A Merry Little Christmas

The Christmas Day countdown began the first of December for me, but I know a few of you started way back in October! I still cherish Thanksgiving Day having its own little celebration…a wrapping up of autumn and all the golden glory of the days.

The Petersen family featured in this video came to our church several times over the years. Back when they were still in high school, the youngest in grade school if I remember correctly. It’s been fun to watch them grow up, and now have such an amazing following all over the world! They are an extremely talented group of musicians and singers. The young man playing the dobro also came to our church with his family many years ago. The Franz Family was also a joy to watch.

Enjoy this arrangement by Emmett Franz. I did!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OJp9yVaZiE

Photo by Pamjpat on Pixabay

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One More Week!

Children are thrilled to count down the days before any important occasion. But Christmas is probably one of the most special to them. I know it was for me. With each day that passed, the excitement built until I thought I would fairly burst with wanting Christmas day to arrive. Presents appeared in the mail from relatives, and they were stashed under the tree with strict rules not to touch them until Christmas morning. That didn’t keep us from shaking a few and trying to guess. Baking went into a frenzy that last week, and our house always smelled delicious and festive.

When all the packages had been opened, the food consumed, the dishes done, we put on our new pajamas, robes and slippers. Because that was always a gift from our great Auntie. I would go to bed and think back over the day. I would be excited about a few more days off from school, and the potential for snow to play in. But there was always a little bit of a let-down. Christmas wouldn’t come for another whole year!

Children will always look at the glitz, the glamour, and the fun. And that is not wrong. Children need a time of innocence, a time of fun and happy memories. But they also need God…and that is something to teach on a daily basis. Not just at Christmas time.

Keep the joy of childhood in your Christian walk. On December 26th, the celebrations will be over, and won’t return for a year. But we can keep the memory of Christ’s birth, His life, and death on the cross each day. He is now seated at the right hand of the Father…and that is joyous!

 

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What Child is This

Classical guitar has always been one of my favorite to listen to. This arrangement reminds me of a place called The Carrot Barn in Schoharie, New York. They always had beautiful music such as this playing while you browsed the antiques, clothing, and even sampled a few goodies. It has grown a lot since we were regular visitors back in the 1980’s. You may visit Schoharie Valley Farms right here: http://www.schoharievalleyfarms.com/index.php

I love classical guitar so much, that my husband gave me one for my birthday about 25 years ago. No, I never did learn to play it. After a few times of trying, I gave up and decided to really appreciate those that could play! It is an art form, and I really enjoyed this arrangement for that reason.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPRFk8sLIPw

Proclaim the Truth

When I was a child, I often wondered what it must have been like for the shepherds the night Jesus Christ was born. To be sitting outside, enjoying the evening air, resting after a hard days work. Then an angel appears…and not just the angel, but the glory of the Lord shone around them. I would have been afraid as well!

The verses I’ve included on this little journey through Luke, chapter two, remind us that God works through humble means. The shepherds were given an important job that night, and they rushed to see if the angel had spoken truth. Then they shared the joyous news of Christ’s birth.

We as Believers should be just as excited to proclaim.

 

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The Countdown Begins

Yes, I know many of you have been counting down the days until Christmas for some time now. But, I prefer to give each day, each season, each celebration its due. For me, that means no celebrating Christmas until after Thanksgiving. Then there is an entire month set aside to celebrate the Christmas season.

If you are a Believer, each day should be one of remembering what God has done by sending his Son to us as a baby. Jesus Christ made the ultimate sacrifice for us. The Christmas season for me is a time to reflect, and remember those gifts that we have been given. The grace and mercy God gives to us on a daily basis.

It is fun to shop for loved ones, bake those special cookies, and decorate in order to recall Christmas memories. But not everyone has those memories. And if you don’t, you can remember that we are celebrating Christ’s birth. Our joy comes from inside, and the relationship with Him, not from our surroundings, or things.

Three more weeks until Christmas day. Enjoy the time, bake those cookies, decorate your space, listen to the songs as you shop and wrap presents. But remember why the day is set aside.

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That Christmas Feeling

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. I love this time of year! The aromas wafting through the house…cinnamon sticks and pine. Well, normally our house smells of those items, but today it smells of burnt toast thanks to our youngest. I’ll have to light some more candles tomorrow. At one time, I had a can of pine scent to spray through the house since we had a fake tree, but those kind of smells lead to a whopping headache for me these days!

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It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas:

Snow drifting lazily outside your frosted window,
The fire crackling merrily,
The orange and yellow flickers mesmerizing with their glow.
The fresh-cut tree being dragged through the house,
Just “one more inch” to help it clear the ceiling.
The winter crispness emanating from those needles,
The pine scent filling the air.
Then commence the decorating,
Lights weaved over the prickly branches.
The “oohs” and “aahs” of each ornament plucked from the box,
A kaleidoscope of memories besieging your heart.
The stockings are hung, the nativity displayed,
The routine of the festivities replayed.

A candlelit house, smelling of pine and baked goods,
A hint of cinnamon and spice.
The gentle pause in the daily routine,
A soft snuggle by the twinkling lights.
These are my memories,
This is what the Christmas season looks like for me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGBie5pT9nw

Christmas is the time of year that we set aside to remember that our Lord and Savior came to earth as a baby. The decorations, the lights, baking and presents are traditions handed down from many countries for many generations. They are what they are…pleasant traditions that I look forward to sharing each year. For me, they don’t take away the importance of that tiny baby, humbled, but still a King. They add to the feeling of home and family…my memories. And I cherish them.

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I pray your Christmas season is one filled with joy, and many happy memories…

The Christmas Village 🎅🏻🎄🎁☃️

Okay…Halloween is over. So I can tolerate seeing Christmas advertising. I wanted to share this post because it just put me in the frame of mind to start thinking about Christmas. It just looked happy…and we need a bit of happy right now. Enjoy!

SerendipiDIY

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It’s that time of the year! Ever since I was little I’ve always loved going to this huge store in Tombolo, Italy, called Green Village. They sell flowers, plants, accessories, toys, things for the house etc. But once a year, from October to December they set up a Christmas village with loads and loads of Christmas decorations. The atmosphere is just so cozy and nice. Yesterday I went there and bought a bunch of decorations for the Christmas tree and the house. I took some pictures as well so here are some, hope you enjoy it. P.s. Don’t miss the gifs!!! ☃️🎅🏻🎁🎄 HUGE gallery starts nnnooww! ↓

20161113_163050 Welcome to the Christmas village

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There were so many moving stands as well; take a look at this one:

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These two moved too, kids loved this:

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And here are some Christmas decoration ideas!

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20161113_163825 Love this Advent Calendar idea

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It was all divided into…

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