Celebrating The Coming of the King with an Advent Wreath

Yesterday was the first Sunday of advent and Benny and I had the honor of sharing the lighting of the first candle (Prophecy Candle) of our Advent Wreath and our table with family and special friends. And by the way, I am a good ole southern baptist girl!   A couple of years ago I started having a longing for a more simple Christmas time.  One that helped me realize and celebrate Jesus, the Messiah, my Savior.  Since losing daddy, I am learning to walk with one foot in heaven and one on earth.   I searched for other traditions, wanting to be careful that it wasn't something else to do just for the sake of "tradition". I settled on the Jesse Tree and the Advent Wreath.  It is becoming very special for my home.

Our wreath is homemade (keeping it simple and real).  Beautiful Advent Wreaths are available for purchase as well.  Benny provided the beautiful pine cones he found on the side of the road.  Most wreaths have greenery, but I chose to keep mine more rustic this year.

The world will tell you that Christmas is a magical time of year.  But I tell you - what's magical about Christmas is a Person.  His name is Jesus.  He came to bring light into the world.  It's not magic, it's spiritual and it's real. 

The History of the Advent Wreath

The symbolism of the Advent wreath is beautiful. The circle of the wreath, which has no beginning or end, symbolizes the eternity of God, the immortality of the soul, and the everlasting life found in Christ. Any pine cones, nuts, or seedpods used to decorate the wreath also symbolize life and resurrection. All together, the wreath depicts the immortality of our soul and the new, everlasting life promised to us through Christ, the eternal Word of the Father, who entered our world becoming true man and who was victorious over sin and death through His own passion, death, and resurrection.

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. (December 6, 2015)

On the second Sunday of Advent, the second purple candle is lit. This candle typically represents love. Some traditions call this the "Bethlehem Candle," symbolizing Christ's manger. (December 13, 2015)

On the third Sunday of Advent the pink, or rose-colored candle is lit. This pink candle is customarily called the "Shepherds Candle" and it represents joy. (December 20, 2015)

The fourth and last purple candle, oftentimes called the "Angels Candle," represents peace and is lit on the fourth Sunday of Advent. (December 27, 2015.)

On Christmas Eve, 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 Savior. Also, those who receive Christ as Savior are washed of their sins and made whiter than snow.

Celebrating with an Advent wreath during the weeks prior to Christmas is a great way for Christian families to keep Christ at the center of Christmas, and for parents to teach their children the true meaning of Christmas. In family practice, the Advent wreath is most appropriately lit at dinner time after the blessing of the food. A traditional prayer service using the Advent wreath proceeds as follows:

On the First Sunday of Advent, the father of the family blesses the wreath, praying: O God, by whose word all things are sanctified, pour forth Thy blessing upon this wreath, and grant that we who use it may prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ and may receive from Thee abundant graces. Who lives and reigns forever. Amen.” He then continues for each of the days of the first week of Advent, O Lord, stir up Thy might, we beg You, and come, that by Thy protection we may deserve to be rescued from the threatening dangers of our sins and saved by Thy deliverance. Who lives and reigns forever. Amen.”

During the second week of Advent, the father prays: O Lord, stir up our hearts that we may prepare for Thy only begotten Son, that through His coming we may be made worthy to serve Thee with pure minds. Who lives and reigns forever. Amen.”

During the third week of Advent, the father prays: O Lord, we beg Thee, incline Thy ear to our prayers and enlighten the darkness of our minds by the grace of Thy visitation. Who lives and reigns forever. Amen.”

Finally, the father prays during the fourth week of Advent, O Lord, stir up Thy power, we pray Thee, and come; and with great might help us, that with the help of Thy grace, Thy merciful forgiveness may hasten what our sins impede. Who lives and reigns forever. Amen.”

Since Advent is a time to stir-up our faith in the Lord, the wreath and its prayers provide us a way to augment this special preparation for Christmas. Moreover, this good tradition helps us to remain vigilant in our homes and not lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas.

The Tradition of the Jesse Tree

 The Tradition of the Jesse Tree 

I am so excited to start my Jesse tree tonight.   I began this tradition last year.  It's a great tool to use to teach small children about the genealogy of Christ and the reason we celebrate Christmas.  I enjoy doing it as a reminder of the saving Grace of my Savior.  

There are so many different ways you can create your Jesse tree.  You can use a traditional Christmas tree, a cutout of green felt, a wooden painted tree or the ideas are limitless.  For all the creative minds anyway.  I have to stick to the simple.  There are lots of resources online for ideas and for ornaments too.  You put an ornament on the tree everyday in December until Christmas (list below).  Each ornament tells the story of the genealogy of Christ.

Jesse Trees are a very old Christmas Tradition and first started in medieval times. They are used to help tell the story of the Bible from creation to the Christmas Story.

The name comes from Jesse who was the Father of the great Jewish King David. One prophecy in the bible, in the book of Isaiah, says: 

1 A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.

2 The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him-- the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD--

3 and he will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears;

4 but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. Isaiah 11:1-4 (NIV)

A branch is a sign of new life and new beginnings. Jesus was a decedent of King David and Christians believe that Jesus is this new branch.

The first Jesse trees were large carvings, tapestries or even stained glass windows put in Churches that helped illiterate people (people who can't read or write) to learn about the bible from creation to the Christmas Story. But now Jesse Trees are used as a kind of Advent Calendar. You can use a normal Christmas tree or a banner in the shape of a tree. Each day through advent (or sometimes just on the four Sundays of advent) a special decoration or ornament (similar to a Chrismon), that tells a story from the Bible, is hung on the tree.

There are very many different stories and symbols you can use. I've listed 25 stories and symbols that I especially like!

Bible Story:                                            Where it is in the Bible:           Symbol:

Creation                                                   Genesis 1                                    The earth

Adam and Eve /Garden of Eden             Genesis 2:4 - 3:24                       A tree with fruit or an apple

Noah & the Flood                                   Genesis 6:9 - 9:17                       A rainbow

God's promise to Abraham                     Genesis 12:1-7 & 15:1-6             A tent

Isaac                                                        Genesis 22:1-18                          A ram

Jacob's Ladder                                         Genesis 28:10-19                        A ladder

Joseph's Coat                                           Genesis 37 & 50                         A multicoloured coat or robe

Moses                                                      Exodus 2:1 - 4:20                        A burning bush

Israelites and the Passover                      Exodus 12:1-42                           A lamb

The 10 Commandments                          Exodus 19:1 - 20:20                    Two stone tablets

Joshua and the fall of Jericho                 Joshua 6:1-20                               A ram's horn trumpet

Ruth                                                        Ruth (Whole Book)                      A sheaf of corn

King David                                             1 Samuel 16:1-3                          A six pointed 'Star of David'

Solomon's Temple                                  1 Kings 6                                    The temple

Elijah and Baal's Priests                         1 Kings 18:16-39                         A bonfire

Isaiah's 'Jesse' Prophecy                          Isaiah 11:1-11                  tree stump with a single branch growing from it

Jonah and the Whale                               Jonah (Whole Book)                   A whale

John the Baptist                                       Matthew 3:13-17                         A scallop shell

Mary                                                        Luke 1:26-38                               A white lily

Elizabeth                                                   Luke 1:39-56                                     A mother and child Zechariah                                                 Luke 1:57-80                                     A pencil and tablet

Joseph                                                      Matthew 1:19-25                            A carpenter's hammer

The Shepherds                                         Luke 2:8-20                                       A fluffy sheep!

The Wisemen                                           Matthew 2:1-12     gold star or the three gifts or three crowns

Jesus                                                         Luke 2:1-8                                A baby in a manger

Doing Good Deeds - Let Your Light Shine

I've been pondering a statement made a little while ago that daddy wouldn't be pleased with the work we are doing in our community with the Foundation because we are bringing attention to ourselves.  Even though daddy is no longer with us, I still want to please him and I find myself gauging some of my life's decisions based on what I think would make him proud and would meet his approval.  So of course it is critically important that what we do within the organization for which he is the inspiration honors his memory and glorifies Jesus Christ, our Good Shepherd.

Daddy had a gift of recognizing a person's need without their asking.  He also had that "charisma" about him that drew folks to him.  Robert Phillips told me, "you just wanted to be around him".  He went about fulfilling needs in a very unassuming and quiet way and never did it for his own glory.  He always wanted to be last. We have pulled together as a group to seek to accomplish the tasks of meeting the needs of our neighbors, although not in the exact way daddy did it, but still with the same motivation. Neighbors helping neighbors - "doing good deeds".

The Tuscaloosa News published an article on June 22, 2002 about daddy's inspiration and motivation for putting a 6 foot statue of The Good Shepherd in his yard.  In the interview, daddy is quoted as saying, "I didn't do this because I wanted glory.  I did it to glorify The Lord".   He hoped it would "get people to think and do good deeds."  When we publicize an event we are doing as a group, it is not for the purpose of bragging or bringing glory to ourselves, it is 1. to share the love of Jesus Christ; 2. to encourage those who are down on their luck; and 3. to motivate and inspire others to do good deeds.

So in summary, The Johnny Williamson Good Shepherd Foundation, The Little Closet Community Food Pantry and Shepherd Hill Opry will continue to let our light shine on Shepherd Hill.  “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”  Matthew 5:14-16 NKJV  

Visi Wellness

I have struggled with gradual weight gain over the past few years.   I have been taking Synthroid for over 15 years and I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis several years ago.  I am 55 years old.  About 2 years ago, I began experiencing the “wonderful” symptoms of menopause and at the same time my father passed away abruptly.  Needless to say, I had so many issues, emotional and physical, that I didn’t know what was causing what!  Joint pain, loss of energy, no vitality, grief and yes I’m sure there was some depression in there as well. 

A little over a month ago, my dear friend, Lane Wiggins, who also happens to be my pharmacist introduced me to a new line of products by Visi.   With hesitation, but because I trusted Lane so much, I agreed to try.  Within a week, my joint pain was diminished.  I began to notice that I felt better in the mornings and was excited to get about all the duties of my day.   As an added bonus, I dropped 12 pounds in one month without “going on a diet”.

I am not a sales person and I’m definitely a skeptic about “the next gimmick” out there trying to convince me of a miracle of some great magnitude.  As a follower of Jesus Christ, I know only God himself can do miracles.  I believe He has answered my prayer to heal my body through my friend Lane and Visi products.  Together my husband and I have four children and nine grandchildren.  I work fulltime for a financial advisor and I volunteer many hours for a non-profit that my siblings and I started in our community.  So, I need energy and a strong body to be able to perform those duties to which I believe I am being called.

My outlook on life is so much better because of better health, I feel I now have to tell others about Jesus and Visi!

I would love the opportunity to talk with you in more detail about the Visi line of products and tell you "my story"!   visiwellness.org

Memories of growing up in Samantha

OUCH!!!!!!

I was reading the article by Joshua Becker: "Those Things By Which We Get Embarrassed" and he made this statement: "What if, instead of being embarrassed because our house is too small, we became embarrassed over the amount of unused space within it?"

As I read this article I thought about my visit with a dear neighbor, Jesse Ann, this past weekend. She lived next to us when we were small and has continued to maintain her parents' house next to daddy's (my house), even though they have been gone many years. She spends Wednesdays and Saturdays each week at the old homeplace. What a wonderful visit we had - talking about days gone by and some more recent memories of daddy, which brought us both to tears.  The Weavers were such good neighbors. Oh the magic of ordinary days!

The inside of the little farm house still looked much like I remembered it as a child growing up.  The beautiful pine wainscot paneling in the "front room".  Jessie Ann gifted me with some absolute treasures that belonged to her parents that I will cherish and I hope my children will too after I'm gone, knowing "the history" behind them and the memories attached..  A couple of old (1930) churns and other collections that she wanted me to have.

Among them were two old books about the history of Fayette.

Sitting there in the small farmhouse having conversation with Jessie Ann, I thought about how life seemed so much more simple in days gone by. Memories came to me of running barefoot along the path from our house to theirs.  She must have thought I was such a country bumpkin.  "Probably still does".  It seems that people were much more relational then.  And even though life was hard, the hurried pressures of day-to-day life that we live under now were non-existent.

We have enjoyed reading the stories about the history of Fayette - some from the 1900 - such comical entries in the local paper about events such as "fisticuffs"  and items like "demijohns" which I had to seek the definition.  As I was reading those stories it was even more magnified how much more connected folks were then and my soul longs for that.   They worked hard "together" and they celebrated accomplishments together.  It seems to me that folks were less interested in themselves and their personal interests.  It was more about "community".

You know, I guess we can just "wish" for a simpler life with days of enjoying lemonade with our neighbors after a hard days work OR we can purpose to create those times in our own life today.

Somehow, I think we believe it's either one or the other - work OR play.  But one huge important thing our daddy taught us - work and play go together!  "Many hands make the work load light!" And even fun.   Make a party out of everything!!

To quote Johnny Williamson, "It's very simple.  Now I didn't say it was easy, but it's simple.  You just have to make up your mind to do it."

Always keep "The Son" in your eyes.
Becky

A little interesting history

Divine Porta Potties

Does anyone else hear that buzzing sound?  Bzzzzzz - it's all around!  Well, it's me busy as a bee.  Hehe.  And you know what happens when you get too busy and and you start to hear that sound in your head because you are running in circles? You become counter-productive!  And you forget important details.  Well this is a story about divine porta potties in the middle of the busy details.

It's Friday night before a Saturday night concert at Shepherd Hill Opry.  Ricky, Lawanda, Benny and I are sitting around Mother's favorite bar discussing what's left to be done the next day to get ready.  "We're in pretty good shape".  Snacks - check, drinks - check, performers confirmed - check, house cleaned for overnight guests, check, grass cut - check, etc., etc.  Suddenly a grave thought came over me - I FORGOT TO ORDER THE PORTA POTTIES!  Panic set in.  Immediate phone call to my normal contact John.  He will see what he can do - "drivers don't work Saturdays!"  Of course they don't.  Well, all you can do is all you can do, right?  Folks will just have to hold it for 2 or 3 hours.  Hopefully, they will go before they come and if we are lucky they will forgot to take their blood pressure medicine just this one day, right?

LaWanda says as they are going out the door, "we will just have to pray about it tonight."  So, after they left, I told the Lord -(like He didn't already know), "Look, I've messed up but I really need some porta potties and I don't know how to fix this but you know we need them."

Normally, on Saturday night, I type Shane's message that he will be delivering on Sunday morning.  But since we were having the concert, he comes early Saturday morning instead.  As I am typing and we are discussing "stuff" I told him what his jughead mother had done.  FORGOT TO ORDER THE PORTA POTTIES.  He says, well maybe Jay would have some suggestions since he is over PARA.  He sends Jay a text.  Jay responds immediately with a contact and further adds, "if this one doesn't work I'll try another one."  I make the call and explain my dilemma.  His response, "we don't normally do this on Saturday but since it's for Jay, we can make it work.  What time do you want them delivered?"

Three hours later, two bright orange porta potties are set up on Shepherd Hill and ready for use!!!  

A few hours later we are enjoying a beautiful outdoor concert in the open air, under God's beautiful sky, with wonderful folks.  Building community.  Planting shade trees in the lives of others.

The Lord cares about every detail of our life, even our mistakes and shortcomings.  He knows what we need.  Did the porta potties fall from the sky?  No.  But - they did come through his servants, Shane and Jay,  by way of Spanky's.  Divine?  Absolutely!!  I learned several lessons in this.  One is that I need to slow down, take my time and be more thorough.  And also, to NOTICE how God works in the details of my life.  There are no accidents.  He has chosen to accomplish His work through us.  He could have dropped porta potties from the sky, but instead He chose to supply my need through others.

Every time I saw someone walk toward the porta potty that night I was reminded of where they came from.  God made sure this little group in my little community of Samantha, Alabama had everything we needed and for a few short hours we forgot about all the toil and "busy-ness" of life and relaxed to listen some good music, enjoy fresh buttered popcorn and a nice cold coke.

Martin Luther said, Beautiful music is the art of the prophets that can calm the agitations of the soul; it is one of the most magnificent and delightful presents God has given us.

“I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters; in the assembly I will sing your praises.”  Hebrews 2:12

Walk on Your Storm

My precious son, the minister, is now ministering to me.  I thought I would share what he brought to me a while ago seeing how upset I had been over a situation that I was allowing to consume me.

Most of us are familiar with the story of Peter walking on water to meet Jesus in the midst of the storm.
Matthew 14:
 24But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.

25Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. 

26And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear.

27But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”

28And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”

29So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.
30But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”

31And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 

32And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.

33Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.”

Shane says to me "Momma, don't get your eyes on the wind.  Keep your focus on Jesus and what He has called you to do.  God wants you to walk on your storm just like Peter did until he started noticing the wind.  When he focused on it he began to sink.  Sometimes God brings or allows a storm because He wants to teach us to SEE Him. Put blinders on like Pawpaw used to do when he plowed mules so that you can stay focused on Jesus and the task He has given you and whatever "wind" is distracting you won't make you sink.  Jesus wants you to stay focused on Him."   

I can't tell you how true Shane's words were and they were anointed by God.  Whether the storm is caused by Satan to destroy us or allowed by God to teach us, the instructions are the same: Focus on Jesus.  And no matter WHAT the storm is, we can walk on it!!!  If we do this others will see the One who calms the storms just like those in the boat saw it was the Son of God.  

Easter - Holy Week - What does it mean?

Most people are familiar with the celebration of Easter. However, only very few people and devout Christians are knowledgeable about Lent and the Holy Week leading up to Easter. Below are the details of the long journey that leads up to the celebration of Easter. 

Ash Wednesday - period of fasting begins on Ash Wednesday which is 46 days before Easter Sunday. It's a day of penitence to clean the soul before the Lent fast. Roman Catholic, Anglican, and some other churches hold special services at which worshipers are marked with ashes as a symbol of death, and sorrow for sin. 

Lent-- This is a 40-day (not counting Sundays) period of sacrament and fasting to share the grief by Jesus Christ by self-denial. Today, only a small number of people fast for the whole of Lent, although some maintain the fasting on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. 

Palm Sunday -- the last Sunday of Lent and the first day of the Holy Week. Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus Christ's triumphant arrival in Jerusalem where he was welcomed with open arms. It is also the basis for the Palm Sunday processions. 

Holy Monday and Tuesday -- The cleansing of the temple at Jerusalem supposedly took place on Holy Monday. The Holy Tuesday is the day when the famous incident between Jesus and Pharisees took place where an attempt was made to get Jesus to commit blasphemy. 

Spy Wednesday -- This is the day when Judas Iscariot, a disciple of Jesus who betrayed him told the chief priests where they could find Jesus. Just after Palm Sunday, the Sanhedrin gathered together and plotted to kill Jesus, even before the feast of Pesach.  On the Wednesday before his death, Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the Leper. As they sat at the supper table, a woman named Mary anointed Jesus' head and feet with costly oil of spikenard.  The disciples were indignant, asking why the oil was not instead sold and the money given to the poor. But Judas wanted to keep the money for himself.  Then Judas went to the Sanhedrin and offered to deliver Jesus to them in exchange for money. From this moment on, Judas was looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus.

In reference to Judas Iscariot's intent to betray Jesus, formed on Holy Wednesday, the day is sometimes called "Spy Wednesday".

Maundy Thursday-- This is the day of the Last Supper before crucifixion, when Jesus Christ washed the feet of his disciples and held the ceremony known as the Eucharist. The night of Maundy Thursday is the night on which Jesus Christ was betrayed by Judas in the Garden of Gethsemane. The word ‘Maundy’ comes from the command given by Jesus Christ at the Last Supper, that we should love one another. 

Good Friday --This is the day when Jesus was crucified outside the walls of Jerusalem, at the top of Calvary Hill. This day is marked by solemn thoughts, fasting and abstinence to commemorate the pain and suffering of Jesus Christ. 

Easter Eve --This is the Holy Saturday and Easter Eve. It is a traditional time for baptism. 

Easter Sunday -- This is the day of resurrection and the big feast. Jesus Christ is said to have risen from the dead after crucifixion. He also joined his disciples for a meal and told them to carry on his works in his absence.