NOW ON TO ANOTHER SEASON....

 Christmas is past.  It was a good one yet again.  I've learned as I age that my anticipations change.  In the past I looked forward to the presents.  Now I just look forward to time spent in the joy of it all.  

As The Husband and I headed towards our Christmas-Eve-tradition-of-the-past-few years restaurant on Christmas Eve, we found ourselves recalling Christmases past.  Praise Jesus we still have some recalling minds.  We reflected on the saddest, yes there is one and then happier times.  I recalled childhood Christmas trees with those lights with the REALLY big bulbs as they shone brightly on our small live tree.  And who remembers the silver "icicles"?  Not the tinsel which draped around the tree but the silver slinky shiny "icicles" that hung one by one on the tree limbs.  I was guilty of tiring during this decorating process and would hang a glob of them on one tree limb just to get finished.  The ornaments were scarce but we had tinsel, "icicles", and the joy of Christmas.  Praise Jesus again that the joy doesn't ever change.

Christmas Day found us in church with THE day being on a Sunday.  It was a blessing to hear the children sing "Happy Birthday Jesus" in their sweet little voices.  It rivaled "Jesus Loves Me" as it made tears come into my eyes and run down my actual made-up Christmas cheeks and I didn't even care about the smears.  It wasn't the traditional "Happy Birthday to You" but "Happy Birthday Jesus!  I'm so glad it's Christmas....".  There was the beauty of "O Holy Night" then The Pastor called all the children to the front, sat criss-cross-applesauce in the altar and read them the Christmas story.  We came home to a meal of roast and potatoes, then The Grandbaby promptly fell asleep.  Did I say that she and I had been recovering from the dreaded stomach bug?  It's a doozy.  It was a bit later when she awoke that The Poppa read the Christmas Story again from the Bible and we opened presents and had dessert which involved a Happy Birthday Jesus mini cookie cake and then played a game.  It was a nice day.  Most of all, it was a day full of Jesus!

Thursday night we did a nice time with my extended family at my parents' house.  Laughter and joy was there as well.  

Seasons come and seasons go and now on to a new season....but before that, I will share a few photos....as many of you readers expect!  

I need to learn to smile correctly in my own photos.....

Unexpected nap in The Poppa's recliner...

Luke 2...

The Poppa and The Grandbaby enjoy watching Bluey together every Monday after school while snacking before homework.  This was a gift to The Grandbaby from The Poppa.  "Neema, I bet Poppa needed help with this wrapping."

Handmade "cards" all around...

....and matching hats.

A crafty personalized coffee cup...

... a handmade paper purse...

..and a handmade blanket in some favorite colors.

Happy New Year!

CHRISTMAS EVE

The dessert and croutons are made.  The roast is marinating.  The gifts are wrapped.  All the other things are either done or in the works.  Tomorrow is THE day.  Christmas.  The day we celebrate Jesus' birth.  All of you regular blog readers will know that Easter is my favorite "holiday" but what you might not know is that Christmas runs a close second to that.  Of course, my birthday is big to me, too, especially if I'm here to celebrate it!  :)

During the day today I have been thinking a lot of Mary, Jesus' mother.  I went to the scriptures a bit ago....to the wonderful book of Luke, and read a bit.  Sure I know the story.  It's one that is precious to me, but I never tire of reading it.  I encourage you to read it also.  Often.  I encourage you to begin in the beginning of Luke, not in the second chapter as most nativity readings occur.  

I read tonight where the angel visited Mary to tell her that she would be the mother of the Son of God.  I found two things that Mary responded.   "How?" was the first question.  Then after the explanation, she simply said, " ..be it unto me according to thy word."  Really?  That was it?  It is my understanding that Mary was very young.  After this revelation and acknowledgement, she went to visit her cousin Elizabeth and they had one of those "girl" moments.  The scriptures say that Mary stayed with Elizabeth for three months.  My question is, "Where was Mary's mama during all this?"

I encourage you to read these passages from Luke 1 and 2.  I was especially touched by Luke 1:46-55, subtitled in my Bible "The Song of Mary".  This young girl who was just told she would be the mother of the Son of God via an impossible sounding way was simply praising God.  

And Joseph.....he had a bunch of faith, too.  I see these two youngsters as they head to Bethlehem to be counted in the census, Mary so very pregnant and soon to deliver.  Then in Bethlehem the crowd was so big, all the motel rooms were taken.  It's a good thing that the Lord chose Mary instead of me.  I would have been fussing about all the rooms being taken.  

That Christmas night, Mary gave birth to Jesus in a stable and she laid him in a manger.  I just can't fathom how she must have felt.  Then when the company started coming to visit....the smelly shepherds welcomed as much as the rich kings.  Isn't that how Jesus is?  His love is open to all who will receive.  

I love the prophetic scripture from Isaiah 9 and encourage you to read it as well.  Then follow up with the passages from Luke 1 and 2.  And that, blog readers, is what Christmas is ALL ABOUT!

Happy Birthday Jesus!

Consider.....

GIVING

I had the experience this morning of observing The Grandbaby's program at her elementary school....officially called The Giving Tree Program.  Children had been asked a few weeks prior to bring in unused toys for a local organization that would disburse the gifts to those who were needy.  The representative who was at the program explained it to the children that the parents of the children these gifts would go to would be using their money to pay for housing, food, utilities and such, thus leaving little to no money for gifts for their children.  I was thinking how that might be hard for some children to grasp, not so hard for some others.

The program began with the children--in this program time space--the K-2 graders marching in to their places on the gym floor.  After that, the song "Let There Be Peace on Earth" began to play while gift bag carriers from each class marched in with their class's contribution.  As these little ones marched in....not carrying little pretty gift bags but barely lifting heavy trash bag type bags and some even pushing bicycles, water started coming from my eyes and I could not help it.  

The children, led by a fabulous music teacher, then gave some songs very mightily.  It was a beautiful sight to see and hear.  After many many many events in my own school past and then being a very active volunteer at all three of The Girl's schools through the years, I can truthfully say I had never seen an event like it.   Blessed.

As all were dismissed we were able to say hello to The Grandbaby who, happily, still loves to hug.  And yes, now The Grandbaby can sing that song, "All I Want For Christmas is my Two Front Teeth".  :)

The morning gave me thought of how blessed we are to be able to give, not only at Christmas but every single day.  Not only monetary store bought gifts but other gifts of the heart.  My goodness, I even realized how many opportunities I miss to give such to others simply by my busyness and my thoughts on other things.  

As I close this post on this blessed day, I wish you gifts both given by you and to you.  Gifts that matter.  Gifts of the heart.  

Consider....