On this day before Christmas, I wish to tell all of you how much I appreciate you. Even when I don’t show up every day, you stick with me, and that makes me feel very good. Yesterday our plans took a bit of a different path than I thought they would. Rather than hanging out here, watching Christmas movies and baking cookies, we ended up a couple of hours away running a couple of errands. It was a beautiful day for a drive though, and as always, when we are together, hubby and I have a good time. Today I’m going to share both days of celebrations, then get on with the things I didn’t get done yesterday so we can head over to my parents, celebrate with them, and get back before the snow starts.
Verse of the Day
December 23, 2017
While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Thoughts on the Verse of the Day
Jesus entered our world in the most normal of ways for a child: the time came, his mother gave birth, he was wrapped in soft cloth, and placed in a crib. Only this was the Son of God who was born. His crib was a corncrib where animals ate, not a baby’s crib. His room was a stable because there was no room for him. It wasn’t just normal; it was common, even below average conditions for his birth. Can you imagine? The Holy God who created everything enters our world as a baby to share our way of life as one of us. Why? He loves us and wants us to come home to him. Incredible! Incredible story. Incredible love. Incredible God!
December 24, 2017
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”
Thoughts on the Verse of the Day
Don’t be afraid! What can cast away all fear in the presence of God’s glorious messengers? The joy of knowing that God has come to earth to bring an end to sin and Satan’s curse and to bring salvation to all people! Fear must not master our hearts when we know that God has broken through every barrier to reach us with his overwhelming grace.
Christmas Traditions
We all have different traditions for tonight and tomorrow, and I am sure they are all very special to us as we go about celebrating this most special day. In our family we are getting everything ready to celebrate with my parents, followed by my daughter’s family coming to our house to celebrate here. They will go home afterward and begin their own new tradition of waking up on Christmas morning with their precious baby boy. Growing up and starting new traditions of our own is a beautiful thing, and if we are able to keep with the traditions we grew up with at the same time, it is even better. This year my son and his family are not living near enough to celebrate with us, but I know we are together in spirit, and the gifts we have for each other will wait – it’s not about the gifts anyway. It’s about the love, and about recognizing the ultimate gift that God gave to us when He gave us His Son.
Food for Thought
Today, I’d like to take this moment to wish a very special young lady a Happy Birthday. Happy 18th Birthday Miss S. I have watched you grow up and have loved you as if you were part of my family. You are a wonderful person who will do amazing things. I know you feel all grown up since you are 18 years old now, but don’t put away all of the things of being a child quite yet. Life will give you all of the grown-up responsibilities soon enough. Enjoy being a “kid” for a little bit longer, OK?
December 23
Festivus – For the rest of us – Apparently we can thank “Seinfeld” for this fake secular holiday all about “the airing of grievances” and “feats of strength.” I personally had never heard of it before I started doing this blog, but that could be because I really didn’t care for the show Seinfeld. I know a lot of folks did, but it really wasn’t my idea of a good time. Personally the thought of an anti-holiday really sort of annoyed me before, but over the last few years the insanity has taken an entirely ridiculous direction – different towns and government buildings are actually allowing “festivus poles” to be set up next to Christmas trees as a “alternative” to the Christian symbols. SERIOUSLY? It’s a fake holiday, made up by a stupid comedy sitcom and the nut jobs of this nation have adopted it as if it were real! I know it takes all sorts of different people to make this world turn, but seriously, these people seem like they are from another planet. I wish they’d go back! Thank goodness we have a President now who is putting the emphasis on Christmas again, rather than trying to kill the joy and meaning for the season.
Roots Day – Today is a good day to celebrate where we came from. Our heritage is important to who we are, and knowing where we came from gives us a sense of belonging. Since many people are going home for Christmas, you can say that they are returning to their roots. Doing that is warm, cozy and comfortable. We are going where we have a sense of home – of that belonging I mentioned earlier. If you’re hanging out with your Grandparents, maybe take a little time to REALLY talk with them – ask them questions about their childhood, and maybe get a feeling of where they came from, and as such, where you came from as well. It’s a beautiful thing!
December 24 –
Christmas Eve – Think about it . . . over 2,000 years ago a frightened young Mary and her husband Joseph, after traveling so far, had finally been given shelter in a stable. It was humble, but it was warm and dry. The animals were restless and their odors mingled with the hay, and what I must assume were the sounds Mary made throughout her labor to bring the Christ child into the world. There, with the star shining brightly overhead, shepherds minding their sheep in the fields, the angels singing with joy, Jesus was brought into the world. King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Savior to the world, had been born this night, wrapped in swaddling cloths and without a bed of his own, laid down in the manger that usually held the feed for the animals. While the rest of the world slept, unaware of the miracle that had occurred, the most amazing, life altering event in the history of mankind was unfolding. No matter how you celebrate this blessed event, please try to keep in mind the reason for our observance of these days and thank God for the amazing gift He sent to us in the form of an innocent child.
Food Celebration of the Day –
December 23 –
National Bake Day – Don’t you just love this one? I know I do! Everyone can enjoy this day, no matter what their faith or dietary needs. There are cookies for various holidays, cookies just because they are delicious, cookies for people who eat gluten free, special natural sugars safe for diabetics for special cookies . . . there are cookies for EVERYONE . . . you just have to find the right recipe and bake them. Now, I am betting that this one lands mid December for a good reason. People are focused on making all of their favorites this time of year.
December 24 –
National Egg Nog Day – comes but once a year and that’s fine by me. I’m not a fan. I completely respect people who ARE fans of this overly sweet, overly rich, overly fattening drink – but I just can’t do it. It makes my throat feel thick just thinking about it. So for those who ARE thrilled with this popular drink – do you like it with – or without – rum? Consumption of Egg Nog increases right before Thanksgiving and goes on throughout Christmas. By the time it’s the New Year rolls around you won’t be able to find it easily.
- Eggnog Scrambled Eggs
- Eggnog Quick Bread
- Eggnog Pancakes
- Pumpkin Eggnog Pie
- Eggnog Bites
- Raspberry Eggnog
It’s time to bake this last batch of cookies, get a birthday cake going for Jesus’s Birthday, get a ham in the oven to take to Mom and Dad’s house, and straighten up around here so Baby R doesn’t get his little hands on anything he shouldn’t. May your day be merry, bright, safe and blessed with the peace that the Christ Child brought to the earth when He was born. God bless you.