DECEMBER 16th NATIVITY

Scholars still DEBATE with arguments about the actual calendar date of when baby JESUS was born.  Also when the WISEMEN arrived on the scene bearing gifts for the young CHRIST child.  

I do have three WISEMEN at the Nativity Scene and I won't get overly offensive that they are there.  Our Nativity Scene is symbolic of the birth of the Messiah.  HE WAS BORN.  Baby Jesus makes HIS way to EARTH to give people a much needed second birth.  

Hallelujah and a half.
MERRY CHRISTMAS,
d

MATTHEW 7:11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.

MATTHEW 7:11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.

Matthew 2:7-13  7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.

12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

DECEMBER 15th HARK!!!

"Hymn for Christmas-Day" (Charles Wesley, 1739)[7]	Adaptation by George Whitefield (1758)[8]	Carols for Choirs (1961)[9]
HARK how all the Welkin rings "Glory to the Kings of Kings, "Peace on Earth, and Mercy mild, "GOD and Sinners reconcil'd! Joyful all ye Nations rise, Join the Triumph of the Skies, Universal Nature say "CHRIST the LORD is born to Day!	HARK! the Herald Angels sing Glory to the new-born King! Peace on Earth, and Mercy mild, God and Sinners reconcil'd. Joyful all ye Nations rise, Join the Triumphs of the Skies; Nature rise and worship him, Who is born at Bethlehem.	Hark! The herald-angels sing "Glory to the newborn king; Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled" Joyful all ye nations rise, Join the triumph of the skies With the angelic host proclaim "Christ is born in Bethlehem" Hark! The herald-angels sing "Glory to the new-born king"
CHRIST, by highest Heav'n ador'd, CHRIST, the Everlasting Lord, Late in Time behold him come, Offspring of a Virgin's Womb. Veil'd in Flesh, the Godhead see, Hail th' Incarnate Deity! Pleas'd as Man with Men t' appear JESUS, our Immanuel here!	Christ by highest Heav'n ador'd, Christ the everlasting Lord; Late in Time behold-him come, Offspring of the Virgin's Womb. Veil'd in Flesh the Godhead see, Hail th' incarnate Deity! Pleas'd as Man with Men t'appear, Jesus our Emmanuel here.	Christ, by highest heaven adored Christ, the everlasting Lord, Late in time behold Him come Offspring of a Virgin's womb: Veiled in flesh the Godhead see, Hail the incarnate Deity Pleased as man with man to dwell Jesus, our Emmanuel Hark! The herald-angels sing "Glory to the newborn King"
Hail the Heav'nly Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness! Light and Life to All he brings, Ris'n with Healing in his Wings. Mild he lays his Glory by, Born—that Man no more may die, Born—to raise the Sons of Earth, Born—to give them Second Birth.	Hail the Heav'n-born Prince of Peace Hail the Sun of Righteousness! Light and Life around he brings, Ris'n with Healing in his Wings. Mild he lays his Glory by, Born that Men no more may die; Born to raise the Sons of Earth, Born to give them second Birth.	Hail the Heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness![10] Light and life to all He brings, Risen with healing in His wings; Mild He lays His glory by Born that man no more may die Born to raise the sons of earth Born to give them second birth Hark! The herald angels sing "Glory to the new-born king"
Come, Desire of Nations, come, Fix in Us thy humble Home, Rise, the Woman's Conqu'ring Seed, Bruise in Us the Serpent's Head. Now display thy saving Pow'r, Ruin'd Nature now restore, Now in Mystic Union join Thine to Ours, and Ours to Thine.	Come, Desire of Nations, come, Fix in us thy heav'nly Home; Rise the Woman's conqu'ring Seed, Bruise in us the Serpent's Head.
Adam's Likeness, LORD, efface, Stamp thy Image in its Place, Second Adam from above, Reinstate us in thy Love. Let us Thee, tho' lost, regain, Thee, the Life, the Inner Man: O! to All Thyself impart, Form'd in each Believing Heart.	Adam's Likeness now efface, Stamp thy Image in its Place; Second Adam from above, Work it in us by thy Love.

After a full day of shopping out amongst the english, the Christmas Carol 'HARK!  The Herald Angels Sing' got stuck in my head.  I listened to the words and mediated on them where Christ was born to give people a second birth.  Amazing opportunity to come to LIFE more abundantly through Jesus Christ when born again.  

Nothing like CHRISTMAS SHOPPING with this song stuck in my thoughts.  HARK!  THE HERALD ANGELS SING JOY TO THE NEWBORN KING.....

I had to look up what HERALD meant.  As a messenger.  Makes sense.

May you have a BLESSED CHRISTMAS!

d

her·ald

/ˈherəld/

noun

1. 1.

   an official messenger bringing news.
2. 2.

   a person or thing viewed as a sign that something is about to happen.

   
   

   "they considered the first primroses as the herald of spring"

   synonyms:

   harbinger, sign, indicator, indication, signal, prelude, portent, omen; forerunner, precursor;  literaryforetoken "the first herald of spring"

verb

1. 1.

   be a sign that (something) is about to happen.

   
   

   "the speech heralded a change in policy"

   synonyms:

   signal, indicate, announce, spell, presage, augur, portend, promise, foretell;  usher in, pave the way for, be a harbinger of;  literaryforetoken, betoken "the speech heralded a policy change"

Looking up who wrote this song, I did not know it was Charles Wesley to pen the words and 

	Hark! The Herald Angels Sing MENU 0:00 Performed by the U.S. Army Band Chorus
Problems playing this file? See media help.

In 1855, English musician William H. Cummings adapted Felix Mendelssohn's secular music from Festgesang to fit the lyrics of "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" written by Charles Wesley.

DECEMBER 14th Multi Tasking

WOMEN ARE GENERALLY GREAT AT MULTI-TASKING.  Is that a given?  Supposedly we are comfortable in this juggling act of getting things done.  The thought of getting all accomplished that needs completed before an event seems like a race in high gear to cross over the finish line in style.  

Not a hair out of place with no sweat.  Ta daaaaaaah.  Done.

For many reasons, I have become a challenged contestant.  My mind runs faster than my feet these days.  A thought starts and before I know it, it vanishes into the cosmosphere of forgetfulness.

It takes energy to recall what just vanished from the conscious mind.  I don't like this phenomenon.  

I have not been able to relax about this when it happens.  It really does a number on me.  It's like I am chasing after something as it slips through my fingers.  The grasp is fruitless and I cannot stop it from getting away from me as I run for it.  The thought vapor locks and is GONE.  What was I thinking?  Don't know.

Eventually the thought returns like a boomerang returning to its master.  Oh yah.  If I don't take care of it that very second it might slip away and disappear again.  Jot that puppy down.  Do not misplace the note or it's gone and may not return until 3 in the morning or on a Spring day out of the blue it returns.

Some of this is typical with the aging mind...some is not but a symptom not to be ignored.  Checking into brain health leads to the Pineal Gland.  I'm tellin' ya I never knew this gland existed until recently.

Reading about it led me into a different universe.  I don't want to get into the third eye realm or any other highly spiritual dimension that others believe is the mother lobe of new age thinking, but believe that this gland definitely has a serious function or GOD would not have designed it for our bodies especially our brains.  Vivid dreams take place and this may be the Keeper of Dreamland. 

This gland can become calcified and cause health issues destructive to our well being.  SO I researched how to decalcify the Pineal Gland.

Interesting gland and I forgot what I was about to say.

  

SO today I will continue working at getting caught up on that 'ole laundry that just seems to breed more dirty laundry.  Before company comes I'd like to be caught up on it as I feel better knowing it is done for a few days.  

I will be gathering a miniature Christmas Village out of storage to display on my Grandma's Hutch in the entryway.  I think this will be a nice touch to our HOME.

As for tidying the house...it needs attention.  Paperwork needs attention.  Attention needs attention.  

CHRISTMAS CHEER continues.  Christmas Cards will be minimal.  Have hopes of getting these out this next week.  Christmas SWEETS next week as I purchase and gather up ingredients this week, I'll hopefully fix next week.  Sorta HOME-MADE will help. 

Yesterday I ate at the Health Food Store.  The ingredients in this soup ran long as I reassured myself this is good for me.  I left the store with a Green Tropical smoothie for the road.  I went to TARGET and took my time getting reaquainted with their NEW LOOK.  They had remodeled once again.  Took my time and did a little Christmas shopping.  

Off to pharmacy to purchase a 3 month supply of my thyroid meds then to ALDIs to grocery shop.  My quick trip to buy milk and coffee creamer turned into a I HAD BETTER GET THAT TODAY OR IT WILL BE GONE NEXT WEEK trip.  Then drove to the cottage to do a load of laundry and group Christmas boxes together to be better organized.

Did I multi-task enough?  It seems like it is never enough.  My BAD.  My bad.  It is taking some praying to change my attitude.

Today I will stay on course and be happy about it.  Amen.  The course may change and I will have to accept that.  STAYING FLEXIBLE which is greatly needed is an adventure.
    
God's Blessings to you on this cold wintery day,
d

DECEMBER 13th CHRISTMAS CHEER

CHRISTMAS CHEER FOR ALL THE YEAR

I confess....

I LOVE WHITE CHRISTMASES.

I am still cleaning on the house 
for special HOLIDAY time.

The tree is up and decked out.

Enjoying the Nativity Scene every day.

I made a grocery list for the sweets 

I'll make and a list for the menu.

I confess, I will be working on that today.

Confessing I have a busy afternoon lined up.

Confessing, I will need a sit and a sip during that time.

CHRISTMAS CHEER FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR 
goes with me where ever I tread because the LORD is with me.  

May you have a blessed day

and a blessed CHRISTMAS!

AMEN,

d 

DECEMBER 12th JOY TO THE WORLD

J❄️Y 

T❄️ THE W❄️RLD 

THE L❄️RD 

IS C❄️ME!!!

Let Earth Receive Her KING!

May you have a peaceful and blessed
CHRISTMAS,
d

JOY TO THE WORLD

Isaac Watts

published 1719

1. 
   
2. 
   
3. Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
   Let earth receive her King;
   Let every heart prepare Him room,
   And heav’n and nature sing,
   And heav’n and nature sing,
   And heav’n, and heav’n, and nature sing.
4. Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns!
   Let men their songs employ;
   While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
   Repeat the sounding joy,
   Repeat the sounding joy,
   Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.
5. No more let sins and sorrows grow,
   Nor thorns infest the ground;
   He comes to make His blessings flow
   Far as the curse is found,
   Far as the curse is found,
   Far as, far as, the curse is found.
6. He rules the world with truth and grace,
   And makes the nations prove
   The glories of His righteousness,
   And wonders of His love,
   And wonders of His love,
   And wonders, wonders, of His love.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Joy_To_The_World.ogg

Christmas Caroling Flash Mob The First Noel #LIGHTtheWORLD | The Five St...

DECEMBER 11th

CHRISTMAS CHEER CONTINUES

God bless and may you have a most blessed December with a meaningful CHRISTMAS 

and LIFE from this day forward.

Christmas Blessings,

d

DECEMBER 10th Santa Is Coming To Town

~CHRISTMAS CHEER~

Santa Claus is coming to town.....

Have you been naughty or nice?

Nice,

d

DECEMBER 9th Elf Helping

TODAY I could sure use an elf or two to help out.  My HUBBY is a power to be reckoned with when he is in HIGH GEAR.  He has what it takes to make things happen around here.  Right now he is taking a NAP in his new recliner.  I'll be working on papers this afternoon.  Trying to make some sense out of this mess.  

The CHRISTMAS tree is decked out.  Pics later.  Went with silvers, grays, light blues, whites and crystal or see through acrylics for the ornaments of various sizes.  LOTS of snowflakes.  Twinkle lights are clear and light blue.  My childhood tree topper lights up with an angel on a blue cloud.  This is one gift my Mom and Dad gave me that brought tears to an old ladies eyes.  Mom knew I wanted it so she gifted me with it before our house fire.  Though the tree topper was wrapped up in storage so nicely, the smoke smell DID NOT invade my topper.  I was so happy about that.  If this treasure had been smoked I still would not have pitched it.  So many childhood memories from this tree topper.  So many.  She's fluttering and floating above my tree this year so beautifully.

ELF ALERT:  This week to come, I will work on cards, make out my Christmas menu, tidy rooms and deep clean the bathrooms.  A little here and a little there makes for a finished project.  CHRISTMAS candy needs started on.  I was wondering what to make.  Probably Chocolate Covered Pretzels, Fool Proof Fudge, Peppermint Patties and CHRISTMAS Crack.  Maybe Russian Tea Cookies.  

The CHRISTMAS MOVIES have started.  The 2003 movie 'ELF' was playing at the laundromat while I washed 2 loads of blue jeans, dress shirts, undies.  Think this is becoming a classic.  This made the working visit more enjoyable.  This particular mat has a leather rocking chair to sit in while waiting between loads.  NOT busy so I had the TV to myself while sipping a root beer.

We tuned in at HOME one evening and watched Cary Grant and Loretta Young in the 1947 black and white film 'THE BISHOP'S WIFE'.  Having never watched it before it was better  than I imagined.  Set during Christmas time and well worth watching again.  Dudley is an ANGEL who has come to save the day between Mrs. Brougham and the Bishop Brougham.  Their little daughter Debby is played by Karolyn Grimes who also starred in 'It's A Wonderful Life' as ZuZu.  I thought I recognized her in this film.  Good eye. 

Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed in the 1946 movie 
'It's A Wonderful Life' is one of my favorites.  ANGEL in this one as well.  I could watch it every year.  Poor George Bailey has a streak of bad luck which follows him throughout his LIFE until he doesn't want to live anymore.  Clarence Odbody born in MAY 1653 is a fictional angel in Frank Capra's 1946 film It's a Wonderful Life, where he was portrayed by Henry Travers.  Clarence is George's guardian ANGEL saves him and shows him why he has made a huge difference in other's lives.  
         

I enjoy watching the movie 'A CHRISTMAS STORY' which came to theaters in 1983.  We were living in Omaha and one of the moms that was in a group I attended raved about how funny this movie was.  I'd watch it years later and always think about Ann, my friend.

Well enough said.  Think I will go take a NAP myself.  The cold weather gets to me and my bones.  While I'm napping perhaps the DISH FAIRY will appear and I'll wake to a clean Kitchen.

Dish Fairy, Elf, Dish Fairy, Elf.....I'm not particular.  Either can do an excellent job if I do say so myself.

Blessings,

d

DECEMBER 8th Decking the Halls

HoHoHo Merry Christmas!
CHRISTMAS CHEER continues.

Will be taking care of CHRISTMAS GIFTS next week, Cards with letter worked on, decorating the tree and outdoor decorations in place.  Should be busy.

Admired the quiet beauty of a lit CHRISTMAS Tree yesterday evening.  Will add a few more smaller ornaments throughout the day.  Every year I soak in how pretty the tree looks all aglow.  We decorated our Living room CHRISTMAS tree while listening to CHRISTMAS music.  Peaceful and calm this year.
    

Toward the spiritual reason for the season...the Nativity Scene is displayed on the Dining room buffet.  Enjoy having it out to see every day.  I sense the reason for the season when I gaze at it.  Having this out to look at causes my spirits to lift and get into the CHRISTMAS SPIRIT.  Jesus, Lord at thy birth.  The baby Jesus is being held in Mary's arms until CHRISTMAS Day then he will be laid in the manger bed.

     

Thinking about fixing a white coconut cake to eat on CHRISTMAS day.  My Hunny has a Christmas Eve Birthday so I have to be brave and make a German Chocolate Cake, his favorite.  If I load it up with the frosting, it will taste way better than a thinly coated cake.

  

Today I must try out our microwave.  She's acting up and know that a new one would be better than trying to fix this one that is only two years old.  Disappointed in my LG gorgeous microwave that went KaPuttttttt so soon.  Hummmm and a half.  

The POPCORN didn't POP.  The Sweet Potato Pie didn't warm up.  She's a goner.  For now the counter space will be cleaned up by pitching the WAVE and using the countertop space for gathering CHRISTMAS foods.  I can manage this.  We usually use the WAVE for popping popcorn, warming foods, melting butter, boiling water and baking potatoes.  

Never got into baking cakes and all kinds of foods in the WAVE except at THANKSGIVING and CHRISTMAS and EASTER for warming corn with butter and nuking green beans.  Welp what can I say?  I don't believe I will resurrect this one.  Out to the trash she goes.  My HUBBY will do the honors.  

Reading up on repairing a microwave using a qualified technician, it will be more cost affective and affordable to buy a NEW WAVE for us.  After CHRISTMAS perhaps we will go shopping for one in the new year.  

HoHoHo will I be able to stand not having a microwave in the Kitchen???  Shall see.  If Santa could loan me some elves to help out with the cooking and baking when company is here then I could slide right into being well without a WAVE.  

Dear Santa..........,

d