Be Present for Christmas - Lesson 6 - Be a Dwelling Space for God

It's been 6 weeks of great bible study and this is our last class.

Our activity this week is putting together an Advent Calendar.  I chose to make it simpler this year because several of the girls from last year are now finishing up theirs so hopefully the calendars will be displayed and used this year.

I designed the 25 sheets with my Bethlehem drawing in navy blue on a gradient sky blue background with red numbers in the top right hand corner.  The scripture for each day is in the center of the sheet.  They are 3.5 x 5 inches and are hung on a 10 foot navy blue twine cord with wooden clothes pins.  We put 3 red wooden beads at each end with a pretty scroll metal hanger. Each person got a box to store the calendar during the year.

This week the lesson focus is Be a Dwelling Space for God. It's the story of Mary. When you make space in your words, in your wants, in your ways for Jesus, He comes and lives in the most miraculous way in your heart, too. Only one thing is necessary - just let your hands and your heart be a space for love to come into the world.
Is there anything you need to take a break from for a while to make more space for Jesus?

I'm selecting my lessons from The Greatest Gift by Ann Voskamp.  The book provides 24 lessons for each day of Advent of which I have chosen 6 for this class.  We will have readings, questions, discussion, and an activity each week.

This is the calendar hung across my living room curtains.

I gave each person in the class a freebie from Ann Voskamp's website.  A reminder about slowing down and if our heart is open then rest will fall into place.

Take time to enjoy the season with family and friends and do what you can but don't let it spoil your joy at Christmas.

Share Your Cup - Last Couple Weeks

It's been a very hectic 2 weeks. I had my first craft sale last weekend. I've been teach a class twice a week for 6 weeks. I'm nearly done my 2016 Be Prepared for Christmas classes.  I concluded the first group on Thursday and will finish the second group on Monday.  It's been good discussion with the ladies becoming more aware of slowing down, being in the present, thinking of others and being intentional in their daily lives.  Attendance has been a challenge for some participants which speaks to the lessons we were trying to learn in the class.

We put together Advent Calendars in our last class.  It will soon be the Sunday to put them up which is November 27th this year. This is a sneak peek as the post will show up on Monday.

At our sale last weekend I was looking for a bag to hold my Advent Class materials.  I have been using a re-useable bag from a grocery store and since I will be teaching this class for a long time I thought it deserved a nice bag. There were 2 quilters among the vendors but I was disappointed to find no bags on their tables. I spoke to one of the ladies on Friday night and she said she had some at home.  Saturday morning this one appeared. I am grateful to have a nice large bag for my class at a good price.  Thanks Linda.  The craft sale was slow on Saturday with not much public showing up at all. Quite disappointing.  The weather was good so we need to check our advertising. 

I've purchase a couple of items in the blue and white dinner ware category.  The cup and salad plate were together but the saucer was missing.  The pattern is Chelsea Garden made especially for Bloomingdale's by Myott in England.  It's not antique as it indicates dishwasher safe on the back label.    The other dinnerware I found were Myott Meakin white dinner plates. They were a good price but they were disgustingly dirty.  Once cleaned up they look brand new with very little signs of wear.  Great find.  I've used my scallop edge saucer from Johnsont Brothers under the tea cup. It's nice when things can mix and match.

I'm sharing with Jann at Daily with Mrs. Olson for Share Your Cup #223.

Advent Calendars - Ready2Go

I prepared 2 Advent Calendars which are Ready2Go.  They are easily displayed and the pages are easy to move to the next day.  Each day has a scripture reading and I have included an Advent Activity List to help moms provide non chocolate/candy options for each day of advent.  You can find the list on my Freebies page.

This one features a heavy wood photo holder with a clip at the top large enough to hold the 26 sheets of the calendar.  I added a red ribbon at the base to repeat the red in the calendar.  I've packaged it in cello.

This one is a skinny clear glass vase which holds the 26 sheets nicely.  It protects the sheets without obscuring the calendar or the scripture.  I wrapped it in cello and tied it a red ribbon.