naples christian academy advent 2013
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Greetings From Naples Christian Academy! Advent. Expectancy. Waiting, Preparing. Celebrating. All these words come to mind when I think of the season we call “Christmas”. While we watch children (and adults!) get excited about the arrival of Christmas, the heavens and earth groaned in eager expectation 2000 years ago for the arrival in a country manger of the Christ child, Jesus. The Advent season has been celebrated by believers for centuries, with each week being a time for reflection, meditation, adoration, and ultimate celebration of the birth of God’s Light to the world. We at the Academy have spent time writing, composing, painting and expressing our thoughts and visions about the various aspects of the Advent season – joy, hope, peace, and light. May this Christmas be full of thankfulness and blessings for you and your family!TRANSCRIPT
ADVENT 2013
May this Christmas be full of thankfulness and blessings for you
and your family!
FROM OUR HEADMASTER
ADVENT DEVOTIONALS
1 A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.2 The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him-- the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge
and of the fear of the LORD-- 3 and he will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears;4 but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will
give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked.5 Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist.6 The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion
and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. 7 The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox.8 The infant will play near the hole of the cobra, and the young
child put his hand into the viper's nest. 9 They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the
LORD as the waters cover the sea. 10 In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his place of rest
will be glorious.
DECEMBER 1ISAIAH 11: 1 - 10
2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light
has dawned.3 You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the
harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder.4 For as in the day of Midian's defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor.5 Every warrior's boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning,
will be fuel for the fire.
DECEMBER 2ISAIAH 9: 2 - 5
6 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.7 Of the increase of his government and
peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.
DECEMBER 3ISAIAH 9: 6 - 7
18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.19 The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to
be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of
childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the
redemption of our bodies.24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes
for what he already has? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently
DECEMBER 4ROMANS 8: 18 - 25
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was
no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is
with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their
God.4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old
order of things has passed away
DECEMBER 5REVELATION 21: 1 - 4
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.2 He was with God in the
beginning.3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.4 In him was life,
and that life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.6 There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John.7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe.8 He himself was
not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9 The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the
world.
DECEMBER 6JOHN 1: 1 - 9
10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came
to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the
Father, full of grace and truth.
DECEMBER 7JOHN 1: 10 - 14
"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one
who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. "3 Therefore Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labor gives birth and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites. 4 He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the
ends of the earth.
Deliverance and Destruction
5 And he will be their peace. When the Assyrian invades our land and marches through our fortresses, we will raise
against him seven shepherds, even eight leaders of men.
DECEMBER 8MICAH 5: 2 - 5
26But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.27Peace I leave with
you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be
afraid.
DECEMBER 9JOHN 14: 26 - 27
1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: 2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, 4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, 5 a time to scatter stones and a time to
gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, 6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, 7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, 8 a time to love and a
time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace
DECEMBER 10ECCLESIASTES 3: 1 - 8
5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself
nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even
death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every
name,10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,11 and every
tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
DECEMBER 11PHILIPPIANS 2: 5 - 11
67 His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:68 "Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,
because he has come and has redeemed his people.69 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David70 (as he said through his holy prophets of
long ago),71 salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us-- 72 to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant,73 the oath he swore to our
father Abraham:74 to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear75 in
holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
DECEMBER 12LUKE 1: 67 - 75
76 And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way
for him,77 to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins,78 because of the
tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven 79 to shine on those living in darkness
and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace."
DECEMBER 13LUKE 1: 76 - 79
7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good
tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!"8 Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices;
together they shout for joy. When the LORD returns to Zion, they will see it with their own eyes. 9 Burst into songs of
joy together, you ruins of Jerusalem, for the LORD has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem.10 The
LORD will lay bare his holy arm in the sight of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth will see the salvation
of our God.
DECEMBER 14ISAIAH 52: 7 - 10
The Birth of Jesus
1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.2 (This was the first census that took place while
Quirinius was governor of Syria.)3 And everyone went to his own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to
Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and
placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
The Shepherds and the Angels
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to
them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ
the Lord.
DECEMBER 15LUKE 2: 1 - 11
12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." 13 Suddenly a great
company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 "Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
DECEMBER 16LUKE 2: 12 - 14
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and
Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what
had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in
her heart.20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen,
which were just as they had been told.
DECEMBER 17LUKE 2: 15 - 20
The Visit of the Magi
1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, "Where is
the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." 3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them
where the Christ was to be born. 5 "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written: 6 " 'But you,
Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the
shepherd of my people Israel.' "7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go
and worship him."
DECEMBER 18MATTHEW 2: 1 - 8
9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them
until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and
they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of
incense and of myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their
country by another route
DECEMBER 19MATTHEW 2: 9 - 12
1 A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham:2 Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,3 Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar, Perez the
father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, 4 Ram the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, 5 Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of
Jesse, 6 and Jesse the father of King David. David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah's wife,7 Solomon the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asa, 8 Asa the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Jehoram, Jehoram the father of Uzziah, 9 Uzziah the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of
Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, 10 Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amon, Amon the father of Josiah, 11 and Josiah the father of Jeconiah and his
brothers at the time of the exile to Babylon.12 After the exile to Babylon: Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,13 Zerubbabel the father of Abiud,
Abiud the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor, 14 Azor the father of Zadok, Zadok the father of Akim, Akim the father of Eliud, 15 Eliud the father of Eleazar, Eleazar the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob, 16 and Jacob the father of Joseph, the
husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.17 Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to
Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Christ.
DECEMBER 20MATTHEW 1: 1 - 17
26But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.27Peace I leave with
you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be
afraid.
DECEMBER 21JOHN 14: 26 - 27
The Birth of Jesus Foretold
26 In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of
David. The virgin's name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." 29 Mary was
greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with
God.31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."34 "How will this be,"
Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?" 35 The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.36 Even Elizabeth your
relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. 37 For nothing is impossible with God."38 "I am the
Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.
DECEMBER 22LUKE 1: 26 - 38
The Birth of Jesus Christ
18 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was
found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.19 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public
disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,
"Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give
birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had
said through the prophet: 23 "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"--which means, "God with
us." 24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
DECEMBER 23MATTHEW 1: 18 - 25
The Birth of Jesus
1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was
governor of Syria.)3 And everyone went to his own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of
Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and
she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no
room for them in the inn
DECEMBER 24LUKE 2: 1 - 7
16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.17For God did not send his Son into the
world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
DECEMBER 25JOHN 3:16 - 17
KINDERGARTEN
FOR JESUS
Dear Jesus,We celebrate You! You have given us the gift of eternal life by coming to this earth and living and dying for us. Now may we give You gifts of love. May we give You our hearts. May we believe in Your gift of salvation. May we live our lives to love and honor You. May we bring a smile to Your face Lord Jesus and JOY to Your heart!
We love You Jesus,Kindergarten
RACHAEL
CARTER
JAYLEE
FALYN
LANDON
DANIEL
HUDSON
ANDREW
XANDER
JESUS
“Jesus, You are holy,” said Falyn.
“Jesus, You are the Redeemer,” said Carter.
“Jesus, You are faithful,” said Andrew.
“Jesus, You are loving,” said Jaylee.
“Jesus, You are the Savior,” said Landon.
“Jesus, You are the Almighty,” said Hudson.
“Jesus, You are powerful,” said Xander.
“Jesus, You are the loving One,” said Rachael.
“Jesus, You are the rock,” said Daniel.
This Christmas we give Jesus the gift of our lives not just with the words that we say but with the lives that we live! O, come let us adore Him!
FIRST GRADE
Annika: “Christmas is about when Jesus came to this earth. He was born in a manger and showed that He loved us and care for
us. That is why I celebrate Christmas!”
Ashley: “It means that Jesus was born and I get presents!!”
Jake: “Jesus died for our sins.”
Maleda: “To celebrate Jesus’ birthday. We can praise the Lord.”
Nik: “It means celebrating God’s birth and when He came to the earth.”
WHAT DOES CHRISTMAS MEAN TO YOU?
BY FIRST GRADE
Lucy: “Christmas reminds me of Jesus! When he
was born.”
CJ: “God loves me! Jesus was born. God love children and He wants us to be good.”
Lexi: “Christmas is not all about the presents we get, it’s about Jesus’ birth. It’s not all about us, it’s about Jesus!!”
Alexa: “Christmas is not about the presents, it’s about Jesus Christ being born. It’s about loving Jesus!”
WHAT DOES CHRISTMAS MEAN TO YOU?
BY FIRST GRADE
Abigail: “Christmas is love because on Christmas it’s Jesus’ birthday and God is happy for that.”
Andrew: “Christmas means that you have to share Jesus’ love when He died on the cross.”
Luke: “It is about relying on God. It’s about worship to God.”
Ethan: “It’s fun! It means happiness. We celebrate Jesus’ birthday.”
WHAT DOES CHRISTMAS MEAN TO YOU?
BY FIRST GRADE
ETHAN
ANDREW
NIK
JAKE
ABI
ALEXA
LUKE
CJ
MALEDA
ASHLEY
LEXI
MIKEY P.
LUCY
SECOND GRADE
Christmas by Amanda
The wise men had joy
Love, joy, peace and harmony
Baby Jesus born
Christmas by Nathan
Emmanuel, joy
King, Lord, God, Jesus and Joy
Newborn baby love
Christmas by Ricky
God was born in joy.
God was born in Bethlehem.
God is our Savior.
Christmas by Avery
The joy of the world.
The month of December is good.
Emmanuel loves
Christmas by Matthew
Jesus is our Lord.
It the day God was born.
The wise men had joy.
Christmas by Samantha
Jesus is God’s Son.
Three kings, love, Jesus, Mary
God, joy, December
CHRISTMAS HAIKUS
Christmas by Jack
Jesus is our joy.
Jesus is very loving.
God is our Savior.
Christmas by David
Savior, Lord, Jesus
Christ, Emmanuel, Joseph
God, Joy, December
Christmas by Ryan
Sheep, love, stable, Lord
Emmanuel, Bethlehem
Angel, Messiah
Christmas by Julia
Jesus Christ is Lord.
The wise men came for Jesus.
Emmanuel, Love
Christmas by Cason
Jesus, Love, Christ, Joy
Messiah, Emmanuel
Jesus Christ Savior
CHRISTMAS HAIKUS
DAVID
JULIA
JACK
AMANDA
RYAN
NATHAN
RICKY
SAMANTHA
CASON
AVERY
MATTHEW
THIRD GRADE
HANNAH
KAI
CONNER
KATELYN
LUKE
AVERI
DANIELLA
TRYSTAN
BRINLY
JACE
JACKSON
ANDREA
KARA
VICTORIA
JOHN CARL
JACK
VALERIE
AVERY FAITH
FOURTH GRADE
FRANKIE
CENDALL
DEREK
NICK
NICK
MARISSA
MARISSA
AVA
AVA
AVA
AVA
GIAN
ALYSSA
JACOB
BRENT
ELLA
CRUZ
ELI
MATTHEW
ETHAN
CHANCE
JOSEPH
FIFTH GRADE
CALEB
RYAN E
ELIZABETH
JASMINE
RICHIE
ELLA
GABRIELLA
HANNAH
NATHAN
ANGELICA
RYAN A
LANDIN
JARED
SIXTH GRADE
There’s a Christmas feeling to the airChristmas is coming and I’m very aware
I love to stare at the pretty displaysRight before Christmas day
The lightsThe bells
Oh, the good smellsBut it’s really about the day
Jesus cameJesus came
The reason we celebrateThis jolly dayNot St. NickOr good gifts
Something biggerBigger than all this
KATIE
RILEY
KATIE
GUNNAR
RJ
RILEY
KYLEIGH
JADE
TRINITY
ISAAC
JADEN
TYREESE
ASHLEY
ALLIE
GUNNAR AND ISAAC
KALIANNE
ASHLEY
RJ
TRINITY
C is for Jesus ChristH is for His loveR is for God’s RighteousnessI is for “ I am life.”S is for sacrificeT is for His teachingsM is for all mighty OneA is for Amazing GraceS is for Salvation.
KALIANNE
ALLIE
JADE
SEVENTH GRADE
ELIZABETH
ELIZABETH AND GRACE
MICHAEL
GRACE
LEAH
MIA
MIKEY P.
ANNA
RAE
LIO
EIGHTH GRADE
KRISTINA AND EMILY
Baby JesusBaby Jesus, born in a mangerLook baby Jesus, here come strangersThey give him beautiful presents galore Because they know that he is Lord
Baby Jesus is God’s gift to the worldTowards us His love is hurled He saved us all from life in hellSo on Christmas, we ring a bell
Baby Jesus takes our apprehensionSo we give him our attention His love fills us with complete joyBaby Jesus, Mary’s little boy
ALEX AND DALTON
Christ has been born Holy and ableRisen here today In a small little stableSo worship Him tonightMy Lord my GodAll shall see Worship Him tonight with me
CAMDYN
KIMBERLY
TAYLOR
ERIC
JOHN
EMILY
JESSICA
CHARLIZE
FRANKIE
STAR
GIOVANNI
KRISTINA
RONALD
JOSIAH
ALEX
SKYLER
CHLOE
The Secret of ChristmasIt’s not the glow you feel
when snow appears,It’s not the Christmas card
you’ve sent for yearsNot the joyful sound when
sleigh bells ring,Or the merry sound that
children sing.The blessedness of
ChristmasIs the miracle of birth
When Christ, a child, named Jesus,
Was born upon this earth.
GIOVANNI
JESSICA
SKYLER AND CAMDYN
ERIC AND RONALD
BRIANNA
BRIANNA