Christmas daybook, 4: Behold, I am making all things new (far as the curse is found)

My Christmas daybook for these 12 days of celebrating. Join me, won't you? 

(see previous Christmas daybook 2015 posts here)

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look

Mary Consoles Eve
modern icon written by one of the sisters at Our Lady of the Mississippi Abbey, Iowa
source

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read

Isaiah 54:1-13 / Revelation 21:1-7:  You'll forget all about the humiliations of your youth, and the indignities of being a widow will fade from memory. For your Maker is your bridegroom, his name, God-of-the-Angel-Armies! Your Redeemer is the Holy of Israel, known as God of the whole earth. / And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear form their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." And he who was seated on the the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new."

all readings for the day: Psalm 148; Isaiah 54:1-13; Revelation 21:1-7

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pray

Light of life, you came in flesh, born into human pain and joy, and gave us power to be your children. Grant us faith, O Christ, to see your presence among us, so that all of creation may sing new songs of gladness and walk in the way of peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen. (source)

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listen

Joy to the World

The Liturgists (feat. The Brilliance) 

(Also, feel free to listen with me to my ever-evolving Christmastide playlist . If you're looking for sappy, even sometimes cheesy, but fun Christmas music try my Christmas Eve (for my Momma) playlist. )

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do

How to make Candy Cane Play-doh (pic from 2011)

make something new today: a puzzle, a pot of soup, a poem, homemade play-doh....

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In case you missed it, here's a helpful post I wrote a couple of years ago: 12 ways to savor the 12 days of Christmas.

(see all Christmas daybook posts from 2014 here)

12/14 Advent daybook, 16: a little child shall lead them

My Advent daybook for these 24 days of waiting. Join me, won't you? (see previous Advent daybook 2015 posts here)

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look

Newborn baby found in nativity manger in New York City church, 2015
source

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read

Isaiah 11:1-9: The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them.  

all readings for the day: Isaiah 11:1-9; Numbers 16:1-19; Hebrews 13:7-17

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pray

Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever.  Amen. (source)

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listen

Joy to the World

Eef Barzelay

(Also, feel free to listen with me to my ever-evolving Advent playlist or a growing Advent Orchestral/Choral playlist on Spotify.)

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do

spend some time with children today

Check this link to donate to Mission:Possible Austin !!

(We're particularly passionate about their Project Intercept program for East Austin's at-risk children).

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(see all Advent daybook posts from 2014 here)

Autumn Daybook for A Walk in the Woods [look. listen. make. do. ]

Hello, October!  Let's celebrate with a few ordinary acts of paying attention to the ways earth's crammed with heaven in this season.  Here's some suggestions to get you started this week, no matter where you live.

  

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Look

buy print from this source

Also: 

Mushroomtime at National Geographic

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Read

The Beautiful Changes

BY RICHARD WILBUR

One wading a Fall meadow finds on all sides   

The Queen Anne’s Lace lying like lilies

On water; it glides

So from the walker, it turns

Dry grass to a lake, as the slightest shade of you   

Valleys my mind in fabulous blue Lucernes.

The beautiful changes as a forest is changed   

By a chameleon’s tuning his skin to it;   

As a mantis, arranged

On a green leaf, grows

Into it, makes the leaf leafier, and proves   

Any greenness is deeper than anyone knows.

Your hands hold roses always in a way that says   

They are not only yours; the beautiful changes   

In such kind ways,   

Wishing ever to sunder

Things and things’ selves for a second finding, to lose   

For a moment all that it touches back to wonder.

Also: 

What To Look For In Autumn: Vintage Ladybird Nature Series

Poem Forest: An Audiovisual Tour 

A list of children's picture books about autumn, harvest and falling leaves

Perfect Books For Fall 

15 Books That Feel Right For Fall 

16 Vintage Kids Books for Autumn

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Listen

Also: 

Listen to my always-evolving Autumn playlist on Spotify

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Make

source

Also: 

See more nature walk art ideas on this Flickr feed

Make a pine cone owl 

Make acorn owls 

How to paint acorns 

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Watch

Bare from Helen Dallat on Vimeo.

Also: 

Andy Goldsworthy - Autumn Works at Storm King Park, USA

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Do

Leaf Gathering Field Trip, 1963

source

Also:

Learn to identify trees in fall and winter with your child

Top tips to introduce children to woodland with an autumn walk

A detailed guide to photographing fall foliage

4 fabulous autumnal walks in the UK

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Share your favorite fall things with me in the comments below, on Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest.

Autumn Daybook for Leaf Peeping [look. listen. make. do.]

source

Hello, October!  Let's celebrate with a few ordinary acts of paying attention to the ways earth's crammed with heaven in this season.  Here's some suggestions to get you started this week, no matter where you live.

  

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Look

Andy Goldsworthy
source

Also: Top 6 Incredible Artworks Made From Autumn Leaves

October Calendar Free Desktop and iPhone Wallpaper (via Giants & Pilgrims)

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Read

Autumn

By Rainer Maria Rilke

The leaves fall, fall as from far,

Like distant gardens withered in the heavens;

They fall with slow and lingering descent.

And in the nights the heavy Earth, too, falls

From out the stars into the Solitude.

Thus all doth fall. This hand of mine must fall

And lo! the other one: -- it is the law.

But there is One who holds this falling

Infinitely softly in His hands.

source

Also: A list of children's picture books about autumn, harvest and falling leaves

Let's make autumn reading a thing (at Modern Mrs. Darcy)

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Listen

Eric Clapton - Autumn Leaves 

Also: Listen to my always-evolving Autumn playlist on Spotify

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Make

source

7 Ways to Turn Your Fall Leaf Collection Into Art

Also: How to Make Waxed Leaves

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Watch

Also: Andy Goldsworthy - Autumn Works at Storm King Park, USA

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Do

Mapping Fall's Advance by Strange Maps at Big Think

Also: 50 Small Towns Across America With the Most Beautiful Fall Foliage

Catching the colours of autumn around the world

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Share your favorite fall things with me in the comments below, on Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest.

Advent daybook, 10: the Branch of the Lord shall be beautiful

My Advent daybook for these 24 days of waiting. Join me, won't you?

(see all Advent daybook posts from 2014 here)

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look

Virgin and Child

Lou Houng-Nien

source

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read

Isaiah 4:2-6: the Branch of the Lord shall be beautiful

{all readings for the day: Psalm 27; Isaiah 4:2-6; Acts 11:1-18}

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pray 

Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Grant us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (source)

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!  Amen. 

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listen

A Spotless Rose

Herbert Howells, Choir of King's College

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do

make gift tags

Advent calendar via Ambrosium

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