Tuesday 4: Merry Little Christmas

 A Merry Little Christmas

Thank you for joining in for Tuesday 4, begun by Toni Taddeo and kept in her memory.  

Christmas is fast approaching for millions of people...

1. Do you have a favorite Christmas carol and if so is there a particular version you especially like? 

It is hard for me to choose just one Christmas Carol that I like. I love them all. One tradition that my hubby and I like is to listen to Handel's Messiah (the first part) during the Christmas season. We try to save the second part for Easter, but we usually listen to the whole thing both holidays at some point. Hubby also loves to listen to some of Mozart's Christmas music. Of course we love ALL the traditional Christmas Carols. I honestly cannot narrow it down to one. We have CD's with music that we listen to during the week of Christmas in particular, and the Christian radio stations play Christmas music all month long, so I listen to that if I happen to be in the car by myself. (Which doesn't happen very often anymore since I retired...)

2.Do you have a special dinner for the holidays? What foods are included? 

We vary each year on what we have on Christmas day, but more often than not we have ham or my Grandma Mursch's ham loaf recipe. This year my daughter in love is baking the hamloaf for us, and a friend is coming to join us and is bringing a wonderful seafood casserole over rice. We will have a green salad and some other vegetables and of course pies for dessert. Probably a pumpkin and a chocolate cream pie, and maybe apple if I have time.  A couple of years ago we had lasagna for Christmas dinner, and that was a big hit too. When my mother in law was still living, we would always have a "fresh ham" for Christmas, which is a big pork roast. That was always delicious, but it isn't always easy to find.   

3.Holiday movies: which do you like to watch? 

I love to watch "Miracle on 34th Street", "The Bishop's Wife" (the old version with Cary Grant and Loretta Young and David Niven),

A Christmas Carol, (the 1938 version with Reginald Owen as Scrooge, and Gene Lockhart as Bob Cratchit) , and also the newer movies of "A Christmas Story" and "Christmas Vacation" for a good laugh.   

4. What traditions do you continue to keep year after year for the holidays?

As was true in my family growing up, we do not put any gifts out under the tree until late Christmas eve, when any of the "kids" who may still be home have gone to bed.  Our "kids" are all adults now, but that is still the tradition. No one sees any gifts until they get up Christmas morning, and that saves from having people shaking and rattling and peeking at gifts to try and determine what is in them. We also have stockings for every member of the family. They usually are filled with candy, fruit, nuts, and/or small gifts.

Here I am with my sister and two brothers. I am the littlest one on the left. This was our first Christmas in our new house that my Daddy built in 1957. Our stockings weren't very big...I'm not sure if "Santa" brought us bigger ones filled with goodies that year or not. 

And this is me on Christmas morning. I got what I wanted...a Doctor kit! Can you tell I was happy? Again, this was our first Christmas in this house, and we didn't have any rugs on the cold concrete floor yet. The concrete block "brick" walls were still unpainted . That fireplace in the previous picture was our main source of heat, except for a small propane wall heater back in the hallway near the bedrooms, and it was COLD, even in Florida! That little chair behind me made of pine logs was part of a set my mother bought from some Seminole Indians who were out peddling their wares from the back of a truck.  We didn't have much furniture in the house yet and she wanted something to sit on and this was cheap I guess so she bought it and a little settee for two.  It wasn't very comfortable and kind of ugly, and it seems like I remember my father not being very pleased with her purchase, but it eventually became porch furniture outside. Our tree was one someone brought us from out in the woods, and I guess my Daddy didn't have time to put up the train under the tree that year.  But even though things were a bit cold and bare, we had a wonderful Christmas and this little girl was very happy.

A few years later, when I was 13, I wrote this acrostic poem for the "Christmas Holidays".  I hope you can read my writing and excuse my scratching out of words. I don't think this was the final version that was graded... Poetry has never been my strong suit. LOL.

And just to finish this off, were you able to see the "Christmas Star" in the skies last night? (Monday night).  I tried to get some pictures, but my camera can't zoom in on the night skies very well. Here's a few examples of what I was able to capture on my cell phone and then on my regular camera:

First attempts before it was really dark. See the little bright dot in the sky over the trees?

I thought these were kind of interesting. I had to fill with light when I edited the photo from my regular camera, and this is how it turned out:

(these first two were the result of my camera moving I think. Not sure exactly what caused this)

But this is what happened when I edited my photos by filling with light:

I put this on Facebook last night and someone said it looked like the "Covid 19". I said I hoped that meant it was all gone to Jupiter!!!

I thought those were very unique. I am sure there will be those who will post pictures through their telescopic lens, and I can't wait to see them. I wish I had some more sophisticated telephoto equipment, but that is something that is a bit beyond my budget at this time, so will just enjoy whatever anyone else shares. I do hope there will be some!

This reminds me of several Christmas songs about the Star of Bethlehem that I do love:

Beautiful Star of Bethlehem

And "We Three Kings of Orient Are"

And another good one, "When They Saw the Star They Rejoiced with Great Joy"

I hope that you will have a very "Merry Little Christmas"...and that you will rejoice with great joy at the Birth of Jesus Christ, Emmanuel, "God with us", Wonderful Counselor, The Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace...

Jesus said in Revelation 22:12-13, 16

"And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, 

to give to every one according to his work.

13.  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last."

16 "I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star."

Have a wonderful Christmas week!   Now please go visit over at Tuesday Four and see what others are sharing about their Christmas traditions.  Thank you to Annie from Cottage by the Sea for keeping this going each week.

Sharing also today with Rose Chintz Cottage "No Place Like Home" party.  Please go visit Sandi and our other friends when you have time!! It's wonderful to make new friends at Christmas!

The Secret Garden Chronicles-Day 14-The Garden of God's Creation

What a difference a day makes...the past couple of days were so chilly and raw and cloudy...making it very difficult to sit comfortably outside for any length of time.  But today I'm sitting here in the garden in short sleeves and capris...the sun is shining and it is a beautiful spring day!  Yes, I know it isn't officially spring yet, but we have been blessed with a very mild winter (even for Florida) that has seemed more like spring with the exception of a few frosty mornings and bone-chilling days.  I am so very thankful! We just need a little more rain to make it perfect...but I'm not complaining!

Our devotional readings today took us through Psalm 104 and also the first nineteen verses of Genesis.  Such beautiful images in these passages...I commend them to your reading.  Here is a portion of Psalm 104...

1.  "Bless the Lord, O my soul!

O Lord my God, You are very great;

You are clothed with honor and majesty.

2.  Who cover Yourself with light as with a garment,

Who stretch out the heavens like a curtain.

3.  He lays the beams of His upper chambers in the waters.

Who makes the clouds His chariot,

Who walks on the wings of the wind;

4.  Who makes His angels spirits,

His ministers a flame of fire."

(Note: some of the photographs are from earlier times...not necessarily taken today, but appropriate for this powerful imagery.)

As I read through the whole Psalm 104, I am filled with awe & majesty of our God, our Creator.

Verse 24 says:

"O Lord, how manifold are Your works!

In wisdom You have made them all.

The earth is full of Your possessions."

Verse 31:

"May the glory of the Lord endure forever;

May the Lord rejoice in His works."

33:

"I will sing to the Lord as long as I live;

I will sing praise to my God

while I have my being.

34:

"May my meditation be sweet to Him;

I will be glad in the Lord."

I've been thinking a lot lately about how all of life, as we know it, began in a garden...
when God created the heavens and the earth and everything in it...then He created man out of the dust of the ground (see Genesis 2), and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living being.

In verse 8 it says "The Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed..."

Verse 15:  "Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it." Then  He commanded the man, saying  (16)"Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat.
(17) "but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die."

And then God created Eve for the man Adam, and they both lived in the garden.  We don't know how long it was before the serpent came along and deceived Eve and then Eve convinced Adam to eat of the forbidden fruit...but we all know the terrible consequences of that sin.

Adam and Eve were sent out of the garden (Genesis 3:23-24), "to till the ground from which he was taken", and they were barred from ever returning to Eden because of their great sin of disobedience.
From that day on mankind has had to live a life of toil and much sorrow, because of this great load of sin that was passed on to all of the human race.

And then Jesus came!!

Click HERE for the song "Then Jesus Came" sung by Larry Wayne Morbit (Gaither Homecoming)

One sat alone beside the highway begging,
  His eyes were blind, the light he could not see;
He clutched his rags and shivered in the shadows,
  Then Jesus came and bade his darkness flee. 

When Jesus comes the tempter’s pow’r is broken;
  When Jesus comes the tears are wiped away.
He takes the gloom and fills the life with glory,
    For all is changed when Jesus comes to stay.

From home and friends the evil spirits drove him,
  Among the tombs he dwelt in misery;
He cut himself as demon pow’rs possessed him,
  Then Jesus came and set the captive free.

“Unclean! unclean!” the leper cried in torment,
  The deaf, the dumb, in helplessness stood near;
The fever raged, disease had gripped its victim,
  Then Jesus came and cast out every fear.

Their hearts were sad as in the tomb they laid him,
  For death had come and taken him away;
Their night was dark and bitter tears were falling,
  Then Jesus came and night was turned to day.

So men today have found the Savior able,
  They could not conquer passion, lust and sin;
Their broken hearts had left them sad and lonely,
  Then Jesus came and dwelt, Himself, within.

When Jesus comes the tempter’s pow’r is broken;

When Jesus comes the tears are wiped away.

He takes the gloom and fills the life with glory,

For all is changed when Jesus comes to stay.

The only begotten perfect Son of God, pure and sinless, born of the Holy Spirit...the only perfect sacrifice Who could atone for our sins and open up the way back to "Eden"...that heavenly garden in Paradise...where the tree of life shall be for all those redeemed by the blood of the Lamb of God...Jesus Christ...Who takes away the sins of the world!

In Revelation 22:3 we are told that there shall be no more curse, and the "throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him."

That beautiful garden in the new paradise where the tree of life shall be forever...

Revelation 22:13 says;

"I am the Alpha and the Omega, The Beginning and the End, The First and the Last."

We were banished from the first garden...but because of Jesus' great sacrifice, we will live forever in the last garden!  What a beautiful and precious promise is this...all because Jesus came for YOU and for Me!!  I hope to see you in that glorious garden someday!

Click HERE for a previous post regarding The Serpent In The Garden

The Secret Garden Chronicles-Day 7- Some Good News

I really need this today...

Just as I was preparing to sit down at my computer tonight to "transcribe" my notes from this afternoon's journal writing in the Secret Garden, the power went off!  We weren't having any kind of storm, so it must have been some kind of accident or a transformer blowing somewhere.  Anyway, we enjoyed about an hour of candlelight and peace and quiet with no television or other noise.  We actually sat in the softly lit living room and started telling stories and having real conversation instead of talking back to the TV. (Does anyone else do that?)  I was almost sorry to see the lights come back on, except for the fact that it is rather chilly here, going down in the 30's tonight, so I am thankful that we will have heat and lights and our pump can pump our water again!  And, I can now sit here and write to you!

Now, back to The Secret Garden Chronicles, written this afternoon...

As I sit down in the garden today, I feel a deep sense of relief.  

Here's my hubby with his mother, taken last week when we visited
while she was playing BINGO!

It's been a busy morning, going to visit my mother in law in the nursing home,
and then also meeting some of my husband's relatives for lunch prior to their going to  visit at the nursing home as well.  

It was very refreshing to spend time with them...strong Christians with very similar interests and feelings as we have on many topics concerning the current political climate in our country...and the constant barrage of negative news on the air waves.  It is so comforting to be with people who are like-minded and Spirit led.

Thank You, Lord, for putting Your people together at the right time and place!

Here's my mother in law on the bottom right, with her cousin on the left, and her nephew and lovely wife on the back row. She was very pleasantly surprised to see them!

By the way, my mother in law told us today that she loves this place and doesn't want to leave!  That was a great bit of news...and a real comfort to us to know that she is adjusting so well to her "new home".  She is making new friends and loves all the activities, as much as she is able to do.  God has truly answered our prayers.

Now, back to the Secret Garden...again...

As I come before Your throne, O Lord, quiet my heart, mind, and spirit so that I can focus my thoughts toward You.

"Father, I adore You;

Lay my life before You;

How I love You.

Jesus, I adore You;

Lay my life before You,

How I love You.

Spirit, I adore You;

Lay my life before You,

How I love You."

I can almost hear the echo of this "round" in my head as I sing...other voices join in unison, and then in a three part round.  So melodic, touching the very chords of my heart.  I may be here in this garden alone, but with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit all present...we are ONE!

Dear Friends, Won't you sing along with me? I hope you know this worship song...

"Holy, Holy, Holy, Holy

Holy, Holy,

Lord God Almighty.

And we lift our hearts before You 

as a token of our love,

Holy, Holy. Holy, Holy.

Gracious Father, Gracious Father,

We're so blest to be Your children

Gracious Father.

And we lift our heads before You 

as a token of our love,

Gracious Father, Gracious Father.

Precious Jesus, Precious Jesus,

We're so glad that You've redeemed us,

Precious Jesus.

And we lift our hands before You

as a token of our love,

Precious Jesus, Precious Jesus.

Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit,

Come and fill our hearts anew,

Holy Spirit.

And we lift our voice before You 

as a token of our love.

Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit.

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah

And we lift our hearts before You 

as a token of our love.

Hallelujah, Hallelujah."

While I was sitting here singing, my sweet son came and put this sign up in the Secret Garden...in a location where I will see it as I sit down to worship and pray and write.  I wanted it there before me to remind me each day that as I enter this sacred place, I am to stop what I am doing, BE STILL, and  KNOW that God is present...He is here, and He asks me to acknowledge His Presence.

Maybe it will help the chickadees to be still as well...

It's so easy to become distracted by the things of the world, even here inside this beautiful place, which is set apart expressly for communion with God.  If I don't leave my worries and frustrations at the gate when I enter, it will be difficult to open my heart and mind to what God is wanting to say to me.

Today I was directed to read Psalm 45:1-7

(My Bible notes state that "This great Psalm of the King, with Psalms 46-47, obviously looks forward to His advent in glory."  (The New Scofield Study Bible, NKJV)

I really love this first verse...I felt like it was written just for me:

1> "My heart is overflowing with a good theme.

I recite my composition concerning The King;

My tongue is the pen of a ready writer."

2> "You are fairer than the sons of men.

Grace is poured upon Your lips;

Therefore, God has blessed You forever.

3> Gird Your sword upon Your thigh,

O Mighty One,

with Your glory and Your majesty.

4> And in Your majesty ride prosperously

because of TRUTH, humility, 

and righteousness.

And Your right hand shall teach You 

awesome things.

5> Your arrows are sharp in the heart

of the King's enemies.

The peoples fall under You.

6> Your throne, O God, is FOREVER and EVER!

A scepter of righteousness is

the scepter of Your Kingdom.

7> You love righteousness and hate wickedness;

Therefore God, Your God,

has anointed You with the oil of gladness

more than Your companions."

I really became excited while reading this passage about our Lord, Jesus Christ, The Mighty One, The King. I can envision our Lord, the King of kings, riding in glory and majesty, and His throne is FOREVER!  A scepter of righteousness...and He is riding on the clouds, coming to gather His Bride, The Church and all the saints of old, and take us into heaven...where we will reign with Him -FOREVER!  What a glorious day that will be...

In Revelation 22:12-13  Jesus says:

"And behold, I am coming quickly,

and My reward is with Me,

to give to everyone one 

according to his work...

I AM the ALPHA AND THE OMEGA,

THE BEGINNING AND THE END,

THE FIRST AND THE LAST!

Verse 17:

"And the Spirit and the Bride say, "COME!"

And let him who hears say, "COME!"

And let him who thirsts come...

Whoever desires, let him take

the water of life freely..."

Verse 20:

"He who testifies to these things says,

"Surely I Am coming quickly."

Amen, even so,

COME, LORD JESUS!"

After a difficult week, with a lot of contention in the news and our world, these thoughts of Christ returning for His Bride are very comforting to me.  It is my prayer that this will be a comfort to you as well, my friends.  When we know Jesus as our Lord and Savior and Coming King, we have nothing to fear about the future.  And that is GOOD NEWS!!!