That Little Girl is Me
It’s June and I’m about to talk about Santa – that merry old soul who always has his arms outstretched to the little children to come sit in his lap. And, when they get there, he asks: “What would you like for Christmas?” I, like many other kids, fell for that “pitch” early on, but…
Letting Our Christmas Joy Be About the Joy-Giver
Here we are – smack dab in the middle of Christmas time – only 13 more days until the presents are all unwrapped, we’re eating our Christmas breakfast and some of us are singing “Happy Birthday, Jesus”! When I was a very young child, I was taught, like many children, that Christmas Eve was special…
Permission Granted to Let a Few Things Slide
It’s no longer “beginning to look a lot like Christmas” because it is Christmas and it’s exploding in living color, bright lights, adored Christmas carols playing, Santas at Salvation Army kettles and stores, shoppers with carts loaded with treasures to be wrapped and placed under the exquisite trees I’ve seen displayed on FB and Instagram.…
I’ve Made My List and I’ve Checked it Twice
A line from “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” song. Even Santa makes lists. I’m there! I admit it. Should have been there long before now when I forgot this or that at the grocery store or in the meal preparation for family or friend get-together. Oh, yes! I’ve been the one that prepared a…
Merry Christmas! God Showed Up!
“He was here! He was here!” Kids all over the world are waking up their families with shrills and abounding excitement! The “jolly old soul” made it to their homes last night. They are sure he was here because the cookie plate only has crumbs on it. Most importantly, stockings that were hung by the…
It’s Baby Jesus AND Santa Time!
The competition is real! Baby Jesus versus Santa! I’ll admit it. I cringe a little when Jesus and Santa get the same “top billing”. THE One is very real and the other is make-believe and THAT one’s promises are based on what someone delivers or not. I was amused when at my church a couple…
Does Santa Reflect How You Feel Today?
This Norman Rockwell painting shows a worn-out Santa on December 26th — and, like Santa, if all that’s left of Christmas for us — frazzled, exhausted, a bulging credit card balance, an over-full, bulging tummy, then we missed the true meaning of Christmas. I’ll admit that after all the activities that surround this beautiful season,…
Good Tidings of Comfort and Joy
Christmas carols are heard everywhere. The twinkling lights that remind us of the Light of Christ are dancing on homes. Little children are getting more excited every day for Santa’s arrival on Christmas Eve. Kitchens are filled with the heavenly aromas of Christmas goodies. Whether you’re a minimalist and decorate your home with simple, yet…
Frolic and Play the Austin Way!
This Norman Rockwell painting shows a worn-out Santa on December 26th — and, like Santa, if all that’s left of Christmas for us — frazzled, exhausted, a bulging credit card balance, and an over-full stomach, then we missed the true meaning of Christmas. I’ll admit that after a full-of-fun-and-lots-of-activities week in Frisco, that just two…
Bah Humbug or Good News of Great Joy
“Bah Humbug” is an expression used to show disgust at the Christmas season, made famous by Ebenezer Scrooge in the Charles Dickens novel ‘A Christmas Carol’. Ever had that “Bah Humbug” feeling? With all the “Joy to the World”, “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” and all the other songs of goodwill and glad tidings…