Showing posts with label Jesus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jesus. Show all posts

Friday, December 2, 2011

The Empty Stocking




Thank you so much for stopping by today.  I would like to share a bit of our Christmas tradition with you in the form of a stocking.  I have been married for almost 29 years to a wonderful man.  He is a great father and husband and has always done his best to provide for us.  Throughout our marriage we have had some tough times and though the peaks and valleys came about we would always, somehow, find a way to ensure that our children had a decent Christmas morning that I can remember.

One of the things that I have tried to instill into my children is that "little things mean a lot" so each year when Christmas morning comes around, we always have Christmas music playing on the stereo, the Christmas lights are lit on the tree and the smell of sausage balls and hot wassail fill the air.  Imagine all this and then you are handed your stocking.  One thing that we always ensure is that there is some sort of fruit in the toe of the stocking-it encourages the owner to remember to have their breakfast of the sausage balls, wassail and also their piece of fruit.  (I never make breakfast, just prep the sausage balls the night before and pop into the oven first thing in the morning).  We also try to include little things (sometimes a little on the expensive side) are tucked away in the stocking along with body wash, a pouf, some candy, and yes, sometimes even a lump of coal-albeit, the coal is usually the candy kind.  lol  But always, stockings come first, they always
have in this household at Christmas time-and always will.


Stockings are special.  Little things do mean a lot and to that end I also would like to share another tradition with you.  We always keep our Christmas movies separate and only watch them during the Christmas season.  This excerpt was taken from the original "The Bishop's Wife" with David Niven, Loretta Young and Cary Grant.  It speaks of a stocking that was owned by Christ and how we have been so caught up in our daily living that we have actually forgotten to fill the most important stocking.  We are supposed to celebrate Christmas as the birth of Christ, Our Lord.  That is the one and ONLY reason that Christmas exists.  There are other traditions, other circumstances, other religions that celebrate

around Christmas time, but ideally, this is the one holiday that we should celebrate, because without Christ being born of Virgin Mary thousands of years ago, we would not have Easter which is the death and resurrection of Christ.

I truly hope that you celebrate the "reason for the season" this year and remember to fill His stocking during the celebrating with your family and or friends this year and for years to come.

If you would like to know any more about Christ's resurrection, please email me at admin@nostalgicdreams.com and I will be more than happy to share the meaning of Christmas with you.

*hugz n blessings*
Elizabeth


"Tonight I want to tell you the story of an empty stocking.


Once upon a midnight clear, there was a child's cry, a blazing star hung over a stable, and wise men came with birthday gifts. We haven't forgotten that night down the centuries. We celebrate it with stars on Christmas trees, with the sound of bells, and with gifts.


But especially with gifts. You give me a book, I give you a tie. Aunt Martha has always wanted an orange squeezer and Uncle Henry can do with a new pipe. For we forget nobody, adult or child. All the stockings are filled, all that is, except one. And we have even forgotten to hang it up. The stocking for the child born in a manger. Its his birthday we're celebrating. Don't let us ever forget that.


Let us ask ourselves what He would wish for most. And then, let each put in his share, loving kindness, warm hearts, and a stretched out hand of tolerance. All the shining gifts that make peace on earth."

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

God is good

Psalm 107:1 ESV
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!


Hello everyone and thanks for taking time to drop by before the Thanksgiving holiday tomorrow.  I thought I would share a few reasons that I have to be thankful this year with you so grab a cuppa coffee, put some tunes on and take a few minutes to read, then, maybe think of why you are thankful and what blessings that Our Holy Father has given to us all.


I have been married to the most wonderful man for the past 28 years, his name is Jeff.  He and I have had problems not unlike many married couples, but we have experience a resurgence in our marriage for the past couple of years.  Sometimes you have to go through hard times, experience the trauma, depression, anxiety, etc to be able to appreciate the wonderful times you have in life.


I have a couple of wonderful children, Connor and Michille and they are my life.  Connor still lives with us and has not made up his mind about attending school since he graduated last spring.  Our daughter Michille is with currently 14 weeks along and married to the most wonderful man in the world.  I could not have hand picked anyone better for a son in law.  I am so grateful they found each other.


I have my health...for the moment.  I have moderate asthma and have rheumatoid arthritis so I LOVE the good days, however, I am grateful for the bad ones so that I can really appreciate the good days.  


We have family that loves us in Oklahoma, New Mexico, Colorado, Texas, Arkansas, California, South Carolina and extended family all over the world.  And we love them all.


Our home is warm and comfy and our bills are paid.  We are not rich but thanks to God's intervention, we are comfortable.  


My husband has a very good job, so does my son and I am beginning my business.  I have long dreamed of opening my business here in our home and it is slowly becoming a reality.  


Our car works and I am grateful.  Nuf said, Murphy's law.


We have some wonderful fuzzy friends (cats) who take very good care of us.  We love you Midnight, Josie and Precious.  We can tell you love us back.  :o)


And last but not least, I am grateful to be able to worship.  To be honest, I haven't been able to attend worship services at Germantown Church of God for awhile.  We had a family situation going on here and it kept us from attending (please don't ask) but Glory to God, we will be in church this Sunday and able to celebrate the first Sunday in Advent...freely.  We don't have anyone telling us who to worship, how to worship, how to pray or how to live.  All of that is between us and our Holy Father and I am grateful.  He has been the Rock of my life and I would not be who I am if I wasn't raised in His presence.  


Well, there ya go.  Those are the biggest things I am thankful for, each and every day.  God has truly blessed us in our lives.  I hope that you have a personal relationship with Him and if you do not, email me or talk to a trusted friend.  God wants to be not only along for the ride of your life, but He also wants to DRIVE.  He is a GREAT NAVIGATOR!!


I hope that you and yours have a wonderful Thanksgiving tomorrow.  And...should you not celebrate Thanksgiving where you live, I pray that your day will be great and you will have a BIG smile on your face!

*hugz n blessings*
Elizabeth