Nichole Fogleman
Day 2
Readings Isaiah 9: 1- 7
“For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.”
Popular verses heard often at Christmas time, but do we really know what Isaiah was trying to convey to his people? Do you think he thought he was speaking of a child that would be born in a small town called Bethlehem? Isaiah prophesied over 700 years before the birth of Christ, when the lands where he lived were divided into two kingdoms. Isaiah lived and spent his ministry in Judah, the southern kingdom. Isaiah witnessed his northern neighbors attacked and overpowered by the Assyrian government. They were taken as prisoners and scattered all over the world. Our passages from today come from this time period. The references to Zebulun and Naphtali in the beginning of the chapter were provinces in the northern kingdom that had been decimated by the Assyrians. Isaiah possibly feared that the same would happen to is friends and family, unbeknownst to him foretelling the future ministry of Jesus the Messiah. Read these passages again, visualizing the unknown ahead of you. Do you fear the unknown? Do you struggle with anxiety about the future? God wants you to lay your heavy burdens down. He wants to take the yoke upon your neck and place it on his. He’s got this. Rest on him, especially during this busy time of the year. Allow Him to bring you peace, where “there will be no end”.
Nativity Fast
The great coleslaw was made this past Thanskgiving. It was loved by all even my 19 year old niece. I always use cold-pressed flax seed oil for recipes that call for non cooked oil. Its high in omega 3’s and has many anti-inflammatory benefits. This coleslaw could be made for the Christmas holidays. It has great color and taste.
Cranberry -Almond Coleslaw – recipe tweaked from an “myrecipes.com” recipe
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- 1/4 cup cold pressed flax seed oil
Whisk together first 5 ingredients. Gradually add oil until blended. Stir together coleslaw mix and next 4 ingredients in a large bowl; add vinegar mixture, tossing to coat. Enjoy!
