Rejoice! This Time of Year and Always

Hullo, lovely friends! I'm back for a bit with a late Christmas greeting, then I'll be away for a while again as the new design is put up. See you then! 😄



Frosted window panes, candles gleaming inside

Painted candy canes on the tree

It's that time of year when the world falls in love

Ev'ry song you hear seems to say "Merry Christmas,

"May your New Year dreams come true."

("The Christmas Waltz", by Sammy Cahn)

Christmas is past. The new year is approaching.  And we have a choice.

Christmas is a most special time of year. Love is shinning, hearts are giving. We go about doing good with smiles on our faces, feeling that glowy, happy feeling inside that comes from looking to bless others instead of ourselves, and knowing all of the pleasant surprises we have prepared for others.

And I realize-- sure, it isn't that way for everyone. There's hurt and pain this time of year, just like any other. Some people choose to not let Christmas in their heart. Many forget that true meaning and worry about themselves-- they won't get what they want, they won't get others what they want, lalala blahblahblah.... there's a million excuses to not feel good around Christmas time if we loose our focus.

If we forget that silent night. If we forget that "God so loved the world that He gave His Only Begotten  Son, that whosoever believeth in Him might not perish, but have everlasting life."



It's our choice to focus on why we celebrate. And it's our choice to keep these wonderful feelings in our hear all of the year long. So, rejoice! Christ was born--we have endless chances because of the gifts He has given us. Choose to remember what you have felt during this marvelous season of light, joy, and peace, as we move forward to another exciting year with endless possibilities.

I'll see you then.

⭐ "God bless us, every one!" ⭐

May Christmas Stay With You

❄ Merry late Christmas, dear readers! I hope you had a joyous day. ❄

Although Christmas day has come and gone, I think one of the most important things for us to do now is for us to keep the Spirit of Christmas in our hearts. I woke up the day after Christmas and thought "now what?" There were presents to enjoy, yes, but what were the presents if I would be so soon to forget the sense of peace that came from remembering that my Saviour loved me to much to come to earth and redeem me from my sins and short comings?

O Holy night, the stars are brightly shining;

It is the night of our dear Savior's birth.

Long lay the world in sin and error pining

Til He appeared and the soul felt it's worth.

A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees

O hear the angel voices

O night divine!

O night when Christ was born

O night divine!

O night, o night divine!

May you always remember that holy night, and may we say as Mr. Scrooge did in The Christmas Carol, 

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year."

God bless us, every one!

Love ~ S. F.

P. S.

You may remember that in 2014 I started a "Photo a Day December" photo challenge. I shared the photos for the first week, but not the rest of the month. To be truthful, I didn't take photos throughout the whole month, but I do have have several that have been waiting in a draft since then and I might as well share them now. So here are some Christmas pictures for you~

Day 11: "Up close".

Day 12: "Listen". (↓Wonderful Christmas CD if you like Celtic music.↓)

Day 13: "Star."

Day 14: "Recipe". (My siblings made a Christmas cake, and I stood by taking picture.)

Day 15: "Shopping".

Day 17 & 22: "Tree" and "Lights."

 Day 18: "Want". (The Gothard Sisters new Christmas CD!)

Peace

All images from the Internet; I do not own any.

At Christmas we celebrate the birth of the Prince of peace, and we all can open our hearts and let in the "peace of God, which passeth all understanding" (Phillip. 4:7) Isn't there something so delightfully and irresistibly cozy about a scene like the ones pictured below? Gazing at a nativity scene gives me an overwhelming sense of peace, as I think about wonderful it would have been there to see the newborn King! And what about that feeling you get when you see the snow blanketed deep?

Some of my very most favourite scriptures are about peace. I'd like to share three with you now~

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. 

~John 16:33

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 

~John 14:27

My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;

And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes. 

~ Doctrine and Covenants 121:7-8

What are some of your favourite things about Christmas?

"Light the World" this Christmas

One of my favourite things about the Christmas season is the lights. And the warmth.

This time of year is cold and dark (depending on where you live. . .), and I love that we are given a holiday to bring some light and warmth to those that are lacking it.

We celebrate the birth of our Saviour, who is the light of the world.

This video beautifully shows how we can be a light for others. Watching it is a perfect way to get into the spirit of the season! Let's all do our part to light the world for Christ!

#LIGHTtheWORLD 

Along with the video is a calendar with wonderful ideas how you can be a light all month long. It's getting me so excited as I see all the good I can do this month! :) I hope you see some ideas on there that you can do, too.

"I am the light of the world." ~John 8:12

"Ye are the light of the world." ~Matthew 5:14

Hope You Had a Wonderful Christmas

Sending you joyful wishes this beautiful holiday season.

May we always remember why we celebrate--for Christ was born to give us hope.

Love ~ S. F.

Silent Night

(Start at  1:01)

 

 Silent night, holy night!
All is calm, all is bright.
Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child.
Holy infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight.
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia,
Christ the Savior is born!
Christ the Savior is born!

Silent night, holy night!
Son of God love's pure light.
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth.
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth.

Merry Christmas, everyone!  May we always remember the true meaning of Christmas.

With love, S. F.

"Photo A Day" December - Week One

As you see from the above photo, I am doing the "Photo A Day" challenge this December. It's been brilliant so far, and without further ado, here are the photos I have taken for the last ten days. . .

 Days 1 and 2: "Joy" and "Hanging" combined into one picture. :)

Day 3: "Home Decor"

Day 4: "Hand Writing".

Days 5 and 6: "Messy" and "Glitter/Bling". (Because, after all, glitter is messy.)

Day 7: "Something Sweet". (It's popcorn, I know. But it was sweet flavoured, so therefore it counts.)

Day 8: "Weather"

Day 9: "You." (My fabulous boots.)

Day 10: "Red."

That is how many I have taken, because, obviously, it is the 10th, but I will post the next batch of photos in a few days. Until then, continue to be the amazing person you are. ♥

~ S. F.
ps.-- I was my friend Kara's "Featured Blogger" which you can see here.

The Reason for the Season

Today is CHRISTmas day! Remember why we celebrate today, because Christ was born.

Beautiful photo from Google

"Mary, Mary, hush, see the Child. 

 Joseph, Joseph, look, see how mild! 

This is Jesus; this is our King. 

This is our Savior; his praises we sing."

Love ~ S. F.

p. s. Please take a moment to listen to this version of "Hark! The Herald Angles Sing" preformed by the Gothard Sisters--your time won't be wasted!