Merry Christmas

Luke Chapter 2:1-20

"In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled.

This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria.

So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town.

 And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.

While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son.  She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock.

The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear.

The angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord.

And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger."

And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:  "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."

When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us."

So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger.

When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child.

All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds.

And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.

Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen,

just as it had been told to them.

Merry Christmas

Gifts

It was a year ago tonight I got a wonderful gift from my parents when they got me a puppy for Christmas.  They got me a very tiny Bichon Frise girl puppy.  They had put her in a white wire dome shaped carrier on a bed and a heating pad to keep her warm.  She was so soft and so tiny and no bigger than the smallest present under our family Christmas tree.  She was only 2 months old when I got her. 

Happy one year anniversary Holly.

Another gift is the gift of great friends. Each year on this eve of Christmas one of these couples host what has now become an annual christmas eve party. Good times and good food were shared by good friends. What a great group this is.

Warm Festive Fireplaces

Nothing says warmth, like a warm, inviting fire in the fireplace.  When you enter someone's home in the winter during the holiday season, what's one of the first things you notice?  If you guessed fireplace, you'd be correct.  The fireplace not only provides warmth from the toasty fire in it, but can be a festive centerpiece just like the festive tree. 

So, for those who may not have a Christmas theme yet for their fireplace, check out these ideas. 



(Image via:  HGTV.com)

(Image via:  HGTV.com)

This holiday mantel decor was inspired by vintage Christmas toys.

 Pinecones were added to light grenery surrounding the wooden nutcracker soldiers.

A clothesline of miniature mittens add a whimsical touch to this holiday set up.