John 8:12
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
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Christmas is most truly Christmas when we celebrate it by giving the light of love to those who need it most. Ruth Carter Stapleton
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TIP: Most candle fires start in the bedroom. If you are using a candle in your bedroom, don’t leave the room until you blow the candle out first. Even if you are just going to the bathroom, blow the candles out. You never know if you’ll get distracted and end up forgetting about the candles in your room. You always want to have someone in the room when a candle is burning.
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O come, O come, Emmanuel (with lyrics)
translated by John Mason Neale and Henry Sloane Coffin
www.youtube.com/watch?v=RP4iyJqrPvY
O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer
Our people with Thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death's dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan's tyranny
From depths of Hell Thy people save
And give them victory o'er the grave
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
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I was cutting quilt blocks this morning when the phone rang. It was 6:37 a.m., and of course, panic set in and I wondered what was wrong. I hurried to the phone, picked it up. It was NOT one of our children. It was a telemarketer. What kind of crazy telemarketer calls at 6:37 in the morning? I thought for a second, debating what to say and quickly said, “Merry Christmas” and hung up. I felt good. It started my interactions with people off positively. As the day has gone on, I’ve thought about what I should do to follow the Savior. I started out ok. I was nice. I smiled. thinking about what kind of important lessons I need to learn. Have you ever noticed that the Savior didn’t let himself get stressed out about things which didn’t get done yesterday? He also didn’t worry about the future. He knew what would happen, but he chose to live completely in the present. He had so much to teach us, such important lessons. He taught them He taught them by living them. He didn’t worry or fret. He didn’t hate the fact that he couldn’t change the background on his blog, or that he might not get all of His decorations out for the upcoming holiday. He healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, blessed the little children, restored life to the dead. He led the way. So today, I’ve tried to live a day without worrying about things out of my control, feeling at peace and believing that I am following in His path. ~~ Marilee
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During the Christmas holidays the many decorations which adorn the windows and doors of homes are truly things of beauty. Each candle, seen in so many of our windows at this beautiful season of the year, tells an inspiring story.
Many years ago in a tidy little cottage on the edge of a village in Austria, a cobbler and his wife made their home. Their possessions were far from plentiful; but in spite of that, they shared what they had with others. Symbolic of their love and generosity for their fellowman was the lighted candle that they placed in the window of their humble cottage.
Over a number of years war, along with its companions, famine and destruction, fell upon the land. This little village suffered; yet, through it all, the cobbler and his wife suffered less than the others.
The villagers were puzzled about this and talked among themselves. "Surely, there is something special about them," they said. "They are always spared from our misfortune. Let us put a candle in our window and see if that is the mysterious charm."
It so happened that the first night a candle was lighted in the window of every home was Christmas Eve. Before the first rays of the morning sun showed over the horizon, a messenger rode into the village to bring the great news: peace had come to the land. That Christmas Day there was amazement and awe in the hearts of the humble villagers. And, as they thanked God for the blessings of peace, they said to one another, "Let us always remember to light candles on the evening of Christ's birth."
Many years have passed since this beautiful custom of placing a lighted candle in the window on Christmas Eve occurred. The custom has spread all over the world, sending forth a message of love, hope and cheer. During the Christmas holidays the many decorations which adorn the windows and doors of homes are truly things of beauty. Each candle, seen in so many of our windows at this beautiful season of the year, tells an inspiring story.
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I have always loved this poem, and hope that you will enjoy it also
I Will Light Candles this Christmas
—by Howard Thurman I will light Candles this Christmas,
Candles of joy despite all the sadness,
Candles of hope where despair keeps watch,
Candles of courage for fears ever present,
Candles of peace for tempest-tossed days,
Candles of grace to ease heavy burdens,
Candles of love to inspire all my living,
Candles that will burn all year long.
When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flock,
The work of Christmas begins:
To find the lost,
To heal the broken,
To feed the hungry,
To release the prisoner,
To rebuild the nations,
To bring peace among others,
To make music in the heart.
Howard Thurman (1899-1981), author, theologian, philosopher, educator, and civil rights leader. In 1944, he helped found the Church for the Fellowship of All Peoples, one of the first racially integrated churches. He played an active role in many social justice movements. As a theologian and advocate of radical nonviolence, he was a mentor to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and others in the Civil Rights Movements.
Extracted from
https://livingthepresentmoment.com/howard-thurman-will-light-candles-christmas/
Candles of hope where despair keeps watch,
Candles of courage for fears ever present,
Candles of peace for tempest-tossed days,
Candles of grace to ease heavy burdens,
Candles of love to inspire all my living,
Candles that will burn all year long.
When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flock,
The work of Christmas begins:
To find the lost,
To heal the broken,
To feed the hungry,
To release the prisoner,
To rebuild the nations,
To bring peace among others,
To make music in the heart.
Howard Thurman (1899-1981), author, theologian, philosopher, educator, and civil rights leader. In 1944, he helped found the Church for the Fellowship of All Peoples, one of the first racially integrated churches. He played an active role in many social justice movements. As a theologian and advocate of radical nonviolence, he was a mentor to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and others in the Civil Rights Movements.
Extracted from
https://livingthepresentmoment.com/howard-thurman-will-light-candles-christmas/
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