My hand cramps and I grow tired of repeating the same message. I refuse to cave into creating a form letter, so I still handwrite Christmas greeting cards. What have I learned about his holiday ritual?My attitude determines how this practice either blesses me or drags me into the hole of too much to do during the holidays.So each year I try to organize early and write about ten cards a day. The key ingredient is prayer. As I begin the card, I pray for the recipient and then seal it with prayer also. Calming balm for my attitude and I hope healing comfort for my friends.The First Christmas CardOne story about the origin of Christmas Card, which originated in England over 150 years ago, tells that Sir Henry Cole wanted to send greeting to those he knew for the purpose of encouraging his friends to help the destitute during this holiday. He commissioned John Calcott Horesley to paint the first commercial Christmas card showing the feeding and clothing of the poor. The initial reaction to … [Read more...]
Christmas at Maxwell’s – DVD Winner
Johnnie Donley is the winner of the DVD - Christmas at Maxwell's. Congrats, Johnnie!! I will get your DVD in the mail for you. My husband drew numbers at random to select the winner.Thanks to all of you for entering the contest! … [Read more...]
Second Sunday in Advent Quote of the Week – Dietrich Bonhoeffer
A prison cell, in which one waits, hopes... and is completely dependent on the fact that the door of freedom has to be opened from the outside, is not a bad picture of Advent. Dietrich Bonhoeffer … [Read more...]
O Come O Come Emmanuel – Hymn Story
On Thursdays in December, I will be featuring a hymn from the season and its story. I love hearing the roots of these songs as music adds so much to the holidays and to our worship. Those who sing, pray twice – St Augustine. O Come O Come Emmanuel Emmanuel – even the sound of this word evokes peace within me. Emmanuel – “God is with us” – Doesn’t that just amaze you that God Himself stays with us? Advent is a time of welcoming, anticipation, and waiting. Our prayers rise up, “O come, please come and be with us, Lord. O come, Emmanuel.” This name, which Matthew refers to in his Gospel (Matthew 1:23), was first given to Jesus by the prophet Isaiah 700 years before His birth (Isaiah 7:14). “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" is a favorite hymn to sing during Advent. Its history originates in the medieval Roman Catholic Church. This mournful melody was originally a Plainsong or Chant, which is the earliest form of singing in the church. It is believed that the traditional music … [Read more...]
Christmas at Maxwell’s – Movie Review and DVD Give-Away
Looking for the miracle and magic of Christmas? Leave behind the hassle and hustle of being rushed this season and spend a few hours with your family enjoying a Christmas movie. I recommend watching Christmas at Maxwell’s. I met Tiffany Lauffer at a writer’s conference a few months ago and we immediately became friends. As we got to know each other, she shared that she produced, along with her father William, this movie. How cool is that!Not only is this a good Christian family story, but Christmas at Maxwell's is also a Dove Foundation Award winning holiday film filled with messages of faith, hope, and love. The movie features the Austin family and the tremendous changes they are experiencing. Andrew Austin has everything – two amazing children, a successful business, and a wonderful wife. But life and a past secret bring change and in an instant, life no longer has the order and gentleness it once held. His wife, Suzie, becomes extremely ill and as Andrew struggles to find answers, … [Read more...]
First Sunday in Advent Quote of the Week – Frederick Buechner
“The house lights go off and the footlights come on. Even the chattiest stop chattering as they wait in darkness for the curtain to rise. In the orchestra pit, the violin bows are poised. The conductor has raised his baton. In the silence of a midwinter dusk, there is far off in the deeps of it somewhere a sound so faint that for all you can tell it may be only the sound of the silence itself. You hold your breath to listen. You walk up the steps to the front door. The empty windows at either side of it tell you nothing, or almost nothing. For a second you catch a whiff of some fragrance that reminds you of a place you’ve never been and a time you have no words for. You are aware of the beating of your heart…The extraordinary thing that is about to happen is matched only by the extraordinary moment just before it happens. Advent is the name of that moment.” — Frederick Buechner, Whistling in the Dark, pp. 2,3 … [Read more...]
Thanksgiving Blessings
Today is the Thanksgiving in the U.S. – a time to give thanks. I am grateful for you as a reader of this blog. May my words continue to be a blessing.Here is a thought for your Thanksgiving Day:Be Thankful Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire, If you did, what would there be to look forward to?Be thankful when you don’t know something For it gives you the opportunity to learn.Be thankful for the difficult times. During those times you grow.Be thankful for your limitations Because they give you opportunities for improvement.Be thankful for each new challenge Because it will build your strength and character.Be thankful for your mistakes They will teach you valuable lessons.Be thankful when you’re tired and weary Because it means you’ve made a difference.It is easy to be thankful for the good things. A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks.Gratitude can turn a negative into a … [Read more...]
Autumn Feast
Lord, I enjoyed our meal together this morning.My eyes feasted on the seasonal smorgasbord surrounding me – Light bouncing through the crevices of the clouds, Patches of trees blazing with brilliant oranges, burnt browns, and deepening reds, Fog drifting gently across earthen sea.I drank in the beauty of geese rising in formation, Deer gleaning the harvested fields, Leaves dancing with the wind.Lord of the harvest, You express exquisite creativity in nature. This annual autumn feast reveals Your glory I am amazed and grateful that You prepare this fall feast for our enjoyment. And I think You, Lord, must take delight in this time of year also.****************************************************************************Fall is NOT my favorite time of year, but the morning I wrote this prayer I was overwhelmed by its beauty. Autumn reminds me of the cycle of life and that even as things appear to be dying, they are also becoming new again.What does fall show … [Read more...]