Christmastime

Christmas is here! I love this season. The traditions, the songs, the gift giving, the lights, everything! My favorite holiday of the entire year is Christmas Eve though. It's something about the day before Christmas that I just love. All the excitement is in full swing on this day. 

[MERRY CHRISTMAS]

Merriest Christmas wishes to you and yours!

{Merry Christmas}

On this Eve of Christmas our family would like to wish you a Merry Christmas and season filled with merriment!!! 

{ r e c a p p i n g }

For those of you who have been waiting-- if any one still reads here!-- I'm finally taking the time to post. 

{Thanksgiving}

It feels like that was so long ago, but it hasn't been too long...we had a very laid back holiday |down south with my sister and brother in law| lots of eating and relaxing. It was a lovely trip...

{Discovering}

I came across this while at my sisters. To most the paper in this picture has no value, but to my sisters and I it brings back loads of memories...you see about 10+ years ago we were "The March Sisters"...we had big imaginations and great ideas-we would hold missions conference and this is just one of the bulletins from our "meetings." 

{Packing} 

Something I've been doing a good bit of lately...and something I need to do VERY soon...it seems I always go on multiple trips around the same time of the year...always adventuring...

{Creating} 

For those of you so curious to know why I would save a lid out of the trash can [before remembering my love of mason jars]...

...this is why I saved the lid...to make a mason jar snow globe.

{Collecting} 

I'm always collecting mason jars...this one is the newest in the collection...a blue glass mason jar from either the 20's or the 30's...

{Rejoicing}

♪♫ it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you go...♫♪

...including my house as we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Saviour. Above is a chalk art I created of my favorite Christmas carol, and then of course some Christmas lights photographed below.

{Traveling} 

As mentioned above, I need to pack very soon...my flight leaves this weekend!! I'll be going a few states away to visit some friends, then returning the week of Christmas...I like traveling though, because

{adventure is out there}. 

Erin

|the blessed adventurer|

          

O Holy Night

1.O holy night, the stars are brightly shining,
it is the night of the dear Savior's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
'till 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!

Chorus
Fall on your knees,
oh hear the angel voices,
oh night divine, oh night when Christ was born.
Oh night divine, oh night when Christ was born.

2.Led by the light of faith serenely beaming
with glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
here come the wise men from Orient land.
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger,
in all our trials born to be our friend.

3.Truly He taught us to love one another,
his law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother,
and in His name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful

On a day when the weather feels like it could be Easter Sunday,we anticipate the coming of Christmas. Only 4 days until Christmas and the weather is in the 60's and sunny. I was outside enjoying the weather earlier today and got to thinking about the weather and how it felt like Easter weather...how fitting to be thinking about Easter at this time of the year. We celebrate the birth of our Saviour because He came to die for our sins. 

Jesus knew when He came

He would suffer in shame;

He could feel every pain and sorrow.

But He left Paradise,

With His blood He paid the price-

My redemption to Jesus I owe.

Born to die upon Calvary,

Jesus suffered my sins to forgive;

Born to die upon Calvary,

He was wounded that I might live.

*Ron Hamilton

Let's not forget the real reason why we celebrate Christmas. We are celebrating the birth of a King!! 

Where Has the Time Gone??

I guess I better catch up.

Time has just sorta,well...

flown by.

I have been just a little busy...

 With Christmas right around the corner I have been busy shopping and getting ready for Christmas...and with all the shopping I have done so far I still have to go out tomorrow and go shopping. Dad,Josiah,and I went out shopping tonight. It is like a tradition in our family that dad takes us kids shopping right before Christmas to get stuff for mom. The group of "us kids" is slowly dwindling down...we are down to two of us. 

This whole Christmas season has been a little different. It is the first Christmas that Anna and Olivia haven't either been at home or nearby. I do miss them greatly...

I have been working about 30 hours a week,so that consumes a lot of time. I have been shift manager for a couple of weeks now and it has been going well for the most part...but there are some bad days.

School has been going well. I just got done telling a friend that I don't really mind school...which is rather shocking to hear myself say. I didn't say I enjoy it,I just said I don't mind it!! Christmas vacation is coming up in about 4 days and I am pretty excited about that!! 

I have been pretty busy with church stuff as well. I am teaching the 4-5 year old Junior Church this Sunday,playing offertories and specials,helping in nursery,and so on. We went caroling two Wednesdays ago and this past Wednesday was our youth group Christmas party.

 

 It still hasn't really dawned on me that Christmas is in less then a week...I am not really sure why.

Well I think this is a good enough update for now. I have a long list of things to do tonight and I am hoping to get most of them done!! I will TRY,I am not promising anything,but I will try to be a little more faithful in posting.

Hope you are all enjoying the holidays and remembering the real reason for the season!

True joy is not found in presents,but in His Presence. 

 

 

O Come All Ye Faithful

 

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
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
Christ the Lord

Sing choirs of angels
Sing in exaltation
Oh sing all ye rivals
Of heaven above
Glory to God, Glory in the highest
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
Christ the Lord

Merry Christmas!!!

  For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. -Isaiah 9:6

  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.   And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. -Luke 2:9-11

As we celebrate this holiday season may we remember the true reason for the season,The Birth of a Saviour!I hope you all have a very,Merry Christmas!

What Child is This

 

What child is this who laid to rest
On Mary's lap is sleeping
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet
While shepherds watch are keeping

(Chorus:)
This this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
Haste haste to bring Him land
The babe the son of Mary

Why lies He in such mean estate
Where ox and cattle are feeding
God christian fear for sinners here
The silent world is pleading

(Chorus)

So bring Him incense gold and myrrh
Come peasant king to own Him
The King of Kings salvation brings
Let loving hearts enthrone Him

Silent Night

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 Saviour, is born,
Christ, the Saviour, is born.


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

Joy to the World

Joy to the world! The Lord is come:
Let earth receive her King.
Let ev'ry heart prepare Him room,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and heaven and nature sing.

Joy to the world, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.
 
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders of His love.

O Holy Night

source

O holy night, the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Saviour's birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
'Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks, a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees, oh hear the angel voices
O night divine
O night when Christ was born
O night, O holy night, O night divine

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming
Here came the wise men from Orient land
The King of Kings, lay thus in lowly manger
In all our trials born to be our friend
He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger
Behold, your king
Before Him lowly bend
Behold, your king before Him lowly bend

Truly He taught us to love one another
His law is love, and His gospel is peace
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His name all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we
Let all within us praise His holy name
Christ is the Lord, O praise His name forever
His power and glory ever more proclaim