Sometimes I find it difficult to maintain the spirit of joy and happiness that comes around the Christmas season. My family has been experiencing financial difficulties due to some poor decisions from years past. It’s looking like Christmas this year will be a very small celebration.

Don’t get me wrong; we’ll still be able to eat dinner and we’ll still have a roof over our heads. However, as a parent, it hurts when you can’t provide a magical experience. We’ve already been speaking with our kids about our situation and their wish lists this year consist mainly of food items they especially enjoy.

Maybe this year their gift to us is more than something material. Maybe they feel our pain and are trying to ease our suffering, even though it’s not what they truly want. God has truly blessed us with wonderful children.

If you’re struggling with finances leading up to this Christmas season, please know you’re not alone. If you can’t give any gifts from a store, you can still give the gift of love and memories. Until I started writing this post, I wasn’t even thinking of the grace our kids were showing to us while preparing their lists.

This grace from our children is a reminder of the greatest grace that anyone’s ever given; when Jesus was gifted to the Earth, it was the greatest gift of grace that anyone could ever give. I can’t help but be thankful for the grace shown by our kids and even more, the grace shown by our savior.

Ultimately, the feeling of knowing grace is the eternal spirit of Christmas. Once that falls into perspective, it helps to remove the material spirit of Christmas.

When I think about the upcoming Christmas holiday, it encourages me when I look around and see symbols of the season everywhere. For me, there’s always a reminder around the house. Maybe I “forgot” to put up a decoration. Maybe I stashed some Christmas candy somewher only to forget about it and find it later. These are little gifts I send to my future self either intentionally or accidentally!

Though gifts are great, I think the music of the season can be a blessing year-round as well. Whether I’m singing “In the Bleak Midwinter” in the spring, “Let It Snow” in the summer, “Old King Wenceslaus” in the fall, or all of the tunes in the winter, there’s never a bad time to think about Christmas. It reminds us of the feelings this time of year can bring.

The greatest feeling of all is the love that surrounds us during Christmas. It could be the love of family. It could be the love of friends. But I am most reminded of the greatest gift of love that was ever given, the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior sent to Earth for all of us here.

Let’s all remember to enjoy this season and not get lost in the busy-ness or commercialism. We are where we are, when we are for a purpose. Let’s go celebrate!

Redirecting our thoughts and actions towards others can be a gratifying experience. I’m not saying that you should do it to make yourself feel good, but that might be a welcome side-effect. If we don’t focus only on ourselves, but also on those around us, the world will be a brighter place for all.

Outside it may be so cold
But if you got the love inside
Then you can feel your soul glow

Unspoken “Christmas Everyday”

This is a good reminder that love for others should be what we strive for. This time of the year, it’s not about gifts. It’s not about wish lists. It’s about celebrating life with each other and praising God for sending His son. If we can capture this feeling throughout the year, that would be Christmas Everyday!

Pop Quiz! How many of us remember what we received for Christmas? I must admit that sometimes it is difficult for me to remember also. I remember receiving a wok and related tools in 2021. As I’m writing this, I have just remembered that in 2022 I received a gift basket with some delicious pasta, sauce, and related sundries. If you can’t tell, I love food!

Another question… Do you remember something special that you gifted to someone else? It could have been for a spouse, a child, a parent, a friend, or maybe even an acquaintance. I hope you have at least one memorable gifting. I remember gifting a Nintendo Switch to our children when they thought we couldn’t afford one. The joy on their faces was unforgettable! I also remember gifting a five-picture frame to my wife with pictures of our family. I didn’t remember the year, but my wife says it was 2014.

My memory of the joy is an unparalleled reason I would recommend to anyone to put some serious thought into the gifts you give. Whether it’s for Christmas, a birthday, or just a way to say “I love you.” It’s pretty easy to go pick up a gift card or drop some cash in a card, but the feeling just isn’t the same.

Remember, It’s never too early to start thinking about the upcoming Christmas season!

“Hark! the Herald Angels Sing” is a beloved Christmas carol that has been popular for over 200 years. The song was written by Charles Wesley, one of the founders of Methodism, in 1739. The lyrics were set to music by several composers, but the most famous melody was composed by Felix Mendelssohn in 1841. The song is often performed during Christmas church services, and it has become a staple of holiday music around the world.

“Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled.” – This line emphasizes the message of peace and reconciliation that Jesus brings to the world. It reminds us that through his birth, God has shown mercy to sinners and offered the promise of peace on earth.

“Hark! the herald angels sing, ‘Glory to the newborn King!'” – The opening line of the song announces the good news of Jesus’ birth and the glory that he brings to the world. The use of the word “hark” is meant to grab the listener’s attention and draw them into the story.

“Mild He lays His glory by, born that man no more may die.” – This line refers to the humility of Jesus’ birth, as he “lays his glory by” to become human. It also highlights the significance of Jesus’ birth, as he came to offer eternal life to humanity.

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 th’ angelic host proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem.”
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”

Christ, by highest heav’n adored:
Christ, the everlasting Lord;
Late in time behold him come,
Offspring of the favored one.
Veil’d in flesh, the Godhead see;
Hail, th’incarnate Deity:
Pleased, as man, with men to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel!
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”

Hail! the heav’n born Prince of peace!
Hail! the Son of Righteousness!
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 newborn King!”

Author: Charles Wesley

Overall, “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing” is a powerful reminder of the true meaning of Christmas and the joy that comes with celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. Its lyrics offer a message of hope, peace, and reconciliation that is just as relevant today as it was over 280 years ago.

As we pack away the decorations and get back to our daily routine, it’s easy to feel a sense of disappointment that the magic of the holiday season is over. But why should it be? Just because Christmas Day has passed, it doesn’t mean the spirit of the season has to end.

One way to keep the Christmas spirit alive is by incorporating small touches of holiday cheer into your everyday life. This could be as simple as keeping a Christmas decoration or two on display year-round, or even listening to holiday music as you go about your day.

Another way to prolong the holiday spirit is by staying connected with loved ones. The holidays are a time for family and friends to come together, and just because the calendar says it’s over, it doesn’t mean the relationships have to end. Plan a get-together with loved ones, even if it’s just a small gathering, to keep the festive spirit alive.

Lastly, take time to reflect on the memories and moments of the holiday season. Whether it was a special gift, a delicious meal, or a heartfelt conversation, these memories will stay with us forever.

Just because Christmas is over, it doesn’t mean the magic has to end. Incorporating small touches of holiday cheer into our daily lives, staying connected with loved ones and reflecting on the memories of the holiday season, will help us to prolong the festive spirit.

As we’re only 11 days from Christmas, many things have already been set in place. There are lights on our house. There’s a tree in the living room. There are ornaments on the tree. There are presents under/around the tree. The dinner menu is mostly planned. Many moving parts have been put into place and are cranking. Without the call to advent, we might forget to slow down and remember who we are celebrating.

As we go through this season, let’s remember to slow down and remember who we’re celebrating!

A traditional carol, O Come All Ye Faithful was originally written in Latin then translated into the English version we know today (more interesting history found here).

Listening to the words of this song bring me back to childhood. I know the words. I’ve sung them many times! But have I actually listened to the lyrics?

This song is an invitation. Let’s all go and look for the Lord. He’s in Bethlehem and he is King of the angels when he is born! There are even choirs of angels announcing this blessed event, praising and giving glory to God where it is due! Therefore, we happily and eagerly imbue Jesus with our praise.

O come, all ye faithful,
joyful and triumphant!
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem!
Come and behold him,
born the King of angels.

Sing, choirs of angels,
sing in exultation,
sing, all ye citizens of heav’n above!
Glory to God, all glory in the highest

Yea, Lord, we greet thee,
born this happy morning;
Jesus, to thee be all glory giv’n!
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing

O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord!

Author (attributed to): John Francis Wade; Translator: Frederick Oakeley

This song has many renditions. It has been performed many times. Even this year it is in our choir’s performance. Timeless words have kept this ageless song returning year after year!

Image credit: Photo by Seacoast Sage on StockSnap

Many people are concerned about longevity when making a seasonal purchase. I am no exception. The spool that these lights came on broke before we finished putting them away the first year. We purchased a separate spool and bag set to store them.

The strands themselves seem well put together and have already served me well for several years. The bulbs on this model are also replaceable if a bulb were to fail.

I’m here to say “No more!” I will listen to Christmas music whenever I feel like it! I will put up my lights before Thanksgiving! I will celebrate Christmas year-round and I will share it with you.

I plan to share some product reviews as well as life experiences as we all wish it could be Christmas every day!