Today’s Kintsugi of the Soul* features The Gift of the Magi. The story by O. Henry is a Christmas classic and has always been one of my favorites. This is a modern take on the traditional version:
Kintsugi of the Soul, edition 17
Christmas
Create-A-Day: your daily dose of creativity #253 — Heart of Courage
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Our last post of 2015!
Let me leave you with this message of courage as you walk the path God has placed before you for the year ahead.
“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.”
The child’s father and mother marveled at what Simeon said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” ~ Lk 2:29-35
Imagine hearing this blessing over your child and then those very last words. Just as Simeon is pouring out this wonderful worship of the infant Christ, he ends with this warning to Mary. Women of Ancient Israel longed to give birth to the promised Messiah, the One who would bring hope, healing and restoration to their nation. Yet few would understand the cost of this “gift.”
What gift has God entrusted to you? How will you work with God to bring it to fulfillment in your life? Will you press forward even when the road ahead gets tough? Even when your soul is pierced? Will you still say yes? Continue reading
Create-A-Day: your daily dose of creativity #251 — Nativity Shadow Dance
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We are nearing the end of our Create-A-Day 2015 posts. As we wind down, I want to leave you with a shadow dance to “O Magnum Mysterium” sung live for CHRISTmas Eve 2013 at Northland Church in Longwood, Florida. Such BEaUty!!
“O Magnum Mysterium” written & arranged by Morten Lauridsen
Original Text:
O magnum mysterium,
et admirabile sacramentum,
ut animalia viderent Dominum natum,
jacentem in praesepio!
Beata Virgo, cujus viscera
meruerunt portare
Dominum Christum. Alleluia. Continue reading
Create-A-Day: your daily dose of creativity #249 — What is Christmas?
StandardWhat is the true meaning of CHRISTmas? I know this can be a difficult season for many. There is only one way to be truly fulfilled in this season:
Clayton Jennings is on a mission to #TellTheWorld about the saving love of Jesus Christ. One way in which he does this is through powerful videos like the one above. Another way is through spoken word:
Create-A-Day: your daily dose of creativity #248 — Jesus as a Work of Art
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Have you ever thought about the “creation” of Christ? Not as God but as a human, a baby, born in a manger, as the scripture says? Who decided what he would look like, his smile, the color of his eyes, the shape of his tiny nose? Did he and God the Father put their heads together and say, “This is what God Incarnate should look like.” Or did God simply say, “Let me surprise you, Son”?
Just some thoughts to ponder as I direct you to a short CHRISTmas devotional called Christ Jesus — a Work of Art. May you be blessed as you consider this most precious gift the world has ever received!
Create-A-Day #247: ADVENTure Prayer Walk 5 — the CHRIST Candle
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ADVENTure is a self-directed prayer walk pondering the true meaning of Christmas. You can read all about it here, as well as learn how you can do this as interactive prayer walk for your church or ministry.
This week is CHRISTmas! Our Savior has come!! Hallelujah! As we consider the true meaning of CHRISTmas we light the CHRIST Candle at the center of the Advent Wreath. The One we have waited for has come!
The Christ Candle
Read: Luke 2:1-7
Meditation:
We typically reflect on Christ in his years of ministry – as a grown man. The man who walked among his people, healing them, teaching them, forgiving them and loving them.
Have you ever stopped to consider Christ as a baby?
an infant?
tiny and helpless?
dependant on others to care for him?
to love him and nurture him? Continue reading
Create-A-Day: your daily dose of creativity #246 — Are you still Waiting?
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Are you WAITING with intention? Are you slowing down? Are you remembering to breathe?
Create-A-Day: your daily dose of creativity #245 — There… Amazing Grace Extended
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Want to explore resources from two writer / poets today.
First, we’ve explored the work of artist / author Tom Graffagnino before. Today I want to direct you to his page where you can read and meditate on his poem There… Amazing Grace Extended, complete with many BEaUtiful names of Christ WITH scripture references!! It would make a wonderful way to meditate on God’s word today. Continue reading
Create-A-Day: your daily dose of creativity #244 — More Advent Resources!
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LEAD Advent Resource
Artwork by Vonda Drees
Directing you to LEAD: Living Every day As Disciples to yet another creative Advent resource! Look for Advent & Lenten Resources (under the “Resources” tab) which includes contemplative prayer liturgies and accompanying creative experiences for your use during Advent. Free printables for coloring, downloadable liturgies for bulletins, links to videos — everything is there for you! This is an amazing resource for use in your church, ministry or family!
Another resource added 2018: a free online resource from Brenda Warren of Saintsbridge. 40 Days of Advent devotionals called “Celts to the Creche” is inspired by Celtic and Anglo-Saxon saints. This pilgrimage to the creche in Bethlehem begins November 16. Continue reading
Create-A-Day: your daily dose of creativity #243 — The Voice of the Father
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Throughout November and December I’ve been sharing Advent resources, gift ideas, and creative meditations for Christmas.
Yesterday I shared a meditation on the Love of Joseph, the earthly father of the Son of God, for the infant Jesus. I wanted to build on that today with a Father’s Day video created by Christian Comedian, Michael, Jr. Continue reading
Create-A-Day #242: ADVENTure Prayer Walk 4 — Love & Joseph
StandardADVENTure is a self-directed prayer walk pondering the true meaning of Christmas. You can read all about it here, as well as learn how you can do this as interactive prayer walk for your church or ministry.
This Sunday, December 20th is the fourth Sunday of Advent. As we consider the true meaning of CHRISTmas we light our fourth candle of the Advent Wreath; the Candle of LOVE and we think of Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, the man who raised a child that wasn’t his.
Candle of Love: Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus
Read: Matthew 1:18-25
Meditation:
This passage tells us that Joseph was a righteous man. While he was probably disappointed when he first found out Mary was with child, God’s direction gave him reassurance. He walked in that reassurance and raised Jesus as his own son.
Now was Joseph simply obedient or did he grow to love Mary and her son Jesus? As a righteous man, a man of God, I believe he grew to love them both.
Matthew 13:35 tells us that Joseph was a carpenter. As Jesus’ earthly father, he would have taught his son his trade. They spent their days working side by side. Learning to build and hewn and nail.
by Jose Ortega
Thirty years later, a cross would be hewn and built from wood and nails were used to secure the hands and feet of Christ to that cross. The carpenter’s son crucified. Continue reading
Create-A-Day: your daily dose of creativity #241 — Hallelujah! a Son is Born!
StandardIf you’ve not heard Cloverton’s CHRISTmas version of Hallelujah, I hope you find it as touching as I did the first time I heard it. Always loved the original music but these words, completely turn it into a wonderful song of worship. Be blessed!
Create-A-Day: your daily dose of creativity #240 — Christmas Devotional Experience
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Mary and Jesus
by Podi Lawrence
Today I want to direct you to a Christmas Devotional Experience from Soul Shepherding. It can be adapted and used in a variety of contexts, including personal devotions, small groups, family gatherings and worship settings.
According to Soul Shepherding:
In this Christmas devotional we take a journey to welcome Christ to be born anew in our hearts. There are Scripture meditation and prayers to help you identify with eight different characters from the story — including some surprise characters that you wouldn’t have thought of! You can pick one character for the season and keep returning to related Scripture meditations and prayers or you can pick a different one each day. What a blessing it is to companion these characters as they adore the Christ child!
Create-A-Day: your daily dose of creativity #239 — Powerful Drummer Boy Dance
StandardSo, I can’t even begin to tell you how much I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE this CHRISTmas dance to The Little Drummer Boy! First, Mickye Castillo’s Freedom in the Dance (FITD) Ministry is a powerful and anointed dance ministry out of Dallas, so that alone tells you this will be good!! But then…. they added a drum corps to the dance!!
Create-A-Day: your daily dose of creativity #238 — Gift Ideas for Art Journalers
StandardToday’s post is for Bible art journalers and other crafty folks, with a Christmas gift idea, a free resource and a blog with great ideas for art journaling! Wow! This one is loaded!
First, the gift idea! I have heard folks say the only thing they don’t like about art journaling in their Bibles is that the 2-3″ margins aren’t big enough, and they don’t like to cover the words of scripture! The soon-to-be-available Interleaved ESV Journaling Bible might be just the Bible for you then! There is a blank canvas to compliment every page! It will be available March 11, 2016 but you can pre-order now at a reduced rate. You can check out all the details on move-the-mountains.com. (I recommend exploring that blog too — great resources and ideas!!)
Second, here’s a resource for art journalers and anyone else wanting to get creative with Advent: free downloadable Advent scripture cards from Displaying Grace blog. They support a wonderfully creative Advent study, also found on the blog. Tons of great family activity ideas and free printables to help make this a memorable and thoughtful CHRISTmas season. Continue reading
Create-A-Day #237: ADVENTure Prayer Walk 3 — Joy & Mother Mary
StandardADVENTure is a self-directed prayer walk pondering the true meaning of Christmas. You can read all about it here, as well as learn how you can do this as interactive prayer walk for your church or ministry.
This Sunday, December 13th is the third Sunday of Advent. As we consider the true meaning of CHRISTmas we light our third candle of the Advent Wreath; the Candle of JOY and we consider the joy Mary must have felt at knowing she would bear the only Son of God, the Messiah, the Chosen One sent to save the people of Israel!
Candle of Joy: Mary, the Mother of Jesus
Read: Luke 1:26-38 & 46-55
Create-A-Day: your daily dose of creativity #235 — Pastors’ Day Off
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I’m going to jump up on a soapbox a bit today. As a preacher’s kid and having been involved in pastoral ministry myself, I want to speak to Sabbath rest and family time for your pastoral, ministerial and church staff at the holidays.
Create-A-Day: your daily dose of creativity #234 — Nativity Suite Poetry for Christmas
StandardGo ahead and rise, stars.
“Simeon’s Moment” by Ron DiCianni
Whisper about the origins
of the universe, your secret,
holy fires. Tonight I will remember
the child I held to my chest.
I will pull my cloak to my face
and drift in the sweetness of milk.
from Simeon by Tania Runyan (Lines 25-31)
Create-A-Day: your daily dose of creativity #233 — Music & Memories
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Today I’m sending you over to Dave Weiss’ blog at AMOK Arts to a post he did for CHRISTmas last year called Tell a Better Story: Mark Schultz… Different Kind of Christmas.
May you be blessed by this BEaUtiful song and the story behind it. And may you remember to reach out to those who’ve lost loved ones this past year with love, grace and compassion.
Create-A-Day #232: ADVENTure Prayer Walk 2 — The Shepherds’ Peace
StandardADVENTure is a self-directed prayer walk pondering the true meaning of Christmas. You can read all about it here, as well as learn how you can do this as interactive prayer walk for your church or ministry.
This Sunday, December 6th is the second Sunday of Advent. As we consider the true meaning of CHRISTmas we light our second candle of the Advent Wreath; the Candle of PEACE, and we consider the shepherds who came and worshiped and wondered at Jesus’ birth.
Nurturing the Creative Spirit Within 