Christmas is such a beautiful season and I’d like to set the tone for this year’s post with a picture of a lovely Christmas angel made from a hymnal by my dear friend Maria.
What a treasure. Thank you Maria!
Every Christmas my friend Sharon and I like to ring and sing for the Salvation army. This year my grandson Trey joined in for the first half hour. We’ve been doing this for at least 16 years, and it’s still a bright spot in my Christmas season!
Another tradition is cookie baking. My mom and I have never missed a year since I was old enough to help. Dad’s a big help too. His best skill is tasting our results, but he’s gotten quite good at decorating gingerbread men and unwrapping kisses with Trey. My daughter-in-law Betsy, along with Sommer and Trey, are now part of the tradition. So much fun!!!
The tree is up, the gifts are wrapped, and the house is ready for the upcoming celebrations.
For years I used to overdo and stress about the holiday preparations, but in recent times I’ve cut back to just the essentials and my focus is daily on the true gift of Christmas – the birth of our Savior – who became a man, lived a sinless life, then suffered and died to save us from our sins and prepare a place for us in heaven.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life” John 3:16
What a wonderful reason to celebrate! God bless us, everyone!
Mary Miller says
Merry Christmas to you and yours too.
Preparing ahead is the secret to a peaceful Christmas. I sometimes wonder how I did it when I worked full time, but then I remember I was much younger too. Life is good and God given.
Patti Neavin says
Merry Christmas Chris! I’m so thankful for your blog every week.
Dawn says
Precious photos! Thank you for sharing.
Joanne Corrigan says
Merry Christmas Chris! Piece!!?
Louise M Haddon says
Merry Christmas. I just loved this post.
Juleen Jaeger says
You have some lovely family traditions! May you have a merry and blessed Christmas and a joyous and beautiful New Year. It’s great to get your blog every Sunday. Thank you for adding me.
Mary Coffee says
What a beautiful issue!! Where could I find the pattern for the beautiful book angel? Blessings of the season to you and yours.
clkquilt says
Here’s a link to instructions to make a hymnal angel: https://susiej.com/how-to-make-a-hymnal-angel/
Patti A. says
Thanks for the link I was wondering also. Blessing to you and yours.
Beth Morton says
Merry Christmas Chris! What beautiful pictures. Thank you for your weekly email , I look forward to reading it each Sunday. God bless you and your family.
Dorothy Livernash says
Merry Christmas to you and your family
Brit says
Love the cross in the star. Merry Christmas!
Jodi Grzeczka says
Beautiful blog, Chris! Merry Christmas to you and your family. I love your post! It’s so warm and really shows the true meaning of Christmas. Thank you!
Pat Hetznecker says
Thanks for sharing those special times with your dear family.
Kim Holt says
Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year! Thank you for your blog!