Trees can play an important part in history, there are two very important ones that have
left their mark through the ages – and a special promise of one to come!

In the beginning in Eden’s fair garden was a tree of good and evil that was forbidden . . .

They did not listen and partook of the fruit in the midst of the garden . . . With one last look they fled in terror, why do they fear their Heavenly Father? But he spoke these words “Do not be afraid a Savior shall be born in a manger of hay”

His path will be lonely, His friends will forsake Him, on a Tree He will hang weeping . . . This is the second tree in the midst of three . . . In a grave He will lay for three days then rising . . . ascending to heaven, giving us the

hope of His second coming. Eden’s tree will be restored for all who believe, of its fruit they shall eat, this is the third tree in the midst of three, its leaves bringing healing to the nations and forever in heaven and earth there will be peace!

Good morning on this December 4th day of Adventide!

The first Christmas tree had its beginning in Germany in the 16th
century, when Christians brought trees into their homes.

There is a
story told of Martin Luther, the great Protestant Reformer, who
was walking home one wintry night.

And as he gazed upon the
snowy hills in the distance, the beauty of the hills silhouetted
against the starry skies, he was stricken with the majesty of
God’s creation.

Returning home, gathering his
children about a tree, they decorated
it with candles! 🕯🕯

Around the year 1226, St Francis of Assisi created the first
Nativity scene with live animals, and the manger holding the
Christ Child. In the Middle Ages, many people could neither
read nor write, and in order to share these heavenly truths,
actors traveled from town to town, reenacting these scenes in
passion plays. These are just some of many more traditions that
are observed at the Advent season!

As we journey through the 4 weeks of Advent

the first week is celebrated with the candle

of hope . . .

When we put our faith and hope in Jesus

it not only gives us

help

strength

and power

for where we walk today – but it also

gives us hope for eternal life!

WISHING ALL A VERY HAPPY DECEMBER – BRINGING A JOYOUS HOLIDAY SEASON!

“What is Christmas?

It is the

tenderness of the past

courage for the

present and hope

for the future!”

Agnes Pahro

Bread is in the oven

pumpkin pies are cooling

the turkey ready for carving

sweet potatoes and green beans

cranberries sweet and tart

let us be thankful with joy

in our hearts!

A sower went forth to sow his seed . . .

It was early that morning
as the sun began its circuit
in the eastern sky

a land of plenty had
yielded a good crop

gleaned for the coming
year to sow seed in the
fields.

Carefully sorting his
seed the night before
the sower went forth to
sow and as he sowed some

seed fell by the wayside
and the birds came and
devoured them some fell
upon stony places where

they had not much earth
and when they sprang up
the sun scorched them

and they withered away
and some fell among thorns
and they choked them.

But others fell upon good ground
and the rains fell and the harvest
was great and enough to share
with all!

Inspired by ‘The Parable of the Sower’

Saturday January 13, 2024

So, in 5 days earth hung in space
Light brought forth life to a darkened world
Then God looked at all he had made
meadows, trees and little blue flowers birds and fish, rivers and streams, oceans and seas

And He Was Pleased!

Then God thought – I must make man and beast!

And out of the ground sprang creatures small and big
roaming over hills and plains
Then as he stood above the earth
this great Father, taking a handful of dust and
a scoop of clay, shaped man in His
own image!
Breathing life into Adam and his wife!

“In six days God made heaven and earth
and on the Seventh Day He rested from all
He had made!”

Book of Genesis 2:2

“While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest,
and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and
day and night shall not cease”

Genesis 8:22

“And thought to be happy and wise!”

An English children’s nursery rhyme to help children
learn the days of the week . . .
Later the folklore was believed that the
day of the week a child was born on
determined their destiny!

These things can seem silly and funny, pertaining to
childish ways. And yet some of us feel that our lives have been
destined by the environments we are born in. Even though we are
grownups we have a child’s heart, not sure where we are or who we are.
But there can come to all who choose, an opportunity to change the
course of life’s events, going in a different direction than where we were
bent!

“The Lord will guide [us] continually”

‘Monday’s Child’. . .an old English nursery rhyme continues with –

“Friday’s child is loving and giving”

“Saturday’s child works for a living”

In our culture Saturdays are the busiest day of the week!

Finishing the week – doing the errands left for the weekend . . .

Trying to cope with society’s demands until we become exhausted.

But it wasn’t meant to be this way – this day was set aside long

ago to come apart and rest to trust God to take care of the rest!