Love

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16

Magi

(1) After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem (2) and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." (11) On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. (Matthew 2:1-2, 11)

Wrappin'

I am finishing up my Christmas gifts tonight. Have everything purchased or made and just have the wrapping left.

Then tomorrow . . . out to the farm!

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(19) But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. (20) The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them. (Luke 2:19-20)

Brrrr

It's cold outside! I thought I would post a couple photos of my shoveled driveway -- I am very proud of this accomplishment.

I will have even more shoveling practice this week as we are expecting more snow tonight, tomorrow, and Wednesday! :-)

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(17) When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. (18) And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. (Luke 2:17-18)

Shepherds visit

(15) When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, "Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us." (16) So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. (Luke 2:15-16)

Glory to God

(13) Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, (14) "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." (Luke 2:13-14)

Not snowing yet but . . .

I should start anytime now. I'm not looking forward to this storm but I am grateful that I don't have to be anywhere.

I would like to be out at the farm with the sister but I am just thankful I am not working.

I am getting ready to head to bed and snuggle up with a good book!

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(8) And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. (9) An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. (10) But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. (Luke 2:8-10)

Bracing for a storm

Snowstorm that is.

Full pantry. (At least half full.) Check.

Reading material. (Just a sec. Yup I think two piles of library/borrowed books and shelves of my own will do!) Check. And double check.

Tea and other assorted hot drinks. Check.

Projects to work on. (Christmas gifts to finish, wrap and send.) Check.

Well, it looks as if I'm ready. For the storm not necessarily the shoveling. Heehee.

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(6) While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. (7) And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:6-7)

Leave your chair for 5 minutes and you will find this

when you return . . .

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For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

A little Christmas spirit . . .

I have been working away on my Christmas gifts today. I am starting to get into the swing of things.

I have baking today too. That almost always puts me into a good mood!

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(4) Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, (5) in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. (Luke 2:4-5)

Emmanuel

The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"—which means, "God with us." (Matthew 1:23)

Joseph

(19) And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. (20) But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. (21) She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." (Matthew 1:19-21)

5 of my favorite Christmas decorations

1. Mini Christmas Tree: I (the brother & the sister got one too!) got this for Christmas one year way back when I was in Jr. High so we could decorate our rooms for Christmas.

It is only a little worse for wear.


2. This is a jingle bell wreath currently being used as a candle ring. I made this one year -- I can't remember where I got the idea from. Most of the bell I bought at craft supply store with a few others thrown in. Most of the "others" are from Mom's collection of stuff!


3. This is only the second Christmas I have displayed this nativity -- because it is the 2nd Christmas I have had it. Grammy gave it to me when they moved from their house to the Good Sam condo. I really love it. (Grampy made the stable piece.)


4. This is from my Grandma. My mom has a set like this too. I love this nativity because it reminds me of my childhood . . .

All the pieces are set in white sand so they can be arranged and rearranged. It is really great for kids -- a hands-on Christmas story.


5. This set of four figurines is from Grandma too. All the angels hold a different item (gift, bells, etc.). A little slice of the 60s.

These are not all my favorite Christmas decorations by any means. I didn't get my tree decorations out this year because I didn't put a Christmas tree up this year -- time just got away from me.

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But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity. (Micah 5:2)

Ready for the weekend . . . I think

It is crazy how busy this time of year is. I have a lot on my plate this year and it seems as if something is always buzzing in my brain.

Either I'm singing through the songs for the upcoming cantata, or I'm planning the direction of the children's program, or I'm running through my schedule for the next couple weeks. My brain seems to always be a couple steps ahead of the rest of me.

I'm not sure I will catch up to it either! :-)

On to other more impressive feats: I have complete my snow shoveling (at least until this weekend when it is supposed to RAIN and then snow some more).

Yes, yes, it only took me three and a half hours over three days to complete. And towards the end of my shoveling stint, when it seemed my body might revolt and fall exhausted to the snow covered driveway -- a kindly neighbor boy (with a shovel) helped to make the last LONG 5 minutes seem a little bit shorter.

I properly rewarded him with peanut butter cups.

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(1) Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. (2) This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. (3) And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. (Luke 2:1-3)

Census of Quirinius : The Virgin and St. Joseph register for the census before Governor Quirinius. Byzantine mosaic c. 1315

Snow days

I miss snow days!

Real true snow days . . .

I was thinking today how when I was a kid I would hope for snow and the chance that school may be called off. Then I would fill my day with playing in said snow and doing nothing much but enjoying the day.

Now snow days mean:

shoveling sidewalks
shoveling driveways
icy walk or drive to work
colds
heating bills

Oh how I miss SNOW DAYS!

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Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)

Slightly overwhelmed

December is flying by -- there is so much going on I am feeling slightly overwhelmed.

Right now I am looking forward to Friday -- I have the day off and I am hoping to catch up on everything that need to be ready before Christmas.

My goal this week is to take a step back from all the busyness and remember why I love CHRISTmas.

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(30) The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. (31) "And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. (32) "He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; (33) and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end." (Luke 1:20-33)

Snow-rrific

We are currently having the first major snow storm of the season.  The school district called for an early out before noon today.  And the kids got out around one o'clock.  

I had walked to work today.  I didn't want to drive -- walking is less of a hassle.

Walking to work this evening it was sleeting and the sidewalks were slick where they had been shoveled earlier (the sidewalk in front of my house was NOT slick!).  

One nice thing about snowstorms -- I get a LOT done at work.  There were hardly any patrons in the library this evening.  And I got so much work done.

The walk home was not as slippery as there was about two inches of snow on the ground. And still falling.  Still is as I write this.

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(26) and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written, "THE DELIVERER WILL COME FROM ZION, HE WILL REMOVE UNGODLINESS FROM JACOB."  (27) "THIS IS MY COVENANT WITH THEM, WHEN I TAKE AWAY THEIR SINS."

(Romans 11:26-27)

New covenant part 2

(31)"Behold, days are coming," declares the LORD, "when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, (32) not like the covenant which I made with their fathers in the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, although I was a husband to them," declares the LORD. (33) "But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days," declares the LORD, "I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. (Jeremiah 31:31-33)