanks to him for everything that we have.

Advent Scripture

Isaiah 9:6 is a great Advent verse that I love.

“For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” –Isaiah 9:6

Advent Prayer

Dear God, thank you for blessing us with your son Jesus Christ. Thank you for blessing us with the perfect example of the type of person we should all work on becoming. Please God help us all remember during this time that it is about giving and helping others just as you have blessed us all with your son to help as. Give us all the strength to seek more of you and less of the world. Amen.

Isaiah Borgum

Please share an Advent family tradition or memory that you do now or perhaps did when you were growing up:

The Advent season will always be particularly a special time in our household. Last year during this time, we were anxiously expecting, anticipating and preparing for the arrival of our son, Henry Turner, into this world. He arrived healthy and happy on Dec. 16. There is no better way to be reminded of the meaning of Advent and the birth of Christ than to hold an infant baby boy in your arms on Christmas day. I remember staring at his tiny hands and feet, listening to his sweet little cries, smelling that wonderful newborn baby smell, and thinking … what a true miracle from God. At one point he existed in our thoughts only, and now here he was—a human soul sent from God to live amongst us.

Of all the names attributed to Christ, the name that has the most meaning for me is Immanuel—“God with us.” The coming of Christ into this world was the time when God came to earth. God took on a human body through Christ and dwelled among us. Although the birth of our son in the comfort of Sanford Hospital stands in stark contrast to Christ’s birth in Bethlehem, his birth will nevertheless serve as a reminder each Advent season that God is still with us.

Share your favorite Advent hymn and why it speaks to you

“The First Noel” has always been a favorite of mine, but it’s taken on a special meaning since the birth of our son. Sanford Hospital sent him home in a NOEL stocking, which is something we’ll now be able to pull out each year to remember how small he was when he came home with us.

Advent Scripture

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel.” –Isaiah 7:14

Advent Prayer

Dear Lord, thank you for sending your son Jesus Christ to assure us you are with us. Help us remove the interruptions in our lives that hinder us from receiving Christ into our hearts so we can prepare for his coming. Amen

Amy & Jon Lauck, Brendtly, Abigail and Henry

Please share an Advent family tradition or memory that you do now or perhaps did when you were growing up:

It was always an exciting Sunday when you would walk into the sanctuary and see the Advent wreath set up with the tall candles ready to be lit. This time also marked the beginning of our family doing devotions in the evenings which created so many wonderful memories.

One distinct memory (probably reinforced by my brothers and parents telling this story over and over) was when I was too young to read but insisted that I have my turn as well “reading” a devotional selection. Apparently my stories went on a tad bit longer than everyone else’s as I was of course making them up as I went. I would talk of the angels and baby Jesus and can about imagine the storylines I created along the way. Even though I might’ve strayed from the traditional Christmas message, my family enjoyed (besides possibly the entertainment factor of their rambling youngest child), seeing even myself, not old enough to read, enjoy the Christmas season and the amazing event of Jesus’ birth.

Share your favorite Advent hymn and why it speaks to you

 My favorite advent hymn is “Silent Night” (ELW #281) though not as upbeat as many Christmas hymns, it reminds me of a comforting lullaby.

Advent Scripture

“But there will be no gloom for those who were in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness— on them light has shined. You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire. For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually, and there sh
all be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.”  –Isaiah 9:1–7

Advent Prayer

Dear God, thank you for this Advent season as we await the coming of your son. Help us to prepare our hearts for the wonder of this miracle. In your name we pray, Amen.

Mara & Seth Walter, Desmond