Original Message:
I believe in recycling...old Christmas cards, and last year's Advent messages. This one has some of my childhood Christmas memories...as well as a message of hope for today and forever. Please go back in time with me...and look forward to our future as well...
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| Picture is from a Christmas card received in previous years! |
Can't you just imagine what these children are saying as they stand in front of this toy store window? The little boy sees a sailboat and a pony, and perhaps a toy truck or train. The little girl sees a new baby doll or a teddy bear...or possibly a dollhouse. The older girl has her eye on a bride doll or a pretty new dress. They each have stars in their eyes and dreams of the magic of Christmas morning, when they will discover new and exciting gifts under the tree...maybe even some surprises they never imagined they might receive.
I remember those idyllic days of childhood. My older sister and I would snuggle into our beds on Christmas eve wondering what Santa was going to bring us...hoping that he had actually read our Christmas list and that perhaps there would be at least one thing we were yearning for under the tree. We found it almost impossible to close our eyes and sleep...every little noise just had to be Santa and his reindeer on our rooftop! And oh! The excitement and thrill as we actually heard sleigh bells ringing and the prancing of hooves...no matter that we learned in later years that our sweet daddy was actually ringing those bells and throwing stones on the roof to make it sound like hooves...we never felt sorry that our parents allowed us to enjoy the dream and fantasy of Santa Claus as long as we could. Those were the kinds of moments that made our childhood happy and memorable.
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| Me, My Sister and Two Older Brothers on Christmas Eve, "Hanging our stockings with care in hopes that St Nicholaus would soon be there..." |
There was never any doubt as to what was the real meaning of Christmas.
We had been brought up going to Sunday School and Church from practically the day we were born. Our family had a strong faith and belief in Jesus...and in the child of the manger.
But we enjoyed the fun and tradition of the Christmas legends and mysteries...and our parents made sure that Christmas was always a time to be merry and bright!
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| Yes, that's me...so sweet and angelic! Wonder what happened to that little innocent babe? |
I believe God wanted to wipe away the tears and sorrow of His people...and to give them a new hope...Some ONE to redeem them from the cares of this world and to show them the way to live "out of this world" eternally!
In Isaiah 43:18-19 He said to us through His prophet:
"Do not remember the former things,
Nor consider the things of old.
Behold, I will do a new thing!
Now it shall spring forth;
Shall you not know it?"
That's what the promise of Christmas is all about...through the wonder and majesty of a tiny babe in a manger...God gave His people hope...He did a new thing...He sent His only Son to this old, sinful, sorrowful world, and through Him sprung forth salvation, full and free...new life...old things are passed away:
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,
he is a new creation;
old things have passed away;
BEHOLD! ALL THINGS HAVE BECOME NEW!"
II Corinthians 5:17
Now, isn't that good news? Isn't that the best gift ever found under a tree on Christmas?
We are new creations in Christ!
Oh! What wonder! What joy! What delight!
Jesus came to earth for ME that night!
Jesus came to earth for ME that night!
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| This beautiful Nativity ornament was always on my parents' Christmas tree. And Now, click HERE for an update about this particular special ornament! |
"Jesus, my Saviour, to Bethlehem came,
Born in a manger to sorrow and shame;
Oh, it was wonderful~
Blest be His name!
Seeking for me, for me!
Seeking for me, for me!
Seeking for me, for me!
Oh, it was wonderful~
Blest be His name!
Seeking for me, for me!
"Seeking for Me!", a Hymn, Anonymous, 19th century
What are YOU longing for this Christmas? May all your dreams come true, wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.
I am SO ready for a NEW thing Pam. I just wrote a comment about it on my RCL facebook page. Then I come over here and read such glorious confirming words! Thanks you dear one. Merry Christmas my friend.
ReplyDeleteGod places great thoughts in our hearts and minds because He wants to do something NEW and marvelous! Be ready for action my friend!!! He didn't move you all the way to TX just to play in the pool...but that is a nice benefit, I must say! Oh, not to mention the wonderful brand new baby grandson!...But I still think there is much more to come!!! Good things...so be ready!!! Merry Christmas to you as well. :)
DeleteAhh...the wonder of Christmas, especially when we know Jesus. It's amazing, humbling to think He came for little me. I love the imagery in how we become new creations when we invite Jesus into our heart.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Kim
Oh how I loved your pictures! You sure were a sweet little angel! As always your message touched my heart. Hope you have a very happy and blessed day!
ReplyDeleteThank you Mary! I was sweet, then... Ha! Hope your day and weekend is filled with joy and blessing!
DeleteJesus, our best gift ever, and always the reason to celebrate with lights, songs, and joy - endless joy!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing the old photos, too, Pamela. They are priceless!
Blessings!
Thank you Martha Jane! I believe we should always choose JOY...every opportunity we can! Especially when it comes to Jesus!!!
DeleteOh, what a beautiful post. I love to hear others' sweet CHRISTmas memories!!! That picture of you is just the sweetest....and that angel still exists in you as a beautiful Lady and child of the KING!!! Thanks so much for sharing and linking up today....you'll never know what that means to me! Happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteThank you Debbie. Yes, my memories are sweet, and it's all because of Jesus that we have such precious memories! And we had fun too! Thank you for the thoughts regarding me as an angel...I wish I could live up to that image all the time...there are moments when I am a bit less than angelic...but I want to always remember that I AM a child of the King!!! So much joy in that thought!!!
DeleteLove, love, love the wonder in that scene on the card!
ReplyDeleteI do too!!
DeleteOh, Pamela, I enjoyed your post so much! Childhood memories are so sweet and precious. I'm glad you also had parents that made it special for you. We are children such a short time and we are blessed to we have these lovely memories hidden away in our hearts. I remember well feeling so blessed when I was eight years old that I laid on the floor in front of the tree and penned a poem to Jesus. I was just so thankful that He came and with my understanding at the time, I thanked Him for it. I still remember that. You are fortunate to have those pictures from your childhood. Alas, my mother's photo albums all disappeared so I don't expect to ever see them again. But I still have my memories which no one can take away. Thank you for sharing and Merry Christmas to you, my friend! Jesus is Lord!
ReplyDeleteOh Sandi, I am so sorry that your mother's photo albums disappeared. That is really sad. But yes, we have cherished memories tucked away in our hearts that are sometimes even better than the pictures! I'm glad you enjoyed this post, as I also enjoyed your walk down Christmas Memory Lane as well. We were blessed as children...
DeleteThis was wonderful, Pamela. Thank you!
ReplyDelete"...we learned in later years that our sweet daddy was actually ringing those bells and throwing stones on the roof to make it sound like hooves..."
That is SO SWEET!