Today is Christmas Eve, and our final Days 11 & 12 of our 12 Days of Christmas! On these special days, we light the fifth and final candle of Advent ~ the Christmas Candle ~ directing us towards Christ Jesus. Also, we look to the next day ~ to Christmas Day and the celebration of the birth of our Lord & Savior! On this merry day, our Day 12, we share in the Light swaddled in a manger…
Enjoying the ethereal glow emitted by our Advent wreath…
.
A central white candle, lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, represents Jesus, the pure light of the world. “
Not every Advent wreath holds a fifth candle, but when this Christmas Candle is added, it is always a white candle, symbolizing Jesus’ birth and purity. 🙂
.
.
Advent is a journey towards Bethlehem. May we let ourselves be drawn by the light of God made man.”
I can see how this could be confusing for anyone unfamiliar with who Jesus is, and was, during the time he was here on earth 2000 years ago. God humbled Himself, coming to earth as a man, to save us from our sins as we cannot save ourselves.
“God… made man.” God coming to us as a man (a person). God now Man.
Not as if God is “making man,” which of course, is also true. Just not in this context. 🙂
We slow down the way the sentence is read, so that it makes sense.
.
Live nativities
This was from Christmas 2022, and surprisingly, I have missed the live nativities here in Denton, Texas coming forward! Southmont Baptist Church only has their live nativities over two weekends in early December. We haven’t been around, or had other commitments, ever since.
I had never seen a live nativity like this drive-thru style, and it is wonderful! I really look forward to it and have been twice only. For some families, it is a real tradition around here to go every year.
Joseph & Mary looking for a room, any room, where they could just lay their heads ~ Oh, and give birth!
A minor detail… 😉
I remember posting on Instagram after we had seen this nativity. This particular live nativity is really fun as you park your car in front of each “scene” and it is then performed. After the scene is finished, you back your car up and move onto the next “scene.”
Soooo much fun! These plays really makes scripture come alive.
Volunteers will even bring you hot cocoa at the beginning of the drive-in to enjoy as you move from scene to scene. It takes about an hour to go through the whole Nativity ~ well worth arriving early and getting in the queue!
.
Back to Our Nativity
Linus’s Christmas Speech
“Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about,” said Linus. “Lights, please.”
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.”
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
When he is finished with that last line, Linus turns to the audience: “That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.”
The famous Christmas special ends with Charlie Brown walking outside to decorate the tree. He feels as though he has ruined the tree when he tries to decorate it and it sags to the ground.
“It’s not bad at all,” Linus says about the little tree. “Maybe it just needs a little love.”
The movie ends with the whole group decorating the tree, surprising Charlie Brown, and singing Hark the Herald Angels Sing.
lyrics – Charles Wesley; music – Felix Mendelssohn
Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King; Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!” Joyful, all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies; With angelic hosts proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!”
Refrain: Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”
Christ, by highest Heav’n adored; Christ the everlasting Lord; Late in time, behold Him come, Offspring of a virgin’s womb. Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; Hail th’incarnate Deity, Pleased with us in flesh to dwell, Jesus our Emmanuel.
Hail the heav’nly Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness! Light and life to all He brings, Ris’n with healing in His wings. Mild He lays His glory by, Born that man no more may die; Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth.
Come, Desire of nations, come, Fix in us Thy humble home; Rise, the woman’s conqu’ring Seed, Bruise in us the serpent’s head. Adam’s likeness now efface, Stamp Thine image in its place: Second Adam from above, Reinstate us in Thy love.
French Ethereal is a lifestyle blog sharing tips on decorating, table settings, crafts, gardening, DIY and travel. I love an elegant Shabby Chic/Old World French decor all decorated with Faith. <3
View all posts by French Ethereal
3 thoughts on “12 Days of Christmas: Sharing Our Nativity & Lighting the Christmas Candle (Days 11-12)”
Merry Christmas, Barbara and Charles!
Merry Christmas, Rita!
It’s very beautiful. Merry Christmas to you!