25 Days . . . . .

 

We got this title in our church library last year.  I glanced through it mid-way through December and told myself I would like to use it as a devotional beginning around Thanksgiving time this year.  (I allow myself a couple of days extra in case I get really busy one day.)

Here's the  cool part - - - I bought the book last December and actually remembered (without putting it on the calendar) to start it yesterday!  Notice my Thanksgiving bookmark sticking out of the top of the book. 

Here are some interesting things I have learned in just two days.  Advent actually dates back to the 6th century.  Church leaders used the time to help families focus on the life of Christ so that His birth would be even more significant by the time it was celebrated.

Why does Christmas shopping begin at Thanksgiving?  It hasn't always been that way.  Before 1940, generally only the week before was spent in holiday activities from shopping to decorating the tree.  However, during World War II, President FDR asked those at home to shop early and mail their gifts by the first week in December.  When the war ended, retailers were happy and most consumers seemed to be, too so the new tradition of shopping for six weeks began.

So if Christmas preparations overwhelm you, then this book is to help you rediscover the joy and meaning of the season.  One suggestion is to read a chapter in the Gospel of Luke each day before Christmas since it has 24 chapters.

Day 2 reminds us of the greatest gift to the world and of how Jesus met needs while here on Earth.  With that in mind, you should consider buying for someone in great need - - - BEFORE you shop for your family.  The author's family does this and tells about the reaction of  families who had given up on receiving anything - - - - and also how wonderful it made his family feel - - - - they were the hands and feet of Jesus.

King Wenceslas began Christmas gift-giving before it was even in vogue.  In addition to building a better government for the people, assisted by his pages, he would personally visit needy homes and deliver food, clothing, and firewood.

Another thing I learned this week was that the Vanderbilt Family would find what gifts their employees' family would like and celebrate Christmas with a gift-giving party for them.

As many of you know, many of the servants did their chores in the basement of the Biltmore.  And that is where I am today - - not the Biltmore - - but rather our basement!  My husband and I have both been sorting, tossing, and rearranging.  We are going through 16 years of accumulation in this house and 34 years' of collecting during our marriage.  Blame it on the thyroid medicine beginning to work well for me!  My energy level finally got a lot better this week.  I realized that when I was singing at 8:30 one evening!  So - - - back to the dungeon I go because I am LOVING the results!

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Psalms 90:12