Faith is sometimes difficult to define, so I went to the dictionary where it describes it as trust or reliance. May you be inspired by faith and covered by grace in the life you live. Faith is one of those small things in life that makes me check my attitude, whispers in my ear when I need to be reminded to be kind to others, even when they don't deserve it. Then you start stepping on the toes of grace with that one, many times being kind, extending the hand of help, showing love, even when they don't appreciate it. I am covered by grace, it makes it easier to be full of grace towards others.
Giving to those that need it most. If I stop for a moment, I thank God that I have been blessed with more than enough, so that I am able to do so. Wrap it up in a big red bow. How can you not call that Christmas? Celebrating the gift of life, giving the gift of love. Giving the gift of time. That is a true gift.
I have several big Christmas balls that look like bubbles, they are blown glass, some of them given to me by my great grandmother. I treasure them beause of how I came by them. Out of love, because I loved and admired them for years, she gifted them to me, to enjoy and think of her when I looked at them. She loved them, but, she loved me more.May you be blessed beyond measure and share your blessings with others.
My great grandmother was as transparent as her ornaments, she was always honest with us, even if the truth hurt, but, in a such a way that her kindness mellowed it out. It became imortant for us to shine brighter than the stars in the sky, for her, always. That is what real love does. I makes you want to look your best, in fact, to be your best.
There is a friendly competition in the neighborhood, putting up too many lights. I will admit up front that I happily add to this joy, the competitive edge winning out. One of the newlyweds didn't have any lights, so we had a party and decorated their house. They were thrilled and helped decorate another lightless couple. No house shall go unadorned. Well, tat isn't true, but, won't leave any person behind.
There are flowers, as always, to color your world. Look up! :) #alwaysaflower I am so amazed at the different poinsettias that are on display, some of them are even fake! Growing up, there was the basic red and white, now, if you can dream it, they can probably make your wish come true. For the countdown to Christmas, I give how many days are left and one Christmas picture. There are 8 days 23 hours 37 minutes 21 seconds until Christmas!
Have you met my angel? He is cupid in February, my guardian angel most of the year and he is angel we have heard on high for the season of Joy. So versatile and much loved, my Charmeine: Angel of harmony. Oh, hark! I hear an angel singing. Truly~! This is getting to be an everyday habit. I want to thank you for stopping by, especially if you left me some words and just like that, this post is over, come back tomorrow and we will do it again and again until we get it right or until the world is right, whichever comes first.
Love to all, Denise ❤️
Though few Americans still bother with it, the burning of the yule log was at one time one of the most firmly entrenched customs of Christmas. Everything to do with the fireplace was fraught with ritual — certain formulas had to be followed very carefully lest disaster befalls the household in the upcoming year.
It was unlucky to buy a yule log. Lucky ones were obtained from one's own land or from a neighbor's wood. Often a stump or a root (not necessarily a proper log at all), it was brought home on Christmas Eve and laid in the hearth.
The first step towards lighting the yule log was fetching the carefully-preserved scrap of the previous year's log from under the homeowner's bed. Having done its job of keeping the house safe from fire and lightning since the last festive season, it was now used to light the new log. The new log had to catch fire during the first attempt at lighting it; its failure to do so was a sign of misfortune coming to the family. Such an important duty had to be handled gravely. And clean hands only, please — to attempt to light the log with dirty hands would have been an unforgivable sign of disrespect.
Once lit, the log had to be kept burning for twelve hours. This was not always an easy task, as special caution was given against stirring the embers during the lengthy Christmas Eve supper. The log could not be tended as long as any scrap of the dinner remained on the table, or while anyone was still eating.
As the log burned, people told ghost stories and tales of olden times whilst drinking cider. Shadows cast upon the wall were carefully scrutinized, for it was well known that a "headless" shadow foretold the death of the person casting it within the year. See here.
A much more popular version of the yule log is available to modern society — the "Buche de Noel." Rolled, frosted in chocolate, and decorated to look like a yule log, this sponge cake is served as part of the Christmas Eve meal. In France, it is called reveillon, which takes place after midnight Mass - Snopes.com
All I have are my words, armed in my mind, written in pen, stand by stand. Oh, yes. Still by hand. It has a different feel. Altered not by keys, backspace, and delete, I write, erase, tear it to pieces and start all over again. And again.
It’s my way. I walk out to the deep end of the page and dive right in.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
…So he paused. And the Grinch put his hand to his ear.
And he did hear a sound rising over the snow.
It started in low. Then it started to grow.
But the sound wasn't sad! Why this sound sounded merry!
It couldn't be so! But it WAS merry! VERY!
He stared down at Whoville! The Grinch popped his eyes!
Then he shook! What he saw was a shocking surprise!
Every Who down in Whoville, the tall and the small,
Was singing! Without any presents at all!
He HADN'T stopped Christmas from coming! IT CAME!
Somehow or other, it came just the same!
And the Grinch, with his grinch-feet ice-cold in the snow,
Stood puzzling and puzzling: "How could it be so?"
"It came without ribbons! It came without tags!"
"It came without packages, boxes, or bags!"
And he puzzled three hours, till his puzzler was sore.
Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before!
"Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store."
"Maybe Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!”…
Dr. Suess
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I am sure that they had and have their own lights. I am talking about lights, which are invisible to the eye. A bright, shining light, but you can only feel it. Many people have it. You too. So thank you for all the motivation, inspiration, help and support you did and gave this year. Both to me and to everyone else. This year was amazing for me, and you was a great part of it. And probably many other people can say the same.
I hope that the Christmas will be good for everyone.
Merry Christmas to everyone.
Have a nice day. All the best. Greetings and much love from Hungary.
Thank you so much. That is such a kind comment, it made my day. If it made any difference in your life, it makes me happier than you will know.
It has been so wonderful to watch your life become more of what you are yearning for. I hope your day is wonderful and continues all season long!
Greetings from Washington, DC!!
That's really cool that you kept your grandmother's Christmas ornaments. I they are really nice.
That house is super festive. It's great that everyone came together to decorate it.
Decorating is a neighborhood event! :) I am really pleased that I got so many wonderful ornaments from different elderly family members, It is so cool to think about passing them down someday to my own kids!
That is how memories are made! Thanks for stopping by and leaving your words! Have a great day!
Seasons greeting and a great job on this post
Thank you. Have a great day.
Very well said! I always remember this saying from when I was younger. Grace is God giving you something you don't deserve, mercy is God not giving you something you do deserve. I think that is how it went. Of course unbelievers will tear that phrase apart, but believers I think will appreciate it on a really deep level. On a side note, our outdoor Christmas lights were out of service for a couple of days and I was really surprised at what a negative impact that had on me. It really made me sad... I got them fixed last night though!
That is exactly how it is said! Yes! I was trying to be a little PC and not have nonbelievers feel insulted. It is hard to balance beliefs, religion, and the bible in a post. I still have not managed it, but, most times I will just post from the heart and hopefully, it comes out not insulting anyone. :)
Isn't that funny? You never realize how much you look forward to/have fun with the seasonal joy - until you don't have it available. I am so happy to hear you are lighting up the world again!
As a last note: I think you were brought up wonderfully, to still remember those life lessons. Amazing how it sticks.
Thanks, I appreciate it. Yeah, the lights are definitely a "bright" spot! I don't think you need to worry about offending anyone. You are allowed to believe what you want and simply stating that is much different than trying to force it on someone.
That is a great story about your grandmother.
I love how the neighbors all help out the lightless folk. The people down there are so nice! Main reason I am moving down there actually 😄.
Great Grandmother. :) If you haven't guessed, it was because she was great! I loved her fiercely. She was one of those petite little grannies that always smelled like cinnamon or vanilla. It was her perfume, I swear!
I love my neighborhood, you know I do. It is not even just the lights, but, it is everything, it has always been such a pleasant place to live. I think they are nice, and of course, I am sure you will find it to be that way when you move down. You will forget all about your online friends because they will drag you into their world and keep you busy. Not a bad problem to have. :)
You are moving for the weather. Don't lie. :) I hope you are having a great day @old-guy-photos! How about DISCA and PFE? Woo-hoo!
Well finally some action in AJRD actually...
Old ornaments passed down from generation to generation are great family heirloom. How wonderful it is for you Denise to have that!
Reveillon, what a cake! Here we call Revelion the night before passing into the next year , the new year's eve. Nice.
Isn't that cool? New Year's Eve has so many names the world over. I love checking them out and the history of the name. The cake is delicious!
The ornaments are so special, as were the people that have given them to me over time. ❤️ I hope to pass them on to my own kids when they get to that point in their life.
Thanks for stopping by! I hope you have a wonderful evening!
Handpainted glass globes were a cool thing when I was a kid. It is quite special to keep those. One has to be very careful as they break easily. I admire those who take good care of the family legacy, it shows respect and a great appreciation for history and the emotional value of things.
Have a wonderful morning as I am reading your comment now at the start of my day🤗
I so much enjoyed the poem
Dr. Suess? Yes! Who doesn't love Dr.Suess? :)
“ Though few Americans still bother with it, the burning of the yule log was at one time one of the most firmly entrenched customs of Christmas.” I never heard about this before but it sounds so interesting! It makes sense with a ritual around the fireplace at such a cold time and for me the fireplace and gathering around it is what Xmas is all about. It’s sad that so many of these old traditions have disappeared.
My family is all about traditions, new and old. It's part of what makes life so rich and wonderful! 💖
Hi, Dan! I thought of you last week when i got my warm kick butt socks from Sweden! Now, today is still 21C ... I hope I get to use them I'm standing here in running shorts and a tshirt.
Where is my winter? Do you have my winter?
Haha well we did have your winter! We had a big snow storm and I couldn’t even leave my house with the car because of all the snow. But just within a few days it has melted and now the ground is bare again. So I’m guessing we have given it back and it will come to you shortly ;)
How dare you!! Lol It's literally spring -like!
Perhaps next year.
What a lovely post and an important message. Thank you for spreading positivity. We all need it right now. Merry Christmas!
Hi, Eric! @ericvancewalton So glad to see you and thank you so much for your words. We do need it, for sure! The only thing I can say is spreading positivity is easy because it beats the alternative!
Hope you are doing well and that you are enjoying the season!
Merry Christmas to you and yours! xo
Thank you so much @wesphilbin
I was pleased to read that neighbors help each other to put lights in their houses, sharing is one of the things I like the most about Christmas. Happy Holidays!
Sharing is important any time of the year, but more people are willing to participate at this time of year.
I am fortunate to live in a neighborhood that goes out of its way to be helpful all year long. I love them all!