Christmas Family Gift

Scripture to Live By:

Isaiah 41:10

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

 Mark 4:35-41

That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.”  Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

All of us fear from time to time.  Why is that?  Some times our fear is of the unknown, what might happen, that we have no control over.  In the passage above we see that all of those that were in the boat were afraid of the storm that was surrounding them,  even with Jesus in the boat with them. They went to him, and where did they find him, and what was he doing, in the midst of the storm?  He was asleep in the storm.  How could Jesus be asleep in such an horrific storm?  Because He knew He was in control of the storm.  He had total power over it.  The disciples ask Him if He didn’t care that they were going to perish? Jesus calmly looked at them and ask them,”Why are you so fearful?  How is it that you have no faith?”  If they had faith in Jesus as more than a teacher,  they would have known he had power over any storm in their lives and that he could simple speak and the wind and the sea would be calm.  Jesus simply said “Peace be still.”  Jesus is in the midst of every storm in our lives, as well.  He can simply speak and all can calm down.  Why did Jesus allow the storm in the first place?  I believe he allowed it to teach his disciples that He was more than just a teacher.  In fact the Bible says they feared exceedingly when they saw what had happened and said, “What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”   They realized that He was so much more than just a man.  We too need to realize who He is as well.  We need to keep our focus on Jesus, who has power over the storms of our lives, instead of focusing on the storms. 

Craft Post:

Christmas is only a few weeks away and if you are like me I am thinking of all the people I would like to give something to and yet I know I cannot spend a lot of money on gifts so I try to think of things that I can make that would be a special gift.  Here is a gift that I think most everyone would love, because a lot of families get together to celebrate Christmas and displaying this gift in your home or giving it to others makes those in the home feel special to you.  

Here is what you will need in order to make this gift.  

1 Family plaque – I got mine at Walmart

1 pkg of basis branch garland (9 foot long will make 2 “Family” gifts)

1 set of mini lights (20 lights)

Some decorative beads or bulbs

Wire cutters

Ribbon to make a bow (optional) (wire if you make a bow)

Learn how to make a bow here.

Here is how you make it:

Undo your garland and fold it in the middle.  This will equal 4 1/2 feet on each side.  Cut it.  This will give you enough garland to make 2 gifts.

Make a circle with the one piece and twist it together at the end forming a circle

Interweave the garland in and out on the base of your Family plaque as shown.

Unwind the set of lights.

Place the socket cord at one end.  Start with the first light from the socket and start inter winding the lights in and out around the letters of family.

Once you have them intertwined through out the letters.  

Begin to hid the cords by pushing them down in the greenery and bringing the greenery over them.

Place some decorative balls or beads around in the greenery.  You can glue them in or if they have wires on them just twist the wires around the greenery.  

If you would like to put a bow on it, you could make one  and place it in the center or on one of the ends.  (For instructions on making a bow go  here.)

With Bow in middle.

With bow on side.  

Here is your finished project with the lights on.  

I am so very thankful for my Family and I want everyone to know how important they are to me.    I think this Family gift adds warmth to my home, just as my family adds warmth to my heart.  Why not consider making this for yourself or for those you love this Christmas?

Blessings, 

Parties I Link Up To:

Think Tank

w-t-fab – Sunday

Between naps on the Porch,penny-pinching-party;I’m an Organizing Junkie;The Dedicated House; Beauty and Bedlam;Ginger Snap CraftsIt”s So Cheri

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