A learning resource that can help you get outside and connect with nature.
Wild Blessings Advent
DAY 4 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 – The Bible is Prophetic
2 Peter 1:19-21
“And so we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts.
But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of someone’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.”
2. Christmas Movies, Messages & Music for the season
The Healing Oils in the Life of Jesus Christ the Messiah
As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, I wanted to share with you an exploration I’ve been enjoying into plants and their healing oils that were used in the life of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, from his birth to his burial. Who was Jesus and who did He claim to be? We will uncover the special meaning of His name and why the gifts given at His birth were extraordinary, even in His time.
Outline
The Messiah – The Anointed One
Essential Oils – God’s Love Manifest in Molecules
Essential Oils used in the Life of Christ at His Birth
Thank you to all of you that read Scripture passages for this presentation: Tracey Terry, Juliet Rath, Matt Rath
Play Video
I find this study fascinating and I believe all you plant lovers will as well. Part Two, we’ll examine the times plant medicine was used during the life and ministry of the Messiah and Part Three focuses on their use at His death and burial. The succeeding videos will be shared later in this advent month.
Day 4 Time to make ornaments to decorate the tree with nature’s beauty. The colors in Winter are more monotone and drab but a trained eye sees the potential of dried grasses, shriveled wild grapes and the sturdy frames of seed pods…
Get out your glue guns and glue sticks and have fun. Share photos of your creations for all of us to enjoy.
A fun idea
Try making an ornament using as many types of nature scraps as you can (seedpods, moss, dried flowers, bark, berries, dried leaves, evergreens, grass, nuts, grape tendrils, seeds….)
4. Recipe
Today’s recipe is a delightful ball of fudgy goodness! Chocolate Pecan Truffles. I have made these countless times with various wild nuts (Hickory, Butternuts, Black Walnut, Chestnuts) but my favorite is the toasted Pecan.
Why I love PECANS
My Dad grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Every Fall, the five siblings would climb in the truck bed of their 1923 Studebaker and head for a coveted forest of Pecan trees. Gathering Pecans from the forest floor, or whacking and shaking branches from heights above, the Endres family would return home with a year supply of these delicious nuts. It was a favorite memory of my Dad’s and one that he retold to us each Christmas as we would receive two large boxes in the mail from Ahma and Pop. A box of German Christmas cookies from Ahma and a heavy box of Pecans from Pop. We spent hours cracking pecans, shelling them, brining them to roast, making caramel pecan marshmallow balls or just eating them raw. Good memories!
Once again, adding frozen Autumn Olive berries just because I can!!
5. Handouts
1. Scriptures of the Day
2. What Are the Odds? Fill in the blanks with the numbers and words written in the cloud above. The answers are given in the today’s video, “The Healing Oils in the Life of the Messiah”
3. The Bible Stands Alone This is adapted from Josh McDowell’s writings. He was an atheist lawyer bent on disproving the resurrection of Jesus Christ, this pursuit led to his being convinced that Jesus is indeed, the Messiah.
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