ADVENT WEEK 1  ~ HOPE Luke 2:10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for ALL  the people" Hebrews 13:2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. QUESTION It is easy to anticipate the Good News here, and gloss over who is speaking on behalf of God ~ an angel !   When was the last time you spoke with an angel?  Do you know?  Could that down trodden stranger you passed by be an angel?  Maybe that person who was different from you, that you didn't speak to?  Didn't shake hands with?  Didn't sit next to?  Didn't make eye contact with?  Didn't acknowledge or affirm?  If an angel did show up in your life, what might they look like?  What might they say?  What might you say? APPLICATION Jesus came for ALL people.   Make it a point to include ALL races / ethnicities of people in all aspects of your life.  Church is an easy place to start.  Who will you make as new different race friends in 2010?

PRAYER:    Lord, hear my prayers ...

 

Traditions From Around The World

Denmark

The Danes celebrate the tradition of Saint Nicholas with Santa, known as Julemanden. He arrives as in the US, in a sleigh pulled by reindeer gifts for children of all ages. An additional tradition among the Danish children concerns Santa’s helpers, the Elves. They are encouraged to believe that they may live in the attic of their homes, and actually leave milk and rice pudding for the helpers, to make sure they send the word to Santa.