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Tuesday, December 5, 2017

Open the Advent Window...Welcome!

Open the Advent Window and what do we see?


Every Day something "new" is added to the Christmas decorations around our house...not really "new" in the sense of being new...but in the sense of being brought out and arranged and enjoyed and added to the celebration that is going on!!

Welcome to Our Home!

Out on the front porch the little grape-vine Christmas tree is decked out with lights and little birds and woodland creatures joining in the celebration...


On the top of the tree sits a little stable with the Holy Family...
 And a heart shaped message reminding us that
"Jesus is the Heart of the Holiday"...


As you enter our front door you see the Nativity scene set before us, with angels singing, the shepherd boy kneeling, Wise Men adoring...and down below on the next shelf the carolers are singing "O Holy Night" as we welcome the Christ Child to our home...



On the buffet in the entryway our little December Girl is all decked out in her bright red Christmas dress, with gaily wrapped packages to put under the tree...

And a couple of Santas greet you with their toys and gifts...




Come on in to the dining room and Baby Elva will greet you from her little buggy, as she sits beside the "Tea Cup Tree"



And that's about it for the decorations so far. We still haven't put up our big Christmas tree...still deciding whether we want to go cut down another "Florida Cracker Christmas Tree" (click HERE for THAT story from last year) again this year or put up our old artificial tree that has seen better days. I'm pulling for the live tree from the woods...but hubby isn't too keen on that idea this year...so we shall see who wins this debate...


Meanwhile, today was the day that our "Lovely Ladies of the Lord" met for Bible Study and Prayer and lunch!  We had such a blessed time together as we always do...sharing our joys and praises, and lifting each other up in prayer and love.  We prayed for dear ones facing serious illnesses and other distresses at this time of year...and shared the PEACE of the Christmas story...and what gives each of us "peace"....(Luke 2:1-20)
 Here we are at lunch..the waitress was kind enough to take two pictures to get all our smiling faces....
(no telling what I was saying in this picture...lol)

I love the message we heard today:

Luke 2:10-11
"Then the angel said to them,
'Do not be afraid, for behold, 
I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.
For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior,
who is Christ the Lord..."

and verses 13-14

"And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host
praising God and saying:
Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace,
Goodwill toward men!"

This timeless message continues to reach down to us through the ages...and always gives us a sense of wonder and awe as we imagine that multitude of angels and heavenly host praising God...and giving Him glory...and blessing us with God's marvelous peace and goodwill!
What a wonderful message of hope, love, and joy!
No matter what you may be facing...
no matter whether or not you are ready for Christmas or stressed out about what to do...
God's PEACE is there for you...
Stop and hear the angelic choir singing over you...
Come before the manger and marvel anew along with the shepherds  and the angels and the wise men
This Baby...The Christ Child
Came to earth to bring you PEACE...
and to Save us all from our sins...
Accept the gift that He brings to you...
It's wrapped up in swaddling clothes...
and it's free for the taking...
Merry Christmas!!!

9 comments:

  1. Love your Christmas decor. Did you make the grapevine tree? I just adore that idea. Looks like you had fun with your lady friends. Nothing like sweet fellowship. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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    1. Thank you Cindy! Yes, I did actually make the grapevine tree on the front porch. We have a lot of wild grapevines here where we live, and it was quite a chore, but I did it! I wrapped it around a tomato plant wire holder thingy. Yes, we did have sweet fellowship...we call ourselves the "Lovely Ladies of the Lord", and it is such a blessing when we get together. Hugs and blessings to you and yours as well. Thank you for stopping by!

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  2. Your decorations are lovely! The teacup tree is such a sweet idea. Cutting down a tree seems like a lot of fun really.I've never done that.

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    1. Thank you, Annie. My sister keeps giving me these cute little china tea cup/tea pot ornaments, and so I decided they needed a place all their own and not lost on the big tree. Yes, we did have fun last year going and cutting down the tree. The trees here are kind of different than up north...I refer to them as a Charlie Brown tree...but they are unique to our area and I like that. You should read my post that I referenced above about last year's experience. It was fun! I'll keep you informed if we do it again this year. Thank you for visiting!!

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  3. Beautiful and nostalgic decorations, Pamela; I loved them all! And I've never seen a tea cup tree. So unique!
    Let us all remember the reason for the season and give thanks to God.
    Blessings!

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  4. All your decorations are so pretty, Pam. You reminded me that I haven't put out my Christmas teacups, maybe next week.

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  5. Your decorations are all beautiful! I really love the grapevine tree on the porch and that sweet little teacup tree is so cute!! Thanks for sharing your holiday home decor with us and do let us know when you get your big tree decision made! :)

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  6. Nice decorations! And I love you on the pic. You are smiling so beautiful.

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  7. Pam, You're decorations are beautiful! Your creativity shines through in your decorating, photography, and writing. As always, I appreciate your focus on the true meaning of the season.

    Blessings to you during this season of Advent!

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Thank you for visiting here today. I would love for you to sign my guestbook and let me know you stopped by. I always enjoy reading your comments and words of encouragement! May you be blessed as you go on your way. Please come back and visit again soon.