It's where my heart is....

Advent Week 2 Reading

Week2/Candle 2

Bethlehem Candle

God prepared a place for his Son to be born. The Bethlehem candle reminds us that we need to be prepared.  We need to prepare our hearts for Him so that we will be prepared when he comes back for us.

Micah 5:2

But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

Matthew 2:1

1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

Matthew 25:1-13

1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

Memory Verse

2 Timothy 2:15

15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Song:   

O Come All Ye Faithful

O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem.
Come and behold Him, born the King of angels;

Refrain

O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.

True God of true God, Light from Light Eternal,
Lo, He shuns not the Virgin’s womb;
Son of the Father, begotten, not created;

Refrain

Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation;
O sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God, all glory in the highest;

Refrain

See how the shepherds, summoned to His cradle,
Leaving their flocks, draw nigh to gaze;
We too will thither bend our joyful footsteps;

Refrain

Lo! star led chieftains, Magi, Christ adoring,
Offer Him incense, gold, and myrrh;
We to the Christ Child bring our hearts’ oblations.

Refrain

Child, for us sinners poor and in the manger,
We would embrace Thee, with love and awe;
Who would not love Thee, loving us so dearly?

Refrain

Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning;
Jesus, to Thee be glory given;
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing.

Refrain

Advent Week 2 Meal Plan

Taco's

This week is a meal of preparation. It is definitely not a gourmet meal, it's VERY simple. But everyone can take part in making it! Prepare it together and eat together, after lighting the 2nd candle: Remember the Spanish speaking countries and South America at this meal.  Make this advent season a time to pray globally.

Working together the job gets done quicker.  And when we support our missionaries and are willing to be missionaries in our own communities, Christs salvation message spreads more quickly. Be a part of the great commission. God Prepared a place for Christ to be born, and has promised to prepare a place for us in heaven if we believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Taco's 
1 box of corn GF  Taco shells or 1 bag of corn chips.

1 lb ground beef or turkey
1 small onion chopped
S&P 1 can of beans (pick you favorite, black, chick, kidney, navy)
1/2 cup frozen corn

Taco Meat seasonings:
1/4 c water
1/4 cup GF ketchup
1/3 cup chunky salsa sauce
2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp paprika 
2 dashes Hot pepper sauce


Toppings:
Lettuce
Tomatoes
Grated cheese
Salsa Sauce


Directions:
Brown the meat and onion. Add Salt and Pepper (S&P) and drain and add the beans and corn.Mix up the Meat seasoning and pour over mixture and simmer.

Serve hot in Taco shells or over a plate of chips and add your fresh toppings.

Have the younger members of you house pull the toppings from the fridge. Little ones can pull apart lettuce, older ones can cut cherry tomatoes in half  and teens can grate cheese. Everyone can prepare their own plate of food the way they like it!

Advent Week 1 Readings

Wreath

We use the wreath to remind us that God has no beginning and no end. He is eternal

Psalms 90:2

Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.

Candles

We use Red candles instead of the tradition candle colors to remind us of the wounds on Jesus back, that Christ suffered for us that we would be able to receive eternal life.  And we use a white candle to represent Christ’s purity and our cleansing.

Isaiah 53:5

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Psalm 51:7b

…wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Week 1/Candle 1

Prophecy Candle

The Prophecy Candle reminds us of the Promise God made to the Israelite people that God would send a Savior for the world. There are over 300 prophecies in the old testament of the coming Savior, and each one was fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 7:14

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Matthew 1:18-25

18 ¶ Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.

20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:

25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Memory Verse:

1 John 4:14

 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.

Song: : A  song that refers to many of the Old testament writings and Prophecy 

O Come O Come Immanuel

 O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan's tyranny
From depths of Hell Thy people save
And give them victory o'er the grave
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death's dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, O come, Thou Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai's height,
In ancient times did'st give the Law,
In cloud, and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel. 

Advent Week 1 Meal Plan

GF Lasagna and Latkes:

We are doing advent again this year, following last years outline. It is so wonderful, to see the children excited about lighting the candles every night and learning the memory verses.  We have added songs and I have been working out a meal plan for each Sunday night of  advent.

Here's our plan for the first night of advent:

Meal: 
      
Latkes:Serve with French Apple Sauce

We choose latkes because this is the week Hanuka begins and our first candle is Old Testament Prophecy. This week we pray for the nation of Israel, rejoice for the Christian Jews and pray for the opening of the hearts and protection of Jews world wide to the message of Christ. Christ IS the Savior promised to us in the Old Testament  !

Recipe:

• 4 potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, or as needed
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 cup canola oil, or as needed

you need a cheese cloth or open weave fabric to strain the potatoes...

1. Shred the potato and onions by hand or with your processor. remove from bowel onto the cheese cloth and wrap it up tight around the mixture. Squeeze hard, remove all the excess water from the potatoes and onion. 
2. Place back in bowl and add remaining ingredients.
3. Heat small amounts of canola oil in a skillet over medium heat. Scoop up about 1/3 cup of the potato mixture per latke, and place into the hot oil. Press down into a patty.  Fry the patty until brown and crisp on the bottom, flip it, and cook the other side until brown, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Repeat with the rest of the potato mixture, replenishing the oil as needed. Serve hot.

French Apple sauce:

4-6 large apples peeled and chopped into pieces

1/4 cup water

1tbsp butter

Place apples into a pot with the water and cook on low heat until they begin to soften. Stir to keep from burning. Do not mash the apples, the apples will fall apart on their own as the cook and are stirred.  When apples are chunky and soft like apple sauce, add the butter and remove from heat.  Serve hot over pancakes or latkes.

Lasagna made with homemade Gluten Free pasta

Ingredients:
Lasagna Noodles (see recipe for fresh variety)
1 large jar Tomato sauce
1 can mushrooms
1 recipe of meat mixture. (see below)

Pasta Recipe:
4 cups Basic Gluten Free Flour Mix (or all purpose wheat flour if you aren't GF)
1 tsp Xanthan gum (omit if using all purpose wheat flour)
2 t. salt
1/4 c. butter
1 c. boiling water
Mix all, (I used my bread machine) roll out really flat,

Ground Meat Mixture:
1 onion, diced small
1 lb ground beef or turkey
2 tsp garlic powder
Italian-type seasonings (oregano, basil, parsley, salt, pepper)
Brown together, remove from heat.
Add 1/4 c grated Parmesan and 1 egg.

Roll out the dough as  thin as possible but still holds together, and cut into strips that will fit your pan (Work quickly with the dough, as it dries out fast!)
Pour some tomato sauce into bottom of 9x13 a pan
Layer fresh noodles  into pan with the Ravioli meat mixture, mushrooms and tomato sauce. On the third layer of noodles add the remainder of the sauce and a layer of mozzarella or cheddar cheese
Place in oven at 350o for 45-60 min. covered. Uncover and cook 10 more minutes.