happy birthday, jesus.

This is so inspirational that I wanted to share. Happy birthday Jesus. There are so many reasons to love You.

There's a Spirit

Dear Jesus,

I wanted to make sure I took a little bit of time to tell you happy birthday. There’s something I like to do for my friends and family on their birthdays. I like to list reasons that I love them. Sometimes I list 50 and other times I list 100. But for you I want to list 25. Because tomorrow is the 25^th of December. So here goes,

25 Reasons I love Jesus Christ:

1. Because of Jesus, I know that I am never isolated from the people I love- not even in death. Even in the times I feel alone, he reminds me that I live in constant communion with those individuals in both heaven and on earth. He calls me to live in community with others, and welcomes me into his family that I might answer this call.
2. Jesus saved me when I was lost. Even…

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Happy birthday baby Jesus!

Today Christians all over the world celebrate the birthday of Jesus.  I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas.  Here is a link to a version of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah sung by the Canadian Tenors who appeared on the Oprah show back in 2010.  They got a surprise they weren’t expecting.  Beautiful song!  Enjoy!

http://youtu.be/zDQyvLtAaQM

 

Who are you waiting to see?

During the Christmas season, the malls are full of shoppers rushing here and there trying to get all their presents bought.  At almost every mall, big box store and even on some street corners you can see Santa in his big chair waiting for children to sit on his lap and share their list of wants with him.   Having an imagination is a good thing for children as it helps them develop ideas but how many children do not even know why we celebrate Christmas?

When I was a child, I learned about different religions and how they celebrate different holidays and special occasions.  I was taught to respect the beliefs of other people and always thought they would respect my beliefs.  I knew there was a Santa Claus and as I got older I realized that he was just imaginary and that many people dressed up to play his role.  I also knew that Christians celebrated Christmas to acknowledge the birth of Jesus and this was not imaginary.   It seems that over the years, many people have lost the real meaning of Christmas and there is more importance placed on Santa and receiving gifts.  Children are encouraged to ask Santa for expensive toys and lots of them which just encourages greed.  Then the parents go out and spend lots of money on presents thinking this will make their children happy but this only creates false happiness.  Children soon tire of their presents and then want more.  It would be far more beneficial to spend more time with their children and less money on presents.

At Christmas time, are your children waiting for Santa so they can have more presents?  Or are they waiting for Jesus and celebrating his birthday?

A singer and songwriter, Becky Kelley sings a beautiful song that was inspired by her four-year old nephew who knew that Christmas was the celebration of Jesus’ birth.   While he was watching the line of kids waiting to see Santa Claus and he asked his mom where the line was to see Jesus.   Becky’s dad wrote the words, Becky sang the song, they did a video and before long they song became reality.   Here is the link to the video:

http://www.godvine.com/Where-is-the-Line-to-See-Jesus-An-Incredibly-Moving-Christmas-Video-4410.html#.UrHj3iZaW1E.gmail

If you want to read the entire story about the song, click here:  http://wheresthelinetoseejesus.com/

 

 

 

 

Make room for new things

Did you get everything you wanted for Christmas?   A big screen TV, a new outfit, handy tools, kitchen appliances, books, toys…… It’s nice to get presents but where do you put all that new stuff?

Christmas is  great time of year to clean up your home and make room for all those new trinkets and toys.  We all keep things that we don’t need or even want anymore.  Instead of continuing to clutter our homes, why not donate any good used items to a local charity where they will be appreciated and recycle anything that can be used again.  There are also websites where you can offer free items such as www.freecycle.org

Get the whole family active in sorting through stuff.   It helps keep your home clutter-free and teaches responsibility.  Getting  your children in the habit of donating their excess toys is a valuable life lesson in sharing and helping others.

Here are some suggestions:

• Sort through your closets and take out any items that you are no longer wearing – items that don’t fit, don’t match anything, you don’t even like anymore
• Look through your cupboards and take out any household items that you don’t need – the ones that are shoved to the back and you don’t ever use
• Check your shelves and cabinets for any items that are just sitting and collecting dust – ornaments you don’t like anymore, books you don’t read
• Check for areas that are cluttered, like basements and garages – sort through items and remove any that you no longer need, get rid of anything that is damaged or broken
• Sort through your child’s toys – there are probably lots that they no longer play with or care about
• Take any old electronics to an electronics recycling centre

While you are getting rid of material things, it is a great time to get rid of any negative emotions you may have stored up inside.  Are you keeping any anger, bitterness, jealousy or anything else that you really don’t need?  Try to release these negative feelings and forgive anyone who has hurt you.  Start the new year with an uncluttered home and an uncluttered heart!

 

And so this is Christmas…..

In 1971, John Lennon and Yoko Ono recorded a beautiful song which has been played over and over again for over 40 years.  The words are simple but very powerful and they ask a question that we should all think about…..what have you done?   I ask myself this question sometimes and wonder what I have done to help change the world.   When was the last time that I did something nice?   It doesn’t always take a big thing to make a difference in someone else’s life – just a smile, a few kind words, a hug…..

Merry Christmas and Peace be with you!!

So, this is Christmas and  what have you done?

Another  year over and a new one just begun
And so this is Christmas,  I hope you have fun

The near and the  dear one, the old and the  young
A very merry  Christmas and a happy New Year

Let’s hope it’s a good one, without any fear
And so this is Christmas, for weak and for strong

For rich and the poor ones, the  world is so wrong
And so happy  Christmas, for black and for  white

For yellow and red ones, let’s stop all the  fight
A very merry  Christmas and a happy New Year

Let’s hope it’s a good one, without any fear
And so this is Christmas and what have we done

Another year over and a new one just begun

And so this is Christmas, I hope you have fun

The  near and the dear one, The old and  the young
A very merry  Christmas and a happy New Year

Let’s hope it’s a good one, Without any fear
War is over, if you want it, War is over now

Are you ready for Christmas?

 

I heard the bells on Christmas Day

Their old, familiar carols play,

And wild and sweet

The words repeat

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

 

 

Christmas is almost here.  Are you ready?  Have all the preparations been made or do you rush out today to pick last-minute gifts and food items?

People seem to have forgotten what Christmas is all about. People spend all their time and money gathering gifts and wearing themselves thin trying to…to…to do exactly what?  Do we know why we go into massive debt every year buying stuff that we really don’t need and sometimes don’t even want after we get it?

Many people spend so much time getting ready for the holidays that they forget to stop and enjoy time with family and friends.  Christmas is not just about eating and unwrapping gifts,  Christmas is about love and sharing; a celebration of Jesus’ birth.

I pray that everyone will have peace during this most wonderful time of the year!  Merry Christmas to all!

My favourite Christmas quotes

Read….consider…..enjoy…..

Christmas is a necessity.  There has to be at least one day of the year to remind us that we’re here for something else besides ourselves.  ~Eric Sevareid

Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.  ~Norman Vincent Peale

He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree.  ~Roy L. Smith

The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree:  the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.  ~Burton Hillis

One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas day.  Don’t clean it up too quickly.  ~Andy Rooney

There has been only one Christmas – the rest are anniversaries.  ~W.J. Cameron

May Peace be your gift at Christmas and your blessing all year through!  ~Author Unknown

Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas.  ~Peg Bracken

Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love!  ~Hamilton Wright Mabie

When we were children we were grateful to those who filled our stockings at Christmas time.  Why are we not grateful to God for filling our stockings with legs?  ~G.K. Chesterton

I sometimes think we expect too much of Christmas Day.  We try to crowd into it the long arrears of kindliness and humanity of the whole year.  As for me, I like to take my Christmas a little at a time, all through the year.  And thus I drift along into the holidays – let them overtake me unexpectedly – waking up some fine morning and suddenly saying to myself:  “Why, this is Christmas Day!”  ~David Grayson

Christmas is not as much about opening our presents as opening our hearts.  ~Janice Maeditere

Christmas is the season when you buy this year’s gifts with next year’s money.  ~Author Unknown

How do you celebrate Christmas?

We all have different holiday traditions and we celebrate according to our beliefs.  Many families gather together to share a meal and open presents.  Others travel to a vacation spot to relax and forget about the stresses of everyday life.   Some people don’t celebrate Christmas because of various reasons and it is just another day for them.  Then there are those who don’t have anyone to spend Christmas with because their families live too far away, they have no family, there is conflict or all their loved ones have passed away.

Most of us have high expectations of Christmas.  We want to spend time with family and friends, enjoying the season.   When this doesn’t happen we feel like something is wrong and we react in a negative way, often hurting ourselves in the process.

Christmas can be a difficult time if you are alone.  However, being alone does not have to result in unhappiness.  Many people spend Christmas alone by choice and they are not lonely or miserable.  It is all a matter of perception.

Instead of feeling bad about the season, try making a list of things you like to do and then take action.   Here are some ideas:

1. Watch some favourite movies, read some books, listen to music.
2. Call some friends and invite them to come for coffee.  They might feel lonely too and enjoy the company.
3. Consider getting a pet if you don’t have one.   They are great companions.  Find one that suits your needs and is easy to care for.  Having a dog is a great excuse for taking a walk.
4. If you belong to a church, make sure you attend Christmas services.  If you don’t, consider attending one as it will help you feel part of the celebration.
5. Organize your home or start a new project.
6. Do something creative.  Starting writing, drawing or do some crafts.
7. Play a game like solitaire or do crossword puzzles.
8. Visit a mall while they are open and watch people.
9. Help volunteer at a soup kitchen or visit a senior home and share yourself with others.  This is guaranteed to bring happiness to all.
10. Always be positive about life.

These ideas are great for anytime of year.  If you fill your life with positive activity and surround yourself with positive people, you won’t have time to feel lonely.  Treat yourself like the special person you are and have a very merry Christmas!  Love to everyone!  🙂

This is the message of Christmas:  We are never alone.  ~Taylor Caldwell

Not a Santa fan

This post touched me and I wanted to share. I wondered if it was true and apparently it is. It happened in December 1997, according to the author Susan Leonard whose husband was professional Santa Claus. So many people don’t believe in miracles and this is sad because there is so much power in prayer. God has performed miracles in my own life and I would not be alive today if not for his overpowering, unconditional love. I’m not particularly fond of Santa anymore – a few years ago I heard an announcer on the radio say, “Oh no, it’s not going to snow for Santa’s birthday”, and it upset me that some people actually don’t know what Christmas is all about and don’t care. However, I guess God can make all things work for good as he did with that particular Santa. God bless all and Merry Christmas!

Morning Story and Dilbert

Three years ago, a little boy and his grandmother came to see Santa at the McAllister Mall in Saint John. The child climbed up on his lap, holding a picture of a little girl.

Who is this?” asked Santa, smiling. “Your friend?

“Yes, Santa,’ he replied. “My sister, Sarah, who is very sick,” he said sadly.

Santa glanced over at the grandmother who was waiting nearby, and saw her dabbing her eyes with a tissue. “She wanted to come with me to see you, oh, so very much, Santa!” the child exclaimed. “She misses you,” he added softly.

Santa tried to be cheerful and encouraged a smile to the boy’s face, asking him what he wanted Santa to bring him for Christmas.

When they finished their visit, the Grandmother came over to help the child off his lap, and started to say something to Santa, but halted.

“What is it?”…

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Christmas joy

It’s almost here,

 That time of year,

A celebration,

Throughout the nation,

A time to care,

A time to share,

Christmas peace and Christmas joy. 

~Brenda Silveira

Only a few more days until Christmas.   My husband and I were out today picking up our last gift and now everything is done.   While shopping, we stopped to enjoy a coffee in the food court.   People watching is a new sport of mine; I find people very interesting and they are all so different.  Looking around, I noticed few really happy, smiling faces.  Most people seemed tired or stressed and not really enjoying themselves.  I try to figure out what people are thinking and wonder what is happening in their lives to make them appear so serious and sad.

Christmas has not always been a happy season for me.  Past difficulties often took away the joy and brought only misery.  One Christmas not too long ago was spent totally alone by choice because I just couldn’t face anyone.  It was this particular Christmas that I realized I was never alone – God was always with me and I discovered that joy came from within myself and not from anyone else.   Nobody has the power to control how we feel unless we let them.  We have our own power to control how we feel and no matter how difficult life get, we can still keep our joy.   It’s all a matter of how we see things and keeping a positive perspective about life.

I hope you can spend these last 5 days preparing for your Christmas joy.  Don’t get all stressed out trying to have a perfect Christmas – there is no such thing.   Instead of rushing around, take time to enjoy the season with family and friends and remember what the season is really all about.

Merry Joyful Christmas!