Christmas Eve

"This is the eve of something wonderful - the eve of celebrating the nearness and closeness of Immanuel." Preparing My Heart for Advent by Ann Marie Stewart.

Niece Night

For the second year in a row we invited the six younger nieces over to bake and craft on December 23. An hour ahead I wondered WHY?!? But an hour after I was basking in the sweetness.

Six little girls from age 6 to 12 ... who knew the results. But they were giggling and happy and cooperative and sweet the entire three hours. What a delight. Cousin time.

Emily chose Kiss-mouse decorations (yum) and stringed popcorn for her part of the evening. (Anna was at work.) Aunt Grace chose journaling. If I instill the thought of journaling year by year...perhaps they will pick up on this enriching habit some day...

I purchased Composition Notebooks and some Heat n Bond. They got to pick fabric from the Aunt Grace stash, and then we heat n bonded it to the front of the notebooks. Back upstairs at the dining room table they got to sticker and cut and paste and write. And giggle. Lots of giggles.

I was amazed at how they enjoyed it. No one was bored. They were disappointed to clean up at 9:30. They all promised to bring their journals back next year, and I promised to have new ones and new supplies. Now that I know what a hit this was, I think a little kit will be assembled throughout the year for each of them. [I was hoping to assemble a fun journal kit or two this year, but picked SIX BOY NAMES in the family exchange. Sigh]

There's a lot of hustle and bustle of the season that comes and goes. But investing in people...that gives back more to my heart than the time invested. An evening well spent. An Aunt Grace legacy begun...

merry kiss-mouse

the littlest niece, Sydney

Stringing garland

Journal time!

2011

During my reading this morning I was reminded of Luke 1:37,

"For nothing is impossible with God."

What an amazing truth.

Right then and there I opened the 2011 Moleskine and put it on the inside front cover - a happy smattering of mismatch stickers. My motto for 2011...and beyond. My mantra. What I will learn to say under my breath...

My 2010 red Moleskine journal is literally bursting at the seams. What a year. It will be like putting a dear friend on the shelf...

Reading the Word, writing, journaling, pondering...I love it all. I take time most mornings, and it is my homemade therapy. Maybe 2011 is the year of the journal for you?

Christmas

Here's a peek at Christmas decor 2010...

Welcome! Come on in!

Sorry...Boomer is too comfy to greet you.

The tree and the fire are at the center of everything...

Peeking at the tree through the family room French door...

The dining room table gets a lot of use at this time of year, too.

I just LOVE Christmas. Everything about it. Celebrate!

Do You Hear what I Hear?

A beloved memory of mine is my older brother Jon (13 years my elder) sitting me on the piano as a little girl. He would play and sing "Do you hear what I hear?" and I would be the echo.

My devotional reading today reminded me to listen during this wondrous season. Listen more, talk less. Sounds like a plan. Right now I hear the roar of the fire...a favorite sound. And I hear Boomer snoring...he is sprawled out near the heat of the flames. Cherished morning sounds. Tonight I will hear the symphony and symphony chorus perform The Messiah. I'm in tears thinking about it. That music, those words...it moves me.

Zephaniah 3:17

17 The Lord your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing.

My devotional asks, in reference to this verse, "Are you quiet enough to hear God singing over you?" What a timely question.

I'm going to listen more today.

Advent

Twice in the last day I've been asked if I know of a good advent devotional. Twice I've referred them to my advent blog of a few years ago. So, if you're looking for a small daily reading, try http://advent-ful.blogspot.com

I'm going to revisit it too, and add comments here and there...so...read the comments for new insights. And PLEASE...leave a comment and your own thouhgts as well.