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December 1, 2013
Christmas

first day of advent

DAY ONE
Isaiah 7:14 “…Therefore The Lord Himself will give you a sign… and shall call His name Immanuel”

The Christmas season is full of gifts that are desired. Some you won’t receive, some you will receive and not like. As you prepare your heart for the Christmas season, remember two things: we celebrate the gift of “God with us” as Jesus came to earth for you and I. Secondly, that gift came straight from God. The Lord Himself gave you the most precious gift of all, His son.  – Naptime Diaries 

i set up my advent calendar along with my Christmas decorations this year. i almost didn’t buy it but that little tug in my heart told me to – also my husband told me to just buy it! each year Christmas comes and goes. it is always over before i know it. i try to hold onto each day but pretty soon it is Christmas Eve and then Christmas day and then the world starts going back to normal. i wanted something more. and not just more days of “Christmasy things” but a clear and constant reminder what this holiday really is all about.

today on the first day of advent i challenge you to read the passage and quote above. what does that mean to you? what does it mean to you to have God with you. with YOU. what a gift. i am blown away. yet so often i forget about this gift – i have never experienced, known, understood God not with me. Jesus coming to the earth, living among us, dying for our debts, rising again, and giving us the Holy Spirit to be with us at all times – i have only known the post Christmas story. but what a story. what a gift. think on that today. i pray the Lord would make His presence known to you and you would experience the joy of that gift.

and may that gift fuel you and sustain you in this season – masked with materialism and gimmicks – so that you reflect a life that has been changed by the Christmas story. may you give out of your heart, open your doors, serve your neighbors, and live out the Gospel.

HOW TO CREATE THIS IN YOUR HOME:
calendar cards: Naptime Diaries (use code OATSGIFTGUIDE2013 for 15% off)
twine, clips, and all cute decorating agents: Thatch & Thistle  (use code OATSGIFTGUIDE2013 for 15% off $20 or more)
Glee Christmas: youtube
gold star: Dollar Store

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Comments

  1. heidi says

    December 1, 2013 at 10:06 am

    I think that most of us forget the real gifts that we have in life. It's just so easy to see things that we want, and not realize that we all have been given so much in life. Hope you have a wonderful day!

    Heidi’s
    Wanderings

    Reply
  2. Leelee says

    December 1, 2013 at 1:01 pm

    Thanks for posting this scripture. I was looking for a good advent verse to share with my Sunday school class today

    Reply
  3. Jess Boyd says

    December 1, 2013 at 3:34 pm

    This is such a beautiful and modern Advent calendar. Especially coming out of the past consumer driven weekend and diving straight into finals, I never take the time to fully appreciate the entire Christmas season. While it is great to be thinking of others when buying gifts, I tend to forget about the ultimate gift. Thanks for the reminder 🙂

    Reply
  4. Elizabeth Mayberry says

    December 2, 2013 at 5:55 am

    yeah 🙂 that is so exciting!

    Reply
  5. Elizabeth Mayberry says

    December 2, 2013 at 5:56 am

    you are welcome! I think I am going to post about it each week because i love it.

    Reply
  6. Elizabeth Mayberry says

    December 2, 2013 at 5:56 am

    yes. so true!

    Reply
  7. Robyn Black says

    December 2, 2013 at 6:46 pm

    i love how you hung that! it looks so good!

    Reply
  8. Elizabeth Mayberry says

    December 2, 2013 at 10:53 pm

    thank you! I used my thatch and thistle goodies!

    Reply
  9. Vaida Tamošauskaitė says

    December 4, 2013 at 5:26 pm

    this is so so so pretty! well done you!!!

    Reply
  10. Katie Cook says

    December 5, 2013 at 5:27 pm

    THanks for sharing this! I just bought the advent calendar from Naptime Diaries! LOVE IT!!!!

    Reply
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Hello Friend! I’m Elizabeth, a Colorado photographer, writer, & blogger. Most importantly, I am a Christ follower, wife, mama, sister, daughter, and friend!

Welcome to Oak + Oats! Here we look for the remarkable in the every day. We love photographing our daily moments, making memories, and sharing our favorite places here in this space.

Our happiest days are spent together – many of those with a camera in hand! My free time (ie: Nap Time) is spent behind my computer screen sharing our tips and stories with you! I’m glad you’re here!

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