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Saturday, December 10, 2016

DECEMBER 11TH: THE THIRD WEEK OF ADVENT

                JOY
         
 The third week of Advent focuses on joy, for our Lord has come.  And Heaven and nature sing!

                                        “Good news from heaven the angels bring,
                                          Glad tidings to the earth they sing:
                                          To us this day a child is given,
                                          To crown us with the joy of heaven.”
                                                     ~Martin Luther~


First Peter 1:8-9 “Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

 

Psalm 28:7 “The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.”

 

24 comments:

  1. And your red trellis show the pathway to your garden. Beautiful with white snow as a background everywhere.

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    1. Thanks Jean! Since it can begin snowing in late October and sometimes into May, I thought painting the trellis a color that stood out in the snow was a good idea. Have a wonderful day!

      Hugs
      Jane

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  2. Beautiful post in photos and in scripture.

    Love & hugs ~ FlowerLady

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    1. Hello dear Rainey! I hope today is going well for you. Quite different than your "cold front" isn't it?

      Hugs
      Jane

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  3. Just beautiful photos Jane. The snow makes everything look new again. I love the verses that you have given. They put the right focus on Christmas day. Very nice. Have a great snowy day.

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    1. It's snowing now, Vickie, so I suppose I will. I love it, as you said, snow makes everything look new again. Have a wonderful Sunday!

      Hugs
      Jane

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  4. Love the quote by Martin Luther and the verses. Great photos - I need a Christmas cactus. Oh my word, my snow envy just peaked, too. More often than not, when we have the precipitation it's not cold enough to snow and vice versa so when we do get snow in these foothills it's an all-out go-crazy occasion. And most drivers prove that's a fact.
    Have a lovely Lord's Day!

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    1. Well, you do have more hills where you live, Toni! That's got to be scary when it snows. Even around here where we get a lot of snow, it takes a while to get used to driving on it again. Watched a lot of drivers slide right past the stop sign yesterday. Wish I lived closed enough to you to give you one of my Christmas cacti. Been trying to find them good homes. They multiply like rabbits! Have a blessed Sabbath!

      Hugs
      Jane

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  5. Lovely, Jane! I envy your wood pile! Ours is dwindling fast... Such a lovely snow. Did it stay? Have a glorious day!

    as ever.. m

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    1. Ours is shrinking fast too, Matty. Oh yes, the snow stayed. It's been cold here, yesterday it was 19. We are supposed to get about six inches today. The weather forecast is predicting snow almost every other day until Christmas, so it looks like I'll get my white Christmas. Just like the ones I used to know!

      Hugs
      Jane

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  6. A white Christmas sounds lovely. They've been teasing us with on again off again snow in our forecast next weekend. I hope we get some, even just a little. Your red arbor is so pretty. Such a cheerful pop of color in the snow.

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    1. I'm pulling for you to have a white Christmas, Laurie! There's nothing as relaxing as to be all snug inside and watching it snow. Here's to a cozy Winter's day!

      Hugs
      Jane

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  7. Hmmm....snow! It seems like just yesterday we were looking at your garden pics with it's produce! It is snowing here right now. But I looked ahead and Christmas (of course these weather forecasts can barely tell us what tomorrow will be) is supposed to be 40 degrees with rain! Hugs, Andrea

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    1. Well I hope that doesn't happen, Andrea. If we can't have a white Christmas at least let it be a sunny one! Nothing as sad as a rainy cold Christmas.

      Hugs
      Jane

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  8. Snow! Love your snowy pictures with your red trellis...just beautiful!
    Psalm 28:7 is one of my favorites. Thank you for a lovely post.

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    1. It's one of my favorite verses too, Kathy. All the Psalms are wonderful, the one that gives me the most solace is Psalms 121. It's beautiful today! Hope it is where you are also.

      Hugs
      Jane

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  9. The gate looks so beautiful with the snow falling. I was hoping to take a picture like that for Christmas cards, but we get sleet today. Thank you for the verses too.
    Have a wonderful afternoon!
    Hugs, Jen

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    1. I didn't take a picture of my red bench this time, Jen! Ha! On the positive side, you won't need to shovel!

      Hugs
      Jane

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  10. Like raccoons are attracted to anything sparkly, I am to red. I figured it is offering a seat in well protected storage. And yes, at least I don't have to shovel :)
    Hugs

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    1. Red's a great color. It certainly catches one's attention. We will have to shovel tomorrow, but Ran is looking forward to it. He loves his snow blower. He even plows up a pathway for the stray cats in the neighborhood to walk, so they won't get too covered in snow when getting their dinner. (We get lots of furry guests come winter when we're the only ones around.)

      Hugs
      Jane

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  11. Yes, we are so blessed. At this time of year, amongst the noise and the chaos of "Christmas" to take time and give thanks to God for his love, his gift, his guidance in all circumstances.

    To spend time in quiet prayer and reflection about the past, the present and the future at this time of year. Well it quietens the soul.

    xx

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    1. It definitely does Emma! When my children were small, I always looked forward to that time after they were all tucked in and I'd go and sit by the lights of the Christmas tree and just reflect on my day and how very grateful I was to Him for all he had given me. We all need those little moments of quietude. Hope you are enjoying the season with your dear little family!

      Hugs
      Jane

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  12. "My One Word" for 2017 is JOY !!
    Excellent book, My One Word, if you haven't read.
    Janet

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    1. Thank you for the suggestion, Janet! If heard of choosing one word to be the main focus of the year, but I think I'd have a hard time choosing. Joy is a wonderful word!

      Hugs
      Jane

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