A Cinderella type Christmas

Confession: I have a great/semi-silly way to prepare for Christmas. Be Cinderella! Why do you think she left a shoe behind? The prince kind of needed a way to find her. The shoe was pretty helpful =). When the prince finds Cinderella, he frees her from her miserable state. He grants her a new life. He brings her happiness. So instead of your shoe, leave your heart behind for Christ this advent. Allow Him to make it new. Allow him to bring the happiness that you know you yearn for. Allow Him to make your Christmas end with happily ever after. But it starts now. It starts with advent. Once upon a time…

my winter wonderland

It’s happened. There’s snow on the ground. The snow took me by surprise, but a good kind of surprise. There’s nothing more enchanting then waking up to our countryside blanketed in snow. My brothers were out playing all day. And they managed to pile up a enough snow to make well…a rather unique snowman.

    Yes, I do believe they used grape tomatoes for the eyes.

 

For me, when I see snow, I don’t think about trying to build the best Jack Frost. Rather I like to use snow as an attribution in creating a cozy atmosphere. So there’s really only three things I need to create the perfect snow day:

1)  a reading chair

2) a book

3) a cup of tea

 “You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me.” -C. S. Lewis

 

 

So Christmas break really is the time for a good book. Right now I’m immersing myself once again into the Christian classic, Hinds Feet on High Places. If your not familiar with this story, it’s an allegory. It tales the tale of a young girl, Much-Afraid, who makes the brave decision to travel to the High Places, and leave her Valley of Humiliation. Throughout her journey, Much- Afraid is led by the Great Shepherd, who transforms Much-Afraid from her weak and feeble state to a brave and beautiful being. I like to read this book in preparation for Christmas because it has a theme of transformation. And when Christ is born on Christmas Day, the world is gifted with a transforming love. We just have to be like Much-Afraid and allow Christ to transform us. “He comes to save you. Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared; Then will the lame leap like a stag, then the tongue of the mute will sing.” (Isaiah 35:4-6)

 

 

On a side note, I’ve fallen in love with the Pride and Prejudice soundtrack. It’s soothing and romantic and everything else music can be =). I recommend it for you.

Modern day shepherds

When you think of the Nativity Scene, do you ever think of the Shepherds? I rarely ever did… until I read these passages:

And in that reign there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were all filled with fear. And the angel said to them, “Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord”. (Luke 2:8-11)

And they went with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they saw it they made known the saying which had been told them concerning this child. (Luke 2:16-17)

After reading the first passage, I came up with an assertive conclusion: you and me, we are the modern day shepherds. We are the ones that have been invited to witness the birth of Jesus Christ. But our invitation is not like Mary’s, nor Joseph’s, or even the Wise Men’s. Our invitation to meet Jesus  is like that of the shepherds, who probably thought themselves too unworthy to be so close to the Savior of the World. But still they were called. And so am I. And so are you. So this advent season, listen to the calling of the angel. Find Christ. Be the Shepherd.

After reading the second passage, I know now what we aught to do. We read that the Shepherds made known the joy of the birth of Christ. So this Christmas, let’s make known this same joy to the people in our lives. Spread the joy. Be the Shepherd.

FOCUS National Conference – come experience it with us

Are you a college student? Then you should definitely consider going to FOCUS National Conference held this year in Orlando, FL!

Follow this link or watch the video below to learn more about this amazing conference!

http://focusonline.org/conference/     

 

 

My sisters and I have had the great privilege of attending a couple FOCUS conferences in the past. The conferences are a time to grow deeper into a relationship with Christ through prayer, talks, music and a lot of other cool ways! We are getting really excited for this year’s conference and hope we get to see you there!

 If you would like to learn why we are such fans of FOCUS and it’s conferences, follow the link and read why =).

http://millersisterscafe.com/special_features/the-miller-sisters-highly-recommend-focus/