My Christmas Carol for You - While You Were Sleeping - Casting Crowns

We are all familiar with how there was no place for Jesus to be born - most of us think there was no room in the inn, but it is very, very possible the place where there really was no room was in Joseph's family's home. They knew Mary was pregnant without first being married and may not have wanted her in their home - leaving just the stable for her and Joseph to find shelter when Jesus was born.

Regardless of whether it was an actual inn, or family, when Jesus was born, He was not greeted by a warm, soft bed in a home, hotel or hospital. He slept in a manger among the animals. He was not welcomed into the arms of grandparents and extended family; he was greeted by shepherds. Just think what they missed.

Think what we miss when we do not focus on Jesus; when we do not make room for Him. Today's song by Casting Crowns calls us to be awake and to watch and make room for Jesus today!

Give an "Experience" as a Gift - Check Out Rebounderz

As you think about your Christmas gift list for this year, don't forget to think about giving an "experience" in place of a "gift". While children in particular, may enjoy an actual toy type gift, eventually they will outgrow the toy - or it might break, but experiences which result in memories are things which have the ability to last.

Today is National Homemade Cookies Day!

Today is National Homemade Cookie Day, so I certainly had to celebrate it with you by sharing my family's favorite cookie recipe with you - Three Boy's Chocolate Chip, Peanut Butter & Oatmeal Cookies! 

Give Two Books in One with the Little Ginormous, Humongous, Hairy, One-Eyed Monster Boys Adventures!

When my children were young and then when my grandsons were young, I always gave books as part of their gifts at Christmas. If you are a grandma or mom who also gives books at Christmas, then this is the book to give the children you love! When my grandsons were young and at my house for a sleepover, we typically made up stories at bedtime which almost always had monsters or dinosaurs in them. One night when my oldest grandson was six, my middle grandson was three, and my youngest grandson was one, we were getting them into bed when my oldest grandson said he saw a monster under his brother's bed! This was not what my middle grandson wanted to hear, so I said there could not be any monsters under his bed because the monsters were at their poppa's and grandma's house getting ready for bed on their sleepover. My grandsons found this idea very interesting, so of course, our bedtime story for the night had to have little, ginormous, humongous, hairy, one-eyed monster boys getting ready for bed and being scared because they thought they saw, teeny, tiny, itty, bitty, not-so-hairy, two-eyed people boys under their beds! 

Today is Make a Gift Day

When we think about the gifts we plan to give the people in our family for Christmas - or a birthday - we tend to think about a gift we will purchase. While there is certainly nothing wrong with purchasing a gift, think this year about giving a gift you make to those on your list - today is National Make a Gift Day. When my grandsons were younger I made crocheted hats for them for Christmas. One year I decided to make something different and crocheted them each a scarf - it looked like a tongue sticking out a mouth with teeth! I just couldn't crochet a simple scarf!

Christmas & Learning to Be Gracious

Christmas is just a few weeks away, today I am remembering a few years ago when my daughter, son, daughter-in-law, and grandsons joined us for dinner Christmas Eve - and of course, to exchange gifts. This particular year, one of the things we gave the grandsons was three $5 bills each. I decided to wrap them in different size boxes and went through the house to find - and in some instances, raid boxes. I ended up with an interesting mix . . . an empty band-aid box, a box which had cold pills in it, and other miscellaneous boxes.

Countdown-to-Christmas - Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring/Joy to the World

I enjoy Christmas "Flash Mobs" . . . I think it would be fun to be part of one, so today I'm happy to share with you a very well done, "flash mob" - this time it by the Air Force Band, starting with a single cellist (my personal favorite musical instrument) on the floor of the National Air and Space Museum's Milestones of Flight gallery. By the end of this four minute performance there are 120 musicians and vocalists playing and singing to the delight and surprise of those who visited the museum!  

While we are all likely able to sing from memory, Joy to the World, Jesus, Joy of Man's Desiring (written by Johann Sebastian Bach in 1716 and 1723) is one we may recognize, but not know, so I looked up the words to share with you, along with Joy to the World, which was written by Isaac Watts in 1719 and was based on Psalm 98. Enjoy!

A Family of Her Own for Candy - a Great Gift for Christmas!

Last summer my husband, grandsons, and I went to the Humane Society to get a kitten. I wanted my grandsons to go with us because, first of all, they love all animals, secondly I wanted to be sure whatever cat we got was one which was able to be around my grandsons without being aggressive. We spent some time at the Humane Society and finally settled on a very sweet calico - which we named Candy, because she is sweet (and my middle grandson said she reminded him of candy corn.) 

Christmas "Caroling" with The Piano Guys!

The Piano Guys are one of my favorite musicians - I love cellos, pianos played well are enjoyable, and I love the passion and fun they put into the songs the play. So, at Christmas it makes sense for me to listen to their music - and include them in my Christmas "Caroling".

Today is National Build Joy Day!

So, what is "National Build Joy Day"? Well, according to nationaltoday dot com it is a day to, "give back to your community in whatever way possible and make someone’s day!" This is certainly something we all are able to celebrate and make a part of our every day lives by bringing joy to people’s lives with tiny acts of kindness. 

What might we do to celebrate National Build Joy Day - consider the following ideas from Nationaltoday - 

It is Time for a Candy Cane Hunt!

Yes, it is the time of year for a Candy Cane Hunt! What is a Candy Cane Hunt, you ask? Think Easter Egg Hunt, and substitute Candy Canes, grab your camera, and get ready for some photos, memories, and fun your grandchildren - or children - will never forget!

This Christmas Engage & Equip the Ones You Love with God's Word

 

We will not hide them from their descendants;  we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done. He commanded our ancestors to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds, but would keep his commands. Psalm 78:4, 6, 7

Just for Fun - Interesting Christmas Trivia!

Since today is the first day of December, I thought it would be fun to share a bit of Christmas trivia with you! Did you know . . . 

Countdown-to-Christmas - Casting Crowns - I Heard the Bells

I'm very happy to share this Christmas song with you today . . . I Heard the Bells is a beautiful song with a wonderful history and message! Feel free to  "pass it on" and share it with the people you know, too . . . a type of "social-media-caroling"!