Advent 10- Gift of Love

December 6

 Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, c. 342

Read 1 John 4: 7–14

Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, Confessor of the faith at the Council of Nicea, is remembered by both the eastern and western branches of Christendom for his life-long habit of loving charity. Such a life of love reflects the overwhelming love that God demonstrated for us. 

The hymn ‘Love Divine, All Love Excelling’  sings of Christ, the promised ‘Joy of Heaven, to earth come down.’ 

Love divine, all loves excelling, Joy of heav’n to earth come down!

Fix in us Thy humble dwelling, All Thy faithful mercies crown.

Jesus, Thou art all compassion, Pure unbounded love Thou art;

Visit us with Thy salvation, Enter ev’ry trembling heart.

Breathe, O breathe Thy loving Spirit Into ev’ry troubled breast;

Let us All in Thee inherit; Let us find Thy promised rest.

Take away the love of sinning; Alpha and Omega be;

End of faith, as its beginning, Set our hearts at liberty.

Come, Almighty, to deliver; Let us all Thy life receive;

Suddenly return, and never, Never more Thy temples leave.

Thee we would be always blessing, Serve Thee as Thy hosts above,

Pray and praise Thee without ceasing, Glory in Thy perfect love.

Finish then Thy new creation, Pure and spotless let us be;

Let us see Thy great salvation Perfectly restored in Thee,

Changed from glory into glory, Till in heav’n we take our place,

Till we cast our crowns before Thee, Lost in wonder, love, and praise.

Google image

For the Family:

The symbol for God’s intense love for us is a simple cross filled with hearts. 
Hang this symbol on your Tree of Promise and give thanks to God
for His great gift of love as you pray for the gift of a heart of charity and love.
                                               Bible Journaling 

Advent 10- Gift of Love
1 John 4:7-14

Bible Journaling

Connie Denninger

From the Kitchen:

I suppose you really should make divinity fudge. I’ve never made it, and don’t really like it so here’s a candy that I do like. 

BRIGADERIOS

½ C cocoa or chocolate ovaltine

1 TBS butter

1 can sweetened milk

Chocolate sprinkles, coconut, cocoa, chopped nuts, or powdered sugar

• Cook cocoa, milk, and butter in a small pan over medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring continuously until it reaches soft ball stage
• Remove from heat and allow to cool so that you can touch it without burning yourself
• Roll it into small balls in your hands
• Roll in topping of your choice (if using sprinkles, it will take about 2 bottles)
• Place in small soufflé cups.

These are Brazilian chocolate caramels that our exchange student taught me to make one afternoon when she was feeling particularly home sick. Every time I take a batch to the international dinner at Trinity in Richmond, VA, they just seem to disappear.

It really helps if you have a helper when rolling the candies. One person rolls and then drops them into the sprinkles. The other person rolls them in the sprinkles and transfers them to the souffle’ cups.

Tree of Promise Devotions
Natalie Grace Hartwig