Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus--Hypostatic Union and more

I wrote previously about reading  Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus: Experiencing the Peace and Promise of Christmas. 

I really do recommend this as a great read during Christmas or anytime.

I just wanted to share a few more quotes from the book about such things as the incarnation and the hypostatic union. Don't let the big words scare you. 

Saint Augustine:
"But how," one will say, " can it be, that the Word of God, by whom the world is governed, by whom all things both were and are created, should contract himself into the womb of a virgin; should leave the angels, and be shut up in one woman's womb?" Thou skillest not to conceive of things divine. The Word of God could surely do all seeing that the Word of God is omnipotent, at once remain with the Father, and come to us; at once in the flesh come forth to us, and lay concealed in him. For he would not the less have been, if he had not been born of flesh. He "was" before his own flesh; he created his own mother. He chose her in whom he should be conceived, he created her of whom he should be created. Why marvellest thou? It is God of whom I am speaking to thee: "the Word was God"

And J. I. Packer:
How are we to think of the incarnation: The New Testament does not encourage us to puzzle our heads over the physical and psychological problems that is raises, but to worship God for the Love that shown in it. For it was a great act of condescension and self-humbling.

- - - -

We talk glibly of the "Christmas spirit," rarely meaning more by this than sentimental jollity on a family basis. But what we have said makes it clear that the phrase should in fact carry a tremendous weight of meaning. It ought to mean the reproducing in human lives of the temper of him who for our sakes became poor at the first Christmas. And the Christmas spirit itself ought to be the mark of every Christian all the year round.

Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus: Mary & the Annunciation

The book group in which I participate has been reading Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus: Experiencing the Peace and Promise of Christmas. 

Being in "the mood" for Christmas can be challenging. This seems especially true this year when the outward trappings of Christmas are hard to come by. As mija has been urging me to make cookies and candies, my goal has been just making sure we have something to eat for each meal. Even though her zeal for Zhu Zhu Pets has started to fade, her gifts this year will be Zhu Zhu accessories which I purchased on clearance over a year ago. No new purchases can be made.

This book has been a help and blessing this year and I highly recommend it. It has 22 chapters which are each Christmas excerpts from people like Luther, Piper, Spurgeon, Schaeffer, MacArthur, and Whitefield. It starts with the annunciation and goes through the early life of baby Jesus.

Each chapter seems to examine a single facet of the whole gem of Christmas.


Here's a few quotes about Mary and the Annunciation.

This is from Martin Luther:

Quite possibly Mary was doing the housework when the angel Gabriel came to her. Angels to prefer to come to people as they are fulfilling their calling and discharging their office. The angel appeared to the shepherds as they were watching their flocks, to Gideon as he was threshing the grain, to Samson's mother as she sat in the field. 
----
Saint Bernard declared there are three miracles: that God and man should be joined in this child; that a mother should remain a virgin; that Mary should have such faith as to believe that this mystery should be accomplished in her. The last is not the least of the three. The virgin birth mere trifle for God; that God should become man is a greater miracle; but most amazing at all is that she, rather than some other virgin, had been chosen to be the mother of God.

Or how about this from John Piper:

Mary responds by saying, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word" (v. 38.) Can you say: "Let the Holy Spirit do with me as he pleases"? Do you trust the Holy Spirit enough to say: "I am your slave; take me; use your omnipotent power to put you where you want me, when you want me there, doing what you want me to do"? Do you know why we can entrust ourselves to the Holy Spirit? Because he exists to exalt the glory of Jesus Christ. Therefore, if the heartbeat of your life is the glory of Jesus Christ, the Spirit will empower and help you with all his might. 

NHBA Book Group, Wonderstruck, Finger Spelling, and More

I've shared previously about Currclick.com's National Homeschool Book Award club.  We usually read the books aloud as a family and then Mrs. Bergerson who leads the group has wonderful information, discussion, and activities.


The past two months we have read and discussed Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick. He is also the author/illustrator of The Invention of Hugo Cabret which was recently made into an award-winning movie.


This month during the book group, one of the main themes was finger spelling. The group learned and practiced the alphabet and their names using finger spelling. Then they did a cool activity. Mrs. Bergerson had them trace their hand and cut out the same number of hands as letters in their name. Then using tape or glue stick, the hands were to be shaped into shape of the finger spell letters. We then glued ours down to a piece of construction just to "make it pop!"

Mija has really gained an interest in finger spelling and sign language as a result. American Sign Language University is a website with lessons, videos, activities, and even jokes! Want to teach it as a homeschool subject? They offer a syllabus for teaching it in a homeschool.

HERE is a site that has fun video quizzes. You watch the letters being signed and then enter what you believe the correct answer is. You can set the number of letters It's actually related to the ASL University site.

Here's a few more sites to check out:

ASL Alphabet Coloring Sheets

Finger Spelling Bingo Cards

Enchanted Learning worksheets

Funbrain Sign the alphabet online game

ABC Teach flashcards and posters

ASLPro

Signing Time Blog

How about you? Do you know any great sites or activities for including ASL?

Linked to:

My Church's Ladies' Retreat--Piper, DeMoss, Chan, and more!!

I was thoroughly blessed at our ladies retreat this weekend although my body is still trying recover!
And yes, we had John Piper, Nancy Leigh DeMoss, Jackie Francis Chan, and more  speakers at our retreat. Not in person, but on video!
I can't share all the fun, food, and fellowship, but I can share with you some of the speakers videos and/or information, so you can have your own little retreat at home. Our theme was being Women of the Word.


The first video we watched was:



After dinner, we had a testimony and then heard from Karen Eppler. She's developed some wonderful Scripture memory devices for using with children. In fact, you can find all her ABC verse rebuses and songs HERE.


On Saturday, we started with:

After another great testimony, my friend, Susan shared about Christian women through history. I've mentioned Susan before because she leads the book group I attend. It was such a blessing to see how God has used real women like us. She posted a bibliography and brief description of the ladies HERE.


In the afternoon, we had a breakout session in which we could choose one of three videos to watch. I'm posting the one I watched first, but now I can watch the others, too.
Honoring the Biblical Call of Motherhood--John Piper
Living a Life that Matters--Living Eternally--Francis Chan (scroll down to 3/8/09)
Singleness and the Next Generation--David Platt (scroll down to message #49 dated 6/12/11)


We ended with Nancy Leigh DeMoss' "Daily Devotions--Duty or Delight?" I can't seem to find the video for that, but I know her radio recordings on it are located on Revive our Hearts. She challenges you to a read you Bible 30 days in a row. 


Of course, I can't share everything about the retreat. After all, "What happens  at the retreat, stays at the retreat!! ;-)

Starting the New Year---Review Questions, Bible Study and Book Group

 Well, the New Year is off and running...

Well, maybe not running.  Mija and hubby are still in bed which was kind of nice.  It allowed me extra, uninterrupted time with God.  Which, by the way, is actually a good way to get the year off and running.

So, I'm back to off and running!  Well, not literally running but you get the idea!

I wanted to let you know what I'm into as we start the year.  It's never too late to join me!

First, I started my Ten Questions to Ask at the Start of a New Year.  The first question is "What's one thing you could do this year to increase your enjoyment of God?"  I think this is a great question since our purpose is to "glorify God and enjoy Him for ever."  What I think is that I need to share more about what He does or what He teaches me.  Sharing it makes it mindful and remind-ful!



Second, the book group I participate in has started it's new book.  We are reading Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God by Francis Chan. Our first discussion is tomorrow. If you like to follow along with the questions, just go to my friend's website Susan's Book Group to get the current questions.


                                            

Lastly, I'm getting geared up for the Ephesians Bible study through Good Morning Girls. The study pages are up and ready to download.  It doesn't start until January 15, so if you'd still like to join my group.  Just let me know, but make sure to leave your full name so I can friend you on Facebook!


What are you doing to get your year off and running?