Merry Christmas

O holy Child of Bethlehem! Descend to us, we pray; Cast out our sin and enter in, Be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels The great glad tidings tell; O come to us, abide with us, Our Lord Emmanuel!

Wishing you a merry and meaningful Christmas and more blessings than you can imagine in the new year.

Random Dozen - Christmas Edition

1. Gingerbread: For or against? Discuss.

Generally "for". I don't really like gingerbread cookies but I have had some delicious gingerbread cake. I love looking at gingerbread houses people have made (or gingerbread churches in the case of some talented people). This year I am building my first gingerbread house, soooooo, after that I may change my vote to "against"!

2. Is it important to you to always stay (live) close to family?

Yes. I love having most of our family within easy driving distance. I'd hate being more than an hour or so away from everyone.

3. Which holiday pretend character do you wish really existed?

I think Santa would be a fine choice. He is generous, jolly, and encourages people to be good. He should give up that pipe though.

4. Which holiday movie best represents how you feel about Christmas or life?

Miracle on 34th Street - "you have to believe".

5. Is there a particular Christmas song that you're enjoying now? Any that you're tired of?

Mary Did You Know is one of my favorites. I never get tired of it or Silent Night. Tired of that Wham song already - sorry Lid...

6. What is your favorite way to remember those less fortunate at Christmastime?

Donating to charity has always been a part of Christmas for us each year. When the kids were young they chose toys to give to Toys for Tots. Now that everyone is grown, each year we donate to a charity or charities as part of their Christmas. Some years it has been one charity and other years different ones for the guys & girls or a different one for each depending on their personal interests.

7. Does it upset you to see "Xmas" instead of Christmas? How about "Happy Holidays" etc., instead of "Merry Christmas?"

I definitely prefer Merry Christmas but am not offended by Happy Holidays. I am, however, offended by Xmas. It is at best lazy and at worst removing Christ - the real point of it all.

8. How many Christmas programs are you attending this month?

Just Christmas Eve services at church - the kids are too old to be in any programs and the grands are too young.

9. Are you dreaming of a white Christmas? Any chance of that dream becoming a reality?

Yes and yes! I'm hopeful that we will have snow this year.

10. Tell me about a Christmas present you received as a child. Pics are always nice.

Two come to mind. The first was my bouncing horse. I must have been about three or four when I got it and I still have it. The only photo I have would be inappropriate since I was apparently doing my Lady Godiva imitation! The second was several years later when I got the dollhouse I'd been wanting. The best part was that the one I got had a swimming pool and backyard patio furniture with it too. Wooo hooo, my doll family was rich!

11. How many Christmas parties are you attending this month?

Two - or three if you count Christmas Eve at my in-laws.

12. How do you keep yourself centered on the significance of Christmas?

We listen to lots of Christmas music and my devotions for December are focused on Christmas.

Photo Hunt - Aftermath

The obvious...

You Can't See What I'm Saying

Okay, I thought I had it figured out. However, due to technical and medical (migraine) difficulties, you will not be able to see what I'm saying. I thought I'd at least be able to share my practice video of Gracie bouncing up and down to get a bone but it wouldn't load either. Back to the drawing board...

So here are a few photos from our Christmas - with more to come tomorrow.

Don't forget to visit other "I See What You're Saying" participants who clearly have more technical ability than me.

Wordless Wednesday- Christmas House

Christmas Quote

Christmas is the day that holds all time together. - - Alexander Smith

O Holy Night

Composed by Adolphe Adam-written by Placide Cappeau.

*italics mine

Oh holy night!
The stars are brightly shining.
It is the night of the dear Savior's birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till he appear'd and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!


Fall on your knees.
Oh hear the angel voices.
Oh night divine,
Oh night when Christ was born.
Oh night divine,Oh night divine.


Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here come the wise men from Orient land.
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger,
In all our trials born to be our friend.


Fall on your knees.
Oh hear the angel voices.
Oh night divine,
Oh night when Christ was born.
Oh night divine,Oh night divine.


Truly He taught us to love one another.
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother,
And in His name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy name.


Fall on your knees.
Oh hear the angel voices.
Oh night divine,
Oh night when Christ was born.
Oh night divine,Oh night divine.



*This has never been a Christmas carol that I would have identified as one of my favorites. With the current state of the world, our country, and my personal life this year, the lyrics seemed to touch me in a way they never had before. I wanted to share the hope with you.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas,

peace in your heart, worth in your soul,

and hope for your future in the New Year.

May Your Christmas Spirit Shine

Christmas Quote

Giving frees us from the familiar territory of our own needs by opening our mind to the unexplained worlds occupied by the needs of others. -Barbara Bush

Christmas Quote

Christmas is the one time of year when people of all religions come together to worship Jesus Christ.

- Bart Simpson ... think about it.

Sermon in a Sentence

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

Luke 2:13-14 NIV

Commentary - please think about the fact that this does not say "peace on Earth, goodwill to men".

Reindeer Antlers - SUCCESS!!

"If I could just reach whatever that is with my tongue I could get it off my head."




"I cannot believe I'm letting you do this to me. There better be one HUGE treat when you're done."




"Okay, seriously, are you done yet? And don't forget, you promised not to humiliate me like this again - I'm a German war dog for goodness sakes. What? What do you mean at least not for another 12 months. I thought we had a deal."

Thursday Thirteen Update

Okay, so mostly I am updating you on my progress on my TT To Do list in order to hold myself accountable, but that's okay with you, right?

Happily, I have my nativities and my Santa's all set up. (The nativities will be available for your viewing on this weeks TT.)

The tree is up and has lights on it thanks to hubby. Having "sensed" my frustration and feelings of being overwhelmed, I think he may start decorating it today.

Gracie an I are still in negotiations about the antlers. (I think I may need to find a bigger bone or resort to people food to get past the stalemate.)

I'm narrowing down the wardrobe selection which will probably remain up in the air until two seconds before recording.

Mostly that just leaves the wrapping and the technological issues which I could probably get figured out if I could just quit getting distracted by these...















and this...



Yep, we're hooked. We are frantically trying to watch all the seasons to get caught up before LOST begins again in January. (FYI- I think LOST fans will get a kick out of my post the morning or the show's season premier.)

Sermon in a Sentence

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. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:10-11 NIV

Thursday Thirteen - To Do - Ta Dah

Here are 13 things I still have to do before my house is ready for the "Ta Dah" when I attempt to join in on this:

1. Decorate the tree! No, it isn't done yet and this is officially the latest ever!



2. Wrap the presents. (of course, it would help if I had my shopping finished)



3. Burn the fireplace cleaning log so I can have a pretty fire crackling beside me.



4. Finish getting out and setting up my nativity collection.



5. Finish getting out and setting up my Santa collection.



6. Hang the greens - wreathes and garlands.



7. Bedeck the baskets - meaning Christmasify the Longaberger's that sit on top of my kitchen cabinets.



8. Decide what I'm wearing for this scary video debut.



9. Figure out how to get Gracie (our Rottie) to wear the reindeer antlers.



10. Figure out how to use the video feature on my camera.



11. Figure out how to get said video from my camera to my blog.



12. Figure out how to get hubby to leave the house so I can do this with only ten retakes instead of twenty.



13. Figure out how to apologize to Linda when you can't "see what I'm saying" because I can't figure out the last three things!
    
    

Sermon in a Sentence

A child has been born for us. We have been given a son who will be our ruler. His names will be Wonderful Advisor and Mighty God, Eternal Father and Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6 CEV

Let Us Keep Christmas

Whatever else be lost among the years,
Let us keep Christmas still a shining thing;
Whatever doubts assail us, or what fears,
Let us hold close one day, remembering
It's poignant meaning for the hearts of men.
Let us get back our childlike faith again.

~Grace Noll Crowell

Thursday Thirteen - Twelve + One

Today's thirteen is my take on an updated 12 Days of Christmas, plus one.


On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me a parakeet he got for free!

On the second day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Two leather gloves, And a parakeet he got for free!

On the third day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Three French wines, Two leather gloves, And a parakeet he got for free!

On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Four calling cards, Three French wines, Two leather gloves, And a parakeet he got for free!

On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Five golden blings, Four calling cards, Three French wines, Two leather gloves, And a parakeet he got for free!

On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Six dogs a-barking, Five golden blings, Four calling cards, Three French wines, Two leather gloves, And a parakeet he got for free!

On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Seven lights a-dimming, Six dogs a-barking, Five golden blings, Four calling cards, Three French wines, Two leather gloves, And a parakeet he got for free!

On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Eight trees a-growing, Seven lights a-dimming, Six dogs a-barking, Five golden blings, Four calling cards, Three French wines, Two leather gloves, And a parakeet he got for free!

On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Nine signs a-blinking, Eight trees a-growing, Seven lights a-dimming, Six dogs a-barking, Five golden blings, Four calling cards, Three French wines, Two leather gloves, And a parakeet he got for free!

On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Ten logs a-flaming, Nine signs a-blinking, Eight trees a-growing, Seven lights a-dimming, Six dogs a-barking, Five golden blings, Four calling cards, Three French wines, Two leather gloves, And a parakeet he got for free!

On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Eleven movies playing, Ten logs a-flaming, Nine signs a-blinking, Eight trees a-growing, Seven lights a-dimming, Six dogs a-barking, Five golden blings, Four calling cards, Three French wines, Two leather gloves, And a parakeet he got for free!

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Twelve roses blooming, Eleven movies playing, Ten logs a-flaming, Nine signs a-blinking, Eight trees a-growing, Seven lights a-dimming, Six dogs a-barking, Five golden blings, Four calling cards, Three French wines, Two leather gloves, And a parakeet he got for free!

On the thirteenth day of Christmas, my true love was exhausted from all the shopping and slept for 24 hours straight.

Note of Interest: The estimated price for the original The Twelve Days of Christmas presents this year is $86,600.00.

Two for Tuesday

• At Christmas time it is important to remember that our value, our real worth, is not determined by the presents we receive or by the presents we give. It is determined by God thinking so much of us that he gave us the gift, the future sacrifice, of His own son so that we would not be separated from Him. No one has any more value or any less value than that.
• Take some time this season to really consider The Nativity. Choose one of the people involved - Mary, Joseph, a shepherd, a wise man, the inn keeper - and try to look at the events from their perspective, in their culture, in that time. How did they feel? What did they think?

Two of my favorite songs of the season are ones that look at Mary (Mary Did You Know) and Joseph (It Wasn't His Child) from a different perspective. Check each of them out below.

Winter Wonderland

Winter Wonderland




Thirteen things I love about Christmas/winter.

1. Christmas lights at night
2. Snow ( yes snow)
3. Nativities (the ones I collect & seeing unique ones other people have)
4. Eggnog
5. Stockings
6. Christmas cookies
7. Christmas candies (especially Mom's cinnamon roll candy)
8. The crowds (I know, I'm crazy)
9. The Salvation Army bell ringers
10. All the fun food events!
11. Fires in the fireplace
12. Sledding
13. Building a snowman and making snow angels.