Elliott's Muses

Monday – Dec. 1st Our Hope, God’s Promise: “O Come, O Come Immanuel” - If you have not done so yet, consider making an Advent Candle or Wreath arrangement. All you need is four candles. If you have some evergreens go ahead and make a circle of evergreens and put the candles around the decoration. You can also go to a craft store and purchase a round piece of Styrofoam to decorate, or to put candles in. The lighting of Candles is done a week at a time. This first week we’ll light just the first candle each day. This is especially good for children to participate in as you read scripture and pray. If you have four candles, light the first Advent Candle. Our Readings: Isaiah 9:1-6 and 11:1-10 Isaiah 9:1-6 (NIV) 1 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan-- 2 The people walking in da...

It’s the first day of Advent– while you prepare for Worship this morning at church take a minute to ask God to direct you through this season that you might be prepared to “receive your King”. In the first week of Advent we celebrate the PROMISE of His Coming. His promise is based on our need. We were made in his image, but there is emptiness in our soul that is the result of the Fallen nature of sin. But why did Jesus come? What in his coming announces God's heart? His desire for us to know and experience? 10 BUT THE ANGEL SAID TO THEM, "DO NOT BE AFRAID; FOR BEHOLD, I BRING YOU GOOD NEWS OF GREAT JOY WHICH WILL BE FOR ALL THE PEOPLE; 11 FOR TODAY IN THE CITY OF DAVID THERE HAS BEEN BORN FOR YOU A SAVIOR, WHO IS CHRIST THE LORD. GREAT JOY! Did you know that God is Joyful? 1 CHRONICLES 16:23-27 (NASB) 23 SING TO THE LORD, ALL THE EARTH; PROCLAIM GOOD TIDINGS OF HIS SALVATION FROM DAY TO DAY. 24 TELL OF HIS GLORY AMONG THE NATIONS, HIS WONDERFUL DEEDS AMONG ALL THE PEOPLES....

Celebrating Advent The word 'advent' is Latin for 'a coming or arrival'. The season of Advent for the church means the "coming" or "arrival" of Jesus. The focus of the entire season is the celebration of the birth of Jesus - the Christ - in his First Advent, and as well, the anticipation of the return of Christ - the King - in his Second Advent. Advent always begins four Sundays before Christmas Day. In much of the church around the world Advent begins the church’s liturgical year. Advent is a season of preparation. It is not simply Christians acknowledging a 2,000 year old event in history. It is celebrating a truth about God, the revelation of God in Christ and the proclamation of “joy to the world”…that all of creation might be reconciled to God. Advent is marked by a spirit of expectation, of anticipation, of preparation, of longing for Jesus Christ. Do we need Advent in our pre-Christmas season? Most people spend all four ...

It snowed today! First one of the year. They kept saying all weekend that there was a chance of snow, but I didn't go to bed that expectant. I awoke around 4:00 a.m. (bladder!) and looked out the window to see it was white outside. When I woke up for good, around 5:45, I went out to coffee, Christmas music chorales, my Bible, some time to pray...and then to wait...and wait...and wait. I knew that very shortly my Grandson would be awake, and I was anticipating his first snow. Oh yes, he saw snow last year, but he was only 5 months-7 months old and I knew he probably didn't comprehend much of what was occurring. So this was special...the first snow and I wanted to be there. I heard him arouse about 7 a.m. and Sarah had him in her arms when he came out the bedroom door. He saw me and smile, reached out for me -- which he doesn't always do -- and I took him in my arms. "Jack, you want to see something?" and we walked to the front big windows. We looked out at...

Over the past few months we've had the pleasure of hosting a number of friends. It started in May with our friends from Beaminster, a village in County Somerset, England -- Richard and Norma Roberts. These are really dear friends whose presence with us for two weeks was a pure delight. A week after they left, we greeted Lindsay back home for a long 5 weeks vacation. Lindsay has just graduated with a degree in Social Work from the University of Western England in Bristol, England...where she lives with her husband Peter. The time with Lindsay was really sweet. Wow, we miss you Honey every day! While Lindsay was home, her Aunt, my Sister, Molly came for a visit. Molly is one of the neatest sisters a guy could ever have and to have her with us for a few days was more fun! Molly is more than a sister, she's a friend. When I get done with a conversation with her, I always feel encouraged, wiser, and loved... you can't beat that, can you. Our summer at this point was onl...