Author: Michelle Underwood

Primer – I’m in Love with You

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December 30, 2021 - Sunday

This morning, in the midst of our remodel, I decided to squeeze in a routine mammogram before the turn of the year.  Our deductible is met and I am overdue.  As I was out and about, I decided to shop for lights for our parlor room.  When I returned my husband had concealed the red walls with primer. “I’m in love! I’m in love! And I don’t care who knows it!” (You’ll have to excuse me – I am still coming off the joy of the Christmas season.  Elf anybody?).  You know you have made a good decision when you fall in love with primer.  What a breath of fresh air from the dark reds.  It is almost as if a weight has been lifted from my shoulders.  How can color do that?

Speaking of color.  We have decided on Colonial Revival Gray (by Sherwin Williams).  I am all about revival!  And oh how I love the history of Colonial America.  Meet my perfect color.  The color is as lovely as its name.

Tomorrow we paint!

A Christmas Carol

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A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens

When I was praying about what to do for Christmas school this year, I felt a gentle nudge to read A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.  We chose to listen to the audio book by Tim Curry (available through Audible), and really enjoyed his narration.  I was uncertain if my children (9 and 11) would be too sensitive for the material, but I found it to be age appropriate.  The book itself is written in a manner that did not invoke fear in my children.

A Christmas Carol picture book by Brett Helquist, and the graphic novel by Sean Wilson, were nice accompaniments to the novel, though some of the images did create some uneasiness.

I have been cautious to wait on books and movies that might promote fear in my children.  What I have discovered is that novels like the Wizard of Oz or A Christmas Carol rely on my children’s imaginations, as opposed to picture books and movies that do the imagining for you.  With that said, we did enjoy A Christmas Carol the picture book by Brett Helquist, and the graphic novel by Sean Wilson, along with the Muppets Christmas Carol.  The movie was nicely done for younger children.  The images in the pictures books did create some uneasiness, but overall they felt appropriate for older children.  For the grand finale our family attended a local performance of A Christmas Carol at a local University.

When I asked the children how they would rate the novel, my oldest gave it a 5/5 and my youngest a 4/5.  I was pleasantly surprised to see how much they enjoyed this timeless story.  The novel sparked many delightful conversations, as well as an opportunity to study Charles Dickens.  Who Was Charles Dickens by Pam Pollack, and A Boy Called Dickens by Deborah Hopkinson were a great addition to our study.  It makes me excited to read some of his other books with my children like Oliver Twist and David Copperfield.

Parlor Room and Pound Cake

Michelle Underwood Gratitude, Homeschool , , , 0 Comment

December 28, 2021 – Tuesday

The Christmas season has come and gone.  My sweet husband is home for a week with us.  This is the first time we have had a staycation since we moved to Midwest. There is something so refreshing about being home.  At least for me.  My husband on the other hand, may need a vacation from his staycation.  He is generously tackling my honey-do list in the school room, and for that I am SO thankful!

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The room appears to have been originally designed as a parlor room, complete with dark red stripped walls and a gaudy chandelier.  Along one wall is an amazing nook where our beloved 1919 player piano resides – right at home in the late 19th century motif of the room.

Historically, the parlor room was typically set apart for formal occasions, conversations, and entertaining acquaintances.  It was the mothers pride and joy and not to be defiled by her children.  Think Farmer Boy.  You remember the scene.  Mother and father are out of town and Alice wants to make a pound-cake and eat it in the parlor room.  Eliza Jane, the oldest and most responsible sister, tells her ‘you’ll do no such thing… you know the parlor’s just for company’.

"That day they made ice-cream again, and they ate the last cake. Alice said she knew how to make a pound-cake. She said she’d make one, and then she was going to go sit in the parlor.  Almanzo thought that wouldn’t be any fun. But Eliza Jane said: “You’ll do no such thing, Alice. You know very well the parlor’s just for company.” ~ Farmer Boy, Laura Ingalls Wilder

We have never eaten pound cake in our parlor room… but that’s only because I have never made pound cake.  Contrary to Mrs. Wilder’s home, our parlor room is the children’s space.  There are days I do dream of making the parlor room all mine…  No pound cake!  No children!  No pets!  A room where I can go to find refuge from the chaos.  Where I can enter without stepping on Legos, sit in a chair without first clearing it off, or read a novel without looking around at all that needs to be tidied.  I would sip tea with girlfriends and play chess with my husband.  I would sit at my writing desk and scribble notes for the most wonderful stories…  Alas, that is not my season.  Nor do I want it to be.  The truth is that I love my season and the energy my children bring into our home.  I wouldn’t have it any other way!  There will be days for a parlor of sorts I suppose.  But then I will miss my school room terribly.

After some deliberation, my husband and I have decided to change the paint and light fixture, all while working to maintain some of the parlor charm.  The term parlor was originally derived from the French verb parler, which means to speak.  Therefore a parlor room is a room in which to have conversations (1).   I love that!  Isn’t that what school should be?  A place where we converse and share ideas.  A place where children are seen and heard.    A place where friends gather.  Perhaps, after all, a parlor room is the perfect school room.

  1. https://www.americanheritage.com/parlor

 

Gifts to Give at Christmas

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A Gift to Give... The King

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World Vision or Compassion International

Each Christmas, my husband and I wrap up a box for our four children to share.  Inside, each child is given money and a gift catalog.  Together they get to flip through the catalog and decide on how to spend their money.  I love watching them snuggled on the couch together after all the gifts are opened, working together to determine how they want to give.  It has become a beloved tradition in our home... one we do year after year.

A Holy Spirit Led Scavenger Hunt

This is perhaps my favorite way to give...  It started back in 2014 when my children were just 2 and 3.  My dear friend Heidi and I had an abundance of like new toys in our homes and wanted to find a way to share them with those in need.  We decided on a Holy Spirit led scavenger hunt.

I asked the kids to gather up gifts they wanted to share with children in need.  Moments later my little boy returns with his favorite Jesse Bear in tow, and hands it over to me.  My heart longed to say NO!  You can't give away your favorite teddy bear!!  But I knew that was exactly the kind of gifts that Jesus was after.  Jesus doesn't want our leftovers... He wants our best!  After making sure that he was certain, I gently took the teddy bear from his tiny hands and helped him to tie a bow with tears streaming from my eyes.  My heart was aching, his heart was full of joy.  Perhaps this is why Jesus tells us to become like children in Matthew 18:3.  Their hearts are so pure... so giving... so trusting.  It is a moment in time that has forever changed me.

“I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless you repent [that is, change your inner self—your old way of thinking, live changed lives] and become like children [trusting, humble, and forgiving], you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matt 18:3, AMP)

We gathered up other gifts, wrapped them, and loaded them into our van.  We headed off to meet Heidi on the downtown streets of our little mountain town.  Together with our children we prayed and asked the Holy Spirit to lead us to the families who needed these gifts most.

Our first stop was an old run down hospital, turned apartment.  We looked for signs of children and saw a few toys scattered by a broken window.  We entered inside this run down building with kids in tow.  I was blessed to have Heidi with me who is far more courageous and fearless than me.  We knocked on the door and a beautiful woman answered with 5 small children peering out from around her skirt.  She only spoke Spanish.  So in broken Spanish I told her Merry Christmas and that Jesus loved her and led us to her that day to bring gifts for Christmas.  I asked if she would be willing to receive them and she said yes.  Behind her was a tiny Christmas tree.  It was December 23rd and there were no gifts under the tree.  We handed her close to fifteen wrapped gifts that day.  The children's eyes were the size of silver dollars as they watched these gifts fill the empty space under their tree.  I don't know what her story is... but I do know that Jesus provided gifts for her children that year.  He is so good!

You may be wondering about Jesse Bear... he was still in the van along with other gifts.  We had one more stop to make.  We drove down along the river into a trailer park.  We again looked for signs of children and knocked on a door.  A woman answered the door with a three year old boy in her arms and a gaggle of children behind her.   My little two year old handed his Jesse Bear to the small child in her arms and said Merry Christmas.  We blessed the other children with gifts as well.  With Christmas wishes we said our goodbye's and headed home, empty vans and full hearts.

As we returned home that night I talked to my little boy about how it felt to give Jesse Bear away.  He wasn't sad.  I told him about Matthew 25:40 where Jesus tells His friends the gifts we give to the least of these we give to Him.  When he handed his teddy bear to that little boy that day, it was as if He handed it to Jesus.  He smiled.  Somehow I think he already knew that.  It was me that was figuring it out.

And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it for one of the least of these brothers or sisters of Mine, you did it for Me.’ (Matt 25:40, NASB)

That was the beginning of a 5 year tradition with our two families that only ended when we moved to the Midwest.  After the first year... our toy supply dwindled and we ended up purchasing new toys and gift cards.  Many times the Lord would provide the gifts.  For example... I ordered a boy Corolle baby doll for my son and Amazon sent a duplicate.  I called them and tried to send it back but they said to just keep it.  So... we had a beautiful boy baby doll to give that year.  The little girl that received it was so excited because her mama was pregnant and expecting a baby boy!

Yes! This takes courage, but mostly just reliance on the Holy Spirit!  Jesus is just waiting for us to follow Him... He knows where the needs are if we just ask.

Please be wise about this.  Do not put yourself or your children in harms way.  I recommend going midday.  After our first year, our husbands always accompanied us - but mostly just because they didn't want to miss out!   We never once felt unsafe.  Nervous yes!  But not unsafe.

Ask the Holy Spirit where the needs are in your community.  I assure you that God knows and is just waiting for someone to ask.  If you want to give gifts to the King at Christmas - give to the least of these!  After all, it is His birthday!!

Pack a Shoe Box

How to pack a shoe box

Build a shoebox online

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Operation Christmas Child, Samaritan's Purse

Pack a shoe box with your family and send it off on a journey around the globe.  Shoe boxes are given to children as part of a global outreach to teach and share the gospel, all while simply loving on God's children.

It is so much more than packing a box... it is a lesson in trusting God.   We don't know who will receive our box of goodies, but God does.  So as we shop, we pray and ask Him to guide our selections for the child, and trust we are picking out just the right things.  Before we send them off we pray for each child to feel God's tangible presence this Christmas and to know Him as a friend throughout their life.

Blessing Bags

Many years with a group of other homeschool children we have organized an assembly line of blessing bags.  Each participant brings multiples of one item and we fill blessing bags to give away to the homeless.  I love having something in the car to give when I see someone in need.

Homeless care package ideas from oddsandevans.com is a great resource

Other

In addition to the ideas listed above, there are so many local and international charities that you can sponsor or work with at Christmas to provide gifts to those in need.

I pray that the Holy Spirit lead and inspire you to be His hands and feet this Christmas and throughout the year.

Christmas School

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December 20, 2021 - Monday

JOY

During December I intentionally slow down and strive to enter the rest of the season.  My hope - to surrender to the Lord, lay aside my agenda and the agenda of my curriculums, and simply follow Jesus.   Advent is an important part of that slowing down.

Each December has looked different for us.  We have used various advent studies over the years.  I hope to share those soon.

The overarching theme for our advent season this year was joy, and my desire was to infuse joy into all we did.

 

Memory verse:

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  (Rom 15:13, NIV)

Advent:

As I was praying for fresh manna for advent this year, a beautiful devotional arrived in my inbox from The Keeping Company.  They are the makers of the Cradle to Cross Advent Wreath we have used for years.  This year they released a new devotional that focuses on the twenty five names of Jesus.  It is beautifully done.  We particularly enjoyed the beautiful art that accompanies each day, and used it for December art study.  (Recommended for older children.)

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Science and Nature:

In addition to our daily advent study, we have been journeying through the book All Creation Waits: The Advent Mystery of New Beginnings, by Gayle Boss.  Each day focuses on a different animal and how God created each one to prepare for and survive the winter months.  This book is very well written and full of awe inspiring facts about the wonders of nature.  (Recommended for upper elementary children and older.)

 

Nature walks continue to be part of our weeks as we enjoy the fellowship and the adventures of our Wild and Free group.  We have been blessed by warm December days – something we are not taking for granted.  One of my favorite hikes was through a wooded preserve where we found a variety of winter treasures, from Hedge Apples, Black Walnuts and giant oak leaves.  For the pièce de résistance - we had a Christmas party complete with a hot cocoa / snackuterie board.  You can read more about that here…

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Hymns:

Each year we pick a new Christmas hymn to learn and study.  This years I chose Joy to World (it goes well with my joy theme).  We used the lyrics for copy work*.   In addition to copy work, the children learned to play the carol on the piano, and study the history.

* Did you know that you can create your own handwriting worksheets at www.worksheetworks.com?!  I love this site!

Children’s Literature
December is one of my favorite months for read alouds.  There are so many fantastic Christmas books we enjoy year after year.

LIST OF FAVORITE CHRISTMAS PICTURE BOOKS – coming soon

LIST OF FAVORITE CHRISTMAS NOVELS – coming soon

As I reorganized my bookshelves this fall, I stumbled upon the book The Christmas Doll.  You can read my full review HERE.   It was one we had never read, so I set it aside for December.  It was a beautiful story, and nicely complimented the books we read in November - A Place to Hang the Moon and the Railway Children.

A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens

Our primary study for December was Charles Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol.   The book stretched the children slightly, but I found they adjusted to the language and literary style as we progressed through the story.  We chose to listen to the audiobook by Tim Curry (available through Audible), and enjoyed his narration.  I was uncertain if my children (9 and 11) would be too sensitive for the material, but I found it to be age appropriate.  The book itself is written in a manner that did not invoke fear (in my children).  What I have discovered is that novels like the Wizard of Oz or A Christmas Carol rely on children’s imaginations, as opposed to picture books and movies that do the imagining for you.  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE picture books!  And we did enjoy A Christmas Carol picture book by Brett Helquist, and the graphic novel by Sean Wilson.  The images did create some uneasiness, but overall they felt appropriate.  We also enjoyed The Muppets Christmas Carol movie, which was nicely done for younger children.  For the grand finale our family attended a  theatrical performance of A Christmas Carol at a local University.  As you can image... by the end of December, we all knew the story inside and out; though there are layers upon layers to still be discover with future readings.

In addition to the novel A Christmas Carol, I took this opportunity to introduce the children to Charles Dickens.  We really enjoyed Who was Charles Dickens by Pam Pollack, and A Boy Called Dickens by Deborah Hopkinson.  If you have not yet discovered Deborah Hopkinson, I highly recommend you make her acquaintance.  Her historical picture books are some of my favorites - including Ordinary, Extraordinary Jane Austen.

When I asked the children how they would rate the novel, my oldest gave it a 5/5 and my youngest a 4/5.  I was pleasantly surprised to see how much they enjoyed this timeless story.  The novel sparked many delightful conversations and memories.  It makes me excited to read some of Dickens other books with my children like Oliver Twist and David Copperfield.

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Character Development

We flow from gratitude in November to giving in December.  As we cross over into December – our posture of gratitude should become more pronounced as we prepare our hearts for the coming of our Savior.   A foundational element of gratitude is giving.   As parents, we get a lot of practice giving in December, and our children become experts at receiving.  My hope is that they would also develop the skill of giving, not just to those they love, but to those in need.

Thankful for You

Together we created a "thankful for you" list - where we listed the people in our lives that we are thankful for.  From there we embarked on a different craft each week, creating gifts we could give to the people  on our list.  This year’s package included Canna Lily bulbs from our garden in burlap bags the children sewed, and homemade felted wool bookmarks.  We were able to combine art and giving - both of which bring us joy!  Felted wood bookmarks are so much fun to make.  There are various tutorials on youtube you can follow if you are interested in trying your hand at this fun craft.

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A Gift to Give

In addition to giving to those we know and love, there are many ways to bless those less fortunate at Christmas.  Gifts to Give at Christmas has a collection of ideas on how to incorporate a tradition of giving in your family.

The Christmas Doll

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The Christmas Doll, Elvira Woodruff

This is a beautiful Christmas story about the power of hope.  It takes place in 1840’s London and is about two orphaned sisters living in a workhouse.  A deadly fever, likely scarlet fever, sweeps through and claims the lives of many of their friends.  Escaping to the streets of London feels like their only hope of survival.  This Dickens type tale is reminiscent of Oliver Twist, or Annie.

The beginning chapters are enveloped in death and loss, and may be too much for sensitive children.  My children ages 9 and 11 wanted to put the book down after the first couple of chapters, but were thankful they persevered and ended up enjoying the story.

This is a story of loyalty, hard work, and perseverance between sisters, with a beautiful message of hope and the power of miracles.  The Christmas doll, Morning Glory, is at the heart of the story and illuminates the magic of imagination and story.  The heart-warming ending overshadows the tragic beginning.

A Gentle Whisper

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December 8, 2021 – Wednesday

As winter begins to settle in and the beauty of spring and summer have retired for the year, we enter into a holding pattern.  A season of rest.  A season of waiting.  A season of advent.  All God’s creation knows how to rest and to wait.  It is as if the scripture “rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him” has been woven into their very being.  Truth be told, it is woven into ours too.  We were created to rest and wait patiently on the Lord.  The world would benefit greatly from simple observation of creation all around us.  Perhaps that is why the Lord delights in watching His children embrace nature study.  The chipmunks, bees, flowers and trees all accept their design without question.  We were born to surrender to the plans of the Lord and trust Him with tomorrow. 

Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him… (Ps 37:7, NKJV)

Rest and waiting is not passive – it’s cooperative.  We can learn much from simple observation of the bear.  She instinctively indulges in the ripe berries of fall, eating more than she has in prior months.  Plump and satisfied, she heeds the quiet whisper in the wind that encourages her to surrender to her urge to rest.  In spring, as if by formal invitation, she emerges from her winter den, cubs in tow, as she joins in the dance of the seasons.  Yes friends… the gentle whisper of the wind is worth listening to (1 Kings 19:12).

11 The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.”  Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.  Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”  (1 Kings 19:11-13, NIV)

When the Lord speaks to us, it is rarely an audible or visible word, yet, like the bear we instinctively hear it.  Most often it is a simple urge.  A gentle whisper.  A silent invitation.  We know the voice of our shepherd (John 10:27).  It isn’t really a question of if we hear.  No… the question is are we listening?

As we embrace this holy season of advent, let us take notes from nature.  Let us rest and wait on the Lord through our surrendered cooperation.  The victory is in the surrender.  Isn’t it humbling to think that it all begins with quietness and trust (Isa 30:15)?  ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts (Zech 4:6).

The sheep that are My own hear My voice and listen to Me; I know them, and they follow Me. (John 10:27, TPT)

In quietness and trust you will be made strong. (Isa 30:15, TPT)

‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts. (Zech 4:6, NKJV)

 

Related posts:

A Harvest of Hope

The Dance of the Seasons

 

 

An Intentional Christmas

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Jesus is the sweetness of life perfected.  He is the most beautifully wrapped gift ever given.  His light glows brighter than the most extravagant Christmas tree. He is Christmas!

December 1, 2021 – Wednesday

As December arrives, our family embraces the opportunity to celebrate with the world the priceless night, over 2000 years ago, when Love came down and rescued us.  Love gave up His throne for a manger and the perfection of heaven for the imperfection of this fallen world.  Yes, we celebrate His birth!  But even more significantly, we celebrate the reason why He came!  It’s the most amazing rescue story of all time.  Love came down to rescue us so that through Him we could have life and we could have it abundantly.

I have come to give you everything in abundance, more than you expect - life in its fullness until you overflow!  John 10:10, TPT

Since my children were very small, I have prayed for wisdom on how to keep Christmas holy.  Christmas as the world knows it, is not biblical.  But, the story of Christmas is (Luke 2).  Unlike Passover and other biblical feasts, there are no guidelines in the Bible on how to celebrate this historic occasion.  Yet… the world cannot resist.  At the very heart of Christmas is the desire to celebrate the King!  It is what we were born to do.  We cannot contain ourselves.  Whether we realize it or not, we were made to worship Him.  It is woven into the very fabric of our being.

Oh come let us adore Him!
Christ the Lord!

We have the right message!  Worship!  His birth is indeed praise worthy.  It is our interpretation of that message we must seek wisdom on.   Christmas is as intentional as we make it.  The more we seek Him, the more we find Him (Jer 29:13)!  Worship without intention is simply tradition.  We can trim the tree, wrap the presents, and turn on the carols all without even thinking about Jesus if we are not careful.

You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. (Jer 29:13, ESV)

As we acknowledge Jesus through worship, we not only honor Him, but defeat the powers of darkness in our life.  Worship is one of our most powerful weapons – that is why the enemy works so hard diminish its presence in the world.  The primary tool he uses - distraction.  Anyone ever feel a little distracted during December?   We get so busy and distracted that we often crowd out the space we purposed to make for the King!  Distraction and busyness arn't something reserved for December.  It is an everyday, all year thing.  It has become so familiar, we scarcely even recognize it.

Intentionality requires focus.  If we want to be intentional about Christmas – we need to focus on Jesus.  If we want to be intentional in life – we need to focus on Jesus.  Have you ever sang an entire worship song, your thoughts trailing with distraction?  We can even miss the worship in worship!  Ugh.  The battle is real y’all!

Do it ALL for His glory   

Worship is a posture of the heart.  It can and should be a part of ALL we do!  Colossians 3:23 instructs us to “put your heart and soul into every activity you do, as though you are doing it for the Lord himself and not merely for others”.  We should do it ALL for the glory of the Lord (1 Cor 10:31).  Jesus is in the details.  He is in the generosity and giving of a special gift, the soft glow of the lights, the love that goes into home baked treats, and the holiness of the most beloved carols.  The traditions of Christmas are indeed infused with the Spirit of Christmas – for those who have eyes to see and ears to hear.  He is gentle and humble (Matt 11:29) - we can miss Him if we aren’t careful.  His holiness demands our worship – yet He never will.  Because Jesus longs for relationship – He woos us without forcing us.

23 Put your heart and soul into every activity you do, as though you are doing it for the Lord himself and not merely for others. 24 For we know that we will receive a reward, an inheritance from the Lord, as we serve the Lord Yahweh, the Anointed.  (Col 3:23-24, TPT)

So then, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of [our great] God. (1 Cor 10:31, AMP)

But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. (Matt 13:16, NASB)

 Simply join your life with mine.  Learn my ways and you’ll discover that I’m gentle, humble, easy to please. You will find refreshment and rest in me.  (Matt 11:29, TPT)

Rest assured… there is no place Jesus won’t meet us!!  Whatever the Christmas traditions of your family – I can assure you that Jesus is there.  You just need to look for Him.  Yes… I know there are pagan roots and materialism woven into many of our beloved traditions.  So let’s redeem them!  The enemy loses his grip on anything that is saturated with the goodness of God.  As we intentionally seek Him in all we do, we will find Him.

The traditions we choose to embrace with our family should be used to glorify the Lord.  Some are holy.  Some are fun.  Some are yummy.  Some have been passed down through many generations.  It isn’t the traditions that make Christmas holy, it is the presence of God.  Love, peace, hope and joy… that’s what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown.  Our traditions should honor our Savior - be full of love, bring peace, restore hope and overflow with joy!  If they do… we are on the right track.

Frosty or a manger on the front lawn?  Santa or no Santa?  Elf or no elf?  Decorations before or after the first of December?  White or multicolored lights?  Gingerbread or sugar cookies?  Eggnog or hot cocoa?  Gifts to the needy or visit a nursing home?  Stay home or travel?  The decisions are endless… So is His presence.

Folks – I have a news flash for you. It isn’t really about how we adorn Christmas.  It is whether or not we adore Christmas!  It isn’t the red and green He is after… it is our hearts.  So do what you love and do it ALL for the glory of God.  Chances are that your traditions reflect the beautiful qualities that make you… you!  That is why your traditions are your traditions.  Look a little closer and trust me… you will find Him there.  Then do it ALL for His glory.

The world adorns Christmas with glowing lights, beautiful gift wrap, and sugary sweets.  Pretty fitting if you ask you me.   Jesus is the sweetness of life perfected.  He is the most beautifully wrapped gift ever given.  His light glows brighter than the most extravagant Christmas tree.  The traditions of Christmas may at first glance appear to be of the world, but with unveiled eyes we see the beauty of our King.  Much like a mirror, as we see Him in the details, we will start to reflect Him to the world. 

The traditions of Christmas reflect the heart of our King, and are inspired by our design to worship Him!  Worship is at the very heart of Christmas.  As we adorn Christmas, let us also adore Christmas.  Travel with me down the road less traveled this Christmas.   There is a star shining bright in the sky that will light our path.

“Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” (Matt 2:2, NASB)

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Finding Jesus in the Details...

If you choose to hang lights… do it with joy. Do it with intentionality.  Do it for the glory of God.  Declare that your home is a city on hill, a lamp upon a stand, shining bright for all to see His goodness in our land.

14 “Your lives light up the world. For how can you hide a city that stands on a hilltop?  15 And who would light a lamp and then hide it in an obscure place?  Instead, it’s placed where everyone in the house can benefit from its light. 16 So don’t hide your light!   Let it shine brightly before others, so that your commendable works will shine as light upon them, and then they will give their praise to your Father in heaven.”

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Do you have the opportunity to host, or are you invited to a Christmas gathering?  The opportunities to glorify the Lord during the holidays are endless…  I recently went to a homeschool gathering and the mom who hosted put put her heart and soul into the event.  She made our children feel treasured, inspired the moms with her generosity, and loved on each of us through her time and thoughtfulness.  She created the most beautiful cocoa bar and Christmas snackuterie board with the contributions of each family.  I was amazed at the beauty of community and sharing, sprinkled with love!

 So go ahead. Eat your food with joy, and drink your wine with a happy heart, for God approves of this! (Ecc 9:7, NLT)

Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Cor 10:31, NKJV)

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I come from a long line of decorators and lovers of Christmas.  You can read more about that in The Power of Christmas.  Decorating brings joy and spreads joy.  When you walk into a beautifully decorated home at Christmas, it is as if you are embraced by the smells, the sights and the sounds of Christmas.  It is so grand!  You know you are home and that you are loved - all without a word.  This beautiful tree is in my cousins house in Texas.  It speaks to the gifts God has given her.  She is a beautiful decorator, person, and lover of Jesus.  This is just an example of what it can look like when we put our heart and soul into what we love (Col 3:23).    All we have to do is use the gifts He has given us.

brindi tree

23 Put your heart and soul into every activity you do, as though you are doing it for the Lord himself and not merely for others. (Col 3:23, TPT)

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I also like to decorate... but my gift is more with food.  I find such joy in feeding people.  I have slowly figured that out over the years.  It all started in college when I would host cinnamon roll breakfasts at 7am at my house.  Since then my passion has only grown.  It is who God made me to be.  God's gifts come naturally and bring joy!  We bless others with our gifts!!

cinnamon rolls

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!(Ps 34:8, NKJV)

Christmas is a time to give and love on others.  There are so many opportunities to share what we have during the holiday season.  In Matthew 25:40 Jesus tells us that when we give to the least of these we give to Him.  Do you want to know how to give gifts to Jesus this Christmas season?  Give to the least of these by reaching out to those in need.  Our family has a tradition each Christmas that we pray promotes generosity in our children.  We wrap up $25 for each of our four children and enclose a World Vision catalog.  We let them flip through the pages and decide as a group what they would like to spend their money on.  It has been so refreshing watching them embrace this opportunity year after year.  

For more ideas on ways to give - hop on over to Gifts to Give at Christmas.

 

“And the King will answer them, ‘Don’t you know? When you cared for one of the least of these, my little ones, my true brothers and sisters, you demonstrated love for me.’ (Matt 25:40, TPT)

But when you demonstrate generosity, do it with pure motives and without drawing attention to yourself. 4 Give secretly and your Father, who sees all you do, will reward you openly.” (Matt 6:3-4, TPT)

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If you haven't already... incorporate an advent tradition into your home.  Advent helps to keep our focus to Jesus.  We love the Cradle to Cross Wreath to accompany our advent study.  Each morning we light a candle and begin with our devotion.   We have used numerous advent studies over the years...  this year we used the new devotional that comes with the wreath on the names of Jesus.

An Advent Celebration (Coming Soon)

This is just the tip of the ice burg…  God will reveal Himself to you as you seek Him;  He will use your tradtions, unique gifts, interests and talents to love on the world this Christmas!

 

Related posts on Christmas

Christmas – A Lifelong Adventure

Michelle Underwood Uncategorized 0 Comment

December 6, 2021 - Monday

You know the feeling you get as you start to put out your Christmas decorations?  The feeling that if you don’t soon get them up… you may as well not bother.  Most of us would agree that the Christmas season goes too fast.  Isn’t it true!!  The decorations are hardly worth all the work for the short amount of time that we get to enjoy them.  Hence the debate over when it is officially “okay” to start decorating.  Yes, we are talking about decorations here… but the reality is that the 25 days of December are nowhere near enough time to celebrate!!  The observance of our Saviors birth was never intended to be a one month celebration, but rather a lifelong posture.

In December, Christ is remembered through the manger, and in the spring – He is remembered through the cross.  Yet… the significance of these two events extend far beyond two months out the year.  In fact – their significance is eternal.

“Jesus’ birth makes all the difference,
and His death makes us different."
The Power of Christmas

How we celebrate Christmas in our homes is intended to be a 365 day journey, year after year.  It doesn’t end when the tree comes down and the gifts are all unwrapped.  You see… the birth of Christ is just the beginning.  There is so much more beyond Luke 2!!  Yes, there were shepherds, angels, a manger, and wise men… but that is just chapter 2.

Honestly, it will be hard to make the 25 days of December holy if we don’t make the other 340 days of the year holy.  At the turn of the year, as we "pack up Christmas"... let us purpose to leave open the space we carved out for it.  May the tradition of adoration permanently infuse our hearts and homes.

 

Christmas is Coming (2)

We don’t have to conform to the patterns of the world.  The patterns of the world do not define us.  As followers of Christ we define them!  Christmas is about Christ!  Let us reflect Him in all we do.  As we choose the path less traveled, we must remember – not conforming isn’t avoiding… it is redeeming!   We are not called to avoid the traditions of the world, but to redeem them!

 And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you]. (Rom 12:2, AMP)

Every good and perfect thing is from above.  Our world and everything in it belongs to God.  We must remember this important truth as we take back what was originally God’s and redeem it for His glory!

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of lights [the Creator and Sustainer of the heavens], in whom there is no variation [no rising or setting] or shadow [a]cast by His turning [for He is perfect and never changes]. (Jm 1:17, AMP)

Yahweh claims the world as his. Everything and everyone belong to him! (Ps 24:1, TPT)

It isn’t what we do… it’s how we do it.  We are called to put our heart and soul into everything we do… and do it ALL for His glory!  As we let our light shine, He gets the glory!  Don’t get lost in the details… simply look for Jesus in details.

23 Put your heart and soul into every activity you do, as though you are doing it for the Lord himself and not merely for others.  24 For we know that we will receive a reward, an inheritance from the Lord, as we serve the Lord Yahweh, the Anointed.  (Col 3:23-24, TPT)

 

Related posts:

Gifts to Give at Christmas 

An Intentional Christmas

The Power of Christmas

 

 

Abundance is Here!

Michelle Underwood God is Good, Homeschool , , , 0 Comment

“The secret to having it all is believing you already do.”  ~ Unknown

November 19, 2021

I hear the Lord saying that we have entered into a time of abundance.  What you have hoped for, prayed for, and waited for is arising like the sun with healing on its wings (Mal 4:4).  You have travailed uphill.  The rugged terrain will become level ground and the rough places a plain (Isa 40:4).  You have now entered a place of green pastures and still waters, of restoration and overflow.  A Psalm 23 season is upon you.   Your cup runneth over. Abundance is here and he is Jesus (John 10:10)!

Abundance: Great plenty; an overflowing quantity; ample sufficiency (Websters, 1828)

The sun of righteousness will dawn on those who honor my name, healing radiating from its wings. You will be bursting with energy, like colts frisky and frolicking. And you’ll tromp on the wicked. They’ll be nothing but ashes under your feet on that Day.” God-of-the-Angel-Armies says so. (Mal 4:4, MSG)

The rugged terrain will become level ground and the rough places a plain. (Isa 40:4, TPT)

A thief has only one thing in mind—he wants to steal, slaughter, and destroy. But I have come to give you everything in abundance, more than you expect—life in its fullness until you overflow! (John 10:10, TPT)

Your birthright, the unlimited riches of Jesus’ victory on the cross, is being unveiled within you (Eph 3:16).  The God of angel armies is revealing the power of Jesus’ love for you – the very essence of your victory.  A love that has been there from the start, a love that has been fighting for you since before you took your first breath, a love that laid down His life so yours would overflow.  Love is the root of the tree He has planted within you.  What started off as a tiny seedling, has been watered, cared for, pruned, and doted on.  It is now ready to yield the fruit it was designed for.  The spring blossoms were abundant.  The branches are now heavy with the weight of harvest.  You can feel it.  It is more than you can hold on your own.  Your strength is not enough.  His strength is made perfect in your weakness (2 Cor 12:8).  His strength is more than enough!!

 And I pray that he would unveil within you the unlimited riches of his glory and favor until supernatural strength floods your innermost being with his divine might and explosive power. (Eph 3:16, TPT)

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor 12:8, NKJV)

Alone you cannot manage the overflow. The abundance will require surrender of your agenda and to-do lists.  The overflow will not fit into the gaps of your already busy life.  You will need more space than you know.  The abundance will require you to stand with your arms wide open – ready to receive.  Lay down your agenda and follow the Lord.

He who loves abundance will not be satisfied with its gain (Ecc 5:10).  The harvest is for the humble and contrite in spirit.  Thus saith the Lord, “There is one my eyes are drawn to: the humble one, the tender one, the trembling one who lives in awe of all I say (Isa 66:2).”  You know who you are.  Yes you!  Don’t disqualify yourself, simply prepare.  Make way for the Lord.  “A thunderous voice cries out in the wilderness: “Prepare the way for Yahweh’s arrival!  Make a highway straight through the desert for our God (Isa 40:3)!”

He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves abundance with its gain. This too is vanity. (Ecc 5:10, AMP)

“But there is one my eyes are drawn to: the humble one, the tender one, the trembling one
who lives in awe of all I say. (Isa 66:2, TPT)

“A thunderous voice cries out in the wilderness: “Prepare the way[b] for Yahweh’s arrival!
Make a highway straight through the desert for our God! (Isa 40:3, TPT)

The love of Jesus is abundant!  His love at work within you will achieve more than you could ever ask or imagine (Eph 3:20).  Prepare to stand in awe.  The King of Glory is here!  The sound of His roar is mighty in pulling down strongholds (2 Cor 10:4).  The sound of His roar changes everything.  Open wide you living gates – the King of Glory is entering through you (Ps 24:7)!! Yes you!!

Never doubt God’s mighty power to work in you and accomplish all this. He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream, and exceed your wildest imagination! (Eph 3:20, TPT)

4 For the weapons of our warfare are not [a]carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, (2 Cor 10:4, NKJV)

7 So wake up, you living gateways!  Lift up your heads, you doorways of eternity!  Welcome the King of Glory, for he is about to come through you.  8 You ask, “Who is this King of Glory?”  Yahweh, armed and ready for battle, Yahweh, invincible in every way!  9 So wake up, you living gateways, and rejoice!  Fling wide, you eternal doors!  Here he comes; the King of Glory is ready to come in. (Ps 24:7-9)

 

Other posts referenced:

Arms Wide Open

Victory Begins with Surrender

Surrendering My Plans
(and my baby clothes)

A Harvest of Hope