Advent-The Weary World Rejoices!! Let's Get Ready!

I am excited to begin this study for a whole bunch of reasons:

1. I LOVE Advent!  It keeps my focus on Jesus throughout a hurried and profoundly materialistic cultural season.

2.  I know me.  If I do not spend time in God's life-giving Word, I will, by nature, slip back into "old" Cherri:  anxious, fearful, self-focused.  Yuck!  I HAVE TO stay in the Word!

3.  I LOVE doing Bible study with friends!  It really is one of my favorite things in life! 

I am so ready to get started, but I thought first it would be good to have this Intro Week to get ourselves ready.  In order to do this study with us there is one pretty important element you will need to purchase...the book Advent the Weary World Rejoices.  You can purchase the book at Amazon or at Lifeway.com.

Our Advent study will begin the week of November 17-23.  Though, you really can begin this study anytime from November 17 to the first Sunday in December when Advent traditionally begins.  A post will go up each week beginning November 17 on this blog and also posted to the Desert Vineyard Women's Ministry Facebook page and Instagram account. 

There are many wonderful family traditions that go along with celebrating Advent.  What I love about this particular study is that it includes activities to do with family members of all ages from creating a beautiful wreath from dried orange slices and cinnamon sticks to making homemade marshmallows!!  In our family we loved to read Christmas books.  We have BOXES of them!  My children definitely had their favorites like our ragged, torn copy of Bright Star!  Bright Star! What Do You See!

There is one element of Advent I wanted to talk with you about:  The Advent Wreath.  Many years ago one of our children created an advent wreath at school out of a straw wreath, pine cones, plastic pine and holly twigs, and four wooden candle holders.  I loved that wreath.  Over the decades the straw has fallen out, pine cones were missing and the little wooden cups that held the candles began to tip so that the candles, instead of being straight and tall on the wreath, were slanted at various angles making it look pretty wonky!  It has been hot-glued back together more times than I can count.  Eventually, there was no amount of hot glue that could make it "fire worthy."  It was definitely becoming a hazard to light.  I could not possibly part with it, so it sits in a Christmas storage box.  This year I am creating a new one with the help of grands and a new Advent wreath tradition will begin!

Advent wreaths are simply an object lesson on wonderful truths about the birth of Christ. It reminds us that:

* The world waited expectantly for the Messiah to come.  Each week signifies a different aspect of that expectancy: Hope  Peace  Joy  Love.
*This is a dark world in need of a Savior and Jesus is the Light that entered into this dark place and changed EVERYTHING.
*We need to prepare ourselves to be really moved by the outrageous TRUTH that the Creator of the Universe chose to step out of His perfection and step into the human imperfection in order to save us! 

There are SO many wonderful and creative ways to use this tradition to enrich your Advent celebration.  All you need to do is search "DIY Advent Wreaths" in Pinterest and enjoy!!!  This wonderful tradition does not need to be a wreath or have the traditional purple and pink candles. Your Advent Wreath can be as creative as your imagination will allow!  I will close this post with some pictures of Advent "wreaths" from Pinterest.  Love you girls and I am looking forward to getting back into the blogging mode for a bit!!!