Only the beginning...

Christmas is at hand once again and already I feel the expectancy building up inside me. What was once broken will be healed, what was once lost will be found and there is a great future on the horizon. A great future that's beginning started at the birth of Christ.

I have now looked in the eyes of poverty...wide-eyed youth without a home of their own, a nation (theirs and our own) waiting for revival and I can say that in spite of what Ive seen these past few months we have great hope. Because of a babe in a manger who brought very good news.

So renew your commitment this advent season. Commit to making the kingdom known throughout your local community and throughout the whole world. Commit to instilling in the hearts of your children a love for people and not things. Commit to making a room available in your heart and lives to the newborn babe/ full grown King. Afterall he is the reason for the season, but he came for a reason other than a season of celebration. He came to bring a Kingdom where all people would know peace, love and hope. He came to inspire in us a great love for all the nations which is lived out in action.

Blessings,
Nicole

• Blog News..Keep an eye out in the days ahead for changes to the blog and new activities.
• Advent... Celebrate advent with daily activities that focus on Christ. Like Ann Voskamp's "A Jesus Advent Celebration" or "A Blessed Christmas Study" which has homeschooling activities added to it. Visit Following the Star for a daily devotional that will walk you through this season.

Let your shine.....

We are getting closer and closer to Christmas and each passing day gets busier and busier. There seems to be no time for Jesus, but can you imagine throwing a birthday party for your child and forgetting to invite them. What would you think if you invited everyone to your childs party and the guest exchanged gifts amongst themselves and forgot your little one?  We cant imagine that, but we do it every Christmas.

Were so busy making the party about us that we forget who the party is for. Sadly we need a reminder that Christmas is about Jesus. So take a moment and listen to this childs rendition of the Christmas story. I promise you your time will not be wasted.

Thanks to Alice and Sheila for sharing...

Go to my playlist and pause the music before playing... 

A holy experience...

I had a realization the other day as I sat with my computer freaking out in front of me. I need a break. I need to do something other than blog. I need to get back to the heart of what inspired me to blog in the first place.

Of course my inspiration was Jesus. He is my everything and to be honest without him there is a good possiblity that I wouldnt be living. The funny thing is there was a time when I would have laughed at someone for saying that. I would have labeled them crazy and close minded, but like Paul my eyes have been opened and I have seen life anew because of it.

This little life that started out in a manger would grow into the light of the world and eventually set me free from myself. What is most beautiful about it is the fact that he did do it for me. He loved individual me. He loved Nicole... wonderfully messy, insecure, crazy and disturbed Nicole.He loves you. How awesome is that?!

I guess the question for me is do I love him. I mean really love him. Am I willing to wait for his return and not grow weary? Am I willing to set everything else aside and worship him this Christmas? In spite of what others expectations might be. Maybe??

Maybe with a little help we all can. Maybe with the support of other believers we can get back to the true meaning of Christmas.

Today I needed a little help myself and I found it in this post. I found my own holy experience within the words of a Holy Experience. All I can say is that its beautiful, but above all He's beautiful.

A day of rest...

Today is a day of catching up for me. As much as I love posting devotionals sometimes the chores and the homeschooling need to get done. Just simply because serving our family is one of the simplest ways to serve God. I have come to find that one of the biggest ways I can make an impact in this world is by making an impact in the hearts of my family.

So instead today I am going to share some other sites that have inspired me, encouraged me or just plain helped me to save a little dough so I can give more. As always let the people know where you found it and share a little blog love with somebody. Us bloggers love feedback. Were needy like that.

I also encourage you to take a look at my other pages (fun links, things to do, resources, local, etc.) for some new additions or if your new take a look at some of my older post by searching through the blog archives. 

So sit back, pour a cup of coffee, grab a Christmas cookie and enjoy.

• Save money on your entertaining and decorating with Gabrielle.
• Learn about Christmas freebies, homeschooling and saving money with Hannah.
• Goosberry Patch
• Be inspired by The Magic Onions, Style Crush, or Skip to My Lou.

Getting ready...

As I told you earlier we are already preparing our hearts for advent, but we are also preparing our home as well. Right now the kids and Scott are out taking in some of this beautiful weather and I am here sharing as much of our celebration with you guys as I can. Starting tomorrow I will post daily scripture, inspiration and thoughts on how to celebrate.

Of course if your looking to get a heads up on what my family will be doing take a look at "Our Advent" page which I will update weekly. You can also still go to "Things to Do", "Local Fun" or "Fun Links" pages for other ideas. Better yet go to the "Share the Love" page to share your ideas.

That should hold you over for til tomorrow, but to start you off here is a poem by Martin Luther that has inspired me for some years now....

“Ah! dearest Jesus, Holy Child,

Make thee a bed, soft, undefiled,

Within my heart, that it may be

A quiet chamber kept for thee.”

That is my prayer during the Christmas season; that Jesus would find a quiet chamber within my heart. That is my prayer for all of you as well as your getting ready today and as you continue throughout this season...."May Jesus find within your heart a place that is soft and undefiled. May Jesus find a quiet chamber kept for him alone."

May God bless each of you with that precious gift.

Heart to Give

Thanks to my friend Lynne for sharing this video with me. What an inspiration Isaiah 58 is during the Christmas season!
***Scroll down to pause the music from my playlist