Tag: Advent
‘Tis the Season
As Christmas weekend approaches, I am feeling a little bit rushed. With the threat of a second major winter storm in less than a week, I have had to change my routine. Still, some presents won’t arrive at their destination until Epiphany. Just in case I lose power, I have also restocked my emergency supplies. … Continue Reading ‘Tis the Season
Jesus is the Reason for the Season
Growing up, I enjoyed numerous Christmas traditions. One of my favorite celebrations was singing Christmas carols. My family moved while I was in high school, and our new neighborhood would have block parties on Memorial Day and Independence Day. At Christmas, our neighbor Eli would host a Christmas party. A small group of carolers would… Continue Reading Jesus is the Reason for the Season
Counting Down
When I was a child, each of my teachers counted the days until Christmas. There would be some kind of display on one of the boards in the classroom. Each day, a student was chosen to add or take away the card which signified that the wondrous day of our Savior’s birth was drawing closer.… Continue Reading Counting Down
For Celeste
Monday, December 21st would have been my eldest sister’s 78th birthday. She was called home to be with our Lord on January 27th. Because our birthdays are very close to each other, we made a commitment to call each other around Thanksgiving and share birthday wishes. I will miss her voice and hearing her say… Continue Reading For Celeste
A Few of my Favorite Things
There are only 16 days until Christmas. And like so many others, I will celebrate our Savior’s birth very differently this year. A few weeks ago, I requested that pastors and faith communities share ideas about how to celebrate this Advent season, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and the New Year, in order to post them… Continue Reading A Few of my Favorite Things
She Touched My Spirit
I can’t believe it’s December already. Like so many other years, now that we are in the last month, time seems to be speeding up. My days are far different than they were before the pandemic. Grocery shopping is no longer an after-work errand. I now arrive at the store around 7:00 am to pick… Continue Reading She Touched My Spirit
Advent & Christmas Ideas in the time of COVID-19
We invite Midwest District churches to share ideas about how your church will be commemorating this special time in the Christian year. Your shared Advent/Christmas ideas will be posted on this page with links to additional materials and ideas developed by the Conference. Please share your Advent/Christmas ideas via email to Liz at [email protected]. Michigan… Continue Reading Advent & Christmas Ideas in the time of COVID-19
Advent Calendar, Part 3
In the Crawford household, Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without the cookies. My sister’s favorites were Russian Tea Cakes and Thumbprint. Mine were Sugar Cookies, rolled out and cut with the star, bell and angel cookie cutters. My mom would always buy more tins of red and green sugar, even if we still had some left… Continue Reading Advent Calendar, Part 3
An Advent Calendar, Part 2
Christmas isn’t Christmas without decorations. Whether you start trimming the tree on Christmas Eve, or the day after Thanksgiving, there is a time of celebration about transforming our homes to welcome baby Jesus. The lights always take the longest to hang. Each year I debate just buying a new string, rather than trying to figure… Continue Reading An Advent Calendar, Part 2
An Advent Calendar, Part 1
Now that Thanksgiving is over, my countdown to Christmas has begun. I have to admit that I noticed decorations, stocking stuffers and holiday suggestions for the best presents appearing as the Halloween candy was discounted by 50% or more. The artificial trees appeared a couple weeks later. And now, the section reserved for wrapping paper… Continue Reading An Advent Calendar, Part 1