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!

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."