You, Me, Church

Lost

11 14 11'

Written by Joyce Henderson

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Have you ever been lost? Maybe you wandered away from your parents or maybe you simply didn’t know where they were and you looked and looked for them. I was lost twice when I was six years old.  I thought my parents told me to meet them in one place and when I went there, they weren’t there. So I went to another place, and they weren’t there either. I kept running back and forth, not realizing they were also going back and forth looking for me.

 My mother taught me that if you are lost, stop. Stay in one place and let your parents find you. It was a hard lesson for me to learn but after getting lost twice, I finally learned it. If you are lost, stop. Stay where you are until your parents find you.

 The same lesson is true with God.  Sometimes we get lost from God.  We aren’t sure where He is. We only know He isn’t right there next to us. He really is always with us, but we start running back and forth, not realizing that He is still there.  When we stop, He will find us. When you feel lost and wonder where God is, stop. He will find you. He will remind you He was there all along and you can never truly lose God.

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Lessons

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Homemade Christmas Gift Ideas

02 22 10'

Written by Joyce Henderson

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A few years ago, my adult children decided we should make at least one gift for each family member.  It sounded like a wonderful way to get into the spirit of giving gifts with meaning and getting away from a focus on buying.  I decided to make a pillow for each grandchild, all nine of them.  For each of their mothers, I made a table runner. 

Using a fabric photo kit, I printed a photo of my husband and me onto plain muslin and bordered each photo with a strip of ribbon.  The other side of the pillow had fabric unique to each child: University of Florida fabric for the Gator football fanatic, ballerina fabric for the dancer, Raggedy Anne for the baby, etc.  Each pillow was custom-made for that child.  Pillows in the shape of the child’s initials are fun to make as well. 

The following year, I made a canvas tote bag for each grandchild, and mom.  Again, each bag was customized according to the child’s interests, using buttons, ribbons, appliqués, paint and glitter.  The bags are being used for trips to the library, overnight stays, and gymnastic classes.

The next year, I made placemats for each child and adult.  That meant sewing 20 placemats, each a different fabric, although coordinated within families.  The project was easy, but time-consuming.

Other ideas for home-made Christmas projects include: flavored vinegars in attractive glass jars, recipe cards sharing favorite recipes and a hand-decorated box for storage, costumes or dress-up clothes, stuffed animals, a quilt or baby blanket, and a doll house.  If you are handy with wood-working, you might cut blocks into the letters of a child’s name for a wall or dresser decoration. 

Food is always a welcomed gift.  One of my favorite super simple but elegant gifts is a basket with spaghetti, sauce, a bottle of wine and a loaf of Italian bread.  Yu can do this with any type of meal, or a selection of favorite desserts, cookies or breads, homemade, of course.

I also gave my daughters “Spa-in-a-bag,” a gift bag with a mug containing 3 bags of peppermint tea, a candy cane, a bottle of bubble bath and a candle, with instructions to add one tub of hot water, one mug of warm water, and lock the bathroom door.  For the men in my life, a welcomed gift has been a colelction of family games, along with a jar of candy or gourmet popcorn.  I have also given them grill cookbooks with jars of flavored rubs for grilling.

For a grandchild who loves to write notes and letters, I created a stationery set using an accordion-style portfolio.  I place a colorful folder in each section.  Each folder contains note cards and envelopes, and stickers.  I added a package of Post-it notes with her initials, and a pencil case with pencils and pens.  On the front of the portfolio, vinyl letters let everyone know who the stationary kit belongs to.

This year, the young bakers received silicone cupcake liners and decorating tools and jars of sprinkles to create their own special cupcakes.  With a little thought and planning, you can create wonderful homemade and unique gifts for very little money.

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Christmas, Crafts

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The History of Advent

02 22 10'

Written by Joyce Henderson

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The word Advent means “coming” or “arrival.”  Historians cannot determine, with any certainty, when the celebration of Advent was first introduced into the Christian church. Certainly, it would not have existed prior to the recognition of the feast of the Nativity (birth) of Jesus, which began in Antioch during the middle of the second century.  In the fourth century, the Roman emperor Constantine embraced Christianity, making Christmas celebrations official and legal.

The church Council of Tours of 567 acted to establish the date of Advent as a time of fasting and preparation for the twelve-day sacred season from Christmas to the Epiphany.  Thus, the season which has probably been observed since the fourth century became part of the Christian calendar and custom.

Traditionally, Advent begins four Sundays prior to Christmas, which means the start can vary from November 27 to December 3. 

The theme of preparation has remained consistent throughout the centuries, however, the purpose of preparation has changed over time.  In the earliest ages, new Christians planned baptism to coincide with Christmas and Advent provided a time for them to prepare with instruction, fasting and prayer.  During the Middle Ages, Advent took on the meaning of preparing for the Second Coming of Christ, a theological teaching that has remained to this time, but is not emphasized during this part of the year.

A three-six week fast, accompanied by devotions and church attendance, before the feast of Christmas became a regular practice throughout Europe until Pope Gregory I set the current four-week period as the beginning of the Church-year’s calendar, and wrote the liturgical materials still used in many Catholic churches.  The color purple became associated with the Advent, with the third Sunday (Gaudete Sunday) allowing rose or pink for the joy of the expectation of the birth of Christ.  Twentieth-century Protestants substituted blue for the rose color.

The beginning of Advent celebrates the custom of the hanging of the green, or decorating the church with evergreen wreaths, boughs, or trees to symbolize the new and everlasting life brought by Jesus Christ.

The Advent wreath is a popular symbol in many churches and homes. A circular evergreen wreath (real or artificial) with four around the wreath and one optional candle in the center. The circle of the wreath reminds believers of God, his eternity without beginning or end. The greens of the wreath represent hope newness, renewal, and eternal life present in the birth and life of Jesus.

Candles symbolize the light of God coming into the world through the birth of Jesus. The colors of the candles vary with different traditions, but usually there are three purple candles, and one pink or rose candle. On the first Sunday, a purple candles is lighted. On subsequent Sundays, the previous candle is re-lighted and an additional one also lighted. The pink candle waits until the third Sunday. If there is a fifth candle in the center of the wreath, it will be white, and lighted on Christmas Day to represent the birth of the baby Jesus.

Advent, the period of waiting and commemorating the coming of Christ is rich in history, tradition, symbolism and yet, remains an important time in the lives of many families today.

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Christmas

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The Apple Tree

02 22 10'

Written by Joyce Henderson

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Prop:  Slice an apple through the middle (horizontally) of the apple

There was an apple tree growing alone in a pine forest.  When it was a young tree, it stood proudly and stretched out its limbs to the sky.  It said,  “Look what a beautiful, tall, straight tree I am becoming.”  The pine trees who could not reach their limbs straight up to the sky didn’t say anything.

But within a few years, the pine trees began to grow taller than the apple tree.  They looked up and said,  “We can see the stars and they are very beautiful.” 

The apple tree could see a few stars, but some of the pine trees blocked his view.  He complained to God, but God answered,  “Just wait, you shall see the stars.”

 A few more years passed and the pine trees grew even taller and fuller and completely blocked the sky.  The apple tree could not see any stars then and he complained again,  “I cannot see the stars.”  But, God answered again,  “just wait, you shall see the stars.”

 The apple tree became more unhappy, even when it first produced limbs full of bright red apples.  The pine trees laughed at the apple tree, saying,  “We can see the stars and you cannot.  All you can do is grow apples.”

The apple tree started to complain but God answered before he could complain.  God picked an apple and cut the apple in half crosswise and showed the tree the star made by the apple seeds.  (Show the children your cut apple.  Cut horizontally, the seeds form a star.)

Then He said to the apple tree,  “It is not the stars that you see in the sky that count, but the ones inside of you.  It is full of promise.  It’s not the number of seeds in the apple that count but the number of apples in the seeds.”  When we compare ourselves with others, God is quick to point out the potential in each one of us.  The stars lie within us as do the seeds of the future.

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Lessons

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Mistletoe

02 17 10'

Written by Joyce Henderson

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Did you ever wonder about the custom of kissing while standing under a parasitic shrub with poisonous berries that was named after bird droppings?  Takes the romance out of mistletoe, doesn’t it?

            Mistletoe is actually an ancient plant found in Europe and America.  Its name comes from the Anglo-Saxon words, “mistel” (dung) and “tan” (twig) because people noticed the plant appeared on trees after birds visited the branches.

Celtic Druids living two hundred years before the birth of Christ used mistletoe in their winter celebrations. They honored the plant since it had no roots yet remained green during the cold months of winter.  They believed mistletoe had magical healing powers and encouraged people to wear a sprig attached to their clothing to protect them from illness.

Romans considered the plant a symbol of peace and when enemies met under mistletoe, they would lay down their weapons and embrace.  The Vikings associated the plant with Frigga, the goddess of love.  According to their custom, those who kissed beneath mistletoe would have a year of happiness and good luck.

Because of its reputation for good luck, a housewife would hang mistletoe year-round to protect against lightening or fire.  Since the berries appear during winter, the plant would be cut from trees every year at Christmastime and replaced the following Christmas eve.

Legend predicts that a couple kissing under the mistletoe will marry and have a long, happy life, while an unmarried woman not kissed under the mistletoe will remain single for another year.

The correct mistletoe etiquette is for a man to remove one berry whenever he kisses a woman standing under the plant. When all the berries are gone, no more kissing can occur.

You can make your own mistletoe ball with a Styrofoam ball, floral pins and a ribbon for hanging.  When you hang it, remember that the berries are poisonous and keep them out of children’s reach.

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Christmas

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The Date of Christmas

02 17 10'

Written by Joyce Henderson

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The Bible does not give an exact date for the birth of Christ, nor any mention of celebrations by early Christians.  Historical data on the reign of Herod and the time of the census provide hints, but the year and the season are not actually known. 

 Earliest Christmas traditions place Christmas at the time of the observance of the Roman feast of Saturnalia, celebrating “Sol Invictus” or “Unconquerable Sun.” 

Yule, the birth of the new sun god. It was believed that Holly King died at Yule; Holly King was the old year and shortened sun. Oak King was born at Yule; he was the new year and growing sun. The celebration of Christmas on December 25th also corresponded to the Winter solstice. Solstice means “the sun stands still.” The Winter solstice is the shortest day and longest night of the year. This meant that the height of the sun at noon appeared to be static from day to day. Both Yule and the Winter solstice were marked by celebrations. Inasmuch as a new year was beginning, revelers feasted and wished for good luck in the days to come.

The Christian designation of Christmas as a day to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ is more recent than the celebrations of Yule and the Winter Solstice. The Christian ceremony coincided with the Feast of Epiphany which proclaimed the shining forth of God in human form. This was believed to be a fulfillment of the Jewish Festival of Lights which the Jews celebrate as Hanukkah.
One of the earliest references to Christmas being celebrated on December 25 appeared in Antioch in the middle of the second century. At that time, Christians were still persecuted. An official determination was made in the fourth century, when the Roman emperor Constantine embraced Christianity, thereby ensuring the legality of Christmas celebrations.

Bishop Liberius of Rome in 354 ordered Christmas would be on Dec 25 because of the Roman Feast of Sol Invictus “Unconquerable Sun”

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Christmas

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Christ Child Cake

02 17 10'

Written by Joyce Henderson

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If you bake it in an angel food cake or a bundt pan, the cake will resemble a Christmas wreath, the never-ending circle symbolic of God’s love for us and the eternal life Jesus brought us. 

CHRIST CHILD CAKE

3 1/3 c. flour, sifted
1 tsp. soda
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. allspice
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. cloves

Sift dry ingredients twice. Set aside. 

1 c. walnuts

Sprinkle small amount of these dry ingredients over nuts until they are well-coated.

1 c. shortening
1 2/3 c. white sugar
4 eggs

Cream shortening and sugar in large bowl, then add eggs.

1 c. buttermilk

Alternately add the dry ingredients and buttermilk to sugar and shortening mixture, stirring thoroughly.

 1 c. seedless blackberry jam

Stir in jam. Add walnuts. Mix well. 

Grease 10 inch angel food pan, a bundt pan. Line pan with wax paper. Then, grease wax paper. Pour in mixture. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 1 1/2 hours. Remove the cake from the pan and cool before icing.  Ice with a white confectioner’s sugar icing and decorate as a wreath or birthday cake for Jesus, or in any way you like.

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Christmas

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Sock Puppets

02 17 10'

Written by Joyce Henderson

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Supplies:       Socks (adult sized, any color, works best for adults hands)

                      Yarn, buttons, thread and a needle, scissors

                      Red felt, glue (optional)

Directions:

            Insert hand into sock.  Tuck part of the sock between your thumb and palm for the “mouth.”  Sew or glue buttons for eyes (where your knuckles are).  Sew or glue yarn for hair (on the back of your hand).  Optional: cut a piece of red felt for inside of mouth and sew or glue in the appropriate place. 

            You can also decorate the puppet with a scarf or bow tie around the neck (your wrist).

Puppet Screen:

For a simple puppet screen, use an extendable curtain tension rod set in a doorway or between the backs of two chairs.  Thread an inexpensive curtain or scrap of fabric over it. 

For the best results with puppet shows, pre-record the script and play the tape while manipulating the puppets.  Be sure to add music at the beginning and end of the show!

Category:

Crafts, Dramas

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Pipe Cleaner Animals

02 17 10'

Written by Joyce Henderson

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   Supplies:  Craft pipe cleaners in colors, eyes, mini-pompoms, white craft glue

            Directions:  Cut two pipe cleaners of the same color in half.   Twist to form legs and bend the tips to form feet.  Use a whole pipe cleaner for body, neck and head—bending the tip for the head.  Cut another ½ pipe cleaner in half again and use it for a tail.  Decorate with eyes or pompoms if desired.

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Crafts

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Wreath

02 17 10'

Written by Joyce Henderson

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            Supplies:  white paper plates with the ruffled edges, construction paper, pencil, scissors, glue or gluestick, hole punch, yarn, stickers, glitter

            Directions:  Decorate for a holiday, punch a hole in the top and thread with yarn to hang.  For a hands wreath, trace hands on paper and cut out, lay along the outer edge of the plate, palms slightly overlapping.  Glue in place.  Punch a hole in the top and hang with yarn.

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Crafts

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