Spiritual Sundays

During the season of Avent on the church calendar, Christians around the world light candles. The first candle synbolizes hope. The prophet Isaiah said that all nations will place their hope or trust in Christ, God's Chosen One {Isa. 42:1-4; Matt. 12:21}.

We think of Advent from the perspective of earthbound creatures who know nothing but this life. We rejoice that Jesus came to visit us on this beautiful planet that He made especially for us. But it's important to remember that Jesus came from a better place. He is first and foremost from heaven, a place more beautiful than we can imagine.

Whenever I think about Jesus coming to earth, I also consider that He had to leave heaven to get here. For Him, earth was hostile territory. Coming here was a dangerous venture {Matt. 12:14}. Yet He came. Our just and compassionate God made Himself vulnerable to human injustice. The Creator of the universe put on the garment of flesh and came to experience firsthand what life here is really like.

Jesus tasted death for everyone {Heb.2:9} so that we can taste His goodness {1 Peter2:3}. He left the splendor of heaven to bring us to glory {Heb. 2:10}. He gave His own life to give us hope for eternal life. - Julie Ackerman Link

The hope of Christmas is the song

Of angels in the sky,

And Christ within a manger laid

To bring salvation nigh. - Campbell

Please join our lovely hostesses Charlotte and Ginger with all their participants at Spiritual Sundays for a time of refreshment. http://bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/

Sharing from my heart~ Sandi

Pink Saturday~ My Favourite Decorations

Good morning everyone~ Our wonderful hostess Beverly at How Sweet the Sound has asked us to share our favourite decoration this week for Pink Saturday.

That's a toughie for me because most of my ornaments hold sentimental value. If I was asked to choose just one, I really have no idea which one it would be. I have ornaments from family members and my best friend who is with the Lord now, so it is very hard to choose. I also have my little teacups which I have collected for the tree this year.

I have these lovely ornaments from the Bradford Exchange which my mother gifted me with several years ago. As you can see, they both have pink on them.

Aren't they lovely?

They are each topped with a beautiful butterfly and they have such a pretty shape.

However, Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas without this!

My Nativity sits in the china cabinet which I had built with this opening specifically to put my nativity in at Christmastime. It is a collection of porcelain figurines from Avon which were given to me back in the eighties.

The Holy family was a gift from my sweet hubby. The shepherd boy, angel with a trumpet, donkey, and ox were all gifts from family and friends.

The stable was built for me by one of our parishioners at our last church. I truly love it all! Christmas IS Christ; and we wouldn't be celebrating at all if not for His coming over two thousand years ago!

His coming to earth not only made a way for us to spend eternity with Him, but the Christmas season is a happy and joyous time for us to celebrate with our family and friends.
It is all because of Him!

"....For behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you has been born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.' " - Luke 2:10-14

Thank you dear friends for visiting today and please stop by and visit Beverly and all her pink participants by clicking on the link http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/

Have a wonderful pink weekend everyone and God bless you!

JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON

Sharing from my heart~ Sandi