Advent For The Family - December 14, 2012

Advent For the Family

December 14, 2012

It's Friday!

Begin by lighting the same two candles as last evening.

Christmas Carol:

The Twelve Days of Christmas

On the first day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
A partridge in a pear tree.

On the second day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the third day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the fourth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the fifth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the sixth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the seventh day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the eighth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the ninth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the tenth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the eleventh day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the twelfth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Twelve drummers drumming,
Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree!

Bible Reading:

John 1

⁹The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.^[²^] ¹⁰He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. ¹¹He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. ¹²Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- ¹³children born not of natural descent,^[³^] nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. ¹⁴The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only,^[⁴^] who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. ¹⁵John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' " ¹⁶From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. ¹⁷For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. ¹⁸No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only,^[⁵^] ,^[⁶^] who is at the Father's side, has made him known.

Activity: Christmas Kisses Chocolate Trees

Recipe Idea: 123 Cookies

1 1/4 packages of Nabisco graham crackers (not the whole box)
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 1/2 cups chocolate chips

Break the graham crackers into crumbs . Add sweetened condensed milk and chocolate chips. Pour into a buttered, small oblong or 9x9 square pan. Bake for 30 minutes @ 350 degrees.

From the kitchen of Michelle Sullivan

Closing Prayer: Can you believe it's Friday already? Wow! These weeks before Christmas really fly by in a hurry! It is now less than 2 weeks until Christmas and hopefully you are having the very best Christmas season ever. This time you are spending together as a family each evening will be what you will remember many years from now. Long after your gifts have been opened and forgotten, the memories of this time will live on in your hearts.

John tells us above that Jesus came into this world and was the true light.
John 1:9 The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.

Are you being a light in your world? Can others see the love of Jesus when they see you? If you are a child of God, then you wear His name and when others see you, realize that you are representing Jesus. Reach out and really love your neighbors and friends. Invite them into your lives and into your home. When those around you see the love of Jesus inside you, they will want to know Him also. Be His light!

End with a GIANT GROUP HUG!