Welcome Christmas friends to Day 11 of my
12 Days of Christmas Traditions Series...Can you believe that the I'll Be Home for Christmas Linky party is tomorrow! These last 11 days have flown by so quickly! I hope you will back on the 12th to link up your Christmas posts!
I thought it would be a wonderful idea to end the series with a post all about the Reason for Season...after all, Christmas is all about celebrating the birth of Jesus!
To help with today's post I am honored to welcome the beautiful Sandi who is from Prince Edward Island in Canada.
Sandi is the author of two blogs:
Rose Chintz Cottage and
Christmas Pudding! I love visiting Sandi at both of her blogs but I especially love her Christmas blog. Sandi says that her blog is
about all things Christmasy and the magic that this special season evokes. Just like a Christmas pudding is a rich mixture of wonderful ingredients, so my blog is a mixture of sorts; collections, stories, poems, photos, and recipes, etc. Please come in and make yourself comfortable. I hope you will join me for a mug of hot apple cider and Gingerbread. I believe Christmas is the most magical time of the year; a special time which should dwell in your heart all year round. The sights and sounds of the season have a way of making one's heart glad!
Thank you, Sandi, for writing today's post all about the
Reason for the Season!
Natasha invited me to do a guest post for her Christmas Party and I thought it would be appropriate to talk about the importance of the Real Reason for the Season.
"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord" - Luke 2:11
But Christmas is so much more than that!
If not for Jesus Christ coming to earth as a Babe in a stable long ago, we would not be celebrating this beautiful season at all.
When my hubby and I were pastoring our church, we held an Advent service every week beginning on the fourth Sunday before Christmas. Each Sunday, a candle was lit followed by some scripture and we loved getting the congregation involved.
An Advent wreath of evergreens was made, representing eternity, and I arranged five candles in it.
Each candle represented an aspect of the spiritual preparation for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Advent Wreath Candles
Four candles are arranged in a wreath: three purple candles and one pink candle. In the center of the wreath sits a white candle. As a whole, these candles represent the coming of the Light of Christ into the world.
On the first Sunday of Advent, the first purple candle is lit. This candle is typically called the "Prophecy Candle" in remembrance of the prophets, primarily Isaiah, who foretold the birth of Christ. This candle represents Hope or expectation in anticipation of the coming Messiah.
On the second day of Advent, the second purple candle is lit. This candle typically represents Love. Some traditions call this the "Bethlehem Candle," symbolizing Christ's manger.
On the third day of Advent, the pink, or rose-colored candle is lit. This pink candle is customarily called the "Shepherds Candle" and it represents Joy.
The fourth and last purple candle, oftentimes called the "Angels Candle," represents Peace and is lit on the fourth Sunday of Advent. I oftentimes lit the pink candle the week before the white candle was lit.
On Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, the white center candle is traditionally lit. This candle is called the "Christ Candle" and represents the Life of Christ that has come into the world. The color white represents purity. Christ is the sinless, spotless, pure Saviour. Also, those who receive Christ as Savior are washed of their sins and made whiter than snow.
May we all remember the REASON FOR THE SEASON.
"For today in the city of David there has been born for you a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a Baby wrapped in cloths, and lying in a manger. " ~
Luke 2:11-12
This stable was specially built for me by a gentleman in our last church. All the figurines are from Avon and they date from about 1981-1989. Each one was a gift from a family member or friend so they all hold sentimental value. Every year I display my nativity in the china cabinet.
"O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant;
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem.
Come and behold Him, born the Kings of angels.
O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord."
Let us be glad and rejoice because Christ has come!
Thank you Natasha for having me.
From my home to yours~
Merry Christmas!
Keeping Christmas in my heart all year round ~ Sandi
Thanks so very much for taking the time to write this amazing post all about the true spirit of Christmas Sandi!
If you would like to visit Sandi's Christmas blog please
just click here. She is currently in the middle of a wonderful series called the A-Z of Christmas. I am sure you will love reading her beautiful blog and this fun Christmas series!
Thanks so very much for visiting today and for helping me Keep the Christmas Spirit Alive, 365!
Please come back on the 12th to join in with my I'll be Home for Christmas linky party! You can share posts about Christmas Crafts, your decorated Christmas home,
Christmas recipes,
Christmas Songs...anything Christmasy!
See you on the 12th!
Blessings and best Christmas wishes,
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