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Monday, December 21, 2015

KEEPING CHRISTMAS

Hello dear friends!  I wanted to take a moment to wish you all the most joyful and peaceful Christmas.   I hope the day will be filled with all the things you desire.

As you may know from reading this blog, and I hope it is no secret, that I am a Christian.  For me, Christmas is more a holy-day than a holiday.   I try to get all the baking,  wrapping, decorating and celebrating out of the way in the beginning of the month, so that as the day approaches I have plenty of time to reflect upon what Christmas means to me. 

I ponder about the humble beginnings of our Savior, born in a lowly stable.  I think of His mother, Mary.   Was she thinking of what He was destined to be as she gazed upon her newborn babe?  I think of the great sacrifice of God the Father, who loved us so much that He gave His only begotten son, to die for us.  Just think of that. As a parent I can't even imagine such a sacrifice.  I remember that the very first to hear the Good News of the birth of the Messiah, were the shepherds in the field, not royalty.  My heart is full.

There may be wars and rumors of wars, pestilences, earthquakes in diverse places, famines and economic collapses, but I am at peace.   Because I know that whatever may befall me, this mortal world is only temporary.  That everlasting life is waiting for me on the other side all because of a tiny baby born in a stable over two thousand years ago.  So I'll go out into the cold December night, look up into the starry heavens and send up a prayer of thankfulness.  Then go to bed and sleep in heavenly peace.

 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

~John 14:27~

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
~John 16:33~

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful
~Colossians  3:15

GOD REST YOU MERRY GENTLEMEN!

Peace and hugs,
Jane



25 comments:

  1. Lovely post dear Jane, filled with the true story of Christmas.

    Love, hugs, peace and joy to your and yours ~ FlowerLady

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    1. Thank you dear Rainey! I hope that you will have a joyous Christmas.

      Hugs
      Jane

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  2. Peace and hugs to you, too, Jane!
    It's wet and dreary outside where we live, but blessed assurance keeps us happy on the inside.
    Merry Christmas!
    Toni

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    1. It's foggy here, Toni. Seems more like spring than winter. One good thing that we have turned the corner and now the days will begin to lengthen. It will be nice to see the sun once again!

      Have the loveliest Christmas!

      Hugs
      Jane

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  3. Jane,
    This is so true. Peace is a hard thing to find, but through Him we can.

    I have been enjoying focusing more on this subject this year, as well.

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    1. That's nice, Becky! If only the world's leaders would do the same. Thank you for posting the recipe too! I think I'll make up a batch for my grandson. At least that is who I'm going to say they are for!

      Merry Christmas!
      Hugs
      Jane

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  4. Thank you Jane! Merry Christmas to you too! I find the greatest gift at Christmas is the feeling of peace, in the quiet of the evening when everyone is tired in my household. I used to love to listen to Amy Grant's song, Breath of Heaven "Mary's Song". To think what went through Mary's mind! Now that my kids are grown and Christmas pageants and shows are long gone, I relish less activity in not having all the "trappings" of what many think are necessary to celebrate. And we hunt out a quiet church service in our faith (Catholic) because we feel holiness is serene! I heard once someone said they'd sit many hours in church on Christmas by themselves to celebrate (as they lived alone) and I think that would be lovely to do (but our churches lock up around here!!!) So I have to retreat to my "domestic church" here at home. Andrea

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    1. Hi Andrea! A very blessed Christmas to you, too! Yes, it would be wonderful to have a nice little church to go to and just to contemplate. Our only church in that is of our faith in the village is more of a social club than a church. I never find solace there, but the quiet evenings, especially when there is a beautiful starry night is my cathedral. I feel nearer to God then, then I ever do at church.

      Is that song "Mary Did You Know"? There's a beautiful version by CeeLo Green, of all people. God can use anyone for good. Moves me to tears every time I hear it.

      Have a merry Christmas!
      Hugs
      Jane

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    2. PS: I forgot to add that I used to make those Christmas stockings made from felt and sequins for my nephew and nieces. By the time I had my own children I was tired of making them!

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    3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RVTZDgcpqM
      Breath of Heaven. Very beautiful song.

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    4. Thanks Andrea! I'll check it out. Right now I'm taking a rest from rearranging the furniture. Such a thing to do right before Christmas!

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    5. The song you mentioned played after that one...very nice.
      Ha...I will definitely be re-arranging my furniture after I take down our tree ...after Christmas. Andrea

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    6. I forgot what a wonderful singer Amy Grant is. It's so refreshing to hear someone just sing without all those runs and flourishes they do now days. That was a nice version of Mary Did you Hear, but when CeeLo sings it, it gives me shivers. There must be some good in him in spite of his reputation to sing such a moving tribute. Here's a link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmBWqRoENl4

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    7. Thank you! Beautiful verses in that song!

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  5. Beautiful post! Thank you for the reminder of what is important. Sometimes I get so caught up in the decorating, baking and presents that I lose the meaning.
    Merry CHRISTmas!!

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    1. And a blessed Christmas to you, Kathy!

      Hugs
      Jane

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  6. Happy happy holidays wishing you both peace and celebrations of all that's good in bountiful measures. Have a wonderful holiday and a peaceful new year.
    Until then lots of love,
    debx

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    1. Thank you Debby! May you have the jolliest of holidays!

      Hugs
      Jane

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  7. Hi there! Guess who won the Mt. LeConte scarf!! Yes, you! Please go to my about page, click on email & send me your snail mail address. And I'll get it in the mail as soon as I can get to the post office. :)
    Blessings,
    Toni

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    1. Thank you Theresa! Have a blessed Christmas!
      Jane

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  9. Merry Christmas to you Jane. So glad I found you blog recently. It's been a wild week for me so far but I am getting my gifts finally wrapped today. Had the rear window on our Traverse get broken out by a flying rock from a passing truck so I'm dealing with getting that replaced. Hopefully early next week. I did get an old shower curtain duct tapped on it this morning so I could take it to the dealership where our son works and they put a nice plastic film on it that should hold nicely until the glass comes in. I should have done that yesterday when it wasn't raining! Oh well, I was praying all the way to town, 10 miles, that the duct tape would hold and it did :) Of course I had to run a bunch of errands while in town, in the rain, so half my day was gone by the time I got back home. Hoping for a joyful next two days with the family, Christmas eve, evening, after church service at their house with our daughter in laws family, and Christmas day dinner at our house with just our son's family. Unfortunately our KY daughter and family will not be here. Just had a new baby last month. Merry Christmas to you and yours. Nannie

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    1. Hi Nannie! Well that's another thing we have in common; our windshield cracked and had to be replaced this week too. The one time it paid to procrastinate. We still had the good insurance on the car and just had to pay the $100 deductible. The insurance agency arranged for someone to come to the house and replace it. Had to clean out the garage though so they could do it out of the rain. It's always raining!

      Sounds like a lovely Christmas! Congratulations on the new baby!

      Have a blessed Christmas!

      Hugs
      Jane

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  10. I like a 'pared down' Christmas--and I think our family managed it this year. I avoided 'big box' stores, collected a few treats at smaller out of the way shops, did less than the usual amount of baking. There has been time to appreciate some beautiful music, the decorations at our church, nothing rushed--although I didn't mail some of the cards I had made. A lovely meal with our daughter's family yesterday--and now it is over for another year!

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    1. I really enjoyed our pared down Christmas too, Sharon. Next year I plan on paring it down even more. I guess part of me is still connected to my Puritan roots. Overall, I like it to be just another day. Glad you had a nice Christmas! Hope you were pain-free for the holidays!

      Hugs
      Jane

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