Keeping Christmas

As I wrap these last few gifts, I'm thinking about past Christmas celebrations, when I couldn't do my own shopping, decorating, wrapping, cooking....

Those few years were stolen away by stroke...

My heart was full, but my body couldn't respond. 
My Awesome family took great care to "keep Christmas" in my home and in my life.

I am blessed with healing, love, and a future. And I am so thankful...This Christmas, take thought for ALL the little things and... Fall asleep counting your Blessings.

May the Peace Christ brought to us reign in your heart as you "keep Christmas"

Westward Leading Still Proceeding

In an old Christmas Hymn, we sing about three wise leaders bearing gifts...As with any trip or journey, I'm sure many obstacles came along to block their way.  Things ment to distract and discourage.  The  things that can keep you from your destination!  Yet, in the song, we sing that they traveled far...over field, fountain, and mountain...they followed...the star.

They brought significant gifts!
Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh...These symbolize
Highest Value...Sweet Fragrance...Bitter Salts...The significant things the savior would experience.

We too experience these...

So, as you walk through this CHRISTmas time, hold on to the the reason we do all this celebrating. 

The King was born to remove the barrier between men and God...As you bless your loved ones, remember you are loved...with an everlasting love... What star are you following?           

God Did not send His Son into the world to condem it...but that the world
 "through him" would be saved ...John 3:17

 

Checking it Twice

Well,  are you feeling the stress yet?
Checking your "digital" list... 

I need a list just to get my coffee
in the morning...:)

Others are blessed with an awesome ability to keep it all together and breeze through effortlessly...Getting every detail checked off with Gingerbread on top! We all know someone like that.
    
E-list or old school, keep it light, and Smile...
You'll feel better and look 10 years younger, and who doesn't want that...:) 

Merry CHRISTmas...Shopping...Wrapping...Baking...
Shopping...Shipping...Card sending... Shopping...Caroling...Thanking Loving Praising...
Spreading Peace on Earth...Goodwill toward Men!
                                

Marvelous light

Last Friday a meteor flashed across the Houston sky!
Wowing us without significant warning. When I saw this
I thought...oops the Mayans made a mistake, their prediction isn't accurate...:)

The heavenly sky's are on my mind this month as we walk through Advent...the preparation to celebrate...    

Marvelous light...brighter than the brightest star... was sent to bring peace and goodwill to men. Although the ancient event was long foretold... suddenly ordinary men were surprised, as the event unfolded with spot on accuracy. Seems pretty human...some prepare...others wait till the last minuet.  

We can believe the Mayans, or, something much more mysterious and powerful.  We really make it harder than it has to be. 

The sages told us in prophecy...that he would come...
they named the place and times.   As you prepare to celebrate this year, celebrate the King, the Light of the world.  His love and purpose are still the same!
I hope you invite him to the party!

Glows and grows

Modern day Christmas decorating just wouldn't be the same without lights.  We love the twinkle, and sparkle in every corner and window.  We love the touch of starlight everywhere!

We compete over the "best" display on the block.  We ad a little more until we get it looking just right.

Year after year the tradition grows and glows...The more the merrier...

But there is nothing more frustrating than getting all the lights on the tree or house or banister...only to have them stop working!  "But I checked each strand"... we exclaim..."Every last bulb"

Some times its the last thing we check...The power source...

So if  it's the cord, switch or timer...no power...no light...

That was the true light which shines upon every man as he comes into the world. He came into the world—the world he had created—and the world failed to recognise him. He came into his own creation, and his own people would not accept him. Yet wherever men did accept him he gave them the power to become sons of God. These were the men who truly believed in him, and their birth depended not on the course of nature nor on any impulse or plan of man, but on God.  John 1:9-13

Star Light How Bright

There is something terribly romantic about "Starlight!"
It's compelling nature draws us, and lingers in our memories.  It provides a beautiful backdrop for many wonderful moments. 

The evenings when the stars come out before the sun is fully down...

Long nights walking with your sweetheart dreaming...
while they silently ad a unique touch of drama...

Darkness is
dispelled by their splendid display,while we search for constellation's and the North Star.

Travelers have navigated the world, guided by stars...
And, a certain trio of men followed one...
to the brightest spot in time... When...
 "the light of the world" began to shine.  
John 8:12   I am the light of the world  -  Jesus

Dark Night Bright Light

I love to go star gazing.  The vast, expansive, depth of wonder, captures my attention like little else.
The delicate strength of the night sky
leaves me breathless...
It's movement, its silence, it's faithful consistency. 
It's  brilliant reminder of ... greatness!

It brings comfort like a blanket...lovingly, constantly covering the earth!

It is as diverse and detailed as each one of us!

Yet, many lights blind us from it's beauty! 
Problems, emotional distractions, health, finances...
All familiar because we ALL have them!  Our world seems darker than ever...

Before another night passes by...
take in it's reminder....

The Darker the Night The Brighter the Light!

Let "your" light so shine...that it bring Glory to the
"Heavenly" Father...

^14-16 “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven. Matt 5:14-16 msg