There is a Child within a manger Whose love can reach the smallest heart, From kings to shepherds, To everyone of us whose dreams have been torn apart. And he was born for all the children Who watch the snow and dream their dream. He is the Sunrise, He is the Child of Hope, The Star…
I don’t know where this phrase originated but “hustle and bustle” seems to be the words that describe this time of year. It conveys that we feel there is more “stuff” we have to accomplish in days which appear to have only 20 hours in them and there is a deadline – December 25. My children…
Darkness and despair will not go on forever. For we who walk in the darkness of this world have seen a great Light. We may live in a land of deep darkness, but The Light is shining. A child is born to us. A son is given to us. Justice rests on his shoulders. He…
Here we are in the Christmas season. What does that mean? Does it bring the scent of cookies and pine? Do songs play in your mind and heart, like I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas or Silent Night? Is there a Christmas tree with treasured ornaments and bright sparkling lights casting a warmth in your…
I’m going to share something deeply personal about holidays. I hope anyone reading this will say, “Oh, I already knew that.” because it has been a very difficult lesson for me to learn. For many years, I followed in the footsteps of women before me and worked and cooked and stressed myself out on every…
As 2012 winds down and I see 2013 rising up to meet me, it is that time of year to think about making a course correction that will produce “good”. At this time next year I want to be able to say, “Yes, this year was better than last year.” But making a change for…
Like many people, I took a road trip during the Christmas holidays to have time with family. Ours was a 12-hour drive and often on those long trips, we have chosen “fast food” which usually sacrifices quality for speed. Thanks to the wonderful new aps on my phone, I searched through my navigation system for…
This may be my favorite time of year for movies on TV. There are so many great stories that have been told and retold throughout the years. A Christmas Carol – This is to me a great “parable” of God’s love and that redemption is possible even late in this life. The version with George…
“One Simple Act” by Debbie Macomber [ISBN#9781439108932] I just finished this barely 200-page book. It took me almost two weeks. Usually I could have finished it in about four hours. I put it down several times and tried to ignore it or convince myself it wasn’t for me. But I knew it was. And so…
It’s that time of year when we begin to think about selecting gifts for those we love. Books are always a great choice for me because I love to read. I am an eclectic reader! I love mysteries to cookbooks! I sat down this weekend and wrote down a few of my favorites for this…