Advent 3- Victory Shield

November 29

Read Genesis 15:1, Psalm 7:10, and Matthew 6:13, 

God declares himself to be the shield of Abraham and also our shield. This is given as a statement of fact, an indisputable promise, and a sure gift which is extended to each believer. With confidence we sing with David that God is our mighty fortress, our rock, our sure defense against the powers of sin, death, and the very devil. Pray The Lord’s Prayer remembering Luther’s words concerning the sixth petition. “God indeed tempts no one; but we pray in this petition that God would guard and keep us, so that the devil, the world, and our flesh may not deceive us nor seduce us into misbelief, despair, and other great shame and vice; and though we be assailed by them, that still we may finally overcome and obtain the victory.” Luther’s hymn, ‘A Mighty Fortress’ sings itself in our hearts and minds.

A mighty fortress is our God, A trusty shield and weapon; 

He helps us free from ev’ry need That hath us now o’er taken. 

The old evil foe Now means deadly woe, Deep guile and great might Are his dread arms in fight;

On earth is not his equal.

With might of ours can naught be done, Soon were our loss effected;

But for us fights the valiant One, Whom God Himself elected.

Ask ye, Who is this? Jesus Christ it is, Of Sabaoth Lord, And there’s none other God;

He holds the field forever.

Though devils all the world should fill, All eager to devour us,

We tremble not, we fear no ill; They shall not over pow’r us. 

This world’s prince may still Scowl fierce as he will, He can harm us none. He’s judged; the deed is done;

One little word can fell him.

The Word they still shall let remain Nor any thanks have for it;

He’s by our side upon the plain With His good gifts and Spirit.

And take they our life, Goods, fame, child, and wife, Though these all be gone, Our vict’ry has been won;

The Kingdom ours remaineth.

Family Activity:

The symbol for this promise is a shield of gold holding a cross of red. If you like, you can paste your own picture on the back of the shield to remind you that God is your very own shield and you are safe. If you choose to do this, be sure and make a shield for everyone in the family. Hang this symbol on your Tree of Promise

and thank God for being your shield.

Bible Journaling:

 Victory Shield -
Advent Bible Journaling-
Psalm 7:10
Connie Denninger

 From the Kitchen:

Lebkuchen (traditional German gingerbread with candied fruit) would be the appropriate cookie for crunching after singing “A Mighty Fortress”, but I don’t like candied fruit and my mother never made these cookies. My father loved them and was usually gifted with them by either one of his students or by his sister. If you have a good recipe and like them, today is the day to make them. 
If not, here are a nice molasses cookie that contains ginger.

Molasses Crinkles

¾ C shortening 1 C packed brown sugar 1 egg

¼ C molasses 2 ¼ C sifted flour 2 tsp soda

¼ tsp cinnamon 1 tsp ginger raw sugar 

• Cream shortening and brown sugar, add egg and molasses and mix thoroughly
• Sift dry ingredients together, stir into creamed mixture.
• Chill dough
• Roll into balls the size of large walnuts. Dip tops into raw sugar
• Place, sugared side up, 3” apart on greased baking sheet
• Sprinkle each cookie with 2 or 3 drops of water
• Bake at 375 for 10 – 12 minutes until just set, but not hard. Yields 4 dozen.

Dipping your finger in water and touching the top of each cookie
 3 times to produce a crackled effect is fun. 

I like to serve these cookies with mulled cider to drink 
and either whipping cream for a dip or yogurt cheese as a dip.

Tree of Promise Devotions

Natalie Grace Hartwig