Advent Books for Reflection

These are two wonderful books to read that focus on  the Advent season.

Simple Christmas by Ray Pritchard
This is a wonderful new ebook with daily devotions 
for the first 25 days of December.
The author has composed  a devotional with a special word 
along with a bible  verse to focus on each day. 
 It includes  a special song or video
for each day that links right to Youtube.
https://www.amazon.com/Simple-Christmas-Daily-Advent-Devotional-ebook/dp/B077P63VVS/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1512739817&sr=1-2&keywords=simple+christmas

While We Wait 
Living the Questions of Advent 
by Mary Lou Redding
In this book the author offers new ideas to study advent 
as an individual or in your bible study group.
The paperback book is 135 pages originally published
in 2005. Is available  new from online from Upper Room Books. 
http://books.upperroom.org/book/while-we-wait-living-the-questions-of-advent/

Do You Hear What I Hear?

Do You Hear What I Hear?

This is the title of the popular Christmas song

written by Noel Regney and Gloria Shayne Baker in 1962.

The song was written  as a prayer for world peace
 after the Cuban missile crisis that had taken place in October 1962.
Noel Regney was born in France and raised in the Catholic religion. 
He was drafted by the Nazi in WWII, he became a deserter 
and worked for the French Resistance as a double agent.
Mr. Regney  came to America after the war where he married 
Gloria Shayne  who composed the music for the song.
As a Jewish American she grew up in Massachusetts, 
next door to Joseph and Rose Kennedy. 
She was performing as a talented singer
 and musician before she met Noel Regney.
This popular Christmas classic
 has sold over ten million copies in the past fifty five years.
Through the years the song has been recorded
 and performed by hundreds of well known artists including:
Bing Cosby,  Perry Como, Robert Goulet,  Andy Williams, Pat Boone,
Jim Nabors, Ann Murray, Martina Mcbride, Carrie Underwood 
 and many church and school choirs.
Bing Cosby  1962 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XuE_DXrt2Js

http://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/01/nyregion/noel-regney-songwriter-known-for-do-you-hear-what-i-hear-is-dead-at-80.html
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gloria_Shayne_Baker

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noël_Regney
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Do_You_Hear_What_I_Hear%3F

https://www.zazzle.com/christmas_dancing_star_postcard-239785685500879107

Advent Wreath and Candles Traditons

The Advent Wreath and Candles is a tradition

 that Christians celebrate on each of the four Sundays 

before Christmas day on the 25th of December.

The wreath is a circle shape that symbolizes the eternity of God

 it is made of evergreen boughs representing everlasting life.

There are five candles placed on the wreath, a  large white

candle is placed in the center.  It symbolizes the birth of Jesus Christ

and is lit on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

There are four smaller candles placed around the wreath, the colors

of these candles may  vary depending on the traditions of the church.

The most common colors of these candles is three purple and one pink. 

The first Sunday of Advent this year is December 3rd.

The first purple candle is lit on this day and represents:

                                             HOPE

I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.

Psalm 130 : 5

On the second Sunday of Advent  another purple candle is lit representing:

PEACE

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you,

 I do not give to you as the world gives.

 Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

John 14:27

The third Sunday of Advent is when  the pink candle is lit representing :

JOY

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing,

 give thanks in all circumstances;

 for this is God's will for you in Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5 : 16-18

On the fourth Sunday of Advent the last purple candle is lit representing:

LOVE

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,

 that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 3 ;16

Advent Calendars Traditions

Advent is defined as the expectation,

 or the coming of an important event or person.

In the month of December Christmas is the important event,

as Christians remember the birth of Jesus Christ.

The advent of Jesus has been exhibited  in a variety of ways, 

 around the world for hundred of years.

Often this anticipation of his birth is celebrated

 with advent clocks, candles and calendars

The Advent Calendar was created 

to countdown  the days

 before the birth of Jesus on December 25th.

  Christian families long ago 

hung special pictures to mark each day.

  The first known advent calendar was created in 1851.

Richard Sellmer Verlag  has a current collection 

of over 140 different advent calendars that are made in Germany.  

These can be purchased online, in addition they have a page on further history 

of the advent calendar and photos of vintage calendars.

http://sellmer-verlag.de/epages/40b88de2-271b-4a8a-b41c-eb8cb8d82544.sf/en_US/?ObjectPath=/Shops/40b88de2-271b-4a8a-b41c-eb8cb8d82544/Categories/Geschichtliches

Today advent calendars are available in many different mediums 

including; digital, paper, fabric and wood. 

They often contain a special bible verse, treat or gift in anticipation of  Christmas.

  Here are a few calendars ideas:

The Caltime Advent Calendar made in United Kingdom

https://www.bonanza.com/listings/CalTime-Advent-with-Bible-Tex-Calendar-The-Shepherds-S502-ENGLAND-10-x-13-5-/462367391?st_id=61880853

This is an easy advent calendar DIY project

 offered by Better Homes and Gardens.

It includes detail instructions along with suggested bible verses for each card.

http://www.bhg.com/christmas/crafts/ribbon-christmas-advent-calendar/