Horizons Math Grade 4 and K,Sequential Spelling, Lifepac Language Arts 4, Apologia Astronomy, Veritas Press New Testament/Greeks/Romans
Prima Latina, Contenders for the Faith and various Winters Promise books, Live Mocha Spanish, Plants Grown Up
This is a Flickr badge showing public photos from AngelAlmeyda. Make your own badge here.
Nov. 2, 2009 - *Christmas Card Ministry*
*This is a blog post that is a couple years old, but I like to bump it up each year as a reminder! I also want to remind you I made a 'Holidays" category on my blog last year to make it easier to look up past holiday crafts, recipes, thoughts and traditions! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/angelnavywife/Holidays/
Ladies, as you know Christmas is just around the corner, and I want to share with you again something near and dear to my heart. Christmas cards!
I hope that you will thoughtfully and prayerfully consider sending out cards this year. I feel it is part of my homemaking duties to keep upcorrespondence with friends and family, and this is a perfect time to make sure everyone we know gets something special in their mailboxes that is not a bill or advertisement.
I start early filling out each card. I try to write a little something personal in each one, but more importantly EVERY person who receives a card from us also receives prayer. As I make out the card, I pray for the family it is addressed to. I start early in November and take a few each night to make sure I do not feel rushed.
Also when we receive Christmas cards we set them on the kitchen table and after dinner we pray for whoever the cards are from before we put them on display. So most families get prayed for at least twice (once when we send them a card, once when we receive one from them!)
And on a side note, if you'd like a fancy card personalized with pictures let me know! I will sell the digital file for you to print as you wish. Here are some of ours from years past:
So by now you have probably figured out, we celebrate Passover! I am not Jewish,and I by no means believe we HAVE to celebrate Passover. But I do feel it is easily adapted by Christians and it is a fun tradition for our family. Not to mention it makes the Old testament come alive when you actually do the things they did as you learn about it! And I want God's Word to be alive and exciting for my children. When it comes up that we celebrate, I get a LOT of questions, of HOW and WHY, so that is what I'm trying to cover in these blogs :)
We start by reading Exodus 12. We may or may not have done activities relating to Moses and the plagues beforehand. I try to, but it doesn't always work out.
Then we pull out our stuffed lamb (verse 5).
The boys examine him, to make sure he is "unblemished and a male of the first year". We keep him on a platter on the dining room table for the 4 days leading up to Passover. On the day of Passover, at 3 pm, we pack him up and put him away for next year , then we start preparing dinner. On the menu of course, is roasted lamb!
We normally BBQ it (verse 9) and we used to have dinner outside around the firepit in the back yard while wearing our coats and shoes (verse 11). Then we'd burn the leftovers in the fire (verse 10), but housing banned firepits since then and Daddy is the only one to touch the BBQ , so we'll be roasting it in the oven and trying to make sure we have no leftovers this year :)
We also have communion during our Passover meal (1 Corinthians 11:23, Matthew 26:26-8) because Jesus had the Last Supper as He celebrated Passover just as we are doing.
Before dark we paint 3 strips of cardboard red, and tape them around our front door (verse 13 and 22) and we stay home until morning (verse 22).
Through out the day (and week leading up to it) we talk about how why we did these things, and how each thing is symbolic. We give thanks for the Lord's goodness and mercy and grace. We also talk about how we dont need to sacrifice a real lamb, because Jesus is our Passover lamb.
So that is just a rundown on what we do in our home. I'm hoping to blog about Good Friday and Ressurection Sunday celebrations as well, so be on the lookout for those!
For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth ~1 Corinthians 5:7
PASSOVER OBSERVANCE: The lamb was without blemish MESSIANIC SIGNIFICANCE: Jesus was examined and found without blemish (Mat 21:23, Mat 27, Luke 3:2, John 11:49-53
PASSOVER OBSERVANCE: the lamb was kept for 4 days on the tenth of Nisan MESSIANIC SIGNIFICANCE: Jesus entered Jerusalem and the temple on public display for 4 days on the tenth of Nisan
PASSOVER OBSERVANCE: The penalty was imposed the moment the lamb was chosen MESSIANIC SIGNIFICANCE: Christ was born to receive the death penalty for our sins
PASSOVER OBSERVANCE: The lamb was to be killed inthe evening at 3pm MESSIANIC SIGNIFICANCE: Jesus dies in the seventh hour (3 pm) Mark 15:33-37
PASSOVER OBSERVANCE: The lambs bones were not to be broken
MESSIANIC SIGNIFICANCE: Jesus' bones were ot broken (Ps 34:20, John 19:31)
PASSOVER OBSERVANCE: The blood of the lamb on the doorposts saved the Israelites' firstborn
MESSIANIC SIGNIFICANCE: The blood of Christ saves us
PASSOVER OBSERVANCE: The lamb must be killed and fully eaten the same night
MESSIANIC SIGNIFICANCE: Jesus suffered, was crucified and died the same night
PASSOVER OBSERVANCE: The Israelites could not save themselves, even if they had prayed all night the angel would have still killed the firstborn if the blood was not on the door
MESSIANIC SIGNIFICANCE: Our works can never save us, only the blood of Jesus (1 Peter 1:18-21, John 1:29, Ephesians 2:8)
He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth. ~Isaiah 53:7
Today we stopped at the library to exchange books, and as we were walking out I remembered I needed to bring a snack to an event I am attending tomorrow. I asked the boys for their opinions and they decided on M&M cookies. Normally M&M Cookies are a Christmas only occurrence in our home, but last week I had seen those pretty spring colored M&Ms. So we stopped at the commissary to pick some up and I found the MOST ADORABLE product in the entire world!
Now I am not particularly fond of marshmallows, and we do not even celebrate "Easter" (We do celebrate Resurrection Sunday and Passover) but I couldn't pass these guys up! So I brought them home and put them in a jar on my counter. Every time I walk by I cant help but smile. It may not feel like Springtime outside yet, but it does in my kitchen!
And we now have a bag full of cookies decorated cutely to bring with us tomorrow as well. But of course we had to save some to snack on ourselves as well.
It is right around the corner and someone asked for the recipe so I wanted to share it with you all. This is such a FUN and yummy project! This year I'll be making my own crescent rolls,because the store ones usually tear and the marshmallow leaks out!
Resurrection Rolls • 1 can refrigerated crescent roll dough • 8 large marshmallows • Melted butter • Cinnamon • Sugar Directions: 1. Give each child one triangle shaped section of crescent roll. This represents the tomb. 2. Each child takes one marshmallow which represents the body of Christ. 3. Dip the marshmallow in the butter and roll in cinnamon and sugar mixture. This represents the oils and spices the body was anointed with upon burial. 4. Lay the marshmallow on the dough and carefully wrap it around the marshmallow. 5. Make sure all seams are pinched together well. (Otherwise the marshmallow will "ooze" out of the seams) 6. Bake according to package directions. 7. Cool. 8. Break open the tomb and the body of Christ is no longer there!! 9. Celebrate God's love!
Crescent Rolls
1 egg beaten plus enough water t o equal 1 1/3 cups
1 cup butter softened
1 ½ teaspoon salt
½ cup sugar
4 cups unbleached flour
2 teaspoons yeast
Knead into dough, and place in oiled bowl. Let rise until doubled in size. Roll dough into 20 inch circle and cut into 16-20 wedges. Roll into crescents and bake for 12 minutes at 375.
Not being able to leave the house due to snow and icy roads led to me finally trying to make homemade egg nog. Not bad at all I must say! Most would probably like it sweeter, and I've been told you can use honey or maple syrup instead of sugar but I was going for a little more authentic for this time!
Stained glass trees and homemade paper ornaments:
Psalm 8:1 O LORD, our Lord,
How excellent is Your name in all the earth,
Who have set Your glory above the heavens!
Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants
You have ordained strength,
Because of Your enemies,
That You may silence the enemy and the avenger.
3 When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
The moon and the stars, which You have ordained, 4 What is man that You are mindful of him,
Psalm 148:Praise the LORD from the earth,
You great sea creatures and all the depths;
Fire and hail, snow and clouds;
Stormy wind, fulfilling His word
Job 37:6 For He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth’;
Likewise to the gentle rain and the heavy rain of His strength.
Today was awesome!
Most importantly I caught my husband while he was online emailing me so we got to "chat" via emails for awhile! That always makes my day better! Absence truly does make the heart grow fonder!
While we were chatting he forwarded me an email he had gotten. Sears gave us a $100 giftcode to use on CHRISTmas decorations at Kmart(I guess they are part of Sears now) as part of their Heroes at Home program (which we kept seeing on Extreme Makeover Home) ! We had just been discussing what to do about a CHRISTmas tree. He wanted us to get a cheap fake one until he got home next year, and I didn't really like the idea, but we got a nice fake one as a gift from Sears, and the boys have always wanting a Christmas village scene and they got a church scene complete with 2 little moving ice scaters that has captivated them since we brought it home! So we had a wonderful evening putting our new tree together, decorating it, and then watching the church scene. As I put them to bed I realized it had started snowing on top of it all!
So here is our tree:
and my FAVORITE ornament that Peter made when he was 5 I guess. I dont know why but I LOVE this one:
Oh and on top of all that, Peter got an email from the library that made his day even better! They had a haiku contest at the library so we spent a week learning about haikus so we could enter.After awhile most of our sentences were in haikus! Well he won a prize and they asked permission to print his haiku in a book they are publishing that will be available to check out at the library! He is so excited an honored!
We are truly blessed! The Lord is so good in his care and provision for us! Have a blessed evening and stay warm!
1 Praise the LORD! I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, In the assembly of the upright and in the congregation. 2 The works of the LORD are great, Studied by all who have pleasure in them. 3 His work is honorable and glorious, And His righteousness endures forever. 4 He has made His wonderful works to be remembered; The LORD is gracious and full of compassion. 5 He has given food to those who fear Him; He will ever be mindful of His covenant. 6 He has declared to His people the power of His works, In giving them the heritage of the nations.
PSALM 111
The boys are doing this song for the CHRISTmas program at church and I absolutely love it. A beautiful new way to look at an old favorite!
Longing for a savior A hopeless world would wait Sin demanded justice At a price we could not pay But God displayed his mercy The greatest gift of love When we could not reach heaven Heaven came to us.
He made a way in a manger A way through the Son Messiah the promised Before time had begun For God so loved this world Though he knew what love would cost He made a way in a manger A way to the cross
In Bethlehem a stable Became a throne of grace As God himself our savior Drew near to take our place His mother smiled in wonder As shepherds stood in awe The sacrifice of heaven Lay sleeping in the strew
He made a a way in a manger A way through the Son Messiah the promised Before time had begun For God so loved this world Though he knew what love would cost He made a way in a manger A way to the cross
He is the life that died our death The precious Lord Jesus Laid down his sweet head
Away in a manger,no crib for a bed The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head The stars in the sky looked down where he lay The little Lord Jesus,asleep on the hay
He made a way in a manger A way through the Son Messiah the promised Before time had begun For God so loved this world Though he knew what love would cost He made a way in a manger A way to the cross
If you'd like to hear it I found it on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ftp3hbnyaA
Is it any wonder why the Lord chose Mary? I am amazed by these beautiful words every time I read them!
46 And Mary said:
“ My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. 48 For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant;
For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. 49 For He who is mighty has done great things for me,
And holy is His name. 50 And His mercy is on those who fear Him
From generation to generation. 51 He has shown strength with His arm;
He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. 52 He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
And exalted the lowly. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things,
And the rich He has sent away empty. 54 He has helped His servant Israel,
In remembrance of His mercy, 55 As He spoke to our fathers,
To Abraham and to his seed forever.”
And as I try to restrain from eating all th peppermint bark while my unsuspecting children are sleeping I will share our Christmas card for this year with you!
"Measured by the standards of men of their time, [the Pilgrims] were the humble of the earth. Measured by later accomplishments, they were the mighty. In appearance weak and persecuted they came -- rejected, despised -- an insignificant band; in reality strong and independent, a mighty host of whom the world was not worthy, destined to free mankind.
" - Calvin Coolidge
Cold and sick, fighting snow and sleet, a motley band of English men and women struggled through their first winter in the New World. Fewer than 50 of the 110 pilgrims and crew that had stepped off the Mayflower survived until spring. On their own, the Pilgrims would have likely all perished their first year on the coast of New England.
God had better plans for them.
In March of 1621, a loincloth-covered native stepped out of the woods and said, "Welcome" in clear English. Samoset, the chief of the Algonquins, had learned English from the fishing ships that occasionally put into the coast of Maine. A few days later he returned to the little Pilgrim village with another English speaking native named Tisquantum (aka "Squanto").
When the Pilgrims arrived in late 1620, they settled on cleared land that belonged to nobody. Squanto's entire tribe had been wiped out while he was in England after having been taken as a slave in 1605. After returning to his native homeland with Captain John Smith in 1614 , Squanto was again kidnapped and taken to Spain, where he was bought by local friars and introduced to Christianity. When he returned home, he found his tribe gone and the land that had belonged to them shunned by other tribes. He wandered until he found the Wampanoags who lived about 50 miles to the southwest.
And so, Squanto proved to be a literal God-send for the Pilgrims. He stayed with them and taught them how to stalk deer and catch eels and plant corn the Indian way. He showed them how to refine maple syrup and to discern which wild plants were edible and which were poisonous. He introduced them to trapping beavers, the pelts of which were in high demand in Europe. Without his help, few of the Pilgrims would have survived.
By the autumn of 1621, the Pilgrims were well-prepared for the coming winter and extremely grateful to God, to the Wampanoags, and to Squanto. Governor Bradford declared a day of public thanksgiving to be held in October. They invited Massasoit, the Wapanoags' chief, to a feast to celebrate their bounty. The Wapanoags taught the Pilgrims the art of making popcorn and the Pilgrims introduced the Indians to fruit pies.
The Pilgrims had additional days of thanksgiving for God's provision during the next years of difficulty and hunger, but we remember these days of feasting and games and competitions in our Thanksgiving celebrations. God had shown He cared for this little band of persecuted Englishmen in search of religious and civil freedom.
There have been several days of thanksgiving since the time of the Pilgrims.
1777: Samuel Adams made a thanksgiving day proclamation that was adopted by all 13 states:
"It is therefore recommended... to set apart Thursday the eighteenth day of December next, for solemn Thanksgiving and praise, that with one heart and one voice the good people may express the grateful feelings of their hearts and consecrate themselves to the service of their divine benefactor..."
October, 1789: President George Washington proclaimed Thursday the Twenty-sixth day of November to be a day of national thanksgiving to Almighty God.
October, 1863: President Abraham Lincoln announced that the last Thursday of November would be dedicated "as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.
"
Finally, an act of Congress in 1941 dedicated the fourth Thursday of November for the purpose of thanking our Creator.
Even as our forefathers acknowledged the provision and goodness of God, let us also make this national holiday a very special time to thank Him for our own provision - our families, our sustenance and, above all, our redemption in His Son!
I have so much to be thankful for this year. We've been sick this week. I've had a cranky baby who doesn't feel well at all, and I've just been giving thanks through out. Not a day goes by that I do not thank God for this baby I prayed for, for all the ways He has grown me through the process. The process of asking for and waiting, learning contentment, the process of allowing Him to be my strength through fear. And this week I've been thanking Him for a reminder to take a few days and hold her and snuggle her and savor these days, because all too soon she'll too be grown.
I've never been a morning person, but lately I have been savoring being the first one up (well besides a sweet baby who is happiest first thing and content to play quietly for the hour before her brothers wake up). Seeing the frost on the grass, watching the sun rise in the quiet of the day. I am thankful to never take for granted the gift I have been given of staying home with my children. Of being the one who shapes their world view, of witnessing every moment of who they are becoming. Of being able to cover them in prayer through the day. I am thankful God chose this for my purpose, and that my husband agrees this is the most important place to be.
I believe heartily that everyday should be filled with Thanksgiving to God, but I am thankful for this special week every year, to remember His Providence and protection towards the pilgrims who wanted only to live the way He commands. Thankful for an excuse to make and savor traditions with my family.
THE LEGENDS OF THE 5 KERNELS
It was very cold for the Pilgrims that first winter. Food was in short supply. Some days, they had only five kernels of corn. When spring came, the Pilgrims planted the remaining corn. The sun and rain helped the seeds to grow and much food was harvested in the fall. Every Thanksgiving thereafter, the Pilgrims placed five kernels of corn beside each plate to remind them of their blessings:
The first kernel reminded them of the autumn beauty.
The second kernel reminded them of their love for each other.
The third kernel reminds of their family's love.
The fourth kernel reminded them of their friends ... especially their Indian brothers.
The fifth kernel reminded them of their freedom.
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
And we also do this Advent study every evening after dinner. I did it with my 5 year old last year, but I learned a lot (and so did Tiff who was 16!) and it came with coloring pages my 18 month old also enjoyed. :
This year we are also reading:Jotham's Journey: A Storybook for Advent by Arnold Ytreeide
It's really good so far. It has a lot of prophesy and it great about making the waiting for the Messiah (in old testament times and now) come to life (there are also 2 other books in this series) I had put off reading it but I am TRULY impressed with this book.
UPDATE we are FINALLY buying a copy this year, after it being out of print for the last 3 years!
Last year I also did a lot of reading about traditions and holidays in an attempt to make our Holidays Christ centered. Unfortunately I dont remember it all, but here are some I do remember
Praise the LORD from the earth,
You great sea creatures and all the depths;
Fire and hail, snow and clouds;
Stormy wind, fulfilling His word;
Psalm 148:7-8
We celebrated Thanksgiving last weekend, so I am already in full Christmas season mode! My first box of Christmas cards arrived today, I am quite pleased with how they turned out! I need 2 more boxes, but wanted to make sure they came out well before buying the whole lot of them.
The boys and I have had fun making virtual snowflakes at Make-a-Snowflake this week.
and please please please check out THIS website! I found it last month and it is AWESOME! ADVENT CONSPIRACY
I also wanted to point out I made a new category on the right hand bar called HOLIDAYS, so I am trying to go back through previous years and move old blogs over instead of reposting all the same great stuff!
Have fun getting ready to celebrate JESUS!!!
For He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth’;
Likewise to the gentle rain and the heavy rain of His strength
Job 37:6
Today has been windy, with rain pouring down all day, but it has been amazing. Watching the rain stream down the windows and being thankful I have a cozy warm house to be in with hot tea to sip. Seeing the beautiful leaves sprinkled all over the yard,blowing with the wind... God is so good.
The boys and I decided to try out a fun craft, and I think it was a success! We made one HUGE snowflake, and plan on making some smaller ones to keep it company to hang in December. You can find instructions here:
1“ Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. 3 For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior; Isaiah 43
Luke 2
Christ Born of Mary
1 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife,[a] who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Glory in the Highest
8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold,[b] an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger."
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
14 " Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"[c]
15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us." 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely[d] known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
Today was the day I made MY cookies. Everyone knows and loves these cookies that I usually give out every year, this year I went low key, and made these with a sweet friend and we made brownies as well. It just wouldn't be Christmas without M&M cookies
Angel’s Chocolate Chip Cookies
*½ cup sugar and ½ cup brown sugar (or 1 cup succanat to replace both sugars)
So I figured I'd make sure you know what you are celebrating this month:
17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations, from David until the captivity in Babylon are fourteen generations, and from the captivity in Babylon until the Christ are fourteen generations.
Christ Born of Mary
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. 20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins." 22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us." 24 Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, 25 and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS.
Matthew 2
Wise Men from the East 1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him." 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 So they said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: 6 ' But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.'"[a]
7 Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also." 9 When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.
The Flight into Egypt
13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, "Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him." 14 When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, 15 and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, "Out of Egypt I called My Son."[b]
Massacre of the Innocents
16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying: 18 " A voice was heard in Ramah, Lamentation, weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, Refusing to be comforted, Because they are no more."[c] The Home in Nazareth
19 Now when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 saying, "Arise, take the young Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the young Child's life are dead." 21 Then he arose, took the young Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea instead of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned by God in a dream, he turned aside into the region of Galilee. 23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, "He shall be called a Nazarene."
Thought you'd enjoy this.....sure was a good reminder for me!!
I Corinthians 13 - a Christmas Version (Source unknown)
If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling
lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I'm just
another decorator.
If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies,
preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at
mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another cook.
If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and give all that
I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me
nothing.
If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes,
attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir's cantata but do
not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.
Love stops the cooking to hug the child. Love sets aside the decorating to
kiss the husband. Love is kind, though harried and tired. Love doesn't
envy another's home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.
Love doesn't yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they
are there to be in the way. Love doesn't give only to those who are able
to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can't.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all
things. Love never fails. Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be
lost, golf clubs will rust, but giving the gift of love will endure.
Peter was big on following the picture are directions this year (have to love those rigid 7 year olds LOL) so it wasn't the big mess we usually end up with! I'm pretty impressed. Even Andrew was concentrating so hard to help brother "get it perfect"!
1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him." 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 So they said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: 6' But you, Bethlehem,inthe land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.'"[a]
7 Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also." 9 When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.r own country another way.
God placed the star in the heavens to lead the wise men to Jesus through God's Word. They knew the scriptures well enough to know WHERE He was to be born(Micah 5:2), and that the star announced His birth(Numbers 24:17), and they were not even Jews! How inspiring is that!
God is also leading US to Jesus through His Word! As you celebrate Christmas this year I challenge you to really KNOW what you are celebrating, and to proclaim the good news!
Luke 2:10-11
Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger." 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14 " Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men
INSIDE BOTTOM
BACK
I am thankful to never take for granted the gift I have been given of staying home with my children. Of being the one who shapes their world view, of witnessing every moment of who they are becoming. Of being able to cover them in prayer through the day. I am thankful God chose this for my purpose, and that my husband agrees this is the most important place to be. 
