I'll Be Home for Christmas

The number one question of the past week has been, "Where will you be for Christmas?"

And my happy response has been, "Home."

I'll be home for Christmas.

Here in our cozy house, snuggled on our couch Christmas morning with family sitting around our twinkling tree, unwrapping gifts all together.  I'm just a little excited.

Which leads me to today's Musical Count-Down to Christmas, a song that embodies that beautiful dream to be home and surrounded by our loved ones.

I'll Be Home for Christmas


I'll be home for Christmas
You can plan on me
Please have snow and mistletoe
And presents on the tree

Christmas Eve will find me
Where the lovelight gleams
I'll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams
From : http://www.elyrics.net/read/b/bing-crosby-lyrics/i_ll-be-home-for-christmas-lyrics.html


This song is almost always sung with a smidgen of nostalgia, remembering Christmases past with tenderness.  In just a few verses, it expresses our heart's desire to have a home to go home to.  I want my kids to look back on the Christmases of their childhood with the same fondness and warmth ... and then come home for the Holidays.  Come home to a home that is welcoming and sheltering.


Allow me a little rabbit trail today ...


Last Thursday, I had the head-holding joy to help build a half dozen gingerbread houses.  Correction:  three houses, two shanties and a floor with frosting, candies and sprinkles filling up to an imaginary attic.  It was fun and frustrating and creative and candy-strewn with kids who were sugar-covered and sugared-up.  I have pictures to share ...

My Happy Little Builders

But first you have to visit here.  Go and enjoy, I'll wait here.  (whistling, drumming fingers...)


Can you believe it?!?  What creativity and skill!  What incredible works of art!


Yeah ... that is not what we did.  We were a little more, uhm, hmm ... challenged.


As we built our little cottages with our graham crackers and dry-hard-like-concrete-Royal-Icing, there were a lot, "Oh no's" and "Aah! Help's" and "I can't do it's".  There is definitely a skill involved in building a gingerbread house with the proper structural integrity to withstand the several pounds worth of gumdrops, Rolo's and SweetTarts.  There is also a level of patience involved that my little builders were lacking.  Before the frosting had a chance to stick, they were designing chimneys and laying out their roofing material.

Here's Ashely's bungalow before the earthquake.

Aaron chose an adobe-styled house,
complete with snowballs.

Norah was very excited about her chimney.
It was not structurally sound.

Lydia's box home ... she snitched most of her roof.

Poor Ashley had two walls that refused to stay upright.  I would apply additional icing, she would hold it still for 3.7 seconds and then go right back to adding the sugary odds and ends that in the end, sabotaged her home.  There were a lot tears as I attempted to salvage the candied mess.  In the end, we propped up her roof and concealed the wreckage behind, you guessed it, more candy.

Post earthquake ... hence the thumb.

Lydia repeatedly assured me that her flat creation was, "Okay, Mom.  It not fall down."  Which just sent Ashley into a new flurry of tears.

As I did my very best to shore up wiggly walls and reinforce wobbly roofs, I thought about the first part of Psalm 127, "¹Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain." Here in my sticky hands was a perfect example of the importance of having a firm and solid foundation before building a gingerbread house ... or a real house, as well.  (For a few more good verses about Jesus as our foundation, check out Psalm 118:22-24 and 1 Peter 2:4-7.)


I am grateful that we have built our home with Jesus as our Cornerstone.  As we trust God to build our home, we can trust Him to make this a haven for our family.  And our friends, too.


Now, let's go back to the song today ...


It's wonderful to have a home filled with Christmas decorations:  twinkling lights, snowy scenes, mistletoe and a generous array of packages and gifts under the tree.  But it's even more wonderful to have a home filled with the Love Light of Jesus.  That's not a dream, however, but a reality, when we let the Lord Jesus build our homes.


That's my prayer for you today ... wherever you are going for Christmas, may you find Jesus there. And people who love you, too.

Still, Still, Still

Happy Sunday!

Do you have your Holiday to-do list ready ... with those satisfying little checkboxes?
Do you have your shopping list mapped out by store ... and by gift recipient?
Do you have your 20% coupon for Kohl's in your wallet ... and their Night Owls and Early Bird hours sketched out?
Do you have all your ingredients sitting on the counter ready for cookies ... and and cutesy little tins for all your yummy goodies?
Do you have your bag of wrapping supplies ... tape, ribbon, wrapping paper, tissue paper, extra fingers?
Do you have your house fulling decorated, inside and out ... spruced and ready in case a photographer from Real Simple stops by?

Yeah ... me neither.

It's terribly tempting to take today to knock out any number of Getting-Ready-for-Christmas-Tasks.  With Brett home (and the Broncos playing) I could easily tackle cleaning, make a few gift purchases and even work on my adorable snowflake garland that is stuffed in a folder and stuffed in my pantry.  And maybe I could sneak upstairs and wrap a few items so our tree doesn't look so empty.  And maybe just one batch of cookies ... and some chocolate dipped pretzels.

Uh-oh.  See what happened there?  My Sunday went from a day of resting and enjoying some family time to a day of frenetic, frantic, festive flurriness!

It's time to be still.  Maybe this will help.  Take just a few minutes, listen to this song and read along the words ... and be still.

Still, Still, Still

Still, still, still,
One can hear the falling snow.
For all is hushed,
The world is sleeping,
Holy Star its vigil keeping.
Still, still, still,
One can hear the falling snow.

Sleep, sleep, sleep,
'Tis the eve of our Saviour's birth.
The night is peaceful all around you,
Close your eyes,
Let sleep surround you.
Sleep, sleep, sleep,
'Tis the eve of our Saviour's birth.

Dream, dream, dream,
Of the joyous day to come.
While guardian angels without number,
Watch you as you sweetly slumber.
Dream, dream, dream,
Of the joyous day to come. 

Better?  Me, too. 

Now it's time to look at today a little differently.  Those Christmasy details aren't bad all by themselves. It's when we attach to those fun and special traditions a long train of ought's, should's and we'dbetter's, that things take a turn for the worse.

Don't miss understand me - It's not wrong to do any of those things today!  Just as long as we have the right attitude and the right perspective ...

Transforming your house into a Christmas cottage because it brings you joy ... and blesses those who enjoy its coziness.

Baking delightful tidbits because it makes your heart happy ... and you love to share these delicious treats of Christmas with your loved ones.  And the mail carrier.  And me.

Wrapping presents with an abundance of ribbon and flair because the presentation is precious to you ... and you love the look on the recipient's face when they say, "For me?!"

Buying the perfect presents for your family and friends because your love language is gifts ... and you want to spread that love around.

There is great joy in fulfilling the traditions of the season.  Just maybe not all them.  When we try to do it all, it's too easy for us to fall into seeing Christmas as a task to accomplish.  A conveyor belt of Holiday hassle!

Instead, let's be still.  Let's keep our eyes on the "Holy Star its vigil keeping".  Let's keep our heart close to the manger and "our Savior's birth".  Let's anticipate this "joyous day to come"!  Let's each of us celebrate this Christmas in our own way ... the way that brings us each the most joy.

And remember to keep it simple.  With plenty of time to be still and to sleep and to dream.

I'm off to take a nap.

The Christmas Rush

Well ... there's only 15 days until Christmas!  And you know what that means ...

Time to hit the stores!

We have yet to get our kids out to shop for each other so you can imagine us at Target sometime this weekend, wading through the crowds, wandering the aisles and wondering who would like what.  If you feel the urge to pray for me - now you know why!

I hope to have a smile on my face and maybe this song in my head ... it would help me to keep the true focus of Christmas close to my heart.



"With peace and love, I'll never be poor!"

I love this perfect a capella reminder that no store (no matter how fancy) holds the answer to what our hearts need.  That can only be found in a crude, wooden manger; surrounded by braying and mooing livestock; in the life and love of the Son of God.

With His peace and love, you'll never be poor.

____________________________

Thanks, Mike, for sharing your amazing gift with us ... what a treat!! :)


Song written by: Mike Tompkins & Bryan Tompkins

Special thanks to Chris and Kayla for helping with this video!

The Christmas Rush - LYRICS

I hit the mall, spendin' dollars.
To show people what they mean to me.
Got trampled trying to find an elmo.
Got pepper sprayed, guess that was free...
They gotta know, that gifts mean love.
I got my Mom MJ's glove.
And as for pops, a crystal bird house.
It doesn't really even matter what Christmas about baby.

I bought the fam lots of crap for Christmas,
Forgot who I bought it for yeah.
It won't be Christmas without presents,
Spending till my card gets sore yeah.
And who knew,
that this holiday could make me so poor yeah.
And who knew,
That i'd almost break my pelvis in a revolving door yeah.

I got my bro some N'Sync earmuffs,
then fought off Britney tryin' to steal from me.
My sis is gettin' a brand new loofa,
the jokes on her cause it was free.
This time of year the stores get nuts.
Who knew that meat mitts could cost so much?
I think the Mall Cop just grabbed my butt.
I'm gettin' kind of sick of this Christmas rush baby.

I bought the fam lots of crap for Christmas,
Forgot who I bought it for yeah.
It won't be Christmas without presents,
Spending till my card gets sore yeah.
And who knew,
that this holiday could make me so poor yeah.
And who knew,
That i'd knock a granny over face first on the floor yeah.

Feeling sweaty, feeling nervous.
Shopping's not supposed to make you bleed.
I got a feelin' there's more to Christmas.
Then buying stuff that no one needs.
Look around you and find somebody,
who matters more than you can believe.
This is love so spread it around you.
Love's a gift that all can receive yeah.

I don't need all this crap for Christmas,
Don't matter who I buy it for yeah.
It's still a Christmas without presents.
To me it means so much more yeah.
And wooo,
You can't buy love from any store yeah.
And wooo, with peace and love you'll never be poor yeah
And wooo,
You can't buy love from any store yeah.
And wooo, with peace and love you'll never be poor yeah

Peace, Peace

I'm feeling a little bit like it's Finals Week.  But with a Christmas-theme!

My brain is repeating the facts and details of the coming week - hopefully preventing me from forgetting anything important.

My countertops are covered with lists, catalogues and sticky notes - all essentially important.

My calendar looks a little overloaded in the next couple of days - all important (but fun) activities.

My days are scheduled to the minute (it would seem) with Christmas and non-Christmas tasks - all jockeying for importance.

My heart is set on celebrating Jesus' birth with joy and reverence - focusing on Him as the important Center of Christmas.

I'm having flashbacks to those final weeks of each semester at UNC:  an overloaded brain, an overtaxed body and an overwhelming sense of "I'm not going to make it!"  Not exactly how I would like to feel today, this 16th day before Christmas day.

What am I going to do?  (That is, besides muscle through the next couple of days?)

I think Sara Groves has a little something to share.  This is from her "O Holy Night" CD ... a must have, I must say.


Peace Peace

By Sara Groves, Ben Gowell and Aaron Fabbrini

Peace Peace it's hard to find trouble comes like wrecking ball to your peace of mind and all that worry you can't leave behind all your hopes and fears all your hopes and fears all your hopes and fears are met in Him tonight Peace Peace it's hard to find doubt comes like a tiny voice that's so unkind and all your fears they conspire to unwind you all your hopes and fears all your hopes and fears all your hopes and fears are met in Him And in your dark street shines and everlasting light and all your hopes and fears are met in Him tonight all your hopes and fears all your hopes and fears all your hopes and fears are met in Him tonight peace peace peace peace peace peace

Peace.  Peace.  Peace.  That is what is lacking from this feverish week of get-togethers, Christmas dinners, gingerbread houses, gift making, letter writing and the usual house-hold frenzy.

Peace.

How grateful I am that this important ingredient is nestled in the person of Jesus.  All my hopes and fears - hopes for fun family memories, meaningful advent devotions and joyful gift giving; fears of not enough time, grumbling interactions with my sugar-hyped kids and disappointed hearts - all my hopes and fears are met in Him.

That doesn't mean all the tough stuff evaporates and everything's cheery and bright, but this Holiday can be in a better perspective.

Focused on Jesus.  The truly important part of Christmas.

As for those other bits and pieces ... I'm trusting they'll all fall into place. 

Or not.  (insert shrug here)

Winter Wonderland

Today's post has been inspired in a variety of ways ... "Winter Wonderland" pouring forth from the iPod in the kitchen, the kids' hopes and dreams for a snow day, Mama Kat's writing prompt and a snapshot from the archives ...

Sledding
We're all bundled up 'gainst the chill,
Ready for speed and a thrill,
We've pulled on our boots,
And our comfy snow suits,
Now we're ready to take on the hill!


We five trudge out into the snow,
Each with a blue sled in tow,
The snow's up to our knees
And it's frosted the trees,
Laughing, we've not far to go!


We're headed just across the yard,
Frosted white like an ol' Christmas card.
We'll build a jump here,
With hopes we can steer,
As big brother packs the snow down hard.


The sun peeks through clouds in the sky.
On a sled, my wee sister speeds by!
We trudge back to the top,
We don't want to stop ...
So glad the hill's only thigh-high!

In this time-warp snapshot, my cousin Megan and my brother, Joshua have made a Morgan-sandwich.  My baby sis, Allison, stands guard at the top of the hill and little cousin Corrine is either coming up or headed back down!

We three are ready to careen down the hill, soar over the jump and (hopefully) land in the fluffy snow there at the bottom.  Now let me pan back a bit so you get the whole effect:

Different snapshot, same yard.  Here my sister and I are standing proudly next to our Oblio and Arrow snow creations ... inspired by hours of listening to The Point.  To the right of me and the dog, where the picture is cut off, you can just see the crest of The Hill.  Mount Kilimanjaro it was not.  In reality is was simply a berm along an irrigation ditch.  In my mind's eye, it was more.

It was a winter wonderland.

Winter Wonderland

Sleigh bells ring, are you listening,
In the lane, snow is glistening
A beautiful sight,
We're happy tonight.
Walking in a winter wonderland.

Gone away is the bluebird,
Here to stay is a new bird
He sings a love song,
As we go along,
Walking in a winter wonderland.

In the meadow we can build a snowman,
Then pretend that he is Parson Brown

He'll say: Are you married?
We'll say: No man,
But you can do the job
When you're in town.

Later on, we'll conspire,
As we dream by the fire
To face unafraid,
The plans that we've made,
Walking in a winter wonderland.

In the meadow we can build a snowman,
And pretend that he's a circus clown
We'll have lots of fun with mister snowman,
Until the alligators knock him down.

When it snows, ain't it thrilling,
Though your nose gets a chilling
We'll frolic and play, the Eskimo way,
Walking in a winter wonderland. 

Growing up in that little house in town with the vast tundra of winteriness stretching out beyond, I did a lot of dreaming.  (And a probably my fair share of conspiring!)  In the midst of childhood, my future was a crisp white canvas.  What fun to imagine what life would be like!

What would I be when I grew up?

Where would I live?  

Who would I marry?  

That childlike and innocent dreaming about life is so fresh - untarnished by the hard parts of life.  And that's the same childlike faith that Jesus calls us to - to trust Him completely in the midst of the hard parts of life.

There is great comfort in walking alongside Jesus, dreaming about life and facing unafraid the plans that He's made.

Walking in a winter/spring/summer/fall wonderland!

_____________________________

Prompt #5 ~ Write a poem about a snow memory.

O Tannenbaum Time-Warp

Each year our children get new Christmas ornaments from a few of our family members.  In order to keep them all straight, I tie a little ribbon on each ornament after Christmas with the name and year.  The ornaments that "belong" to someone in particular go in a separate bag with their name on it.

This year as we decorated our Christmas tree, it was fun to hear the banter back and forth amongst the kids and they unwrapped the ornaments.  

"Do you remember when Nana got me this one?  I love this princess castle!  Nobody touch it." ~Norah

"This one says, 'Baby's 1st Christmas'.  Who game me this?  Wow.  It's a heavy one." ~Aaron

"This ballet dancer is so special to me." ~Ashley

"My zebra.  Mine." ~Lydia

Between the four of them, they have almost half the ornaments on the tree!  Can you imagine how bare it will look when they all get their own homes?  Brett and I will have to do a little shopping!

As we finished up the tree this year, Brett spotted this little creative cluster on one of the bottom branches:

Any wagers as to who was responsible for this lovely hodge-podge of bells?  I'll give you a hint ... she really likes her zebra ornament.  All told, Brett counted nine ornaments on this one stretch of lights.  What a silly goose.

Speaking of silliness - here is a time-warp snapshot from Christmas past of our family decorating our mom, er ... our tree:

You can infer one of two things from this picture:  

My mom was oblivious and her children were naughty OR 

My mom was super tolerant and her children were naughty.

Either way, there was definitely some mischief that evening.  In spite of the apparent confusion regarding ornament placement, we did manage to finish decorating.

I love the smiles and joy that were captured in this snapshot.  Although it might be that we are smothering our mother with our love!

Today's song for my Musical Count-Down to Christmas is "O Tannenbaum".  Click here for a lovely version of Nat King Cole singing this traditional carol in German.

As I thought through the translation that I was familiar with, "how lovely are thy branches", I wondered about how this song could be used to focus our hearts on Jesus.

  

I thought about how the tree, quite literally, points us to heaven.  This particular tree is especially pointy.  And a tad bit sparse.  It would appear that we might have been lacking a few branches.  The ones that would hide the metal pole there in the middle.

I thought about the star that we put on the top of our tree and how it serves as a reminder of the star that announced Jesus' birth.  And then I had a good giggle as I looked at the tree in this snapshot and spotted the little yarn elf I made in elementary school perched on the top of the tree.

I thought about the third verse from Psalm 1, 

³ "That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
   which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
   whatever they do prospers."

Our tree above, however, had never been planted.  And even the fir tree that we have standing in our living room is no longer giving, no longer planted and rooted.

That was when I stumbled across the literal translation of this old German carol.

O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree

How loyal are your leaves/needles!

You're green not only in the summertime,

No, also in winter when it snows,

O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree

How loyal are your leaves/needles!

O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree

You can please me very much!

How often has not at Christmastime

A tree like you given me such joy!

O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree

You can please me very much!

O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree

Your dress wants to teach me something:

Your hope and durability (faithfulness)

Provide comfort and strength at any time.

O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree

That's what your dress should teach me

(Translation)

As I read through those few verses, I was struck with how Jesus is personified in this simple Christmas tree:  loyal, pleasing, source of joy, full of hope, faithful, comforting and strong.

I'll never sing "O Tannenbaum" again, "in the summer time or in winter when it snows," without thinking of my Jesus.

Deck the Halls

Today is day six of my Musical Count-Down to Christmas and I have another old favorite to share with you.  Bing is back to sing "Deck the Halls", complete with a silly little wintery video:



Lyrics | - Deck the Halls lyrics

Inevitably, when I hear this song, I envision the final scene of "A Christmas Story".  The family has found their way to a Chinese restaurant for Christmas dinner following the tragic destruction of their turkey dinner by the Bumpus hounds.  In a generous effort to cheer the family, the wait staff are attempting to sing Christmas songs.  The Parker family is in absolute stitches over the singers "fa-ra-ra-ra-ra-ing".  So I guess they were successful!

As I listened to this song today, I was caught up again in all the "la, la's".  And there are a lot of them.  Ninety-six, to be exact.

By the third verse, I'm a bit wore out from "la-ing".  We "la" and "la" and "la" some more.  Over and over and over again.

As a mom, I find myself in much the same way repeating tasks and feeling a tad bit worn out by them.

I wash dishes and then turn around to find the sink full again.
I go to the grocery store only to find the fridge empty.  And bright.
I fold the last of the laundry and find the hamper has begun to fill again.
I vacuum the floor and discover that nature has found its way back in.
I prepare a meal and within four hours those kids are hungry again!
I suds up little Lydia in the bath and find her toes are stinky once more.
I cut Aaron's hair and within a few weeks it's curling over his ears again.
I snuggle Ashley as she grieves some new injustice and then find Norah in need of a hug.
I make my bed and then climb in again at night.
I go to sleep only to wake up in the morning to face another day.

La, la, la, la, la ... indeed!

It is tempting at times to look around the house and think that my efforts are in vain.  Does it really matter if I tackle these tasks day after day?!?  In spite of the apparent redundancy of my energies, it does matter.  A lot.

My day may be full of ordinary and oft-repeated tasks, but they are the backbone for our home.  These chores help to make this house a haven for my family.  And anyone else who happens to find themselves under our roof.  That might include you. :)

These endless jobs are actually sacred in God's eyes.  His approval and validation of my attempts to create a home out of this house have the power to change my perspective regarding these mundane tasks.

Suddenly ...
Cleaning up today's umpteenth spill is a spiritual act of worship.
Comforting my little drama queen is a ministry to her heart.
And serving my family is an opportunity to love them with Jesus's love.

The days of a mom may feel a bit like an unending list of "la, la, la's".  But in truth, each day we have an opportunity to live a life that sings back to God of His goodness and faithfulness.  And seeing as God's love and compassion are endless, we have a lot of singing to do!

Fa-la-la-la-la La-la-la-la!

White Christmas

This past weekend, we were promised snow.  Maybe three to four inches!  The kids were a little excited ... and then a little disappointed when they woke up to about 1/16 of inch strategically placed only on roofs and windshields.  No snowman building to be had.  Not even enough white stuff to scrap together for one measly snowball.

In attempt to have a few snowflakes this weekend, we resorted to making our own.  Here is the pattern from last year.  And now we have a veritable blizzard in our home!

But it's not quite the same as a little wintry snowiness outside during this Christmas season.  I don't particularly want to spend much time shoveling and I don't want really like driving in the snow, but a break from the grey and beige and blah would be lovely.  Maybe we could have a little snowy afternoon where the snow only falls on the lawn and trees.  Then we could enjoy the loveliness of winter without the work and worries!

When it comes to Christmas morning however, it is a pure delight to wake up to a gentle covering of fresh snow, unblemished by frolicking dogs or rollicking kids.  Frosted trees and the quiet of hush of our morning muffled under a blanket of snow.

Bing Crosby sang it best.

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas,
Just like the ones I used to know.
Where the tree-tops glisten,
And children listen
To hear sleighbells in the snow.

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas,
With every Christmas card I write,
"May your days be merry and bright,
And may all your Christmases be white".
(Irving Berlin, 1942)

This song conjures up a variety of images ... frosted window panes and little kids bundled up in their beds with their blankets pulled up to their chins.  Whispered giggles as they "shhh" each other and try to stay awake just a little bit longer.

I'm also caught by the line about writing Christmas cards.  That is definitely a powerful part of Christmas for me ... hearing from friends and family from around the country and across the globe.  I love reading letters filled with snapshots of life; from big news like new babies all the way to the tidbits of life, like vacations and toothless kids!  It is also a huge blessing to read about the many ways God has moved in the lives of our loved ones.  A beautiful opportunity to bring glory to Jesus and celebrate Him anew.  And so fitting to praise Him through our thanksgiving and praise on His birthday!

So this year as you sit down to write your Christmas cards and read those you receive, take time to praise God for His goodness!

Now ... I would be remiss if I were to leave out my favorite version of "White Christmas".  The version I have been humming since yesterday morning.

So I-I-I'll share it with you now!



Lyrics | The Drifters - White Christmas lyrics

You're welcome.

Away in a Manger

This past week, our MOPS group celebrated our annual Christmas Banquet.  The room was decorated with lights and evergreens.  Each table was set with a different centerpiece and we ate on real dishes without the need to share any of our food with any small child.  We enjoyed an encouraging talk, a few silly games and an opportunity to share our own family's Christmas traditions.  A great way to get into the Christmas spirit!

At the end of the morning, our little three, four and five year olds climbed up on the stage to sing for their mommies.  I pulled out my camera to catch little Lydia in action.  She stood third from the end on the right hand side of the stage.

And she didn't move a muscle.  What???

Liddy is a mover and a shaker.  A singer and a dancer.  She has been know to shake her hiney and wiggle her hips.  She has decided that her mission in life is to out-sing Ashley.  She is famous for belting out the song, whether she knows the words or not.  So you can imagine my surprise when she stood motionless and silent in the midst of the other little singers.  Even the little girl rhythmically jumping up and down around her was unable to spur her on to make even one little squeak.

At the end of the songs, I put my camera away, not even bothering to record it.  One or two still snapshots of my stunned and soundless sweetie was enough.

That evening as I was putting the two younger girls to bed, Lydia requested, "the baby song".  As I shook my head and shrugged my shoulders, she proceeded to sing, "the baby song" that she hadn't sung that morning ...

Away in a Manger.

Away in a manger, no crib for His bed,

The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head;
The stars in the sky looked down where He lay,
The little Lord Jesus, asleep in the hay.

The cattle are lowing, the poor Baby wakes.
But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes.
I love thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky.
And stay by the cradle till morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay,
Close by me forever, and love me, I pray!
Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care

And take us to heaven, to Live with Thee there.
Words: Unknown, 1885 (verses 1 & 2)
Verse 3: Attributed to John Thomas McFarland, 1887 (1851-1913)
A little click on the link brings music to your ears!


Sitting and listening to Ashley and Lydia quietly sing this lullaby, complete with hand motions, was a delightful way to end my day with my babies.  


A tender prayer for sweet sleep after a bustling and busy day.  
A heartfelt reminder of the blessing of an intimate and personal friendship with Jesus.  
A glorious promise of eternity with our Father.


Simple and powerful.  And sweet.

A Holly Jolly Christmas

This is one of those songs that will get stuck in your head ... just fair warning.  I have been humming bits and pieces of it all week.  And when it gets morphed with "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" you can get something really interesting!

So ... just to make it fair that you have it in running around in your head, too, here it is:



Lyrics | Burl Ives - A Holly Jolly Christmas lyrics

I'm not too sure about those graphics, but I decided to choose the authentic Burl Ives version over Alan Jackson twanging through "holly, jolly".  You're welcome. :)

As I sat with this particular song in front of me, I was initially stumped as to how this familiar, and a tad bit redundant, ditty could point us back to the manger.  As far as I could guess, there was no holly or jollity at the birth of Jesus.  Instead there was a lot of straw and mud.  This event was also lacking many guests to celebrate.  Instead there was an abundance of animals snuffing and grunting and lowing.

Of course there was joy at Jesus' birth, but I don't envision any "cup o' cheer" being passed around.  In reality, the birth of God's Son went widely unnoticed.  A group of shepherds and a choir of angels about rounded out the party.

Then there's the line about mistletoe ... "Somebody waits for you, kiss her once for me."  That I think, is a bit creepy.  I believe I'd have to tell Burl to get his own girl.

So ... how can we see this song in a fresh way?  What is our manger-scene snapshot of this old favorite?

I think it's found in the line, "Say hello to friends you know and everyone you meet."  The core sense of those ten words is a friendly spirit.  A gift of friendship ... even to those people we encounter for a brief moment.

That would be the lady who checks you out at the grocery story, the guy behind the counter at the gas station, the lady who checks your in your books at the library, and the guy waiting in line with you at Starbucks.  That would also include the college student clearing your table at Carino's and the old fellow ringing the Salvation Army bell outside of Target.

So often this season gets full and we get busy.  The stress rolls in and suddenly Christmas cheer goes out the window.  Instead of a smile and a little grace when the bagger squishes our loaf of bread, we grumble and mumble and sigh.  When we have to wait our turn to check out, we groan and moan and point out that the lady ahead of us has exceeded the "15 Items or Less" limit.

I think this little line hidden between the Holly's and Jolly's can remind us to simply be nice. A few generous smiles and pleasant "Hello's" can go a long way toward spreading some Christmas cheer.   And that friendly greeting is a beautiful way to send along the true meaning of Christmas, too.

So I guess Burl Ives did have a little nugget of truth to share with us after all!  With this song running on repeat in your head, you'll be sharing the joy of Christmas with everyone you come in contact with ... from now until spring!

Christmas is Coming

I have been making my list and checking it twice ... choosing songs to share here during my Musical Count-Down to Christmas.  As I listen to our Christmas songs, it's as though I'm hearing some of them for the very first time.  Choruses and verses are popping out at me, full of poetry and passion.  And in some cases, Scriptural truth nestled in pure silliness.

Today's song would fall into that particular category.



I have always loved this version of the song from the John Denver & The Muppets Christmas album, A Christmas Together.  But there is something even more delightful about seeing Miss Piggy in action!  She is exuberant in her singing and dancing - completely caught up in the music.  I think Lydia has learned a few of her moves.

I'm quite certain that you picked up on the lines as Gonzo and Rolf and that odd little Fish Guy sang in the round, but just in case:

Christmas is coming,
The geese are getting fat,
Please put a penny
In the old man's hat.
If you haven't got a penny,
A ha'penny will do,
If you haven't got a ha'penny,
Then God bless you

More lyrics: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/c/christmas_songs/#share


Hidden in the midst of Beaker's manic maraca-ing, Miss Piggy's flying blonde hair and the dancing Muppets, is a beautiful truth.  The importance of giving generously.

Even if it doesn't seem like much to us, our gifts (no matter the size) are big in God's hands.  Especially when we give with joy!

From these mere ten lines we have a picture painted for us:

Geese ready for slaughter - just in time for Christmas dinner,
A sense of cold weather blowing in - winter snow and icy hands,
An old beggar waiting for charity - just a little something,
The willingness to give your all ~ even if it's just a half a cent.


All around us are opportunities to practice generosity.  And we can all jump in ... seeing as very few of us would land in the category of "haven't got a ha'penny".  In reality, we are already abundantly blessed by God and it's good for our hearts to spread some of that blessing around!

Here are just a few ways to, "Please put a penny":

Angel Tree ~ A Program of Prison Fellowship
Operation Christmas Child ~ Shoe Box Gifts
Gifts of Compassion ~ Compassion International
The Adventure Project ~ Give a Stove, Change a Life
MOPS ~ Mothers of Preschoolers

Have fun, give with enthusiasm and God bless you!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Yippee!  It's December 1st!

The tree is up thanks to my wonderful Christmas elves.  I commented to Brett after the dust settled, "Wow ... that was one of the least stressful tree decorating nights.  Ever."  He replied, "I think it was the sheer speed with which they decorated!"  True.  They were fast.  But there were cookies promised for when they finished, so they were motivated.

Today we are decking the halls with the rest of my favorite house decorations.  Soon our walls and bookshelves will be bedecked with wreathes, angels and winter scenes.  A Christmas transformation!  A throng of snowmen will also take charge of our mantle and any other surface they can commandeer, including the futon.  I love the coziness that comes along with twinkling lights, candles, pine cones and throw blankets.

I have refreshed my iPod stations and it's a treat to putter around the kitchen listening to new holiday songs mixed with  my old favorite carols.  Whether it's Bing Crosby, Sara Groves, Harry Connick Jr., or the Muppets, I'm in the Christmas spirit!  And Petey is warming up, too.

This December I am excited to share some of my favorite Christmas songs in a little
Musical Count-Down to Christmas!

I hope you enjoy a few fresh snapshots of songs you may not have heard before ... and a refreshed snapshot of some old favorites.

Here's today's song ... a perfect kick-off to this Holiday season!



Lyrics | Andy Williams - It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year lyrics

It's impossible for me to hear this song and not immediately think about all the fun-filled traditions of Christmas ...

Shopping for presents,
Watching Elf, Love Actually and Mixed Nuts,
Hot cocoa and cookies,
Baking tins filled to the brim with sugary goodness,
Writing our Christmas letter,
Making gifts for our family,
Driving around to look at Christmas lights,
Listening to kids sing "Away in the Manger" (stuck on repeat),
Sitting near the lit Christmas tree with a mug of tea and a good book,
Wrapping presents (ribbons, tissue, bows ... oh, my!),
Christmas hymns at church,
The Children's Nativity play,
The smell of our fir tree filling the house, and
Watching the wonder of Christmas reflected on the faces of my kids.

And this is my short list. :)

As we step across the threshold into December, it's hard not to get caught up in the rituals and habits of the Holiday ~ "kids jingle-belling", "marshmallows roasting", "caroling out in the snow" and, of course, "mistletoeing"!  But this year, my heart cautions me against focusing on the activities of this month at the risk of losing touch with the central Character of this holiest season.  I know you have heard before that potentially overused saying, "Jesus is the Reason for the Season."  Or how about, "Keep the Christ in Christmas"?  They may feel a tad bit over-used, but, regardless, they ring true.

My hope this month is to turn our hearts (and ears) back to the manger.  And discover once again that Jesus is worthy of worship this season ... and that there's a lot of terrific music out there to help us joyfully celebrate His birthday!

_____________________________

Prompt #3 ~ The first of December is upon us!  Describe an Advent Calendar or a special way you count down the days until Christmas.

Time-Warp Wednesday ~ Thankfulness

Last Friday at about 7:45 pm, poor Norah reached her threshold.  And not because she was Black Friday-ed out.

We had been playing hard all day at Auntie Allie's house.  We were settling into night #3 out in my mom's art studio.  She took one look at the air mattress and burst into tears!

"I just want to sleep in a real bed!"

After twenty minutes of full-body sobbing, Daddy managed to convince her that she was really tired and that she would feel tons better in the morning.  She sniffed.  She blew her nose.  She mumbled something about not being comfy.  And she pulled her blankets up around her chin and buried her face in her pillow.

I felt her pain.

As we watched poor Norah melt down, my mom, brother and sister stifled a snicker.

"She's her mother's daughter for sure."

Let's time-warp back to a similar misery, eh, I mean, vacation ...

My family was wrapping up week two of a trip to California.  We had spent time with my aunt and uncle in Camarillo and then headed to Yosemite for several nights before heading home.  

This is night two:

Oh, the pain of it all!

The story goes (and let me tell you, they love to tell the story...) that I spent much of this night moaning and groaning.

"I just want to go home."

"I just want a real bed."

"I just want my clothes to be in my dresser."

We all have our limits and this was mine!  Because of this powerful memory, I could empathize with sad, sweet Norah.  It's wonderful to run away for a vacation, but it's also wonderful knowing that eventually you will find yourself back home.

Today I'm thankful for my home ~ where everything is where it should be.  

And my clothes are in my dresser!

Thankfulness {day seven}

Last week the kids were off school.  And, consequently, off balance!

It is glorious to have a break from the daily routine, to toss the schedule out the window and shake things up a bit!  I really do love when my kids are home for a break.  Our mornings are slower - no need to bustle and tussle out the door at eight thirty.   We set the course of the day - no one else's schedule dictating our mornings, afternoons and evenings.  We play a bit more - less "should-do's" and more "want-to's".

But all that freedom can make our household run a little off-kilter.  That's when it's doubly sweet to jump back into the predictable, plot able, programable plan each day.  Discovering again that a little routine goes a long way towards having a happy home!

Yesterday I sent the three big kids back to school.  They almost skipped out the door and I happily hummed as I watched them drive away.  Then I closed the door and smiled.  I still had two little people to care for, but as they quietly played and slept, I was able to put our home back on track.

It went a little something like this ...

Selecting "Christmas Medley" on my iPod,
Washing the breakfast dishes and wiping down kitchen counters,
Rummaging through the kitchen for all the parts for dinner,
Cleaning Petey's cage and refreshing all his dishes and water,
Sweeping the kitchen floor,
Taking down Lydia's birthday decorations (finally),
Stacking all the clean laundry for kids to put away,
Answering e-mails and leaving messages,
Making phone calls and wrapping up loose ends,
Helping Lydia with her new puzzle,
Freeing our Christmas tree from it's netting,
Filling the tree stand with water,
Vacuuming up the first of those pesky pine needles,
Feeding and cuddling Baby S.,
Snuggling with Lydia on the couch,
Preparing lunch for us girls ...

The beautiful humdrum of life!

It may have seemed like just an ordinary morning, but in reality it was sacred.  The holiness of haven-making ... creating a shelter for my family!

Today I am thankful for the natural rhythm of our lives and the opportunity to be home with my kids ... allowing me to make this a place of refuge and refreshment.