Luke 2:10: But the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you the most joyful news ever announced, and it is for everyone! 

Gratitude Day 799 

Christmas Eve is ONE WEEK AWAY!! 

Seriously! A blessed week away.  

I pray this week will be a special, enjoyable and WONDER-ful week. Seriously. Please, please, please allow yourself to drink in all the wonderful sights, sounds, tastes (permission granted to eat extra cookies this week!) and everything else all Christmas these next few days.  

Today, I’d like to share just a few bits of Christmas inspiration that I pray will make the next week extra-special for you and your family! Grab a cup of coffee or tea and let’s pretend we’re sitting across from each other and sharing these ways to make Christmas special this next week!  

Here in Wisconsin, it is REALLY beginning to look a lot like Christmas. We had about six inches of a heavy, wet, snow this week. And honestly, it is terribly beautiful everywhere you look right now. The snow is heavy. Some lost electricity. Lots of branches down. But the scenes are breathtaking. Literally.  

Hubby Rick and I were in the car yesterday, going to different appointments in different places. We enjoyed the day-time Christmas look sans light – of the gorgeous snow on the trees. Tons of picture-worthy scenes that we drank in while simply driving down the road.  

I’m confident that we’ll do a night drive soon and check out Christmas lights as well! 

A Fantastic Christmas Carol 

I also ran across this Christmas song this week. I think you’ll enjoy this one as well: 

A couple weeks ago, I shared a Christmas playlist. Just in case you missed it, here is the link again: 

Simple Words of Faith Christmas Playlist2022 

This Nativity Print 

I LOVE nativity scenes. To me, they are such an important part of the Christmas tradition. Here’s a print painted by my dear friend, Bonnie Mohr. If you want to see some of her Christmas inspired prints, go here. She does THE BEST work. Seriously.  

Help Bring the Merry Into Someone Else’s Life 

For many people, Christmas is not the most wonderful time of the year. They’ve lost a loved one. There is something going on in their life which makes everything just a bit wonky. Families aren’t able to get together for whatever reason. There are plenty of reasons why people feel blue at Christmas.  

My challenge to you: reach out to one of those people who may not be feeling Christmas this year. Have coffee with them. Take them a plate of cookies. Pick up the phone and have an actual conversation with them. For real.  

What if YOU are the one who is struggling? First, give yourself permission to be OK with this. You do not have to be at the top of your Christmas game. Allow yourself to have different traditions or activities this year. It really is OK. If you have the energy, create a small, special way to remember the birth of Jesus, who loves you no matter what. Seriously.  

Decide When and Where You will Attend Christmas Eve Worship 

If you already have this figured out, good for you! If you do not, sit down right now and figure out your options and pick one. Some churches have options outside of Christmas Eve. Or with Christmas Day on Sunday, there are options here as well. Give yourself the gift of singing Christmas carols and lighting a candle during “Silent Night.” I pray this will be a special part of your Christmas this year.  

Most importantly, keep the heart of Christmas centered in the birth of Jesus. This is why we have Christmas. May we celebrate this in special ways this year. Make a “Happy Birthday Jesus” birthday cake or cupcakes. Sing “Happy Birthday” to Jesus.  

Read Luke 2. See how the angels told the shepherds not to “be afraid.” Too often, we become afraid that our celebrations won’t be just so. Or our Christmas meal won’t be good enough. Possibly, we get concerned that our gifts won’t live up to expectations. Rather than being afraid, let’s celebrate with the shepherds the good news of great joy! This is WHY we even have Christmas.  

I pray we make room for this throughout this next week. Find your own inspiration this Christmas. Celebrate the good news of great joy! May our hearts be filled with all the goodness God brought into the world one night in Bethlehem.  

For the opportunity to find lots of inspiration this week before Christmas, I am grateful. 

Blessings – 

Dianne 

Loving God – Rather than trying to fill our hearts with all the things culture says is important for Christmas, I pray we come to the manger. Sit. Kneel down and worship the newborn King. Amen.  

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