There are a couple of new ornaments on the tree this year. My wife and a few of her friends took a “girl trip” to New York City. They saw the sights & sites, including the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall. Since this is the Rockettes 100th anniversary, it was mandatory to bring home a commemorative ornament. When you get to check an item off your bucket list you need to have a token of the accomplishment.

That lady in the front right, with the big smile on her face is thoroughly enjoying the bright lights of the Big Apple. Have a blessed day.

Most of the images I have shown this season have come from photos I have taken in restaurants, retail stores and flea markets. I don’t own the objects and they don’t occupy any space in our home. Today I’m going to take a little different path to the music. It will be a little more family oriented. Have a blessed week.

Christmas has always been about the birth of a Savior. There is a special joy when we can celebrate as a family and, with the grandcrew growing into young adults and going their own ways, that is becoming harder to do. One of the reasons I have always captured images of the family at Easter, Christmas, and other special occasions is so I can pull the images up from the past and enjoy the memories once again. Today is one of those days.

This image is from 2021 and the sense of humor expressed here is as much my daughter’s as it is the kids.

Every year I change the lights just a little to present a new look to the season.

The focus of the Christmas story in literature and song is Jesus, as it should be. A lot has been written about Mary in literature and song, the mother of the Savior, as it should be. What about Joseph? Scholars tell us that Mary and Joseph were probably in their teens when Christ was born. When it became known that Mary was pregnant Joseph had a decision to make. Since their marriage had not been consummated, Joseph was advised to end the relationship because many thought she had been unfaithful to her betrothed.

As Joseph pondered his options he received an angelic visit as was informed that his bride was going to give birth to the Messiah. In order to protect Mary from public ridicule, Joseph took Mary with him to Bethlehem to pay their taxes. Prophecy tells us that the Savior would be born in Bethlehem and Joseph was descended from the line of king David, fulfilling additional prophecy. Being obedient to God, through the voice of an angel, Joseph became the earthly caregiver to the King of kings.

Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree

Some of you have seen the first two rockers pictured here. The rocking horse was cut out by my father and painted by my mother for our daughter. It’s over 45 years old. The wooden rocker was purchased by my parents for me and has been mine for nearly eight decades! The new addition is a rocker my wife and I purchased for our daughter. Recently, I re-painted it to a satin black finish and my wife re-covered it in this awesome Mickey/Minnie fabric. I think it is beyond cool and can’t wait to capture some images of the youngest great grandson rocking away. The stuffed toys seem to like the rockers and are seen here just Rockin’ Around the Christmas tree. More about Boomer and Mooseltoe in an upcoming post.

Have you ever had something happen to you that was just too good to be true? Did you feel like you were living in a dream? Do you still look back on that event and it brings a smile to your face and warms your soul?

The second chapter of Luke gives us the most complete story of the birth of Christ and it should warm our soul. Mary was a godly young lady when the angel Gabriel visited her and revealed that she would give birth to the Messiah. At first, Scripture tells us, Mary was a bit confused and disturbed, by the angelic visit, but she was obedient to the will of God.

Once Christ was born visitors arrived to see the new born king, including shepherds from nearby fields who had received the Good News from a host of heavenly angels. However, Scripture indicates that Mary kept these things in her heart and pondered them often. The story is the inspiration for a classic Christmas song.

We live in a world that is desperate for Peace. Three of the most common issues that people of all ages complain about is loneliness, anxiety, and depression. These feelings are most common in our young adults between the ages of 18 – 34. The truth is, peace will not be found in this fallen world. Peace comes only from within and from a heart committed to loving and obeying the One who created us. Peace came to a stable in Bethlehem. Peace lived a life free from sin to set an example for us. Peace died on a cross to pay the price for our sin and Peace conquered death and the grave on a Resurrection Sunday morn. We are promised a peace that is impossible for a lost world to understand and we are promised that Peace will never forsake us or leave us. In this temporary world, eternal Peace is available.

John 3:16-17 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.  God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.

Ephesians 2:8-10  God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.  Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.  For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.