Christmas is not in tinsel and lights and outward show. The secret lies in an inner glow. It’s lighting a fire inside the heart. Good will and joy a vital part. ~ Wilfred A. Peterson

*

John 1:9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

*

We Need Christmas

Matthew West

Matthew West - We Need Christmas (Official Music Video) - YouTube

Lights that twinkle red and green
Charlie Brown on the TV screen
Hugs from friends and family
That's what we need right now
Zippin' up a winter coat
Truck tires on a snowy road
That's the sound of comin' home
That’s what we need right now

This world could use a little healing
And our hearts could sure use somethin' to believe in

We need Christmas
Now more than ever to bring us together
We need Christmas
Come on, December, help us remember
The joy, the peace and the hope that love can bring
'Cause we need Christmas

Singin' carols in the livin' room
That's Grandma's favorite thing to do
And Grandpa reads Luke chapter two
That's what it's all about
It's a red Salvation Army can
It's reachin' out a helpin' hand
And lookin' after our fellow man
That's what we need right now

Oh, we need Christmas
Now more than ever to bring us together
We need Christmas
Come on, December, help us remember
The joy, the peace and the hope that love can bring (hope that love can bring)
'Cause we need Christmas
Oh, we need Christmas
Ooh

This world could use a little healin'
And our hearts could sure use somethin' to believe in

We need Christmas
Now more than ever to bring us together
We need Christmas
Come on, December, help us remember

We need Christmas
Now more than ever to bring us together
We need Christmas
Come on, December, help us remember
The joy (joy), the peace (peace) and the hope that love can bring (hope that love can bring)
Hear the bells (bells), let them ring (let them ring)
And let all the angels sing
'Cause we need Christmas

*

TRADITION

I love studying about light, and it’s properties. I have often pictured myself focusing in on a single ray of light coming from the sun. What happens when that ray hits an object? The first thing I think of is that the light can be reflected back to it’s source. It can also be refracted, which means, bent, passing from one medium to another. Another is Absorption which is when the light is absorbed completely into the object it strikes. There are several other properties of light. Today, lets think about the light of the “Son.” Setting the stage, a single ray of light shines brightest in the darkness. Christ didn’t come into our world at high noon. He entered our lives during the night, showing us the way to His light, guiding us towards love, and demonstrating how to overcome shadows and blackness. Christmas teaches us that even when things seem dark, we can trust the everlasting light. Let us serve, not as mirrors which reflect back all of Christ’s light, without letting any of it touch us. Nor as refractors, who change it a little and pass it to others. Not even as absorbers who keep all the goodness and light only for themselves without sharing any of it. Let us be amplifiers, those who add our own energy to the light of Christ through service, good will, kindness and compassion to those around us. We seldom hear “Let there be dark.” Let us start a tradition of spreading the light. It is a wondrous miracle in our lives. ~~ Marilee

*

DO YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES?

Author unknown

In the heat of a struggle that brings you to your knees,

There’s a river of hope that still remains unseen

In the middle of the darkness there’s a light,

Invisible hands to lift you up,

All that you have to do is ask

Do you believe in miracles?

When it seems that it’s impossible for you to make it through

See what the power of His miracles can do

I believe in miracles.

Though your prayers seem unanswered,

Don’t believe they’re all in vain.

‘Cause a prayer will be answered, all you have to do is wait.

When the mountain seems impossible to climb,

Just have faith ‘cause every good thing has it’s own appointed time.

Do you believe in miracles?

When it seems that it’s impossible for you to make it through

See what the power of His miracles can do

I understand that when you feel you can’t go on

The pressure builds –– there’s no end to be found

Just take the time to look beyond a circumstance

And you will find you’ll never walk alone

A greater love will carry you along

Do you believe in miracles?

When it seems that it’s impossible for you to make it through

See what the power of His miracles can do.

I believe in miracles.

–– I believe in miracles, too. ~~ Marilee

*

Christmas candle craft

This is a link to my pinterest page.

https://www.pinterest.com/eeliramj/pins/

In the first illustration, you will see fun candles you can make with your children/grandchildren. they’re simple and fun

*

The Legend of the Christmas Rose

On a cold December night, everybody was coming to see their new Savior and brought Him all kinds of gifts and presents. The three Wise Men came in with their valuable gifts of myrrh, frankincense and gold and offered them to Baby Jesus. At that point, a shepherdess, Madelon, who had seen the wise men passing through, reached the door of the stable, to see the Child. However, being very poor and having brought nothing to offer to the child, she felt helpless and started weeping quietly at the sight of all the wonderful gifts that the Three Wise Men had got for the child. Earlier, she had searched, in vain, for flowers all over the countryside but there was not even a single bloom to be found in the bitter winter.

An angel outside the door was watching over her and knew about her fruitless search. He took pity on her and, when he saw her head drooped down in sorrow, decided to help her with a little miracle. He gently brushed aside the snow at her feet and where her tears had fallen, sprang a beautiful cluster of waxen white winter roses with pink tipped petals. Then he softly whispered into the shepherdess's ear that these Christmas roses are far more valuable than any myrrh, frankincense or gold, for they are pure and made of love. The maiden was pleasantly surprised when she heard those words and joyfully gathered the flowers and offered them to the Holy Infant, who, seeing that the gift was reared with tears of love, smiled at her with gratitude and satisfaction. Thus, the Christmas rose came to symbolize hope, love and all that is wonderful in this season.