First, an advertisement!
Cassia has put together an e-book, Creative Giving with Little Money, about how she was able to give 10 Christmas and birthday gifts last year for $17! And that amount was actually spent on two of the gifts–the rest she got very creative with! The book is available through the girls’ Etsy shop, Farmgirl Treasures. If you’re stumped and need some inspiration, I think it would be just the thing. Sometimes when we read of others’ creativity, it sparks some of our own!
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You can tell when bloggers get quite busy–they don’t have time to update their blogs! My girls have been busy, too, with some Christmas sewing–for others, not just their own!
Then add extra craziness of flooding basements, snowstorms, having some special visitors here for over a week (which we loved much more than having no electric and flooding basements!) and getting sick last week (that’s me)….well, life happening!
On top of all that I had decided to write this Advent Study. I’m convinced it’s more for me than anyone else! It’s been challenging and yet a deep joy to study the names of God during this time. It has consumed me more than I thought it would, taken longer (and grown larger!) than I originally planned, yet, I have learned so much in the research and writing! Interesting tidbits on Christmas hymn stories, how certain character qualities and even spices all go together with one of the names of Jesus…..just like homeschooling, the teacher often learns more!
Due to getting sick over the end of last week and the weekend, I am behind…again!
But I’ve learned with the Lord, there is never really “behind”, whether it’s your Bible reading or working on a project. Sometimes things beyond your control happen, and it’s better to enjoy the detour and the journey than to fuss about the timetable!
As my gift to you, my blog readers (if you’re still out there!), I wanted to share a few stories from the Advent book, His Name Shall Be Called. I’m sharing one today, and I will probably share one or two more over the next week before Christmas.
I hope you enjoy the stories, and hopefully in a few weeks I can get back to a “regular” schedule–whatever that is! 
A Special Baby
Talia tried to keep busy about her work. Her mind was definitely not on her sweeping and mopping! Today would be the day, her mother had assured her. She could hardly wait! And yet, there was a hint of danger, too. She knew that they must keep the young woman’s identity a secret, for there were those who would want to harm her and her soon-to-be born baby.
She looked up at the sun climbing in the sky. It was a beautiful but brisk fall day, with a crisp coolness in the air. The leaves had turned their bounty of colors, standing against the sky like guards with colorful uniforms. She loved to breathe in the fresh, tangy air—she loved days like this!
Suddenly her mother was calling her name—it was time!
Quickly she ran to make sure the water buckets were full, in case they needed to heat extra water. Then she washed her own hands thoroughly before getting all the cloths together for her mother. She put a small cloth into the cool water and wrung it out, then gently laid it on the young woman’s forehead, just as her mother had done for so many years for the local women. Her mother had said to just pretend this was one of the peasant ladies, so that Talia wouldn’t be nervous and forget what to do.
She was still too young to have a big part, but she could run and fetch things for her mother, get more cool clothes or run to get the other midwife if needed. Thankfully, it was not needed and it wasn’t long before the sweet cry of a newborn baby boy broke the calm afternoon silence.
Talia could do more now, getting broth for the young mother to help strengthen her, get the herbs for her mother as she made a tea for the young woman. She helped clean up and was even privileged to hold the baby for a bit! Ah, life! Whether rich or poor, a newborn baby is such a wondrous thing!
They would keep the young woman and her sweet son there as their guests until it was safe again. Hopefully that would be soon, when the King returned victoriously. Until then, they would keep his son safe and healthy.
As Talia held him, she thought of how this tiny baby would grow up and rule over her someday. She prayed for him, that he would be strong and true as his father, as well as a gentle and caring ruler. Their kingdom had such hope in their present King. They had longed for a just ruler for so long! Now to have his infant son in their care gave her a sense of responsibility along with wonder and awe.
“You were born to be a king, little one! I will follow you with all my heart, for I know that you will rule in love and graciousness as your father!”