A learning resource that can help you get outside and connect with nature.
Wild Blessings Advent
DAY 3 Wild Blessings Advent is your creative path to celebrate the coming of Jesus incorporating the wonders of the natural world around you.
Each day we will follow the rhythm of Advent and the Christmas Season by incorporating these steps to take in the beauty of nature and the resources God has given us to learn more about Jesus, God come to earth.
1. Scriptures – God Spoke Through His Son
New Testament (NT) Hebrews 1:1-3
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets,but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
Also read Colossians 1:15-20
2. Christmas Movies, Vidoes or Music for the season
We were created in God’s image and He is the Creator. When we make something with our hands we are engaged in imitating our Creator God. Creating with God’s handiwork is like partnering with God in your play. Each of us has a God given gift to create, not all the same but all valid and life giving. The important thing is to be a participant and not merely a spectator.
Today’s video is a Teaching Tuesday class that I taught in 2021 – Creating with Creation. Enjoy!
Play Video
3. Activities –
Setting up a Wild Blessings Shoppe in your home.
Day 1 we went shopping for craft supplies. Day 2 we put lights on the Christmas tree think about Jesus, the Light of the World. Today is setting up Shop to create with creation.
1. Organizing your wild inventory
Gather your foraged finds and set things out by categories so it’s easy to find what you are looking for when it’s time to create. Print out the Wild Blessings Craft Shoppe inventory list and sort by these categories: wood, rocks, nuts, leaves, seedpods, seeds, berries, evergreens, moss, Fungi, dried flowers, grasses… I like using empty soup cans for smaller nature items and baskets and buckets for larger finds.
2.Gathering non wild supplies
Organize your non wild craft supplies to add to your ‘shoppe’ Things like ribbons, jewels, beads, decorative birds, clothespins, magnets, fabric…
3. Tool Kit – supply box
Set up a supply box with everything you might need to make a Wild Blessings creation: glue guns and glue sticks, wire, gardening tape, scissors, shears, needle and thread, twine, paint…
4. Last minute Holiday shopping
Keep going outside on your daily Hiking Habit with an eye for deals and be sure to have a basket ready to fill. You never know what hidden treasures you’ll happen upon that will add to your growing collection of natural wonders to create with in decorating your home for the holidays or for crafting wonderful gifts from nature.
“I will rejoice and be glad forever in what You create.” Isaiah 65:18
4. Recipes
Hickory Nut Brew is today’s wild drink. My house smells amazing as it simmers Hickory bark has an earthy smokey aroma. I also made Hickory Bark syrup for gifts
Butternut, Autumn Olive Berry Coconut JOY Bars – Butternuts are another one of my favorite nuts, so I chose to make these healthy snacks with the butter crunch of Butternuts. The Autumn Olive berries were processed into the coconut mix making the filling red and even more delicious. These are a decadent healthy option to the typical Holiday sweets and candys.
Recipes below
Wild Nuts – How many wild edible nuts can you identify. This photo was taken in late September. Each nut (Chestnut, Black Walnut, Acorns, Butternuts, Hickories…) have a distinct flavor and can be used in any nut recipe.
Butternuts – Juglans cinerea are in the walnut family. They taste like a buttery pecan. I searched for these football shaped nuts for years and am thrilled to have several shopping centers for them around where I live.
5. Handouts Print out handouts to keep organized in a Wild Blessings advent notebook
Scriptures for the Day Print out today’s verses
Wild Blessings Craft Shoppe Inventory List Print out this list to expand the possibilities of what to look for when hiking about
PAYPAL – Whether you are paying for an upcoming event or contributing a donation, you can always use PayPal.com. Look there for my account, Holly Drake.