The things we do at Christmas are touched with a certain extravagance, as beautiful, in some of its aspects, as the extravagance of nature in June.
From Luke 2:20: “The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told them.”
Robert Collyer (1823-1912) was an English-born pastor. Early in his adult life, he emigrated to the United States and would later resuming preaching after having done so in England.
This informative post will be published on Saturday in place of my regular one. You are invited to participate with the opening question.
I’m a plant seen at Christmas that people hang above. And then they stand beneath me, and kiss someone they love. What am I?
(answer found at the end of this post)
With Christmas just around the corner, many Americans have followed familiar traditions of the season.
A few delightful sightings from Christmases past have included:
One of my cherished Christmas memories was from my childhood when our family was selected to fill in as characters for a live nativity scene at our church on Christmas Eve. My three brothers and myself played the shepherds while our parents stood in for Mary and Joseph. Perhaps some of you have a favorite Christmas memory.
Over the years, members of my family and yours truly have enjoyed these traditions:
Nestled in the Lehigh Valley of eastern Pennsylvania, a small town was christened to be called Bethlehem on Christmas Eve in 1741. Since 1937, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania has been recognized as Christmas City USA.
Over the years, many families have hung Christmas stockings in their homes. This practice has followed a long-standing tradition, first written about in the poem, “A Visit From St. Nicholas.” The poem was crafted by Clement Clarke Moore (1779-1863), and many have recognized its updated title of “Twas the Night Before Christmas.” Initially, the poem was published anonymously in 1823 in a Troy, New York newspaper. Finally in 1837, Moore stepped forward to take credit for writing this beloved poem.
You are invited to share some of your Christmas memories and traditions. Merry Christmas to one and all.
Mistletoe
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The Christmas season opens blessed avenues for creating family traditions and memories.
Do you write a daily journal? This inspiring thought comes from my journal, and much of what is written in my journal comes from reading and commenting on other bloggers’ posts. Thanks to many of you or adding so much to my journal.
(Updated December 23)
If we succeed in giving the love of learning, the learning itself is sure to follow.
We may sit in our library and yet be in all quarters of the world.
Englishman John Lubbock (1834-1913) spent much of his life in the family banking enterprises. However, he is well-known for his contributions to politics, science and philanthropic efforts.
Hope’s
Silent night
Beneath Bethlehem’s star
Witnessing Messiah’s promised birth
Peace
Faith’s
Fulfilling testament
Humble shepherds witness
Prince of Peace born
Hallelujah!
Joy’s
Angelic chorus
Scaling every mountain
Witness grace flowing upstream
Love
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Without looking back at a blood-stained, Golgotha cross, we can never appreciate and fully understand the Resurrection.
Do you write a daily journal? This inspiring thought comes from my journal, and much of what is written in my journal comes from reading and commenting on other bloggers’ posts. Thanks to many of you or adding so much to my journal.
(Updated December 22)
Rather than trying hard to grope our way through the maze of man-made ideas and opinions, through Christ we find ourselves empowered by the tragedy and triumph of the cross.
From Romans 5:10: “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more surely, having been reconciled, will we be saved by His life.”
A harsh Arctic weather system had pummeled the community, leaving it to endure the coldest winter night in recent memory.
Trudging through drifts of snow, a young man braced against the freezing wind and cold. He was only dressed in a few thin layers of clothing, topped off with a faded and tattered hoodie from his college days.
Hopelessness had left him waiting for life’s next train. Whenever it might arrive would be anyone’s guess. His hand touched the few dollars hiding in his jeans’ pocket.
Looking all about, he realized that he needed to find even the barest of shelter on this coldest and most silent of nights. Coming around a corner, his eyes caught a glimpse of a small church.
Situated in the small yard in front of the church was a nativity scene. The young man surveyed the yard and discovered that the stable’s construction made for an adequate shelter.
Slipping in between the figures of Mary, Joseph, and some shepherds, he found straw that would provide a dry mattress, and the wind could not penetrate the outer walls.
Tumbling down into the piles of straw, he nestled next to a manger. He had barely noticed the setting around his makeshift bed. Falling quickly to sleep, his mind began to dream with the help of the warm, dry stable.
As he slept, the stillness of the night came upon the midnight clear. Choirs of angels could be heard in the heavens, proclaiming the birth of the Messiah. Shepherds gathered to witness the arrival of God’s promised Son.
The young man continued to dream and sleep. He had not really rested for over two days.
Morning arrived, and the sun was breaking through the few remaining clouds. The young man stirred from his warm, overnight journey of dreams. He realized that he was covered with a thick sleeping bag. Next to him waited a thermos of hot coffee and a lunchbox of sandwiches.
Turning the sleeping bag into an improvised tent among the nativity characters, he felt the warmest of joy. He sat up to drink the hot coffee and ate some of the food. Peace was backfilling his empty heart. Inside the lunchbox was an envelope with a note.
The note read:
I found you soundly sleeping here last night. I didn’t want to wake you on this most special of nights. I saw that you could use a grace-filled hand from My Father. I covered you up with the sleeping bag and left you some coffee and food. I will be with you always.
Suddenly, the young man realized that he had been blessed in ways he had never imagined. His faith had rediscovered hope. He found the love of his Savior on this warmest Christmas night.
Photo by Kerry on Pexels.com
In the midst of today’s darkness, God strengthens our faith to fulfill tomorrow’s hope.
Do you write a daily journal? This inspiring thought comes from my journal, and much of what is written in my journal comes from reading and commenting on other bloggers’ posts. Thanks to many of you or adding so much to my journal.
(Updated December 21)
Each of us has only one life on this earth, and we should use it.
From 1 Chronicles 28:20: “David said further to his son Solomon, ‘Be strong and of good courage, and act. Do not be afraid or dismayed, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of the Lord is finished.'”
Fred Rogers (1928-2003) was an American television host and producer, author, and Presbyterian minister. His highly successful young children’s television program, “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood,” ran from 1968 to 2001.
Big Sky Buckeye 