1st Advent

Tomorrow is the 1st Advent. Andy and I started to be already excited about Christmas the middle of November, starting when I joined the choir to sing in a elderly home here in Massy, France.
People are getting busier and busier before Christmas. They are preparing themselves for 'the big day'. I found a few things, which I assossiate with Christmas, see pictures:

CANDLES: I love candles, so we bought this big candle with 5 wicks beginning of November, thinking it will last until Christmas. Let me tell you, it did not. Already middle November we started to make out of the not used wax our own candles.



MANDARINES: Hmmmm, I like the smell. Andy likes the once without pip in.
CHOCOLATE in all kinds of forms and shapes:


Lebkuchen and Marzipan. I like the Lebkuchen and Andy likes Marzipan :-)

LIGHTS: We already put them middle November up. Shortly after the clock was changed, it started to get dark very early, this is the time when the lights come out. Last year I had them hanging over my desk in Birmingham, this year Andy has them over his desk.

SNOW: No, we don't have snow. We took this picture this year in February, when we visited SAM in Switzerland, the organisation we will be working with in Guinea
BUT what is the most important thing I have not even mentioned yet? The things already said, they are great and they give us pleasure... but what I am pondering about and feel in my heart, is that JESUS IS COMING BACK SOON. Yes, we all know, that he is coming back. The question I am asking myself is: Am I ready? Am I waiting in expectations like the wise 5 Virgins, with their lamps burning, awaiting Jesus to come. (Matthew 25, 1-13: The parable of the Ten Virgins)

JESUS, should be the one we celebrate during this time. He is the one who sits on the throne. Him, the Lamb, is to be given praise and honor and glory and power forever and ever. Revelation 5:13