Advent Day 1

For the Christmas season this year I got the idea from another blogger to make it special by doing meaningful activities everyday. I have been meaning to do this every year since Micah was tiny, but I think this year is when it will actually mean something more to him and he'll get it. The activities might be something small like cutting paper snowflakes, watching a Christmas movie and eating popcorn, or baking Christmas cookies. Or it could be something bigger like picking out the Christmas tree, going to see The Nutcracker, or going to Zoolights.

Today was Day 1. The card in the envelope said to choose a favorite Christmas carol and dance and sing along.

He is going to be singing Joy To The World with his Sunday School class at church on the 12th so he's been practicing that song. We danced and sang along to the Veggie Tales version because I just got the CD for free from Amazon here (may only be good through today).

The card inside the envelope also has a Scripture passage relating to the birth of Jesus. Today we read Luke 2:21-40.

Luke 2:21-40 (New International Version, ©2010)

²¹ On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.

Jesus Presented in the Temple

²² When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord ²³ (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”^{a]" style="font-size: 0.75em; line-height: 0.5em; ">[a]}), ²⁴ and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”^{b]" style="font-size: 0.75em; line-height: 0.5em; ">[b]}

²⁵ Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. ²⁶ It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. ²⁷ Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required,²⁸ Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

²⁹ “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you may now dismiss^{c]" style="font-size: 0.75em; line-height: 0.5em; ">[c]} your servant in peace.
³⁰ For my eyes have seen your salvation,
³¹ which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
³² a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.”

³³ The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. ³⁴ Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, ³⁵ so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

³⁶ There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, ³⁷ and then was a widow until she was eighty-four.^{d]" style="font-size: 0.75em; line-height: 0.5em; ">[d]} She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. ³⁸ Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

³⁹ When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. ⁴⁰ And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.