EMBRACING LOVE

in

WEEK 4 of ADVENT

{which clearly is a very short week}

December 22nd - December 24th

Christmas Eve

{this link is to a Jesuit community site, Creighton University,
which is Roman Catholic,
but really good resource on Advent & an Online Retreat}

The following words are from the beginning and the end of their page:

"The whole purpose of these Advent pages has been to help us find intimacy with God in the midst of our everyday lives.  So we have focused on using the background times of our days to create an interior atmosphere that allows us to wait, to hope, to come into contact with our longing and our desire. ... For all of us, the story behind these days can draw us in, and invite us to bring our lives to the mystery of how Jesus came into this world and why.  Our best preparation for the Holy Night ahead and the Joyful Morning to follow is for us to reflect upon how He came.  He came in the midst of scandal and conflict.  He came in poverty.  He was rejected before He was born.  He was born in a feed trough.  He was hunted down.  And He grew up in obscurity. He did not shun our world and its poverty and conflict.  HE EMBRACED IT.  And HE desires to EMBRACE us today, in this day.  Right where we are. Right where we are feeling most distant.  Right were we are feeling least “religious” or “ready.” * If we let Him come into our hearts to be our Savior these challenging days, we will find ourselves entering the sacred night and morning of Christmas “joyful and triumphant” as never before."

With the message written in the between (where I have ...), we might have a better grasp of EMBRACING LOVE, because we will read about what "some of us" experience in our lives these days leading to Christmas and these few days that now precede our celebration of Jesus' LOVE on Christmas morn. No greater LOVE!

 still there are 5 days in the book "Come and Behold Him" TPT, by Brian Simmons
{so I'll have to read all in 3 days or omit the last ones}
because CHRISTmas Day is coming and I have the BEST GIFT to unwrap and EMBRACE (and so can you)
{as the above *boxed words in green share}
LOVE INCARNATE LOVE DIVINE JESUS

"WEEK FOUR: LOVE Day 1 The Faithful, Steadfast, Never-Failing Love of God (Psalm 89:1–4,19–26) Day 2 The Hero-God Who Saves the Day (Luke 1:67–79) Day 3 The Loyal God Who Loves by Remembering Us (Luke 1:70–75) Day 4 Have You Heeded the Warning of Jesus’ Paul Revere? (Luke 1:76–77) Day 5 Do You Know How Much God Loves You? This Much! (Luke 1:78–79)" Brian Simmons, Come and Behold Him (The Passion Translation): Advent Devotional (Kindle Locations 56-67). BroadStreet Publishing

what more needs to be said then 1 John 4:16-18 & John 3:16: God is Love God LOVES us (even before we love Him) and that Perfect love casts out fear as Psalm 136:23-25 declares: ... for His steadfast LOVE endures forever...

"...God, I need a hero this Christmas season, and I know of others who need a hero too. I pray that You would be for me and for them what Zechariah prophesied— a mighty Savior, come to rescue me and put my broken, busted world back together again. Amen (day 2) Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, I thank You for the ministry of John, who lovingly prepared the hearts of people to receive You as Savior and King. Help me make room in my life for You, my Savior, this Advent season. Amen. (day 4) My holy Hero-God, thank You for breaking in upon the world in holy visitation two thousand years ago, all because of Your deep, deep love for us. Amen. (day 5) Advent Christmas Eve Prayer Almighty God, You have given Your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon Him, and to be born this day of a pure virgin: Grant that we, who have been born again and made Your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by Your Holy Spirit; through our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with You and the same Spirit be honor and glory, now and forever. Amen."

so I hope to have another blog post on EMBRACING JESUS

which in part is
EMBRACING
LOVE


Pray: Father, I realize that Your mission is all about love. You love us so much that You gave us the most precious One in the universe, Your Son Jesus Christ.
This season is the season of giving, but it can also be tainted by selfishness, greed, and despair. Keep us away from the thieves that would steal the message and joy of Christmas. Surely You taught us to love one another!
from Lifeway's devotion
"Living a Life of LOVE!"

EMBRACING JOY

in

WEEK 3

of

ADVENT

...The third candle is pink and symbolizes Joy. It is called the “Shepherd's Candle,” and is pink because rose is a liturgical color for joy."

{in last week blog post,  the source where I shared this from 

had "shepherd" written as "shepard" - I apologize}

<><><>

Now I don't know how your year has gone, or how your Advent or Christmas season is going, and I won't assume yours is like mine, or busy as most people at this time, but that's one blessing of aging, or family not near to gather; however, somehow that takes away from some of that contagious Joy ...

Anyways, I am so thankful that no matter how my year has gone or this season is going; Advent helps me to focus on these 4 themes/virtues: Hope, Peace, Joy and next week's. As much as I needed PEACE this past week after how my first week went with HOPE (seemingly quite hopeless once again, as I fought what the enemy tries to destroy, take away and rob me of these treasures far too often - not this season, he won't and he can't, not this year, not anymore, ever. I'm done or better yet, he's done). I'm tired of battling against this. I'm done with not having JOY (and the others) present in my life each day. There is no reason for it. I EMBRACE Jesus and HE embraces me.

This is why I believe or think as we prepare our hearts each end of the year for Jesus, reflect on our past year, truly repent for not allowing these to be prominent in how we intentionally live a Christian life, and change the world around us, right at home, right in us, that we miss out on this season's purpose when we don't show Hope, Peace, Joy ... I am so glad that we pause to let these seep into our lives and fill us to the brim each year, so it can't help but overflow as we get ready to begin anew. 

These four weeks focused on Hope, Peace, Joy and ---- are key to our daily living as people who EMBRACE all Jesus is, has and gives to us, with putting Jesus first, Others next, and then You (but don't forget You, because You need to take care of yourself and changes you need, as well as your personal needs so that you can care for others better) - it's all in the package of JOY! Jesus exemplified this in His life, from His birth to His death and even after ... Hope, Peace, Joy and mostly the one for next week. But aren't these all intertwined in our journey with Jesus? 

I definitely am speaking to myself - I need more JOY in me! So I'm looking forward to this third week EMBRACING JOY - no matter what comes in this week or the future, I want Jesus' JOY more than ever 'oozing' from me and through me. Much like our Shepherd when we find Him, the shepherds rejoiced when they found Him. Such JOY! There are many examples of JOY in the Christmas story; from Elizabeth, to her babe (John), to Mary. May this JOY be found in you and me. Reading to seek this JOY.

in

"Come and Behold Him"

TPT, by Brian Simmons

reading/linking in The Passion Translation (TPT)

this part of the Christmas story from the book of

Luke (chapter 1; verses 46-55)

"WEEK THREE: JOY  Day 1 Lord, Do It Again! (Psalm 126)  Day 2 Mary’s Head-Turning Response to Her Remarkable News (Luke 1:46–55)  Day 3 The God Who Works Mighty Miracles (Luke 1:46–51)  Day 4 The Story about the Greatest Reversal Ever! (Luke 1:52-53)  Day 5 The Never-Forgetting, Always Promise-Keeping God (Luke 1: 54–55) Brian Simmons, Come and Behold Him (The Passion Translation): Advent Devotional (Kindle Locations 45-56). BroadStreet Publishing Group LLC. Kindle Edition.

EMBRACING more JOY more JESUS

<>

*Some good resource articles, in case you need some help EMBRACING JOY:
1) Nine Simple Practices to Embrace Joy; 
2) The Most Powerful Way to Embrace Joy; Nicole Kauffman
3) 5 Ways to Embrace Joy; Dominee
4) ... Joy after 60; Michele Meier Vosberg 
5) How to Embrace Joy, even When It Feels Hard; Paula Jenkins (she even offers a course on "You & Joy Unleashed") sign me up (lol)

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ONLY

JESUS'

JOY

needed

here

So I share from one of my reading plans at You Version again:

"The second attribute of Christ we see in advent is joy. The joy of the coming of our Savior. Luke 6:23 tells us to “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy”. The word for joy that is used is ‘cara’ which means a calm delight, exceeding gladness, fullness of joy.  The joy we find in Christ is different from happiness. Joy gladdens the spirit while happiness gladdens the flesh. Happiness is determined by outside influences, or happenings, while joy is an infilling of the Holy Spirit, no matter what may be going on around you. The joy of God is an ongoing pouring in from Him to you. We are joyous during advent because He promised to come and be our propitiation from sin and His promise to come again to gather us to Him for eternity! " ... Illuminate Advent, day 3

"Lord, I need You to do it again! Do for me this season what You did for Israel and for the world when You sent Your Son: rescue me and restore me to (for) my former glory, so that I may return with joyful laughter. Amen." (day 1, "Come and Behold Him", Lord, Do it Again)

Leaps of Joy, Jumping for Joy

with the

10 Lords a Leaping

(in my younger days)

{so I'll just sing for now}

Do it Again, Lord

"Finding Purpose, Hope and Joy
through Jesus' Birth"
{another wonderful plan at YouVersion, I'm doing}
Day 15
"Sunday, Joy Comes from God"
on
JOY
to the World

JOY
to your world
and to
YOU

EMBRACING PEACE

in

WEEK 2

of

ADVENT

Because of the week I had last week while EMBRACING HOPE, I am more than thrilled that this week, I can EMBRACE PEACE ... I really need this! Quite often, the order and themes vary, and Peace is not the one for this second week as the YouVersion reading plan "Illiminate Advent" that I added to last week's, does not have Peace, but Joy... and perhaps you have a different one in your Advent plan. I read this in my search for: 

"what does the 2nd candle of Advent mean?"

*source

...* "The second candle, also purple, represents faith. It is called the “Bethlehem Candle” as a reminder of Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem

{removed the part on the third candle, shared next week}
... and the one for last week, the First week of Advent:

... "The first candle, which is purple, symbolizes Hope. It is sometimes called the “Prophecy Candle” in remembrance of the prophets, especially Isaiah, who foretold the birth of Christ. It represents the expectation felt in anticipation of the coming Messiah." *

Finally the one we need for this second week:

..."On the fourth week of Advent, we light the final purple candle to mark the final week of prayer and penance as we wait for the birth of our Savior. This final candle, the “Angel’s Candle,” symbolizes Peace. It reminds us of the message of the angels: “Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men.” *

{sorry, I added this after this was first published}   Knowing this, might help you better understand the readings chosen from the Bible (God's Word) in some of the Advent plans. As I've already mention, I need to focus on God's PEACE

"... and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7

as I guard my heart and mind through Christ Jesus daily continuing to read

"Come and Behold Him" TPT, Brian Simmons

"WEEK TWO: PEACE  Day 1 The Promise of the Lord’s Peace— in a Piece of Candy  (Psalm 85:1–2, 8–13)  Day 2 Whether Bad News or Too-Good-To-Be-True News, God Really Can Be Trusted! (Luke 1:5–24)  Day 3 Are You a Forerunner of the Prince of Peace?  (Luke 1:14–17)  Day 4 How Could This Happen? (Luke 1:26–38)  Day 5 A Tale of Two Reactions (Luke 1:5–38) Brian Simmons, Come and Behold Him (The Passion Translation): Advent Devotional (Kindle Locations 33-44). BroadStreet Publishing Group LLC.

For one of the years (2013), my One Word was PEACE and somehow it's remained in me, with me, through all the years (turbulent or peaceful) ... God's PEACE can be totally EMBRACED in the midst of life's storms, even in our daily chaos.

"A Simple Guide to Finding Peace ... "

"Peace is Possible..."

{I knew there was a reason that I was drawn to "Unsinkable Faith" by Tracie Miles, now if only I finish reading it.}

"Will You Find Peace in the Midst of Pain"

Maree Dee, Embracing Life in the Midst of the Unexpected blog

I'm am sure that EMBRACING PEACE this week will be such a blessing, because God's Word (God Himself) is PEACE and says "Blessed are the peacemakers..." Now, truthfully, I must confess that I am far from being a 'peacemaker' although it is something I treasure and believe in strongly, yet fail daily; however Jesus is faithful to come along side me and bring His everlasting PEACE. 

Each of the daily devotions in this book end with a prayer. In various reading plans and other places, I have found some beautiful prayers for PEACE during this Advent, so I'm sharing:

"Heavenly Father, You are the God who gives peace. This second week of Advent, cause us to remember that because of Jesus we can experience a Christmas free from turmoil and chaos. Regardless of our circumstances or our situations, You offer us peace that passes understanding. ... Father, this second week of Advent keep us in perfect peace as our mind is stayed on the truth of Your powerful love. Thank You for Your mighty, sovereign hand. Help us to trust fully in You and rest in the peace You offer. {to read in full go here}

{there's also links there for the other weeks too}

"Jesus, thank You for coming to bring me peace. I recognize today that I can rest in You, no matter what I’m going through. Whenever fear or heaviness threaten my peace, help me run to safety in You. Lead my spirit into the wholeness that is available in You."

{sample of prayers in this book, "Come & Behold"}

1. "Father God, I thank You for sending us Your promised peace by sending us Your Son, Jesus. May what the Prince of Peace accomplished in His life and death guard my heart and mind from the agitation and distress of this world this Advent season." 4. Lord Jesus Christ, my Prince of Peace, I come to You to tell You every detail of my life, so that "God's wonderful peace that transcends human understanding, will make the answers known to me through Jesus Christ. (Phil. 4:7)

Pour out Your Peace Lord Jesus this week while I EMBRACE You as my PRINCE OF PEACE
I'll be EMBRACING Your Peace each day in me
singing Let there be Peace on Earth and let it begin with me

EMBRACING HOPE

1st week of Advent

I'm choosing to
EMBRACE
HOPE



as I, "Come and Behold Him", with this book
in The Passion Translation by Brian Simmons

WEEK ONE: HOPE 

Day 1 Nothing Will Be Able to Stop Us! (Psalm 80:1–7)  Day 2 Every Great Story Has a Great Beginning (Mat.1: 1– 17) Day 3 What’s in the Name of Jesus? (Matthew 1: 20 – 21)  Day 4 The God Who Lived Your Life (Matthew 1: 23)  Day 5 What Do You Do When Life Doesn't Turn Out the Way You Thought it Would? (Matthew 1:24-25) Simmons, Brian. Come and Behold Him (The Passion Translation): Advent Devotional (Kindle Locations 21-31). BroadStreet Publishing

So basically reading Matthew 1:1-25 (TPT) and Psalm 80 {Bible readings linked to TPT in Bible Gateway} to get us started this week, along with the devotions
Day 5 looks like that one is meant for me {maybe that's how you're feeling too}
However I'm thinking that if after a week of EMBRACING HOPE we will be more HOPEFUL in any hopeless situation we face that as we keep our eyes on Jesus preparing for His coming we can open our hearts to live more intently with HOPE and we can bring our little flame of HOPE to others in need of more hope as we open our minds to optimism and open our eyes to notice more of the good in humanity or being the good in humanity so that our spirit will receive and give more HOPE in Jesus
*The following is an addition from a YouVersion reading plan: 

"What is Advent? Advent simply means coming into place view or being; arrival. There are literally dozens of historical and traditional ways that advent is celebrated. As Christians, we can use this advent time to highlight 3 key places that Jesus promised His coming.  1. Advent can be used to highlight the suffering of the people of Israel throughout the Old Testament and prepare us for the coming of Messiah, Jesus.  2. The second aspect of advent can be the coming of Jesus into your specific situation and life.  3. The third aspect is to anticipate His second coming where He will rule and reign as King." ... Illiminate Advent, YouVersion reading plan, day 1, from the Abiding Network

"... “This is Christmas, the season of perpetual hope.” – Kate McCallister from Home Alone The first attribute of Christ we see in Advent is hope. Hope is defined as: a feeling that what is wanted will happen or that events will turn out for the best; to look forward with desire and reasonable confidence; to believe, desire, or trust.  Hope is a driving force in human life that when present can change everything. However, hope in and of itself can lead to disappointment. When we discuss hope we must ask, hope in what or whom? Many people view Christmas as a season of hope simply because they think there is a magical piece to the holiday season. Many people practice religious traditions without the relationship with Jesus. This actually can leave us hopeless." ... [part on Genesis fall] ..."Christ’s arrival offers a holistic response to the sin problem and can directly affect your life today and give you hope for a future in Him. This is the promise from God that we want to illuminate in this devotion. In Christ, there is hope for restoration of God and man. In Christ, there is hope for freedom from sin. In Christ, there is hope for eternal purpose for your life. In Christ, you have hope to live as a son or daughter of a loving and compassionate Father. In Christ, your religious traditions are overshadowed by a relationship with God. We pray that this devotion illuminates the knowledge of the Glory of God in your life today." Illiminate Advent, YouVersion reading plan, day 1, from the Abiding Network

{just in case I find more to add* as I prepare, read and EMBRACE HOPE}

Other Resources:

...How Does Hope Shape Us? (part of an online Advent Retreat) Video also available {I'm pretty sure it's Catholic since it's Ignatian, who is a saint, as are the Jesuits}

Really good - I highly recommend the following:

Discovery Series| Hope  - Introduction Chapter 1: Hope for Desperate Times Chapter 2: The Meaning of Hope & more to 6

Chapter 3 is the Source of Hope (without reading this - Jesus is mine!) 

"Discover the Power of Hope" Joyce Meyer

"4 Promises of God to Give You Hope & Security" Wayne Stiles

"9 Promises from God Guaranteed to Give You Hope – Part 1" Hope Discovered, Gary Hardin

Both of the following are from iBelieve (dot) com

"10 Beautiful End Time Promises to Give You Hope (Not Fear)"

"20 Biblical Promises You Need to Give You Hope in the Future" Tamela Turbeville

If you're in need of more HOPE resources, I can find them just let me know but the best source of course is found in God's Word
as the above resources show

EMBRACING "ADVENT"

Advent 2019 

begins today 

December 1st until December 24th

I LOVE ADVENT
so
this is a season that is not difficult to
EMBRACE
{except for tomorrow, Dec. 2nd & then Dec. 6th}

"Advent, (from Latin adventus, “coming”),  in the Christian church calendar, the period of preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas and also of preparation for the Second Coming of Christ."...

  Advent is a season of a time of  expectant waiting and preparation

Beautiful Savior, may every symbol of Your birth draw us closer to You ...

I look forward to finding more peace, purpose and strength with Jesus in prayer.
Each week I will  EMBRACE one theme of Advent and daily I will be following chosen plan(s) at You Version {less there than usual} 
I also finally gave in and purchased "Advent in Narnia" which I can't wait to read so I really have to pace all this reading {maybe I'll share this one in 2020}
plus
here on my blog (at least once a week) I will be sharing from The Passion Translation (TPT) book
"Come and Behold Him" by Brian Simmons
{I have read it before but would like to read it again to keep me focused}
Book Description (but also a good introduction to Advent)

"Prepare yourself to celebrate the real reason for the season—Jesus! Beginning with the first day of Advent, this four-week devotional will take you through the entire Christmas season with twenty-one readings organized around the weekly themes of Advent. Through short, engaging reflections on hope, peace, joy, and love, combined with the beauty and relevance of The Passion Translation—a fresh, faithful translation of the Bible—you will find the inspiration you need to celebrate the true reason for the season. Each reading follows the inspiring journey of the main characters of the Christmas story and offers and Advent prayer, making them perfect for personal, family, or small-group use. Scriptures from The Passion Translation will give you greater insights this season for your journey toward Bethlehem. May this devotional and translation of God’s Word inspire your faith in the One who came to rescue us and will come again to create us anew!"

so

YOU

may

EMBRACE

Advent

along with me

* There will be another post this evening and each week of Advent as we EMBRACE this season in every aspect and theme. Sadly, I went to change to my winter 'Star of Bethlehem' template that I received from 'The Cutest Blog on the Block' and even though I saved the code, I forgot how or where to do it so then I tried to go to that blog as I had in the past, only to find out either I could not enter it or it was gone (safety warning). So this is the best I have for my Christmas look, and now I understand the frustration of others who have tried to visit here or leave comments. Still, we'll press on. If anyone finds the blog or knows where I put the code (I was thinking just in a gadget and move it under header but it just went black) please let me know.  

EMBRACING BEING TRANSFORMED (?) 4- 4

EMBRACED

... Knowing God is Holding Me (You) Close

2019

Part 4: 

EMBRACING

His Calling

to be Transformed

Devotions #91 - 95

91. "I Want What She Has" Proverbs 14:30

..."I am not equipped to handle what they have, both good and bad." ...

92. "But, Lord, I Can't Do That!" Exodus 4:10

..."The exact way God made you is in keeping with how He will use you."

93. "Feeling Guilty?" Psalm 139:14

... "Sometimes I feel more guilty for what I'm not thankful for than what I am."

94. "Even When I Fall Short" Proverbs 24:16

... "When circumstances shift and we feel like we fall short, we should ask, 'How can I see Jesus, even in this?' ...

95. "The Friendship Challenge" Ecclesiastes 4:9-11

... "The Lord knew we would need each other to get through this life." ...

Now, in retrospect, I should have gotten "Embraced..." in Kindle, but it really is a beautiful book and I love to hold a book in my hands still. The reason I write this is because sometimes I could be reading the devotion, if I could read in Kindle, so linking these devotions, ends up helping me too. However, sadly I have noticed they're either not available or the same. My apologies... missing 1 this time #94

<><><>
I really don't like doing this, but as you can see there are still 5 devotions left to finish in this last part of "Embraced ..." AND November is over by next weekend, after Thanksgiving Day. ADVENT begins on Sunday, December 1st, 2019... SO, I have to hold off doing those last 5 until probably after Christmas Day, for the last week of 2019. {or I could add them on to this post} I already have a plan for December during Advent to EMBRACE ... and some over at You Version as well as continue with "One Thousand Gifts" (for 4 more weeks/sessions} ... so that's far more than enough for me. You'll have to hold on and see the rest ... later or ... in the last week of the year 2019!

EMBRACING BEING TRANSFORMED (?) 4- 3

EMBRACED

... Knowing God is Holding Me (You) Close

2019

Part 4: 

EMBRACING

His Calling

to be Transformed

Devotions # 86 - 90

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Truthfully, I'm already falling behind in reading these devotions from the first two weeks, but will share this next week anyways - because the 'new' Ann Voskamp with FaithGateway obs starts this week of "One Thousand Gifts" study guide and book make for alot of reading, yet still can watch the weekly video teachings of this ... and hopefully stay caught up with "EMBRACED..." this week. I need these all as I continue "being transformed".

86. "God, Give Us Self-Control" Isaiah 55:10-11

..."The answer to keeping God's power with me and working in me to produce self-control is letting His Word get inside me."...

87. "What to Do with Tough Relationships" 1 Peter 5:6

... "The truth is, we have an Enemy, and it's not each other." ...

88. "You Don't Like Me" Philippians 4:6

... " In the absence of truth, lies reign." ...

{tell me about it}

89. "Comparisons Stink" Galatians 6:3-5

... "Satan will always try to point out what's "wrong" to block out all that is right." ...

90. "Her Success Doesn't Threaten Mine" Luke 10:2NLT

... "All tides rise when we see a sister making this world a better place with her gifts." ...

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I leave the box below, in case I find more to share after reading the devotions.

So, I'll be starting to EMBRACE 'One Thousand Gifts'

November 18 - December 22

which will deepen my

attitude of gratitude

which I started to

EMBRACE

back here

and

it just so happens

that in another devotional

"365 Devotions to EMBRACE what Matters Most"

this week 47 is

"Your Attitude Matters"

Looking forward to

"being transformed"

in my

Attitude