Mary: Mother of Jesus (Part 4)

Welcome to Part Four of our Advent Bible Study on Mary.  Check out Part One, Part Two and Part Three if you are just joining in today.  

Remember: participation is up to whatever level you can manage.  Just reading through and thinking about it as you do, writing your responses down in your personal journal, leaving a comment or question in the comments section or emailing thoughts to me.  You could chat to a local friend about what comes up or if you get really excited you are welcome to use these questions for your family or small group study time.  I'd love to know if you do so let me know!

So go and grab your Bible, a cup of tea and a some biscuits and whatever else you might need and let's get into studying the character of the wonderful woman Mary, the Mother of our Lord.

Consider

What is Christmas, the Birth of Christ, without Easter?  We cannot truly celebrate the birth of Our Saviour without acknowledging what he came to do for us.  His birth holds very little meaning without the knowledge of his death and, ultimately, of his resurrection.   We can celebrate the entirety of Christ at Christmas but at his death Mary had yet to see the full realisation of her sons purpose in being born.

Last week we left Mary pondering the words her beloved son Jesus had spoken to her after leaving her for 3 days to be in the temple.  This week we join her at the very end of Jesus' life as she believes he is about to leave her forever.

Read John 19:25-27

Of all the horrendous things in life that a person could witness  there could be no words for the kind of agony Mary experienced in seeing her own son crucified….  And for Jesus to see his mother’s torment at his pain knowing his Father’s plan could have only added to his own pain.  Yet how could she leave him?  The son whom she had rejoiced over, given birth to, went into exile for, whom she searched and followed?

Q21.                  What does it tell you that she would chose to be there to witness his suffering?

Q22.                  Do you think she understood the full purpose God had for her son? His Son?

Q23.                  Do you think that as she watched him die she had doubts about Gabriel’s message?  About her son being the Saviour?

Q24.                  What do you think her reaction would have been to discover her son had risen from the dead?

Read again Luke 1:37

Q25.                  What part of Mary’s character would you most like to emulate?

Thank you for joining me in this Advent Preparation study on Mary the Mother of Jesus.  I pray that you have learnt a few things about her, yourself and Our Lord over the past few weeks as well as being challenged and inspired.  May your hearts be ready this Christmas for the birth of Our King and may your heart forever know that with Christ all things are possible.

Carol of the Bells by Steven Sharp Nelson

You know when you love something so much you just want to marry it? Or eat it? Or you think your heart will explode for loving it?

You know?

The Carol of the Bells has always been my very favourite Christmas carol but this? This arrangement of it? This performance? This, this, this, this.... I love.

Edited to add: I am just watching more of their YouTube channel  - The Piano Guys and... this music captures my soul.  So incredibly wonderful.  Powerful, beautiful, fun - amazing.

2 free halves make a whole lot of happy

This First Half:

As was walking away from the checkout the other day after buying my fruit and vegetables The check out chick calls after me while holding up half a watermelon in a plastic bag,

"Excuse me!  Is this yours?"

Now, I know I've bought half a watermelon so I do a quick check in my backs and don't see it  and think that she must've packed it in plastic (despite my large collection of green bags) because, as we all know, watermelons leak.  So I lean back and say,

"Oh yes.  I think it is is.  Thank you!"

And feel very glad that I hadn't paid for half a watermelon and left it at the store.

Until I get home and discovered the half I actually paid for is in the bottom of one of my bags.  Oops....

I figure that since it's a 15-20 minute drive to where I bought it from and it only cost a few dollars and the girl handed it to me (I mean really, she should be in charge of her own check out right?) that I'd just eat it and feel a bit sorry for the person who discovered the where down half a watermelon instead of plus one when they got home.

And it was delicious.

The Second Half:

My belly has outgrown all but 2 skirts, my tights (and that's pushing it) and some pretty daggy shorts.  I have a few dresses that will last me a while yet but I am in desperate need of a few more items.  So this week I decided to make a few skirts with wide stretchy waist bands.

A lovely trip to the fabric store got me some cotton jersey for a maxi skirt, some stretch knit for holding skirts onto my belly and 2 lovely cotton prints for knee length skirts.   I also bought some christmas fabric because I'm making christmas pyjama's for Joel and I.  Truly.

The loveliest of the cotton fabric was also the most expensive.  Being true to for I don't have or plan on getting patterns for these skirts so I was standing there holding the fabric up to myself guessing how much I'd need.  I figured somewhere between 1 and 1.5 metres.  So that's what I bought.

At home I dutifully washed the fabric and then, as I was hanging it out I noticed that the expensive fabric seemed a bit wider than the cheaper fabric... I measured it and, yes, she's cut me 2 metres instead of 1.5.  With a little frown at having to pay more than I'd wanted I went to check my receipt.  And low and behold she only charged me for 1.5 metres of the fabric even though she cut 2.

Again I thought... Do I take it back??  Maybe I should.... I didn't. I'm naughty.  What would they do? Cut of half a metre? That seems kind of daft.  I paid for what I asked for so I figure...

Another free half for me!

Happy girl this week.

{would you have take your halves back?}

Mary: Mother of Jesus (Part 3)

Welcome to Part Three of our Advent Bible Study on Mary.  Check out Part One and Part Two if you are just joining in today.  

Remember: participation is up to whatever level you can manage.  Just reading through and thinking about it as you do, writing your responses down in your personal journal, leaving a comment or question in the comments section or emailing thoughts to me.  You could chat to a local friend about what comes up or if you get really excited you are welcome to use these questions for your family or small group study time.  I'd love to know if you do so let me know!

So go and grab your Bible, a cup of tea and a some biscuits and whatever else you might need and let's get into studying the character of the wonderful woman Mary, the Mother of our Lord.

Read Luke 2:1-20

Q17.                  Consider & discuss some of the emotions Mary might have been experiencing. 

Q18.                  What clues are we given here to the nature of the Mother of God?  (v 7 & 19)

In Luke 2:21-39

We read how Mary and Joseph have Jesus circumcised and named on the 8^th day according to Jewish law (God’s law).

 They presented him in the temple in Jerusalem for consecration and offered sacrifices.  They did everything required by the law (v 39).  This is significant because it shows us that Mary and Joseph are obedient to God in all things.

Q19.                  How do you feel about following Mary’s example and being obedient to the Word of God?

One of the only stories recorded in the Bible of Jesus’ childhood is in Luke 2 v 41-52. Jesus becomes ‘lost’ in the temple in Jerusalem while Mary and Joseph spend 3 days searching for him.  When they found him, Mary is the one who has words with him. 

Read Luke 2:48-50

to see what is said between Mary and Jesus.

Q20.                  v 50 says Mary doesn’t understand but v 51 tells us she does the same thing as when the shepherds and angels visited at Jesus’ birth – ‘treasured these things in her heart’.  What does it mean to treasure something in your heart?  What does this say about Mary?

Reflect

Are there particular things that you treasure in your heart?  Perhaps specific words of God?  How can you be intentional about you treasure in your heart?

Phil Wickham is the One.

Songs for Christmas by Phil Wickam

The one I bought this year anyway.  I am allowed to buy one christmas CD every year.  It puts a reasonable limit on my love for all things Christmas including wanting to own most versions of most carols.  

Today we discovered this gorgeous album.  Heard and purchased within 15 minutes.  Considering my limit and how much I agonise over which album I will buy each year I think that should tell you how fabulous this album is.   I'm not a music reviewer so I won't try and give this beautiful music and lovely voice fancy words to describe it.  Just go and listen.

Listen on iTunes.

Listen on his Blog.

Watch his YouTube channel. 

Lunar Park

{Instagram}

This time a fortnight ago we were here... walking past Melbourne's Lunar Park in St Kilda.

Walking past because we were on our way to the community gardens just next door - Veg Out.  Well worth a look.

Mary: Mother of Jesus (Part 2)

Welcome to Part Two of our Advent Bible Study on Mary.  Check out Part One if you are just joining in today.  Last weeks study was the longest of the 4 so if you felt a bit overwhelmed you can rest easier today.

Remember: participation is up to whatever level you can manage.  Just reading through and thinking about it as you do, writing your responses down in your personal journal, leaving a comment or question in the comments section or emailing thoughts to me.  You could chat to a local friend about what comes up or if you get really excited you are welcome to use these questions for your family or small group study time.  I'd love to know if you do so let me know!

So go and grab your Bible, a cup of tea and a some biscuits and whatever else you might need and let's get into studying the character of the wonderful woman Mary, the Mother of our Lord.

Mary's relationship with Elizabeth

Read Luke 1:39-45

Q13.                  What purpose do you see in Mary visiting Elizabeth?

 Q14.                  Gabriel told Mary about Elizabeth being pregnant even though she was old and barren before saying 'nothing is impossible with God'.  Mary and Elizabeth are in a unique situation of being pregnant with special people because God intervened.  When something significant (positive and negative) happens in your life do you find yourself drawing nearer to those who understand?  What benefits does this give you?

Women are important for so many reasons but in this passage we see the value of sharing your life with another woman who understands, encourages and rejoices with us. 

Q15.                  Elizabeth offered Mary great words of encouragement and joy – ‘You are blessed!’. Who in your life could do with some encouragement right now?  What could you say?  What action will you take?  You could write a letter, make a phone call or send  text.  I encourage you to something right after this study so you don't forget!

Q16.                  Do you need an Elizabeth in your life to encourage you, share with and rejoice with?  Do you have someone like this? When was the last time you thanked them for their role in your life?

Take Action

In this busy time of preparing for Christmas it is so easy to get caught up in the decorations, play rehearsals, gift buying, meal planning, family balancing, travel arrangements and the rest.  I encourage you to take time this week, as you reflect on the nature of Mary's relationship with Elizabeth, to place significance on the relationships that are a blessing to you.  Set time aside to have a conversation, make contact and build on those relationships through encouragement and gratitude.  And don't forget those whom you might not be close to but that you feel could really do with some building up.

Don't save the kind words and thoughtful gifts for Christmas day!

Come back and share the things you have done this week to be an encourager like Elizabeth so that we can rejoice with you over the blessing of friendship.  

Be blessed this week.  

Banana & Almond Milk Smoothie

I woke up around 5am this morning dreaming of a milkshake.   5 hours later, after more sleep, our morning walk, some fruit and general fluffing around I managed to pull together the ingredients in my imagination and make the most delicious, creamy milkshake I've had since giving up dairy.

I drank it too fast to take a picture so you'll have to trust me - it was good!

Banana & Almond Milk Smoothie

1 x Large Banana
1 cup Almond Milk
4 ice cubes (and an extra one for the puppy)
1/2 cup or so of pot set Greek yoghurt (the pit set stuff doesn't have any numbers)


Blend it all together in your blender, pour into a tall class and drink with straw.  


Delicious.  You could probably add some cinnamon for extra flavour but it really doesn't need any sweeteners  because the almond mil is so sweet already.


I was aiming for a non-dairy milkshake but because my stomach seems need a bit of extra help with digestion the cultures etc in natural yoghurt are really helpful for me at the moment.  You could certainly just cut that out and have it as a vegan drink.