Where did December go? I felt like we just decorated our tree, and now we will be gathering around it soon. Like many of you are, we are so busy getting gifts wrapped and cookies made. We made sugar-free Christmas-shaped cookies this year, and they are so good... (I will include the recipe below), and checking our lists twice to make sure we have everything done! In the business of getting everything done, we had our radio going, playing Christmas carols, and Matthew West’s song “Come Home For Christmas” came on, and I just stopped and was still and listened to the words. The lyrics in that song are so touching, but one particular line always stands out to me... "How long has it been Since you and your heart talked to Jesus?" With all the decorating, shopping, and festivities, I always want to take time and remember why we celebrate... Jesus! We have gathered each evening and read a chapter of Luke to follow the journey of Jesus and the gift of salvation he gave us! It is the most wonderful time of the year, making memories and holding onto ones that are so dear!
I pray you all can be with family and friends this Christmas, make memories that will be treasured forever, and Be Still & Come Home to Jesus!
Here are the beautiful lyrics and video of Matthew West's "Come Home For Christmas."
How long has it been
Since you felt that feeling of wonder? Like a child wide awake
Counting down on Christmas Eve, We're in such a hurry for life to begin. Do you ever just wish you could go back again? What if I told you the young and the old you
Are not quite as far apart as you might think
Come home, come home, come home, Come home, Come home, Come home, Come home for Christmas. Let your heart return once again
To the joy and the peace, The love and the hope. It's all right here waiting
For you to come home for Christmas
And come home for good.
Turn around, And you'll see
There's a light in the window
And a star on the tree
Leave the past at the door. All the years and the tears. Let 'em fall to the floor.
Follow the sound
Of laughter and song, Leading you back to the place
Where you always belong
Come home, come home, come home, Come home, Come home, Come home, Come home for Christmas. Let your heart return once again
To the joy and the peace, The love and the hope. It's all right here waiting
For you to come home for Christmas
And come home for good
Come home to a manger. Come home to a story that's still true. Come home to a Savior
Who came down from Heaven just for you
How long has it been
Since you and your heart talked to Jesus?
Come home, come home, come home, Come home, Come home for Christmas. Let your heart return once again
To the joy and the peace
The love and the hope
It's all right here waiting
For you to come home for Christmas
And come home for good.
Come home for Christmas, And come home for good.
No Sugar Christmas Cookies
The recipe is from Emily Lothert (livingwithlotherts) on Instagram. The link is HERE. They are delicious and guilt-free! Santa Approved!
So, before the Christmas festivities fully begin, I pray you all the joy and wonders of this Holy Season and send you all HIS message of Joy, Hope, and Peace. Very Merry Christmas from my family to yours. Rejoice HE Came for You! Let us all Come Home to a Savior this Christmas and always!
Have a Blessed Christmas, and Enjoy God’s Richest Blessings in 2025!
Merry Christmas, my Dear Friends!! I can't believe it’s almost here? We are trying to soak up all these last moments... family gathering, advent, wrapping presents, watching Christmas movies, and doing lots of baking! Enjoying every minute of this most wonderful time of the year!
I am truly thankful for all of you here who visit; it is such a blessing! Your kindness and support mean more to me than I could ever express. God Bless You All!
I wanted to share with you a sweet poem from Valerie Parr Hill; you may know her from QVC and all her beautiful home decor. This poem from her mother brighten my day, and I hope it does the same for you! It is so touching, and I knew it would be fitting to include it in my Christmas card to all of you.
I also try to share a touching Christmas story, and this year, I found one that melted my heart and brought tears of joy! I pray it blesses you as well!
Waiting…..Waiting for Christmas
by Elizabeth English
Herman and I finally locked our store and dragged ourselves home. It was 11 p.m., Christmas Eve. We’d sold almost all of our toys, and all of the layaway, except one package, had been picked up. But the person who had put a dollar down on that package never appeared.
Early Christmas morning, our 12-year-old son, Tom, Herman, and I were out under the tree opening up gifts. But there was something humdrum about this Christmas. Tom was grown up, and I missed his childish exuberance of past years. As soon as breakfast was over, he left to visit friends, and Herman disappeared into the bedroom, mumbling, “I’m going back to sleep.”
So there I was alone. It was nearly 9 a.m. Sleet mixed with snow cut the air outside. “Sure, glad I don’t have to go out on a day like today,” I thought to myself. And then it began—something I’d never experienced before. A strange, persistent urge. “Go to the store,” it seemed to say. “That’s crazy,” I said to myself, “no one opens shop on Christmas day.” For an hour, I fought that strange feeling. Finally, I could stand it no longer. I got dressed. I put on my wool coat, placed my hat on my head, and then my galoshes, scarf, and gloves. Once outside, the wind cut right through me, and sleet stung my cheeks. I felt ridiculous. I had no business being out in the bitter chill.
There was the store just ahead. “But, what in the world?” I wondered. In front of the store stood two little boys—huddled together, poorly dressed, and half frozen. One was about nine, the other six.
“Here she comes!” yelled the older one. “See, I told you she would come,” he said. The younger one’s face was wet with tears, but when he saw me, his eyes opened wide, and his sobbing stopped.
“What are you two children doing out here?” I scolded, hurrying them into the store.
“We’ve been waiting for you,” replied the older. “My little brother Jimmy didn’t get any Christmas. We want to buy some skates. That’s what he wants.”
I looked at the three dollars in his hand and at their expectant faces. Then I looked around the store. “I’m sorry,” I said, “but we have no ska….” Then my eye caught sight of the layaway shelf with its lone package. Could it be? I walked over and unwrapped the package. Miracles of miracles, there was a pair of skates!
Jimmy reached for them. “Lord,” I said silently, “let them be his size.” And miracle added upon miracle. They were his size. When the older boy finished tying the laces and saw that the skates fit perfectly, he stood up and presented the dollars to me.
“No, I’m not going to take your money,” I told him. “I want you to have these skates and use your money to get some gloves for your hands.” What I saw in Jimmy’s eyes was like a blessing. It was pure joy, and it was beautiful. My low spirits rose.
As I locked the door, I turned to the older brother and said, “How lucky that I happened to come along when I did. How did you boys know I would come?”
I wasn’t prepared for his reply. His gaze was steady, and he answered me softly. “I knew you would come. I asked Jesus to send you.”
The tingles in my spine weren’t from the cold. I knew God had planned this. As we waved goodbye, I returned home to a brighter Christmas than I had left.
Wishing you a Blessed Merry Christmas! What a beautiful season it has been... spreading HIS Joy and sharing Christmas ideas and blessings with you all! May your holiday be filled with HIS love, peace, joy, hope, and warmth as we celebrate the true meaning of Christmas...JESUS!!!!!
Bundle up and bring on the Holiday Cheer because the Coziest, Merry & Brightest season is Here!
I've gathered up my favorites and have already started shopping for some new festive pieces to brighten up my fashion and home this holiday season. I love this time of year when fashion takes on a whole new meaning with accents of Christmas throughout. So bring on the comfort and joy, merry & bright, and all things Christmas, because it's HERE the most wonderful time of the year!
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~Blessings for the Day ✞o Encourage your Life~
May Your Day Be Merry & Bright!
Nea
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Merry Christmas, friends!🎄 I hope you’re having a wonderful time celebrating the birth of Jesus with your family! I can't believe it is Christmas week; it goes by faster each year! I am still looking for last-minute stocking stuffers, and my Momma, Sister, and I will be baking much of the week; what special moments! We decorated cookies yesterday, and just sitting around the table doing that each year is priceless; plus, the cookies are so good too!
Now, our family is bracing for a significant winter storm just in time for Christmas! Are you getting the cold weather and snow in your area? ⛄ I do love a white Christmas, but this one is going to be a cold and very windy system. Hopefully, we will keep power and, most of all, safe travel for our family coming in. I pray you all are safe and warm this Christmas!
Our family has enjoyed spending time together doing old and new traditions...decorating, shopping, going to see Santa Claus and Christmas Lights, watching Christmas Movies(of course, It's A Wonderful Life), and attending Christmas Concerts as well! Those moments are a gift!
On Christmas morning, we give God our first, we always gather, and my Daddy reads Luke 2 from his Grandparent's Bible, and we stop and remember what this season brings.
Luke 2:1-14 (KJV)🌟
1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, everyone into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary, his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.
I have shared this story before, but it still rings so clear each year me every time I read it. I pray it blesses you all as well. I love sharing it with you every Christmas Season.
An Extra Baby Jesus...
About a week before Christmas, a family bought a new nativity scene. When they unpacked it, they found 2 figures of baby Jesus. "Someone must have packed this wrong," the mother said, counting out the figures. "We have one Joseph, one Mary, three wise men, three shepherds, two lambs, a donkey, a cow, an angel, and two babies. Oh, dear! I suppose some set down at the store is missing a baby Jesus because we have 2."
"You two run back down to the store and tell the manager that we have an extra Jesus. Tell him to put a sign on the remaining boxes saying that if a set is missing a baby Jesus, call 7126. Put on your warm coats; it's freezing cold out there."
The manager of the store copied down the mother's message, and the next time they were in the store, they saw the cardboard sign that read, "If you're missing baby Jesus, call 7126." All week long, they waited for someone to call. Indeed, they thought, someone was missing that meaningful figurine. Each time the phone rang, mother would say, "I'll bet that's about Jesus," but it never was.
Father tried to explain there are thousands of these scattered over the country, and the figurine could be missing from a set in Florida or Texas or California. Those packing mistakes happen all the time.
He suggested just putting the extra Jesus back in the box and forgetting about it.
"Put baby Jesus back in the box! What a terrible thing to do," said the children. "Surely someone will call," mother said. "We'll just keep the two of them together in the manger until someone calls.
When no call had come by 5:00 on Christmas Eve, mother insisted that father "just run down to the store" to see if there were any sets left. "You can see them right through the window, over on the counter," she said. "If they are all gone, I'll know someone is bound to call tonight."
"Run down to the store?" father thundered. "It's 15 below zero out there!"
"Oh, Daddy, we'll go with you," Tommy and Mary began to put on their coats. Father gave a long sigh and headed for the front closet. "I can't believe I'm doing this," he muttered. Tommy and Mary ran ahead as father reluctantly walked out in the cold. Mary got to the store first and pressed her nose up to the store window. "They're all gone, Daddy," she shouted. "Every set must be sold."
"Hooray," Tommy said. "The mystery will now be solved tonight!"
Father heard the news still a half block away and immediately turned on his heel and headed back home. When they got back into the house, they noticed that mother was gone, and so was the extra baby Jesus figurine. "Someone must have called, and she went out to deliver the figurine," my father reasoned, pulling off his boots. "You kids, get ready for bed while I wrap mother's present."
Then the phone rang. Father yelled, "answer the phone and tell 'em we found a home for the baby Jesus." But it was mother calling with instructions for us to come to 205 Chestnut Street immediately and bring three blankets, a box of cookies, and some milk. "Now, what has she gotten us into?" my father groaned as we bundled up again. "205 Chestnut. Why that's across town. Wrap that milk up good in the blankets, or it will turn to ice before we get there. Why can't we all just get on with Christmas? It's probably 20 below out there now. And the wind is picking up. Of all the crazy things to do on a night like this."
When they got to the house at 205 Chestnut Street, it was the darkest one on the block. Only one tiny light burned in the living room, and the moment we set foot on the porch steps, my mother opened the door and shouted, "They're here; oh, thank God you got here, Ray! You kids take those blankets into the living room and wrap up the little ones on the couch. I'll take the milk and cookies."
"Would you mind telling me what is going on, Ethel?" my father asked. "We have just walked through below-zero weather with the wind in our faces all the way."
"Never mind all that now," my mother interrupted. "There isn't any heat in this house, and this young mother is so upset she doesn't know what to do. Her husband walked out on her, and those poor little children will have a very bleak Christmas, so don't you complain. I told her you could fix that oil furnace in a jiffy."
My mother strode off to the kitchen to warm the milk while my brother and I wrapped up the five little children who were huddled together on the couch. The children's mother explained to my father that her husband had run off, taking bedding, clothing, and almost every piece of furniture, but she had been doing all right until the furnace broke down.
"I been doin' washin' and ironin' for people and cleanin' the five and dime," she said. "I saw your number every day there, on those boxes on the counter. When the furnace went out, that number kept going through my mind. 7162...7162. Said on the box that if a person was missin' Jesus, they should call you. That's how I knew you were good Christian people, willin' to help folks. I figured that maybe you would help me, too. So I stopped at the grocery store tonight, and I called your misses. I'm not missin' Jesus, mister, because I sure love the Lord. But I am missin' heat. I have no money to fix that furnace."
"Okay, Okay," said father. "You've come to the right place. Now let's see. You've got a little oil burner over there in the dining room. Shouldn't be too hard to fix. Probably just a clogged flue. I'll look it over, see what it needs."
Mother came into the living room carrying a plate of cookies and warm milk. As she set the cups down on the coffee table, I noticed the figure of baby Jesus lying in the center of the table. It was the only sign of Christmas in the house. The children stared wide-eyed with wonder at the plate of cookies my mother set before them.
Father finally got the oil burner working but said, "You need more oil. I'll make a few calls tonight and get some oil. Yes, sir, you came to the right place" father grinned.
On the way home, father did not complain about the cold weather and had barely set foot inside the door when he was on the phone. "Ed, hey, how are ya, Ed?"
"Yes, Merry Christmas to you, too. Say, Ed, we have kind of an unusual situation here. I know you've got that pick-up truck. Do you still have some oil in that barrel on your truck? You do?"
By this time, the rest of the family were pulling clothes out of their closets and toys off of their shelves. It was long after their bedtime when they were wrapping gifts. The pickup came. On it were chairs, three lamps, blankets, and gifts. Even though it was 30 below, father let them ride along in the back of the truck. No one ever did call about the missing figure in the nativity set, but as I grow older.
I realize that it wasn't a packing mistake at all.
Jesus saves; that's what He does.
Author unknown
As we all celebrate Christmas and open gifts to show our love towards others, let us rejoice for the greatest gift, Jesus, and HIS peace in the new year! I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas with your family and friends. Blessings to you all this Holy Joyous Season and the New Year! I want to thank you all for visiting, sharing, and supporting my blog. It means so much! I am so grateful! I pray you all experience His Love this Christmas and enjoy all that it brings, and always spread the true JOY and LOVE of Christmas... JESUS!🎁
Salvation was born for us all! What a gift God gave us that Christmas, a child that would be loved & persecuted to save us all! Jesus came to earth so tiny but with a significant purpose to save you and me! The Greatest Gift we could ask for and receive was given to us all when Jesus Christ, our Saviour, was Born!!!🌟
“And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger because there was no place for them in the inn.” Luke 2:6-7
Salvation was born. A baby in a manger wrapped in swaddling clothes, came to earth so tiny but with a big purpose to save you and me! The Greatest Gift we could ask for and receive was given to us all when Jesus Christ our Saviour was Born!!!
Of course, we all celebrate because Santa has come Christmas Morning, but we Rejoice, Rejoice because Jesus came that first Christmas!
This Christmas season we have decorated our trees, strung lights, shopped for gifts, had ugly sweater parties, baked cookies all to create memories, enjoy joyful times and traditions with the ones we love.
We gather Christmas morning and open gifts to show our love towards others and to celebrate the greatest gift, Jesus!
I pray that on Christmas day we unwrap and revel today in the love of God and His grace fills you with infinite joy, blesses your life with every good thing, and promises perfect peace in the new year! Our family always gathers to read Luke 2 and we stop just for the moment and remember what this season brings, yes there is Santa Claus, presents, carols, but the best and most wonderful gift... is JESUS and the good news that he gave us. I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas with your family and friends. Blessings to you all this Holy Joyous Season!
I want to thank you all for visiting, sharing, and supporting my blog. It means so much! I am so grateful! I pray you all feel His Love this Christmas, and enjoy the simple things, and always spread the true JOY and LOVE of Christmas... JESUS!
Luke 2:1-14 (KJV)
1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.
As Linus tells Charlie Brown...That is what Christmas is all about!!!
The Christmas tree is decorated, stockings are hung...waiting for Santa Claus to fill, cookies are baked, gifts are wrapped... well almost, and family is gathering for the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!!! I want to wish you all a Very Merry Blessed Christmas! It has been a difficult year with losing family and dealing with the issues we all have been facing! Having Christmas and the spirit that it brings has given me Hope and His Joy! I pray you all have a blessed Christmas with your family and friends. As we gather together, which may be different, some will be seated right next to us, while others will be ever-present in our hearts and memories! Holding on to Christmases past is a gift in itself!
A family tradition that I hold so dear, is the reading of the birth of Jesus by my Daddy, from the book of Luke. I have been reading a chapter each day from Luke, seeing how the life of Jesus unfolds is amazing, a story that only God could have ordained! Also, hearing and seeing His words in red in the Bible is just simply miraculous! What a gift God gave us, a baby that would save us all. O Come Let Us Adore Him Christ Our Lord!
I wanted to share with all some other Christmas stories that show the true meaning of Christmas and a Classic as well!
Twas the Night Before Jesus Came in the Stable
’Tis better to give
I knew I was not supposed to be quite so excited. I was too old for that. At age eleven, the oldest and my mom’s “grown up” girl, I had to keep my cool. I was in middle school after all. But every chance I got, when I was alone, I checked each present under the tree. I read every tag and felt every package, guessing at the contents within. I had examined each gift so often that I could tell which present went to which person without even looking at the tags.
It had been a tough year for my family. Whenever my mom looked over at the tree and scattered presents, she would sigh and warn us, “There won’t be as much for Christmas this year. Try not to be disappointed.” Christmas had traditionally been a time for my parents to spoil us. In years past, the presents would pile up and spill out from under the tree, taking over the living room. I had heard the phrase “giving is better than receiving,” but thought that whoever had said that must have been out of their mind. Getting presents was the whole point! It was the reason I couldn’t get to sleep on Christmas Eve.
On Christmas morning, we eagerly waited in the hallway until Dad told us everything was ready. We rushed into the living room and let the wrapping paper fly. We made weak attempts to wait and watch while other family members opened their presents, but as the time passed we lost our self-control.
“Here’s another one for you,” said Mom as she handed me a package. I looked at it, confused. Having spent so much time examining the presents before Christmas, I recognized this one. But it had not been mine. It was my mom’s. A new label had been put on it, with my name written in my mother’s handwriting.
“Mom, I can’t…”
I was stopped by my mother’s eager, joyful look—a look I could not really understand. “Let’s see what it is, honey. Hurry and open it.”
It was a blow dryer. Though this may seem but a simple gift, to me it was so much more. Being an eleven-year-old girl, I was stunned. In my world, where receiving outweighed giving by light years, my mom’s act of selflessness was incomprehensible. It was a huge act. Tears filled my eyes and I thought in disbelief about how much my mom must love me to give up her Christmas so I could have a few more presents.
I have always remembered that Christmas fondly. It had such an impact on me. As an adult with children in my life whom I adore, I can now understand my mom’s actions. I see how she was not “giving up her Christmas” as I had thought, but was finding an even greater joy in her Christmas because giving truly is better than receiving. My mom’s simple act meant the world to me.
Blessings to you all this Holy Joyous Season! Have a Wonderful Christmas Week!
I want to thank you all for visiting, sharing, and supporting my blog. It means so much! I am so grateful! I pray you all feel His Love this Christmas, and enjoy the simple things, and always spread the true JOY and LOVE of Christmas... JESUS!
Merry Christmas friends! I hope you’re having a wonderful time celebrating the birth of Jesus with your family! I wanted to take a moment to say thank you for joining me here at It's A a Wonderful Lifestyle! I have been so blessed by each of you! Thank you so much!
When I think of Christmas, I think of Christmases past and treasuring all of the precious memories and making new ones! Our family always gathers around the tree and my Daddy reads the Christmas story from Luke 2 in the Bible, and everyone listens as we think upon that first Christmas long, long ago. Jesus is always the first gift we receive Christmas morning.
🌟HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS🌟
Our Family celebrates Jesus Birthday on Christmas Eve. My Momma, Sister and I always make my Ma-Ma's(grandmother) Applesauce Raisin Cake & Million Dollar Pound Cake for Jesus. We light a candle and sing Happy Birthday to Jesus. I recently found this ornament and it has a beautiful birthday message for Jesus on the back!
"Happy Birthday Jesus, the candles are for you; the carols, decorations, the celebrating too. Happy Birthday Jesus, Yours is the brightest flame; so when we light the candles, we light them in Your name. Happy Birthday Jesus, each time the season starts, we share the love You gave us that burns within our hearts. Happy Birthday Jesus, we hope that every day this love will keep on burning and You will light the way"
Our Family always watches on Christmas Eve, It's A Wonderful Life...it is the best Christmas Movie of All time. It’s a Wonderful Life is one of the most popular and heart-warming films ever made. A rich story of redemption that has inspired generations for decades. I cry every time when Harry Bailey tells George he is the richest man in town...not because of money but because of the impact his life has made on each life he has touched-no man is a failure who has friends! It’s a Wonderful Life nurtures our belief that a life of righteousness will find its reward!
I follow a wonderful blog...Sweet Magnolias Farm. She posted just this week a story about sharing Jesus at Christmas. It touched my heart and brought tears to my eyes. I plan to read this story with my family on Christmas Eve. Please share this with your family this Christmas Season.*Click Here* to visit her site. She also has an Etsy Store, where you can get the beautiful towel pictured above. I have this towel and love putting it out each Christmas. Here is the precious story she shared.
An Extra Baby Jesus...
About a week before Christmas a family bought a new nativity scene. When they unpacked it they found 2 figures of the baby Jesus. "Someone must have packed this wrong," the mother said, counting out the figures. "We have one Joseph, one Mary, three wise men, three shepherds, two lambs, a donkey, a cow, an angel and two babies. Oh, dear! I suppose some set down at the store is missing a baby Jesus because we have 2."
"You two run back down to the store and tell the manager that we have an extra Jesus. Tell him to put a sign on the remaining boxes saying that if a set is missing a baby Jesus, call 7126. Put on your warm coats, it's freezing cold out there."
The manager of the store copied down mother's message and the next time they were in the store they saw the cardboard sign that read, "If you're missing baby Jesus, call 7126." All week long they waited for someone to call. Surely, they thought, someone was missing that important figurine. Each time the phone rang mother would say, "I'll bet that's about Jesus," but it never was.
Father tried to explain there are thousands of these scattered over the country and the figurine could be missing from a set in Florida or Texas or California. Those packing mistakes happen all the time.
He suggested just put the extra Jesus back in the box and forget about it.
"Put baby Jesus back in the box! What a terrible thing to do," said the children. "Surely someone will call," mother said. "We'll just keep the two of them together in the manger until someone calls.
When no call had come by 5:00 on Christmas Eve, mother insisted that father "just run down to the store" to see if there were any sets left. "You can see them right through the window, over on the counter," she said. "If they are all gone, I'll know someone is bound to call tonight."
"Run down to the store?" father thundered. "It's 15 below zero out there!"
"Oh, Daddy, we'll go with you," Tommy and Mary began to put on their coats. Father gave a long sigh and headed for the front closet. "I can't believe I'm doing this," he muttered. Tommy and Mary ran ahead as father reluctantly walked out in the cold. Mary got to the store first and pressed her nose up to the store window. "They're all gone, Daddy," she shouted. "Every set must be sold."
"Hooray," Tommy said. "The mystery will now be solved tonight!"
Father heard the news still a half block away and immediately turned on his heel and headed back home. When they got back into the house they noticed that mother was gone and so was the extra baby Jesus figurine. "Someone must have called and she went out to deliver the figurine," my father reasoned, pulling off his boots. "You kids get ready for bed while I wrap mother's present."
Then the phone rang. Father yelled "answer the phone and tell 'em we found a home for the baby Jesus." But it was mother calling with instructions for us to come to 205 Chestnut Street immediately, and bring three blankets, a box of cookies and some milk. "Now what has she gotten us into?" my father groaned as we bundled up again. "205 Chestnut. Why that's across town. Wrap that milk up good in the blankets or it will turn to ice before we get there. Why can't we all just get on with Christmas? It's probably 20 below out there now. And the wind is picking up. Of all the crazy things to do on a night like this."
When they got to the house at 205 Chestnut Street it was the darkest one on the block. Only one tiny light burned in the living room and, the moment we set foot on the porch steps, my mother opened the door and shouted, "They're here, Oh thank God you got here, Ray! You kids take those blankets into the living room and wrap up the little ones on the couch. I'll take the milk and cookies."
"Would you mind telling me what is going on, Ethel?" my father asked. "We have just walked through below zero weather with the wind in our faces all the way."
"Never mind all that now," my mother interrupted. "There isn't any heat in this house and this young mother is so upset she doesn't know what to do. Her husband walked out on her and those poor little children will have a very bleak Christmas, so don't you complain. I told her you could fix that oil furnace in a jiffy."
My mother strode off to the kitchen to warm the milk while my brother and I wrapped up the five little children who were huddled together on the couch. The children's mother explained to my father that her husband had run off, taking bedding, clothing, and almost every piece of furniture, but she had been doing all right until the furnace broke down.
"I been doin' washin' and ironin' for people and cleanin' the five and dime," she said. "I saw your number every day there, on those boxes on the counter. When the furnace went out, that number kept going' through my mind. 7162...7162. Said on the box that if a person was missin' Jesus, they should call you. That's how I knew you were good Christian people, willin' to help folks. I figured that maybe you would help me, too. So I stopped at the grocery store tonight and I called your misses. I'm not missin' Jesus, mister, because I sure love the Lord. But I am missin' heat. I have no money to fix that furnace."
"Okay, Okay," said father. "You've come to the right place. Now let's see. You've got a little oil burner over there in the dining room. Shouldn't be too hard to fix. Probably just a clogged flue. I'll look it over, see what it needs."
Mother came into the living room carrying a plate of cookies and warm milk. As she set the cups down on the coffee table, I noticed the figure of baby Jesus lying in the center of the table. It was the only sign of Christmas in the house. The children stared wide-eyed with wonder at the plate of cookies my mother set before them.
Father finally got the oil burner working but said, "You need more oil. I'll make a few calls tonight and get some oil. Yes sir, you came to the right place", father grinned.
On the way home father did not complain about the cold weather and had barely set foot inside the door when he was on the phone. "Ed, hey, how are ya, Ed?"
"Yes, Merry Christmas to you, too. Say Ed, we have kind of an unusual situation here. I know you've got that pick-up truck. Do you still have some oil in that barrel on your truck? You do?"
By this time the rest of the family were pulling clothes out of their closets and toys off of their shelves. It was long after their bedtime when they were wrapping gifts. The pickup came. On it were chairs, three lamps, blankets and gifts. Even though it was 30 below, father let them ride along in the back of the truck. No one ever did call about the missing figure in the nativity set, but as I grow older
I realize that it wasn't a packing mistake at all.
Jesus saves, that's what He does.
Author unknown
On Christmas Eve...we celebrate His Birth with lighting the Advent candles. As the candles are lit, the Christmas story unfolds from Isaiah to the second chapter of Luke. Our family has prayer time and we remember the words of Scripture, Christ in you, the hope of glory! We then sing Christmas Carols together...these times are so precious!
I would like to share a song that tells of the true meaning of what Christmas should be about!
Where's the Line to See Jesus-Becky Kelley
Blessings for the Day to Encourage your Life
and Bring You Joy!
Luke 2:1-14 (KJV)
1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
As Linus tells Charlie Brown...That is what Christmas is all about!!!
My hope for all who visit here... is that you have a joyous Christmas- no matter where you are. My prayer is that you will find grace, comfort, and peace in the love of Jesus!
I pray every blessing for you all this Christmas Season and all throughout this New Year!!!
