Black Friday Frenzy: On Your Mark — Get Set…….GO!
Shopping is in full force this morning. Well, actually, it has been in full force the entire month of November, if you based it on all the store email advertisements that said “Black Friday sales going on NOW! It seems “Black Friday” is no longer reserved for just Friday. Clearly, the Thanksgiving holiday has come…
Thanksgiving & Christmas – Together Hand in Hand
In big box stores, it’s been “beginning to look a lot like Christmas” for months now. They have touted us with their holiday wares since before Spring ended. On social media, I’ve seen many of my friends skipping right over Thanksgiving and their home is decked out in Christmas glory! A Washington State friend displayed…
God is Really, Really With Us
One of the most comforting messages of Christmas is: “Emmanuel — God with us”! When we take that message to heart and honestly believe it with all our hearts, then we’ll recognize Him. The Baby grew up, lived and died for us and lives today in us through the Holy Spirit. Where we go, He…
Prepare Ye the Way for Children of all Ages
Merry Christmas! “Prepare ye the way of the Lord…..” were Isaiah’s prophetic words (Isaiah 40:3) and John the Baptist repeated them in advance of Jesus making His debut. (Mark 1:3) And, when Jesus made His debut, it was because of His Father’s love for ALL of His children. EVERYTHING about Christmas is about children of…
A Hearty Welcome to Christmas!
I think Advent and Christmas have been welcomed this year like a gigantic, band-playing, dancers-dancing, and gorgeous floats rolling along like a Christmas parade. I went to many of those Christmas parades in downtown Dallas when I was a kid. Oh, the anticipation for the last float – Santa! As 2020 is coming to a…
Our Happy Places
It’s not about the “place” of bodies, but the place of love and, really, that can be any place: at home or there or here or anywhere. It’s not about the weather: rain, sunshine, snow, or storm. It’s not about the time of year: winter, spring, summer or fall, or the new year (though crossing…
Our Voices Matter
I’m a big fan of the talent show, “The Voice”. The contestants belt out a song while the chairs of the judges are turned away from them. The judges base their decision solely on how good their voice is – not by how they look or their stage presence. If they are a good singer,…
Time to Stop, Look and Be Blessed
Last Sunday was the first Sunday of Advent. We’re making the trek to Bethlehem and the night that Christ was born. Today, the second Sunday of Advent, the second candle will be lit. I took this photo of the Advent wreath last Sunday. Those of us who have purposed to slow down and breathe in…
Christmas Divides Darkness from Light
It’s here at last! The most wonderful time of the year! I think we’re singing that song a little louder and prouder this year. We sure needed Christmas and its many symbols and songs and THE BABY to light up the darkness we have encountered this year. I needed one little set of clear Christmas…
It’s Black Friday!! Let the Christmas Season Begin!
Last year, I mixed up Thanksgiving and Christmas with both décor strategically placed throughout my home. But this year, though I put up my outside lights (note my two youngest grands modeling my lights for me), I didn’t want to rush past this time of expressing my gratitude for God’s blessings this year. In my…