Rudolph the Red Nosed Elf

Here comes Rudolph... or wait a minute.  That's not Rudolph.  But he's still a welcome visitor each morning at our house, this time pulling a tiny sled with a special gift inside.  Madison has been getting these small inexpensive gifts each morning, each one a booklet or craft that goes along with the season. We may be doing more with these booklets soon enough, like making Santa origami or coloring in more sheets - that will be next week when Daddy can hopefully take a breather from all this writing.  As of now though, today was spent writing, writing, and writing. We wrote six messages today, and have one more for tomorrow - a very taxing enterprise to say the least.  Along the way, we watched a movie again - one that was supposed to be a Christmas present.  But this movie has Vikings in it, and therefore goes with our series a bit.  That said, we're doing what we call a movie message, one based on last summer's "How to Train Your Dragon 2."

We enjoyed the movie, although not as much as the last one.  I might have written precisely this when describing the movie last summer.  Madison got home from school, and right away we were popping popcorn and going straight to it.  Daddy was doing a bit of "research," sprawled out on the couch with Mommy and Madison, enjoying the snuggle time on an overcast day.

As for the writing, that continued afterwards, and very much beforehand.  It was a day of lots and lots of writing, including this writing here.  The deadline is tomorrow, so we'll be mostly done with the busy part of this season by then.  Afterwards, we can hopefully have some quiet time together, making origami, watching movies, and resting in front of the fire.  Until then, here's the latest message, one based on "How to Train Your Dragon 2."  And one I haven't proofed yet...!

How to Train Your Dragon 2”

     The dragons are back!  In “How to Train Your Dragon 2,” the incredible story of a young Viking named Hiccup continues.  He knows how to train a dragon by now, but the big thing he must learn in this new adventure is how to be a leader. 
      Early on he hears it:  his father has chosen him to be the leader of their island.  But the problem is this:  Hiccup doesn’t want to.  And what happens next sets our story in motion with amazing discoveries, heartbreaking tragedies, unforgettable triumphs, and yes, lots of dragons.  And through it all, Hiccup learns as we do what it takes to be a true leader.

     It is a story we should pay close attention to.  Like Hiccup, you may not realize this, but we are each called to lead!  You are a joint heir with Christ, a leader chosen by God Himself.  It’s a big responsibility!  He wants you to lead others to Him, and you do that through your words and your actions.
     Unfortunately, Hiccup’s actions aren’t perfect.  For example, he ignores his parents’ warnings about danger.  And this leads to something terrible.  The lesson he learns the hard way is this:  listen to your elders. Those who ignore the lessons of the past are doomed to repeat them.  Listen to your parents, your teachers and those God has put in authority – their good advice is meant to keep you from harm.

     By the end of the story, he learns this and more.  The biggest lesson is this:  that we lead with love.  You can lead anyone anywhere if you aren’t leading with love.  The best way to set a good example is by showing loyalty and love.  You certainly can’t do everything right, but as Hiccup points out, you can only try.

     The Vikings in this story know how to train a dragon.  But by the end, they – and all of us – know how to fly high and be everything we are called to be.

Page Two

“How to Train Your Dragon 2”

“But God chose you to be his people. You are royal priests. You are a holy nation. You are God’s special treasure. You are all these things so that you can give him praise. God brought you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9 NIrV

“Speak up for those who can’t speak for themselves.  Speak up for the rights of all those who are poor.  Speak up and judge fairly.
 Speak up for the rights of those who are poor and needy.” Proverbs 31:8-9 NIrV

“We may be small in numbers, but we stand for something bigger than anything the world can pin against us.  We are the voice of peace, and bit by bit, we will change this world.  You see, we have something they don’t.” – Hiccup

Page Three

1.  You are a _________!  As a Christian, you are a joint heir with Christ, a leader chosen by God Himself.  Whether you realize it or not, it’s a big responsibility!  He wants you to lead others to Him through our words and our actions.
“The Spirit himself joins with our spirits. Together they tell us that we are God’s children.” Romans 8:16 NIrV

a.  Snotlout    b. warrior                   c. heir

2.  Listen to your __________.  Those who ignore the lessons of the past are doomed to repeat them.  Listen to your parents, your teachers and those God has put in authority – their good advice is meant to keep you from harm.

“Trust in your leaders. Put yourselves under their authority. Do this, because they keep watch over you. They know they are accountable to God for everything they do. Do this, so that their work will be a joy. If you make their work a heavy load, it won’t do you any good.” Hebrews 13:17 NIrV
a.  dreams      b. elders         c. dragons

3.         Lead with ____________.  You can lead anyone anywhere if you aren’t leading with love.  The best way to set a good example is by showing loyalty, and love.

"Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young. Set an example for the believers in what you say and in how you live. Also set an example in how you love and in what you believe. Show the believers how to be pure.” 1 Timothy 4:12 NIrV
a.  leadership                         b. love             c. force

Page Four
Notes/Stamp

Memory Verse: “But God chose you to be his people. You are royal priests. You are a holy nation. You are God’s special treasure. You are all these things so that you can give him praise. God brought you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9 NIrV