Advent 27- Watchman- Awake!

December 23

Read Matthew 25:1 – 13

Advent, like the parable of the wise and foolish virgins, carries an invitation, a promise, and a warning. The invitation is to celebrate the coming of Christ, the promise is that Christ will come, and the warning is that the exact moment of His coming is unknown to us. The celebration lamps or torches used to greet the bride groom required large amounts of oil, so much oil that they needed to be replenished about 4 times every hour. Constant vigilance is needed. Our lamps of faith also need constant attention. By God’s grace, the supply of fuel-God’s loving Word and the power of the Spirit, is boundless.

‘Wake, Awake’ is used by the church militant as an Advent hymn, a funeral hymn, and an end times hymn reflecting the invitation, promise, and warning.

“Wake, awake, for night is flying.” The watchmen on the heights are crying;

 “Awake, Jerusalem, arise!”

Midnight hears the welcome voices And at the thrilling cry rejoices: 

“Oh, where are ye, ye virgins wise?

The Bride-groom comes, awake! Your lamps with gladness take! Alleluia!

With bridal care Yourselves prepare To meet the Bride-groom, who is near.”

Zion hears the watchmen singing, And all her heart with joy is springing;

 She wakes, she rises from her gloom.

For her Lord comes down all glorious. The strong in grace, in truth victorious; 

Her star is ris’n Her light is come.

Now come, Thou Blessed One, Lord Jesus, God’s own Son, Hail! Hosanna!

We enter all The wedding hall To eat the Supper at Thy call.

Now let all the heav’ns adore Thee, Let saints and angels sing before Thee 

With harp and cymbals’ clearest tone.

Of one pearl each shining portal, Where joining with the choir immortal, 

We gather round Thy radiant throne.

No eye has seen the light, No ear has heard the might Of Thy glory;

Therefore will we Eternally Sing hymns of praise and joy to Thee!

For the Family:

Today’s symbol is a brightly burnished lamp with a golden flame. Hang this symbol on your Tree of Promise and pray God to increase your faith and keep you watching in joy.

Bible Journaling:

Advent 27
Watchman- Awake
Matthew 25:1-13
Bible Journaling
Connie Denninger

From the Kitchen:

The only time I ever was successful at making a ginger bread house I made it with Betty Ann Barrett for the bake sale at church. In fact, we made 3 and they all sold for $25 each. Not bad for 1977. Baking like that was fun, try it some time, pick a new or difficult recipe and bake with a friend. It makes waiting easier. This recipe is not for ginger bread cake cookies, but it is for Ginger Snaps.

Ginger Snaps

On line search

8 oz butter  
1 ¼ C + 2 TBS sugar

½ tsp vanilla  
2 small eggs

1/3 C molasses  
3 C flour

2 ½ tsp baking soda  
½ tsp salt

2 ½ tsp cinnamon  
2 ½ tsp ground ginger

1/8 tsp finely ground black pepper

• Beat butter until soft, add sugar and beat until light and fluffy.
• Add vanilla and eggs and beat until fluffy. Add molasses and beat until well mixed.
• Sift dry ingredients together
• Add dry ingredients to liquid ingredients 1/3 at a time. Beat only until all dry ingredients are well incorporated.
• Line loaf pan with plastic wrap and pack dough into pan pressing tightly to eliminate any air bubbles. Cover well with the plastic wrap to avoid freezer burn.
• Freeze dough until solid, at least 12 hours.
• Preheat oven to 350
• Slice brick as thinly as possible (no thicker than 1/8”) and place on silicone baking mat at least 1” apart. Return unsliced brick to freezer.
• Bake 7 – 12 minutes until edges turn dark brown. Be sure to check at 7 minutes.
• Repeat until all dough is used

I admit it. I hunted on line for this because I wanted a really crisp cookie. Have not tried it yet. My knives are all too dull to cut much more than warm butter, but I happen to know that a new set of knives is wrapped and waiting in the cradle for me. Oh yes, our family puts Christmas presents in the same cradle that rocked my babies and their great-great grandfather Speck. 

Tree of Promise Devotions

Natalie Grace Hartwig