Here's A Little More Christmas! And a New Christmas Adventure at Pamela's Victorian Cottage!

This beautiful LED Nativity scene was a late Christmas gift from a family member. Isn't it beautiful?

I wonder how many of you are still enjoying the sights and sounds and joys of Christmas? I always like to take my time and revel in the wonder of the Christmas story...it doesn't just stop at midnight on December 25th.  That's really when the story fully begins and continues on into our lives forever.  Jesus' birth was prophesied by the prophet Isaiah over 700 years prior to His birth, and He was called "Immanuel", which means, "God with us."  That word or name is not past-tense. It is present tense, or continual, meaning that God is always with us.  

Isaiah 7:14  KJV

"14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, 

and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."

Matthew 1:18-25

"18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. 20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

"Matthew 1:23 is a pivotal Bible verse where the prophet Isaiah's prophecy about a virgin birth is fulfilled in Jesus, stating, "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel," which translates to "God with us," signifying Jesus's divine presence among humanity. It highlights Jesus as the promised Messiah, God made flesh to dwell with His people.

In essence, Matthew 1:23 declares that Jesus is not just a great teacher but God Himself, coming to be with His people in human form."  (AI overview via internet)

John 1:14 ESV

"14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth."

For further reading, check this LINK "Why Is Jesus Called "Immanuel", by Mary Van Weelden.

So Christmas doesn't stop at midnight on December 25th. Christ's presence continues on with us every day, forever! Immanuel, God with us!  And that's very good news!!

And sometimes Christmas gift giving doesn't stop at midnight on December 25th either.  As you saw at the beginning of this post, that lovely LED nativity was a gift from my hubby's brother and family. We had a pre-scheduled family gathering on Saturday with hubby's brother and family and my sister and her hubby at a restaurant 1/2 way between our homes, since we live about 2 hours apart. Sadly, by then my hubby was feeling pretty sick with this cold/flu bug, so he was unable to go.  Since I was already a week into it, I felt like (hoped) I wasn't contagious anymore and felt well enough to make the trip with Benton and Rose. I just tried not to get too much into anyone's face and I pray no one else will get this bug. Here's a few pictures from our time together:

Our whole gang at the table. 

Yours truly with Benton and Rose

My hubby's brother Bill and wife Peggy and son Nicholaus. Sadly, their daughter Shannon was unable to attend as she was not feeling well either.

My sweet sister Doris and me.   I call her my "little big sister", because she's my big sister, but she's littler than I am!  

And sweet Doris and her hubby Art, who we missed at Thanksgiving because he was not feeling well. 

That's why we try to get together every chance we can, because we are all getting older and it's just really hard to get us all together at once due to health and/or other issues.

The restaurant also provided a little cookie/candle for Rose and sang Happy Birthday to her, as her birthday is coming up this week (tomorrow, actually!).  She was pleasantly embarrassed and thankful.

We exchanged some special gifts with each other, (which we took home and opened later) and one thing that has become a tradition with my sister in law Peggy is that she usually sends a special gift for Lily Grace! (Yes, Lily Grace is a well loved little member of our family!) There's just something about a cute little doll that brings out the child in all of us!

It was an adorable little Poodle Skirt and top with a pair of saddle oxford shoes!  Lily was duly appreciative and sent a thank you message to Aunt Peggy right away when we got home.

And if you've been following along for very long, you also know that my sister Doris usually gives me a new addition to the little family at Pamela's Victorian Cottage every year for Christmas!  Thankfully, this year was no different, but we both had a bit of a surprise/shock when she purchased the gift:

Notice it says on the box top: "30th and FINAL in the Madame Alexander Series!"

What???? 30th and FINAL???? Does that mean what we think it means? This is the last time they will be making the Madame Alexander doll Christmas ornaments? Oh my goodness! It has been my sister's tradition for the last 12 years to give this special ornament gift to me on Christmas! And now there will be no more. Apparently they have been doing this for 30 years, but we didn't start at the beginning, so there are a few missing, with the exception of the two I purchased recently from our friend Sue at Photowannabe, which I already wrote about HERE recently.  I do not have any intention of trying to complete the collection by looking for others, and will be thankful and content with the little family that I already have living at Pamela's Victorian Cottage. But it's just kind of sad to think that my sister and I won't have this special little tradition to look forward to anymore. However, I am just thankful that I still have my sister, and that is special enough a gift for me!! 

This was another gift from my sister last Christmas, and it's still so true today!

 

That being said, of course, every new addition to Pamela's Victorian Cottage means that there must be a story behind it! Since this is going to be the last new member to the family, the story needs to be extra special.  Of course, that doesn't mean there won't be any more stories from Pamela's Victorian Cottage...just no new members to the family...(unless there are "adoptions" or special "visitors" along the way...you never know).  So, without further adieu, let's shift the stage and head over to the little village surrounding Pamela's Victorian Cottage and see what's going on, shall we?  

When we last saw the family at Pamela's Victorian Cottage, they had just welcomed two new "cousins" from across the country, Miss Winter Wonderland, and Miss Amy March.

They had taken quite a long walk through the country to find the Cottage, and met several interesting people along the way, who helped point them in the right direction.

At the close of their journey to meet the family, they all gathered together at the little church in the country and were amazed to see the Nativity of the new born Baby Jesus.  It was quite an awesome sight and they all bowed down and sang a song of adoration to the Baby Jesus before heading back home while singing "Silent Night" and preparing their hearts for Christmas and wondering at all they had seen and heard.

Little did they all know, while they were preparing for their Christmas celebration, God had another surprise in store for them. 

Throughout the years, the lovely "Auntie from the City" has always brought special gifts and surprises to her sister, "the little Mother", and the family at Pamela's Victorian Cottage. The family was looking forward to her visit as always, and wondering what wonderful gifts she might bring this year. 

But it seemed as though she was delayed for some reason, and they were beginning to become concerned that something might have happened to her.

The little mother told the family that they would not become alarmed, but they would pray for her and certainly God would bring her safely home in due time.

Little did they know that the Beautiful Auntie was having her own adventure out in the woods near the old country church...

As she was hurrying along her way through the woods she came across a very beautiful young girl, waiting there amongst all the wildlife and woodland fairies and friends.

When Auntie saw her she asked how she came to be there, and the little girl answered that some beautiful ladies brought her and told her to wait and someone would soon come along to take care of her! She wasn't sure who the beautiful ladies were, but they were very kind and they assured her that she would never be alone, and that very soon she would belong to a wonderful big family filled with much love and joy.  And she said, "And look at all these wonderful little friends I have found! They've all been so kind and they wanted to introduce me to this amazing family here in the stable!  They said the baby's name is Jesus, and these are His parents Mary and Joseph, and that they also have traveled a long way and came here when it was time for the baby Jesus to be born. And guess what? They said that the Baby Jesus came here to save us all and live right here in our hearts! Isn't that wonderful?" "Oh, and one more thing," she said, "the beautiful ladies said that they also call the baby by the name of "Immanuel", which means, "God With Us!", and that He will never leave us alone!"

Then they looked up and saw the "beautiful ladies" that the little girl had seen before, 

and they began singing with all the rest of the woodland creatures, 

"Joy to the World! The Lord is come! 

Let earth receive her King! 

 Let every heart prepare Him room, 

and heaven and nature sing, 

and heaven and nature sing, 

and heaven, and heaven, and nature sing!"

(you can sing along here if you wish)

2. Joy to the Earth, the Savior reigns;

Our mortal songs employ,

While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains,

Repeat the sounding joy.

3. No more let sins and sorrows grow,

Nor thorns infest the ground;

He comes to make his blessings flow

Far as the curse is found.

4. He rules the world with truth and grace,

And makes the nations prove

The glories of his righteousness,

And wonders of his love.

"Oh! That was so beautiful, wasn't it?" the little girl exclaimed.  

"Yes, it certainly was wonderful! We've been witnesses to something very extraordinary here tonight, that is for sure!" cried the Beautiful Auntie from the City.  "However now it is getting very late, and my family will be very concerned that I have not yet arrived, so I must be going. But what about you? Where are you headed? Do you have family expecting you?"

The little girl looked around at all the woodland creatures and the little Holy Family, and she said, "Well, I guess this must be my new family.  But I'm not sure. The Beautiful ladies said that someone was coming for me and that he or she would take me to my new home..."  

Auntie looked around and knew something deep inside her heart...she knew that she was supposed to take the young girl with her and introduce her to her new family...the wonderful little mother and family at Pamela's Victorian Cottage. She knew that they would welcome her with open arms, and would give her a happy new home...but that these special little friends in the woods and the Baby Jesus would always be a part of her life from then on as well.  

And so Auntie looked at the little girl and said, "I believe you are supposed to come with me! There's a wonderful family waiting for you just over the hill."   And so they said good bye to all the woodland creatures and the little Holy Family, but they all said, "We will see you again! Don't worry! We will ALWAYS be here for you!"  

And soon they arrived at the wonderful home that the Beautiful Auntie told the little girl all about.  She knew the family was already waiting for her to arrive in time for Christmas, so they marched right in through the back door and Auntie called out, "Hello! We're Here!"   All the family came running and the Little Mother exclaimed, "Oh, Sister, I thought you'd never get here! We were all praying for your safety! I couldn't imagine where you must be!  But Oh! Who is this you have here with you?"

Auntie replied, "It's a most remarkable  story! You see, I found her in the woods by the old church, and the Angels were there, and all the woodland creatures, and there was the Baby Jesus right there with His family!  And the angels said that she should wait there for someone to meet her and take her to her new home, and I knew that I must be the one they were waiting for, and well, here we are, and I never even asked her name!"

"Oh Dear!", the little Mother said, Well, since she came to us on Christmas, we will name her "Noel".  

"Noel! the little girl cried with joy!, "What a beautiful name!, But what does it mean?"  

"Well, the little mother replied, "It means, Christmas, or Birth, or a shout of joy heralding the Savior's Birth!  It is a very happy word, calling to us to "come and see what God has done!"  

"Oh, I love that!, cried Noel. "I want to always tell everyone what God has done! He rescued me and brought me to a safe and happy place where I can live happily ever after!"

Suddenly everyone gathered around and they started singing this most beautiful song entitled,  "Noel"...it was a new song that many had not heard before, but it seemed as though the angels were singing it with them and soon they were all wanting to sing about Jesus' Birth and share the joyous news with everyone!

You can sing along with us too, if you want...

Love incarnate, love divine

Star and angels gave the sign

Bow to babe on bended knee

The Savior of humanity

Unto us a Child is born

He shall reign forevermore

Noel, Noel

Come and see what God has done

Noel, Noel

The story of amazing love!

The light of the world, given for us

Noel

Son of God and Son of man

There before the world began

Born to suffer, born to save

Born to raise us from the grave

Christ the everlasting Lord

He shall reign forevermore

Noel, Noel

Come and see what God has done

Noel, Noel

The story of amazing love!

The light of the world, given for us

Noel

Noel, Noel

Come and see what God has done

Noel, Noel

The story of amazing love!

The light of the world, given for us

Noel, Noel

All too soon the song was over and the angels flew back to their special places until they were needed again to help someone else.  Noel got to meet all her new family members and was welcomed with open arms into her forever home.

What a wonderful Christmas it was for everyone!

Noel! Come and see what God has done!!

Immanuel...God With Us!

Amen.

Noel: Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Chris Tomlin / Edward Martin Cash / Matthew James Redman

Noel lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing

I hope you enjoyed this little adventure at Pamela's Victorian Cottage. Christmas only comes once a year, but Jesus lives with us always and forever!  Amen!

On the First Sunday of Advent...(Updated)

New Update, November 30, 2025...I haven't had time to do a new post for this yet, so will share this from the past. Let us prepare our hearts for the celebration of the Advent of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Good Morning everyone...and welcome to Advent!  Today is the first Sunday in Advent.  Some of this is a repeat of previous years, with maybe a few edits here and there to bring it up to date.

So, without further ado, let the 2021 2025 Advent Adventure begin:

(Our home Advent Wreath, 2018)

Note: This post was originally written several years ago from our home in Salt Springs. At that time we were having a small group meet in our home for Sunday morning worship services, and the majority of this post is from that season of time in our lives. We have since moved from that location to a new community and wonderful little church that we dearly love. Below are a few pictures from our worship service this morning in our church:

11/28/2021:  Here is the lighting of the first Advent Candle this morning in our church service 

On this first Sunday of Advent we begin with the lighting of the first candle on the 

Advent Wreath:

As we light the first candle we read:

"This candle reminds us of the promise of the prophets that a Messiah would come.  The prophecy candle is symbolic of long years of waiting during which the prophets, inspired by God, kept alive the hope that the Son of God was coming to redeem us."

Then we read the following scriptures:

Isaiah 7:14

"Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign:

Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall

call His name Immanuel."

Isaiah 9:2-7

"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;

Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, 

Upon them a light has shined.

You have multiplied the nation

and increased its joy;

They rejoice before You 

according to the joy of harvest,

As men rejoice when they divide the spoil.

For YOU have broken the yoke of his burden

and the staff of his shoulder,

the rod of his oppressor,

as in the day of Midian.

For every warrior's sandal from the noisy battle,

and garments rolled in blood,

Will be used for burning and fuel of fire.

For unto us a Child is born,

Unto us a Son is given;

And the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of His government and peace

there will be no end,

Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,

to order it and establish it with judgment and justice

from that time forward, even forever.

The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this."

The scene in our front yard as of last night

And then we sing together  "O Come, O Come, Immanuel"

I will continue the Advent Candle series each week when we light the second candle.  If you have never experienced the lighting of an Advent Wreath before, here is a little bit of the history:

"The word "Advent" comes from the Latin, "Adventus", meaning "coming" or "coming in", and the "coming in" of Christ has been celebrated by man on many different levels, both spiritual and social since the first years of Christianity.  The traditional Advent Wreath, like most Christmas and Advent customs, has been passed on from generation to generation.  In the Advent Wreath's evergreen boughs we are reminded of the eternalness of God.  In it's perfect circle, His all-encompassing love is symbolized.  Each week, as we add the glow of one more candle, we meditate upon another facet of the life and role of our Lord.  Candles, which are living flames, are symbolic of Christ, the Light of the World, Whose coming is nearer as the light of the candles is increased.  The purple candles represent the royalty of Christ.  The pink candle is the purple fading into the white candle, which represents Christ's birth and His purity.

Jesus said, "I Am the Light of the World...Whoever follows me will have the light of life and will never walk in darkness."  (John 8:12)"

 

(Back to the original post:) Our special antique table that we have been using for our home Communion Service (click HERE for more about that story) is also a perfect place to hold the Advent Wreath.  Little did my husband's grandfather know when he built this little table so many years ago how it would continue to honor the Lord in the homes of his future generations.

If there are times in your life that you are unable to attend worship services at a local church, there is no reason why you cannot have a home worship service.  Although for me it is unique because my husband is an ordained minister, but one does not have to have a seminary degree to lead your family in a time of worship.  You primarily need your Bible, and ask the Lord to guide you and give you insight into His Word.  The Bible tells us that "where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them."  I am not suggesting that this should be the norm, but there are times and seasons in life when it may be necessary for reasons beyond your control.  And, even if you DO attend church regularly, there is still no reason why you cannot have times of home worship and prayer as a family or with your neighbors and friends. As a matter of fact, it could be a true blessing for your family as well as those around you. 

In many nations of the world, this is the only form of church worship available, and that is often in what is considered "underground"...hidden and in secret, due to government restrictions and anti-christian leadership.  I pray that America never has to find out what that is...Pray for our nation. I look forward to the day when the fulfillment of the Isaiah prophecy will be complete:

"Of the increase of HIS government and peace 

there will be no end..."

Isaiah 9:7

"O Come, O Come Emmanuel..."

Stay tuned for more ADVENT Adventures in the next few weeks as we prepare our hearts for the Advent of our Lord...The first advent was when Jesus came to earth as a baby in the manger in Bethlehem to offer Himself on a cross for our salvation.  His second advent will be when He returns to earth:

"Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads,

because your redemption draws near."

Luke 21:27-28

"But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that DAY come on your unexpectedly.

For it will come as a snare on those who dwell on the face of the whole earth.

Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape 

all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man."

Luke 21:34-36

Are YOU Ready?

If you would like to hear our Pastor's message from this morning's worship service, here it is for you:

Have a blessed and wonderful Advent Season!

ADVENT DAYS Seven and Eight!

I got a little off schedule in my writing...but the Advent season tends to get busier as the days go by.  Yesterday I spent time doing some decorating:

Me, Hard at work putting up our Christmas tree

and today we started the day with worship...and the lighting of the Advent Candles for weeks one and two since last Sunday we weren't able to do so:

As we lit the first candle we read:

"This candle reminds us of the promise of the prophets that a Messiah would come.  The prophecy candle is symbolic of long years of waiting during which the prophets, inspired by God, kept alive the hope that the Son of God was coming to redeem us."

Then we read the following scriptures:

Isaiah 7:14

"Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign:

Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall

call His name Immanuel."

Isaiah 9:2-7

"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;

Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, 

Upon them a light has shined.

You have multiplied the nation

and increased its joy;

They rejoice before You 

according to the joy of harvest,

As men rejoice when they divide the spoil.

For YOU have broken the yoke of his burden

and the staff of his shoulder,

the rod of his oppressor,

as in the day of Midian.

For every warrior's sandal from the noisy battle,

and garments rolled in blood,

Will be used for burning and fuel of fire.

For unto us a Child is born,

Unto us a Son is given;

And the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of His government and peace

there will be no end,

Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,

to order it and establish it with judgment and justice

from that time forward, even forever.

The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this."

As we lit the Second Advent Candle we read the following:

"Today we light the Bethlehem candle.  It is symbolic of preparation.  The prophecy in Micah 5:2 that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem has significance because it indicates how God prepared even the last detail of the coming of Christ."

The following scriptures were read:

Micah 5:2

"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,

Though you are little among the thousands of Judah,

Yet out of you shall come forth to Me

the ONE to be Ruler in Israel,

Whose goings forth are from of old,

From everlasting."

Matthew 2:1-6

"Now after Jesus was born in BETHLEHEM of Judea 

in the days of Herod the king,

behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem,

saying, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?

For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him."

When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together,

he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.

So they said to him,

"In BETHLEHEM of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet:

"But you, BETHLEHEM, in the land of Judah,

are not the least among the rulers of Judah;

for out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel."

I will continue the Advent Candle series next week when we light the third candle.  If you have never experienced the lighting of an Advent Wreath before, here is a little bit of the history:

"The word "Advent" comes from the Latin, "Adventus", meaning "coming" or "coming in", and the "coming in" of Christ has been celebrated by man on many different levels, both spiritual and social since the first years of Christianity.  The traditional Advent Wreath, like most Christmas and Advent customs, has been passed on from generation to generation.  In the Advent Wreath's evergreen boughs we are reminded of the eternalness of God.  In it's perfect circle, His all-encompassing love is symbolized.  Each week, as we add the glow of one more candle, we meditate upon another facet of the life and role of our Lord.  Candles, which are living flames, are symbolic of Christ, the Light of the World, Whose coming is nearer as the light of the candles is increased.  The purple candles represent the royalty of Christ.  The pink candle is the purple fading into the white candle, which represents Christ's birth and His purity.

Jesus said, "I Am the Light of the World...Whoever follows me will have the light of life and will never walk in darkness."  (John 8:12)" 

For our home Advent Wreath, I gathered some fresh green boughs from one of our cedar trees, and wove their stems into a grapevine wreath that I already had.  Then I placed the candles in candle holders inside the circle of the wreath.  Our special antique table that we have been using for our home Communion Service (click HERE for more about that story) is also a perfect place to hold the Advent Wreath.  Little did my husband's grandfather know when he built this little table so many years ago how it would continue to honor the Lord in the homes of his future generations.

If there are times in your life that you are unable to attend worship services at a local church, there is no reason why you cannot have a home worship service.  Although for me it is unique because my husband is an ordained minister, but one does not have to have a seminary degree to lead your family in a time of worship.  You primarily need your Bible, and ask the Lord to guide you and give you insight into His Word.  The Bible tells us that "where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them."  I am not suggesting that this should be the norm, but there are times and seasons in life when it may be necessary for reasons beyond your control.  And, even if you DO attend church regularly, there is still no reason why you cannot have times of home worship and prayer as a family or with your neighbors and friends. As a matter of fact, it could be a true blessing for your family as well as those around you. 

In many nations of the world, this is the only form of church worship available, and that is often in what is considered "underground"...hidden and in secret, due to government restrictions and anti-christian leadership.  I pray that America never has to find out what that is...Pray for our nation. I look forward to the day when the fulfillment of the Isaiah prophecy will be complete:

"Of the increase of HIS government and peace 

there will be no end..."

Isaiah 9:7

"O Come, O Come Emmanuel..."

Click HERE for Advent Day Six

Click HERE for Advent Day Five and previous days.