Advent Calendar: Day One

Hello Word Life Family! 

It is officially December and we are so excited to introduce our newest addition to the Word Life Newsletter, an Advent Calendar Blog commemorating the season and leading the countdown to Christmas!

 25 Days of encouragement, scripture, warm stories, tips and more! Our theme this year is “Christ at The Center of Your Home.” 

Christmas is such a beautiful time of year. Many people are happier, kinder, more intentional with their time and eager to bless others. What would it be like to carry this air every day of the year? 

We invite you to meditate on this with us these next few weeks in preparation for Christmas Day and hopefully build a habit of meditating on these things (Philippians 4:8). 

To continue receiving these messages for each day of the Advent countdown stay subscribed to the weekly newsletter! 

The hope of Christmas is the birth of a just and loving Savior! A Savior who while we were still sinners died for us so that we might be right once again with God ( Romans 5:8, 2 Corinthians 5:21) ! The start of new life and salvation in Him; a restoration of our relationship with the Father ( 2 Corinthians 5:17). Hope that we too may know the Father as Jesus does (John 14:6). 

Christmas is all about Jesus. A celebration of the gift of His coming into this world because by His coming- He lived as a perfect example, completely sinless so He could become the sacrifice that restored and established a covenant with the Father (2 Corinthians 5:17-19). Jesus who is peace and the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6-7) became Himself the key and Cornerstone of our reconciliation (Ephesians 2:14-22). I strongly believe we should not just celebrate this during this holiday but every day -afterall we are called to be a daily living sacrifice for Him (Romans 12:1-2).

 To begin, let's marvel in the love of the Father being so great! (John 3:16)! 

I’d like to share with you one of my favorite Christmas memories. Christmas of 2019 my family and I were blessed to be able to spend Christmas together at Disneyland, in Anaheim California.

Anyone who has had an opportunity to get to know me knows just how much I LOVE all things Disney and Disneyland! Needless to say I was so excited! I could not think of a better Christmas gift! 

The decorations for Christmas were detailed and beautiful, the food was warm and delicious, the music and parade were harmoniously joyful and the fireworks bright and full of expectant hope for the upcoming year. Absolutely incredible. 

There were so many amazing aspects from that trip, including Mickey Pretzels, Indiana Jones’ signature quotes, tummy aches from laughing so hard and Pineapple Dole Whip, however the portion I hold dearly to my heart was not the lights, rides, food, nor Disney Princesses but the love surrounding me.

 I was able to be myself with my family, in a place where joy is easily cultivated. I laughed, sang, smiled and rested in the knowledge that my Heavenly Father loves me enough to not only bless me with an amazing experience at Disneyland but with a  family who chose to love me and chose to spend time with me. Especially in an expensive, busy, crowded and hurried place like Anaheim, California during the most commercially lucrative time of the year! 

Truly nothing compares to God’s love!

Pictured above are some photos of my brother Jordan and I on Christmas Day, 2019. We took many fun pictures together and these are the best ones that to me capture my joy best. 

I look back fondly on images like these, overwhelmed with how incredibly blessed I was and am today! 

My prayer and expectation is that you too get to experience the intimate joy of the Father’s love and the design He has for you not only this season but all year round. 

The most special take away from this experience for me is, I don’t have to go back to Disneyland on Christmas Day to be reminded I am loved or to feel joyful.

 I can rest in the Father’s Love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control every day (Galatians 5:22). Yes! Even right here in my room where I am writing this from! 

I am fervently praying you experience the power, peace and strength of knowing that even while you were undeserving, The Father gave you a gift better than Disneyland, and better than a loving family, or cute colored lipstick- He gave you the opportunity to love Him and experience His love for you through the birth, death and resurrection of His Beloved Son Jesus. 

He is waiting to bless you. Don’t let Him wait any longer- spend some time today talking to God- praying to understand the height, depth, width and length of His unending and unconditional love for you (Ephesians 3:18-19). 

This Christmas season may you continually meditate on how surrounded in love you truly are and keep Christ in your heart and home, always!

 Happy Holidays!

Love and Christmas Hugs,

 Tatiana Minnifield