Monthly Archives: December 2014

Unto Us a Child is Born

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We are surrounded by gifts, not only at Christmas, but all through the year. Every day the greatest gift of all waits for us to receive Him.

During our last class before Christmas break, I incorporated some treasurable stories. I started with a story about one of my sons. When he was younger, we walked along one of the beaches on the west coast of Florida. After viewing some beautiful seashells, starfish, sand dollars and many other interesting things, he asked me why there were more treasures in the sea than on land. I explained how sometimes we get so used to seeing all the treasures around us, that we tend to take them for granted. Just as the little mermaid, Ariel, thought that there was so much more on land.

Very often, people will express themselves with something tangible. Pretzels have been around for many years. History has it, that in A.D. 610, a baker in a monastery in Europe twisted leftover strips of bread dough into the shape of a person’s arms crossed in prayer. They began offering the warm, doughy treats to children who had memorized their Bible verses and prayers. The monks called these treats pretiolas, which is Latin for little rewards.

Over the years, many people have also used the candy cane to share God’s love. Explaining that, the white base color of the candy cane symbolizes the purity of Jesus, the red stripes symbolize Jesus’ blood when He died on the cross, and the J shape represents the J for Jesus.

After giving our class pretzels and candy cane treats, I asked them to share with me what Christmas meant to them. With all the beautiful answers, Gianluca summed them all up with, “Christmas is about how Jesus was born, and we celebrate that.” For unto us a Child is born, and His gift is everlasting.

God’s word reveals, “This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put My laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.” Then He adds, “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.”

May we receive the greatest gift of all this Christmas and let His love shine throughout the world.

Blessings always,

Deanna Danielle

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Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words! – 2 Corinthians 9:15

 

Ready or Not, We’re On!

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Lights, cameras, action, it’s showtime! Along with that comes; bellyaches, missing gifts for the three kings to bring, and the microphone falling off the stage, making a noise so loud that our audience thought the building was coming down. Ready or not, we’re on!

The curtain opened, and the nativity scene began. Hannah played the part of the most beautiful Blessed Mother, and Aidan made the cutest angel Gabriel. I stood backstage, struggling to hear the voices of my narrators, Cecilia, Joseph, and Gabriella, checking to see who would go on next.

As the play progressed, I just kept praying that it would all work out. Suddenly, God opened my eyes to a most beautiful scene. The story of Christmas was before me. The thought came to me, “We don’t have to be perfect.” There is just something in itself so special about looking at the Nativity scene that it brings an abundance of peace, hope, love and joy.

As the Little Drummer Boy said, “I have no gift to bring…That’s fit to give our King…I played my drum for Him…I played my best for Him…Then He smiled at me…Me and my drum.” I have to say, they all looked so cute. Second, third, and fourth graders, were dressed in the Christmas scene, so how could that not bring a smile to one’s face.

As written in scripture, “For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6  Praise God!

Blessings always,

Deanna Danielle

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Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a Son, and will call Him Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14

 

 

 

 

 

El Shaddai

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His character never changes, His love is endless, His power is immeasurable! This is the God we serve who has all authority, and will accomplish all that He has spoken.

The Christmas pageant is almost here. It was great to have Mrs. Pernerstofer and her third grade class join my class for our first and only, semi-dress rehearsal. Everyone has been given their part; narrators, Mary, Joseph The Angel Gabriel, Angels, Shepherds, Wisemen, Innkeeper, and the Herald.

Two classes, one script, music and an audience that will soon fill the auditorium, is a pretty tall order for the amount of time given to us. These are the moments that confidence, hope, and trust can rest in the faithfulness of God.

El Shaddai is the peace that comes from His awesome name, God Almighty, Jesus the Messiah, God with us. As it is written in Psalm 146:6, “He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them. He remains faithful forever.”

I am looking forward to our classes coming together to present the story of the birth of our Lord. As it is said, “When man comes to God, it is called religion, but when God comes to man, it is called Christmas.” This is the greatest love anyone could ever know.

Blessings always,

Deanna Danielle

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“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” 1 John 4:7-8

Advent

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Over 2000 years ago, a light shone in the darkness… giving birth to her firstborn son, she wrapped Him and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them at the inn. This baby boy, born in the small town of Bethlehem, was our promised Messiah, “The Savior of the world.” 1 John 4:14

As our class prepares for the Christmas play, I have to say, this is truly a wonderful time of year. It is a time filled with lots of expectation and hope. The season invites us into a deeper relationship with our God, through Gospel stories being read aloud, in school plays, parish functions, and time spent with families and friends.

It was a tremendous blessing to have my daughter home from college this week, to help with our class. It gave me the opportunity to work with Gabriella, Cecilia, and Joseph on narrating the play. Meanwhile, Hannah, Zachary, Alessia, Madeline James, Molly and Frankie practiced their parts.

As my class reflects on the promises of the Lord our God, we are learning and growing. It is my prayer that these incoming weeks of Advent will remind us to set aside some of the hectic business of the holiday season, and quietly remember the reason of the season.

“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.” Luke 2:11-14

Blessings always,

Deanna Danielle

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16