Advent 24- Showers of Love and Mercy

December 20 

Katherina von Bora Luther, renewer of the church, 1552

Read Zephaniah 3:14 –17 and John 14:15 - 21

Katherina Luther lived in a time of turbulence. The black death was fresh in the memory of people. Wars were common. The church was being torn apart and her own husband was declared an outlaw who could be killed without fear of legal retribution. Her vibrant faith in the goodness and grace of God is part of reformation history. 

Today is also turbulent. New and devastating diseases arise frequently. War is still common and the church continues to tear itself apart. The hymn, ‘Jesus Came, the Heavens Adoring,’ reminds us that while we still wait for the final coming of Christ, He has come and even now dwells among us and within us with peace and comfort. He has promised that He will always be with us.

Jesus came, the heav’ns adoring, Came with peace from realms on high;

Jesus came to win redemption, Lowly came on earth to die;

Alleluia! Alleluia! Came in deep humility.

Jesus comes again in mercy When our hearts are worn with care;

Jesus comes again in answer to an earnest,, heart-felt prayer;

Alleluia! Alleluia! Comes to save us from despair.

Jesus comes to hearts rejoicing, Bringing news of sins forgiv’n;

Jesus comes with words of gladness, Leading souls redeemed to heav’n.

Alleluia! Alleluia! Hope to all the world is giv’n.

Jesus comes in joy and sorrow, shares alike our hopes and fears;

Jesus comes, what-e’er befalls us, Cheers our hearts and dries our tears;

Alleluia! Alleluia! Comforts us in failing years.

For the Family:

A golden cross surrounded with rays of glory against a dark background reminds us that Christ breaks through our pain and fears showering us with love and mercy. Hang this symbol on your Tree of Promise and pray that you become ever more aware of God’s constant presence.

                                                Bible Journaling:

                                                                          Advent 24 
                                                          Showers of Love and Mercy
                                                                  Zephaniah 3:14-17
                                                                    Bible Journaling 
                                                                   Connie Denninger

                                       From the Kitchen:

Mamma made the bar cookies closer to the end of Advent. I was never sure if she did that because they to are easier to make and her days got busier as Christmas got closer or if it was because the batch was smaller and would not last until Christmas if she made them early in the season. Whatever her reason, I loved the date nut bars. The sweetness of the dates was just irresistible.

Date Nut Bars
Dora Pfitzer Meyermann- Natalie Hartwig's mother 

¾ C flour

¼ C melted shortening

½ tsp baking powder

2 well beaten eggs

½ tsp salt

1 C packed brown sugar

1 C chopped nuts

1 C chopped dates

• Sift flour, measure; add baking powder and salt; sift again.
• Combine with brown sugar.
• Add melted shortening to beaten eggs and combine with dry ingredients.
• Stir in chopped nuts and dates.
• Turn into well greased 9 X 13.
• Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Cut into bars while still hot.

To me the dates make these bars almost like candy. I love them. My recipe card is all spattered.

Tree of Promise Devotions

Natalie Grace Hartwig