Thursday Thankfulness...Making Room for Jesus...

As we are drawing closer to the end of the year, I've been reflecting on some thoughts about what I've learned and how God has  blessed me and taught me throughout the year.  My "One Word" for 2025 was "Wisdom", and I've been scratching my head and asking myself if I've truly gained any wisdom this year, or have I stayed the same?  I'm not sure it is anything I can put into words or give any tangible proof that I've grown in wisdom, but as I've sat here contemplating what to write this morning, here's a few verses that have come to my attention while I was inserting pictures from the past few days with no  apparent rhyme or reason...and God helped me find these words to share...

Revelation 3:20 NKJV

20 "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. 

If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, 

I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me."

Interestingly, a little later today I saw a post on Facebook with a door much like mine, and the thought was about making room in our hearts for the Baby Jesus during this Christmas season and beyond...opening the door and welcoming Him into our lives both now at Christmas and forever... (look for (The HomespunWife, and her poem, "Is There Room" on Facebook.)  

That made me think about this old hymn, "Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne"...

1 Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown,

When Thou camest to earth for me;

But in Bethlehem's home was there found no room

For Thy holy nativity.

O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,

There is room in my heart for Thee.

(you can listen to the whole song here:)

The best part of that song is the refrain that repeats, 

"O Come to my heart, Lord Jesus, There is room in my heart for Thee."

And that is my prayer...that there will always be room in my heart for Christ.

But I got sidetracked there...I was talking about wisdom, wasn't I?   However, when we make room in our hearts for the Lord Jesus, that is probably the wisest thing we could do, Amen?  Anyway, moving along, these were some other verses that I came across this past week:

Psalm 90:12 NIV

12 Teach us to number our days,

that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Proverbs 2:9-11 NIV

9 "Then you will understand what is right and just

and fair—every good path.

10 For wisdom will enter your heart,

and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.

11 Discretion will protect you,

and understanding will guard you."

(Morning sky over Still Waters Pond earlier this week)

Jeremiah 6:16 NIV

16 This is what the Lord says:

“Stand at the crossroads and look;

ask for the ancient paths,

ask where the good way is, and walk in it,

and you will find rest for your souls..."

Galatians 5:1 NIV

5 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, 

and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

At our Ladies' Bible Study on Monday, one of our sweet ladies gave us each a new journal for a Christmas gift.  There was a variety of types and styles, and we could choose whichever one we wanted.  I chose this one, because I loved the verse that was written on the front:

Matthew 19:26 NKJV

26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, 

“With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

(Excuse the picture from my lap while sitting in my recliner early in the morning)

And while we ladies were all talking and getting into our Bible study for the day (we are studying the book of Philippians, btw), one of the ladies said something about our "Lessons and Blessings"...and that struck a chord with me as I looked at us each sitting there with our brand new journals, and I piped up and said..."Oh, what a great thought for us each to pursue as we start the new year with these lovely journals...we should use them to write down our "Lessons and Blessings" for the year and see how God teaches and blesses us throughout the year!"   Everyone nodded and agreed and I thanked the Lord for His "wisdom" at that moment, and I immediately wrote that down on the first page of the journal for future reference and remembrance (because if I don't write things down when I am thinking of them, it will be gone in a flash...)

And so that is how I am closing out this old year and looking forward to the New Year, thankful for the "wisdom" God has taught me this past year, and looking forward to the Lessons and Blessings He will show me in the New Year.  I haven't decided upon my new "One Word" for 2026 yet, but I believe God is speaking to my heart and by the time the New Year rolls around I will know what it is. So stay tuned for that. 

But first things first...Christmas is coming next week, and that is what is predominantly in my mind right now.

That, and Blackie, our sweet porch kitty.  He was looking up at me while I was taking pictures of the still very still and dry "Still Waters Pond".   By the way, we are supposed to get some rain tonight and maybe tomorrow, so here's hoping and praying they are right this time!

Somehow when I went back into the house and then went out on the front porch to put out the flag, as is my usual morning routine after I feed Blackie on the back porch, he somehow appeared on the front porch and scooted in the front door when I opened it. He's getting pretty good at that and I have to be quick to catch him. He thinks it's a game and I guess I sort of play along...

Because here's what happened...I grabbed him up and carried him over to look at the Christmas tree (while he wiggled and squirmed and tried his best to get down)

(oh, do you see hubby's big feet? He was sitting in his recliner and taking these pictures. Funny, huh?)

(And please excuse my hair...it

 was still wet from my morning wet my hair and style it and let it dry on its own routine)

As you can see, I had my hands full, so after we walked around looking at all the lights and decorations in the house, I took him back outside and put him down on his own back porch where he belongs! LOL.

A little later that morning hubby and I went to Walmart, and as we were checking out this interesting  lady was walking around wearing a Christmas tree on her head!  It was all lit up and very clever indeed. I did ask her permission to take her picture, and I also asked if her headdress was for sale, but she said "no, it was too much work to make another one."

She looks like a fun person!  That made our Walmart shopping experience a bit more interesting and joyful. You just never know what you'll see at Walmart! LOL.

Another thing I'm  thankful for are crafty people...One of our ladies at church made these cute little candle jars for the choir members...she decoupaged tissue paper on a glass jar, and in this case the tissue paper had all kinds of music notes and scales on it, and then glued a black ribbon and bow around the top to match...

And then put a little string  of fairy lites inside to light it up! You could probably use the little battery operated votive candle lights too if you didn't want to use the wired ones, but it sure made a cute little candle to set about! What a thoughtful gift! People are so clever!

Speaking of choir and music, tonight we go to the little church out in the country for their annual Carols and Candlelight service, and our choir will sing a couple of songs. It's always a very special time.  I will share more about that later.    And our own Christmas Cantata will be presented this Sunday morning in church. We did our dress rehearsal and recorded it Tuesday night. We did okay for the most part, but I know I flubbed up a couple of times, which will probably show up in the recording, but we did our best and hopefully we'll do even better Sunday morning. Praying our voices hold up. There's a lot of colds and illness going around. Tomorrow night there's a group of us who plan to go do some caroling around town at the homes of some of our church's shut-in people.  I am planning to go unless the weather gets too bad or my voice gets too stressed...

Meanwhile, as I've been sitting here writing, I've been enjoying this view from my window here in my "room with a view":

It's kind of cloudy out, and actually now they are saying it's going to start raining in a few minutes (hope, pray!)

You can see we still have a bit of fall color over there on the other side of the pond where there are a few maple trees.   And you can also see how dry the pond is...so please pray for that rain to come here!

This Bluebird has been out there periodically...still too soon for nesting, but they come and go and check things out at their "house"...

And just now there was a bit of a standoff at the bird bath:

I think the Cardinal was patiently waiting his turn for a bath, but that gray Catbird was taking his sweet time...

So finally the the Cardinal flew away and the Catbird had the birdbath all to himself.  I think I could actually hear him singing as he bathed..."O Solo Mio"....LOL.

And with that I will close this post for today.  I am thankful for YOU, and your kind comments on my previous posts. I've been trying to get around to visit but it seems like as soon as I think I'm caught up there's a whole new bunch of posts to read! If you're like me, most likely our time for reading and writing is going to get less and less in the next few days as we get closer to Christmas

I will close with this song that is actually from our cantata, "Close to Christmas".  

 "Come, close to Christmas, behold the wonder, look what God has done, sent His one and only Son...Come, close to Christmas, see, hallelujah, this is what we've waited for, God with us forevermore!

Come and worship, Come and worship, worship Christ the King...Come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ the newborn King..."

"O Come to my heart, Lord Jesus! 

There is room in my heart for You."

Amen.

Tuesday 4~Holiday Express

 

Holiday Express


Welcome Friends.. to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4.
The holidays are coming fast! They are loaded onto the Christmas Express train and there is no stopping them now.
Are you ready for them this year?

As ready as I can be. I've had a slow start due to being sick earlier this month, but I am feeling better now and playing catch-up.


1. Is your tree up? Yes  How tall is it? 7 feet.
what color lights?  White. Here's a picture:

 
Are there lights in the window? Not really in the window. On the door? On the front porch and yard.

This is our grapevine tree that we actually made from our own grapevines at our last house in the forest. It has held up very well, even if today the wind was so hard that it blew it over and I had to go pick it back up! Thankfully nothing was broken and the lights still work.

This little tiny Nativity scene is on the very top:

Our front yard  tonight:

2. Got a menu for Christmas Eve and Day?

I haven't thought about Christmas Eve yet. We do have a church service to go to, so we will probably have a simple supper before church.   On Christmas day (after discussing it with my sweet DIL Rose)  it sounds like we will be baking a ham and scalloped potatoes this year.  That's just simpler and we haven't had ham in a while, so that will be fine with me. I'm all for keeping things simple when I can. LOL.

3. Who is coming for Christmas or who will you visit?

It will just be our kids here with us on Christmas Day.   Our extended family lives too far away to come on Christmas Day, so we always try to meet them on another day usually after Christmas. So far I know that we will meet up with hubby's brother and family on Saturday, Dec. 27th, at a restaurant about 1/2 way between our homes, which is an hour's drive for each of us to get there.  I haven't  talked to my sister yet to see when we might meet them. We may end up meeting  at the same time as with the rest of the family. We've done that before and it saves us from having to make two separate trips.


4. What is your favorite Christmas memory.?

I will have to sit here and think about that for a while. There's so many. Do I go back to my childhood, or to my own children's childhood? They were all so wonderful.  

Here's a Link to a post I did a few years ago entitled "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas".  I've shared it before, but I don't think most of you have seen it. It has memories from when our own little family was young and we were away from "home" for Christmas and feeling kind of blue...but it has a happy ending.

And THIS link goes back to my own childhood Christmas memories.  Rather than write them all over again, it's probaby easier to just click on those links and see what those special memories were.  I enjoyed re-reading them and re-living the sweet memories.

I know you've probably seen all of these things before, but there's really nothing else new to report right now.  This week will be busy with finishing up Christmas shopping and then onThursday evening our church choir goes to sing at a church in a neighboring community and join them for a candlelight service. We do that every year and it is always very special. I'll share more about that afterwards.

Lately we've been listening to excerpts from Handel's Messiah, in which the words for each song come straight from the Bible.  Here's a couple of passages that are included.  Next time you listen to Handel's Messiah be sure to listen for these verses.   An interesting study is to look up each of the different passages that are included in the music throughout the whole musical. You will be amazed!

Isaiah 60:1-3  King James Version

 1 Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.

2 For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.

3 And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.

Isaiah 40:9-11 King James Version

9 O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!

10 Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.

11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.

Matthew 11:28-29 King James Version

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Okay, that's my post for this Tuesday 4 and more. I hope you enjoyed it.  You can join in HERE if you wish.  Thanks, Annie, for another good post!

3rd Sunday of Advent~The Story of Joseph-A Great Step-Dad!

 On this 3rd Sunday of Advent we celebrated by lighting the candle of JOY. 

Advent Wreath from our previous home back in 2018

"In the season of Advent, we celebrate with Joyful hearts.

Christ is our light and the source of our joy.

We count our blessings, and give thanks for God's goodness and grace.

Christ is our light and the source of our joy.

We strive to search for the good in neighbors near and far.

Christ is our light and the source of our joy.

We remember that God has promised us full and joyful lives.

Christ is our light and the source of our joy."

Here is our Pastor's message from today, entitled "One Great Step Dad", from the book of Matthew 1:18-2:21,  talking about the messages Joseph received from the Angel regarding taking Mary as his wife, and also the other stories that fulfilled the prophecies regarding the birth of Jesus, and Joseph's obedience to God in doing all that the angel told him to do.  It was a great message that I think you will appreciate if you wish to listen to it.  Also, the choir is singing in the beginning of the video, "Jesus Is His Name".  

The thing that stands out in all of these events between Joseph and the messages from angel of the Lord is that Joseph never questioned the angel of the Lord once. Instead, Joseph awakened from his sleep, got up, and obeyed the word of the Lord. He did not object or argue or question. He obeyed. He said "yes" to God. God said it, and Joseph obeyed.

What did Joseph get out of this whole experience? We really don't hear a lot about Joseph from this point on in Jesus' life, but we do know that Jesus later was known as "The carpenter"...(see Mark 6:1-6), so he apparently had taught Jesus his trade as a carpenter. And in Luke 2:41-52, when Jesus was twelve years old and the family had gone to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover, Jesus stayed behind in the Temple...and Joseph and Mary were very concerned when they could not find him...and it says in Luke 2:51-52 "Then He (Jesus) went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them...", "and Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men." Joseph had the opportunity to give appropriate training, discipline and guidance to the young boy Jesus. Joseph was a major player in the story of Jesus' life, all because he obeyed God even in the face of possible ridicule, danger, and fear for their own lives.

What does this story have to do with us? Well, in what ways has God asked us to obey Him? We may not have such an important role in life as Joseph did...but then again, maybe we do. When we choose to obey God, we get to see God restore broken lives, relationships...and we are rewarded with the joy of living a life of peace with God. We are given the opportunity for eternal life when we choose to obey the Lord...and we may be instruments for leading others into a personal relationship with Christ...when we obey the Lord.

We are invited to adopt this attitude of obedience as a part of our Christmas time of worship and celebration. In what ways is God asking me to obey Him today? What about you?  Some good food for thought on this 3rd Sunday of Advent, as we prepare our hearts for celebrating the Birthday of Jesus Christ.

On another note, today our son Scott came down for his Sunday visit, and yes! He was able to fix the train and get it running again! It didn't take him long to figure out what we were doing wrong, and he had it running in just a couple of minutes! Yay!!

Such a cutie!  Thank you Scott!!

On another note, I was able to get some poinsettias for the front yard this week, and put them in the planter boxes that Benton made for me.  I really like having these so I can interchange them with seasonal flowers without having to dig holes in the ground to plant them!

I just have to watch out for frost/freezing, as that will definitely kill the poinsettias.  

But by not planting them in the ground, I can pick them up and bring them inside if we have a freeze warning. I just have to pay attention to the weather reports! LOL.  

I guess that's about it for tonight. Thank you all for your kind comments on my last post from Pamela's Victorian Cottage.   It was a lot of fun writing it and brought out the Christmas child in me.   

Oh, here's an afterthought picture from the Nativity scene:

After the family from Pamela's Victorian Cottage went back home for the night, all the little woodland creatures came out to worship the newborn King.  

As they knelt down in the snow to look at the beautiful scene before them, they heard a song filtering through the trees from the wind...and soon the little lambs starting singing, and then the Shepherd boy joined in the song, and before long the wise men were singing with them. Soon all the forest creatures were joining in the song...

Do you hear what I hear?

"Said the night wind to the little lamb

Do you see what I see?

(Do you see what I see?)

Way up in the sky, little lamb

Do you see what I see?

(Do you see what I see?)

A star, a star, dancing in the night

With a tail as big as a kite

With a tail as big as a kite

Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy

Do you hear what I hear?

(Do you hear what I hear?)

Ringing through the sky, shepherd boy

Do you hear what I hear?

(Do you hear what I hear?)

A song, a song high above the trees

With a voice as big as the sea

With a voice as big as the sea

Said the shepherd boy to the mighty king

Do you know what I know? (Do you know what I know?)

In your palace warm, mighty king

Do you know what I know? (Do you know what I know?)

A Child, a Child shivers in the cold

Let us bring him silver and gold

Let us bring him silver and gold

Said the king to the people everywhere

Listen to what I say! (Listen to what I say!)

Pray for peace, people, everywhere

Listen to what I say! (Listen to what I say!)

The Child, the Child sleeping in the night

He will bring us goodness and light

He will bring us goodness and light"

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Noel Regney / Gloria Adele Shain

Do You Hear What I Hear lyrics © Regent Music Corp., Primary Wave Jewel, Jewel Music Publishing Co Ltd

What a beautiful way to end this 3rd Sunday of Advent. I hope this all brought joy to you today.

Good Night and Sleep in heavenly peace...

Walking to Pamela's Victorian Cottage in the Winter Wonderland

As soon as the train arrived at the little Christmas village two young ladies stepped off the platform and looked around at their surroundings.  

They had been traveling for several days from the west coast all across the continent to the east coast...and they were somewhat in a daze as they surveyed the little village.  

They had sincerely hoped that someone would be at the depot to meet them,  as they had sent a letter to their cousin, "The Little Mother" at Pamela's Victorian Cottage, several days before they embarked on their journey. Miss Winter and her young niece, Amy March, were very sorry to leave their lovely home in California, but their circumstances in life had changed, and they were hoping to find a home with their cousin at her lovely estate in the east. They had heard so many wonderful things about the many lovely young ladies who made their home at Pamela's Victorian Cottage, and they thought that would be just the right place to settle down and hopefully also help young Amy finish her education.

However, after some time had elapsed, there was still no sign of anyone coming to meet them. So they decided to venture off in search of someone to give them directions to the Cottage.

They walked around the little village and saw many people out shopping and enjoying a beautiful winter day. Miss Winter thought perhaps they should stop at the church and see if anyone might know the way to their destination.

They met a very lovely lady out in front of the church on her way home from shopping apparently. They introduced themselves and asked her if she knew anything about Pamela's Victorian Cottage, and especially if she knew the way there.

The young lady replied, "Oh yes, I know all about the place! You see, I am a relative of the lady of the house, and I normally visit them every Christmas and bring gifts for all the family! Oh, she will be so excited to see you again and I am certain you will be welcomed with open arms! There's always room for more at Pamela's Victorian Cottage! I'm sorry I am unable to take you there myself right now, but I have a prior engagement and I must be going. But I will see you there at Christmas time!"  "If you stay on this road through the village and out into the country a ways, you will be sure to find the place!"

And so our two travelers headed on their way and soon came upon a very nice snowman.  They asked him if he knew the way to Pamela's Victorian Cottage, and he replied "Yes, it is just a little farther through the woods and fields and you will soon find it.  Be careful, as it is getting rather cold and you may find that you will soon be walking in a winter wonderland!"   Miss Winter said that she understood and was not afraid, but she did hope that she and Miss Amy March would get there before nightfall. 

So they continued on their way and they came upon a very curious sign along the pathway...

As they read the sign, they wondered what it could mean.  It said, "Remember, When God closes a door, He opens a window."

"Oh," Miss Winter wondered aloud, "That is surely a message to us from God!  When the door closed for us in our home in the west, He truly has led us to find this new open window of opportunity! I believe God is leading us in the right direction!"  Amy replied, "Oh, Auntie Winter, I truly hope you are right! I'm getting rather tired already and it's becoming a bit cold. I do hope we will reach Pamela's Victorian Cottage very soon."

They passed by some carolers who were singing "Joy to the World, The Lord is come!"...

And a little farther down the road they met some rather shabby looking farmers or shepherd boys, but they were also singing, "Let heaven and nature sing, let heaven and nature sing, let heaven, and heaven and nature sing!"    Everyone was very friendly and kind,  and they assured the young ladies that they were on the right path, and they would soon reach their destination.

Soon they came upon a frozen pond where there were some people skating and enjoying a beautiful afternoon near a little cabin.

They stopped and asked a little snowman, who had fallen off his sled and was trying to get back up, if he knew the way to Pamela's Victorian Cottage,  and he told them to just keep going on this trail and soon they would find it.  The wise old owl sat up in the tree and said,"Whooooooo are youuuuuu? You'd better hurry! It will soon be night time and it will get rather dark out here!"

There were a couple of old men sitting on the porch of the cabin, and they told the young ladies to just keep heading in that direction, and they would get there soon, and not to worry about what the old owl said. "He's always anxious for it to get dark so he can go out hunting!"   They thanked the old men and hurried along just the same.

Something very curious happened: they soon came upon a cat dressed up like a lady, wearing a big hat, and holding a tea pot in her hands.  She asked them to stop a while and have some tea to help warm them up along their way.  They thanked her very kindly, but said they really had better keep going as it was getting dark and cold and they needed to reach their destination before nighttime.

Soon they came to a little country village,  where children were out sledding and riding in a sleigh, and having such a good time.  They asked another little snowman if he knew the way to Pamela's Victorian Cottage, and he said he thought they were getting pretty close! "Best you just keep going in that direction, and soon you'll pass a little farmhouse, and then it's just beyond there!"  

Before they could get very far from the snowman, a lovely lady who looked a lot like an angel stepped out of the woods and asked them where they were going.  They told her they were trying to get to Pamela's Victorian Cottage before dark, and she said, "Well, you are almost there, but you need to stop by the little farmhouse on your way because the farmer has a message for you to give to the family at the Cottage."  They wondered about this messenger, and what it all could mean, but they thanked her and hurried on their way.

Soon they came to a little tiny cottage, surrounded by farmland and many animals.  There was a young couple in the yard, and they called to the young ladies and welcomed them and offered them some tea and cookies.  Miss Winter and Miss Amy March said they appreciated the offer, but they really needed to get on to Pamela's Victorian Cottage before dark.  That's when the farmer told Miss Winter that he had a special message for them all and an invitation for something very wonderful later that evening.

The young ladies thanked him for the message and invitation, and said they would definitely deliver the message as soon as they could reach their destination.

So off they went again, and soon they came to this beautiful cottage sitting back among the trees along the way.  "Oh, look, Amy! There's that little angel and the snowman outside that house, and they are waving to us to come over! This must be the place!!! I wonder how they got here before us?"  

The angel told the young ladies that yes, they have indeed reached their destination, and if they will go on around to the front door and knock, soon they would be welcomed home!

And so they did as they were told, and saw another beautiful angel standing there as well! Miss Winter said to Amy, "I think the angels have been guiding us here all the way, and we just didn't realize it! But now I know that we are truly in the right place!  

Oh, I do hope they will welcome us with open arms!"

So very timidly at first they knocked on the door and waited...

Soon here came "The Little Mother",  and when she saw Miss Winter and Miss Amy March, she was so surprised!  Miss Winter asked,  "Did you receive my letter?"  And she replied,  "No, I'm sorry, I didn't receive it yet, or surely I would've arranged for someone to meet you at the train station! I am SO sorry you had to walk all this way alone!"

But Miss Winter replied, "Oh, we were not alone!  There were special people all along the way to point us in the right direction and to make sure that we were safe. I do believe God sent His special messengers to watch over us and protect us all the way!"

There were little faces looking out the windows and crowding out the door to see who was there...

Everyone was so curious about who the new visitors might be.

"Oh, I do hope they are going to be friendly and fun!" thought the young ones waiting inside...

"Oh wonderful!," they all cried in unison! "We have some new visitors and friends to welcome!"

The Little Mother invited them in so they could warm up and get something to eat.  

Everyone gathered around and wanted to know all about them...

Miss Winter and Miss Amy March were overwhelmed with how friendly and welcoming everyone was! It felt so good to finally be "home". 

Oh, and look! There was already a beautiful Christmas tree with a manger, and gifts under the tree!

Oh, and a couple of sweet kitty cats warming by the fireplace...they soon learned their names were Sunshine and Blackie, and they were wonderful kitties for all to love.

Miss Winter exclaimed, "Oh, before I forget! I have an important message and invitation for you all from the little farmer and his wife down the road. He said it was very important that I give you this message tonight!"

When the little mother read the note, she knew exactly what the farmer wanted them to do. So they hurried up and finished their supper, and everyone got dressed  to go out and take a walk down the road to the little church near the farm.

When they got near the little church,  they saw a marvelous sight...and they heard music coming from all around them...

(The church is from a John Sloane Country seasons calendar, "Waiting for the Shepherd")

This song was new to them, but it was so very beautiful, and they soon found themselves bowing down before the baby in the manger in adoration

"Adore"

by Chris Tomlin

You stepped down from heaven

Humbly you came

God of all creation

Here with us

In a starlit manger

Emmanuel

Light of the world

Here to save

Adore

Come let us adore

Oh come let us adore him

The Lord, worship Christ, the Lord

Let all that is within us

Adore

Little by little the family gathered near and worshiped together...

Wise men bring their treasures

Shepherds bow low

Angel voices sing of peace on earth

What have I to offer

To heaven's King

I'll bring my life, my love, my all

Oh! And there were those same angels, along with another little angel, singing Glory to the Newborn King!

Adore

Come let us adore

Oh come let us adore him

The Lord, worship Christ, the Lord

Let all that is within us

Adore

Angels sing, praises ring to the newborn King

Peace on earth, here with us, joy awakening

At your feet we fall

Adore

Come let us adore

Oh come let us adore him

The Lord, worship Christ, the Lord

Let all that is within us

Adore

All too soon the song was over, and the family soon found their way back home in the winter wonderland, as they walked in silence and wondered at all they had just witnessed.  

When they came back inside, they all gathered around together and sang "Silent Night, Holy Night" before saying good night.

"Christ, the Savior is born"

Amen.

This story came about because of the special arrival of our two newest members to the Pamela's Victorian Cottage family.  They did travel all the way from California, as the result of a conversation with one of our dear blogging friends, Suzy from Photowannabe blog.  Suzy was having a "garage sale" of some special Hallmark Christmas ornaments that she had collected over the years. I asked her if she had any "Madame Alexander" doll ornaments, and she said that she did. She had these two plus a couple of others that I already had similar duplicates of.  So I said that I would love to buy these two for my collection, and thus the arrangements were made and she shipped them out to me last week. It's taken me all week to come up with this little story, in between the other things that were going on here. 

Here they are in their special boxes, Miss Winter Wonderland, and Mis Amy March, the youngest member of the Little  Women family!

And here they are, just after they arrived, before there was any train or village under the tree...one thing led to another, and thus the story was born!

I hope you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed taking their pictures and coming up with the story, which kind of materialized and metamorphasized throughout the day even as I was writing it.  

Hebrews 13:1-2  NKJV

"1 Let brotherly love continue. 

2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, 

for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. "

Good Night, and may you  "sleep in heavenly peace."