If you’ve been following my Journal posts this month, you know I’ve been detailing all the things I love about Christmas. Today is Christmas Day, so this post is devoted to the real reason we celebrate Christmas — Jesus. I think Christmas was planned long, long before the angel appeared to Mary and told her she would give birth to …
Things I Love About Christmas – Food
I’m continuing with my Journal ponderings on the things I love about Christmas, and today I want to talk about food. My family has so many traditional foods, and at times our gatherings seem to revolve around the food. Okay, I know that’s a sad statement in a lot of ways, because of course the meaning of Christmas has nothing …
Things I Love About Christmas – Traditions
Christmas is a time for family traditions! Activities we participate in each year, favorite foods, songs we sing together. Traditions are part of what makes Christmas special. In my family, we have several traditions. My favorite occurs on Christmas Eve. My family will gather together to celebrate the first coming of the King of Kings. The evening will be full …
Things I Love About Christmas – Movies
I love Christmas movies! I don’t care if I have seen them a gazillion times, there are some movies that I absolutely will not miss. And for some reason, watching the DVD isn’t the same as finding them in the TV Guide. I’ll say to my husband in the morning, “Guess what’s on TV tonight????” Then at the appropriate time, …
Things I Love About Christmas – Music
“It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” Yes, it is, and for me, a big part of the delight is the music! When else do I get to put on a CD and listen to it over and over and over? If I try to do that throughout the year, my husband gets snippy and makes me turn it …
Christmas Greetings from Virginia Smith
I’d like to with you and your family a very Merry Christmas! Watch this short video for a special Christmas greeting from me to you. (And notice my sweatshirt. It quotes my favorite line in Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas. – “The Grinch’s small heart grew 3 sizes that day!!”)
Book Review – Essie in Progress
Essie in ProgressBy Marjorie Presten Meet Essie Wells: working mother of two and a half kids; wife of a wonderful man who just happens to be going through a midlife crisis; daughter of a self-styled martyr who doesn’t approve of anything Essie does; daughter-in-law of a wealthy widowed father-in-law who’s been estranged from Essie’s husband for most of his life; …
Book Review – One Simple Act
One Simple Act: Discovering the Power of Generosity Debbie Macomber Debbie Macomber is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of many beloved novels, but I’ve never read any nonfiction she’s written. I’ve had the privilege of hearing Ms. Macomber speak in person a couple of times, and I’ve found her to be engaging, encouraging, and most of all, genuine. …
Abundance
I learned something the other day I think is interesting. In the Bible, the book of John describes Jesus’ first recorded miracle — turning water into wine. The apostle tells us that Jesus instructed the servants to fill six stone jars with water, and goes on to describe the jars. They were the kind used for ceremonial washing, and each …
Changed in an Instant
This morning I woke up early. I got out of bed, poured myself a cup of coffee, and sat in my prayer chair in the living room. The landscape grew gradually lighter as I watched through the front window. It snowed yesterday, so the ground outside was covered in a pristine blanket of white fluff. In the center of the …