Christmas Eve

I woke up this morning and sprang from my bed, with thoughts of a busy day rife in my head. Now on with the coffee, it’s hot and it’s strong; (I’ll sing as I work, a good Christmas song.) Quick, to the kitchen I go in a hurry; from counter to stove top I scoot […]

Did the Innkeeper Ever Know?

The Bible says simply, “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7). I like to imagine the principal people involved in how the Lord Jesus came to be born in a stable, […]

The Old Man’s Hat

The Old Man’s Hat

It’s interesting that so many songs and poems give us a peek at the lives and practices of previous generations. The old English Christmas song, “Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat; please to put a penny in the old man’s hat” is one such 17th century song. It encourages people to be generous […]

Shortest Day

At last it’s here–the first day of winter. This is the winter solstice. Isn’t it wonderful how God planned the seasons, set the planets in motion, and made this one day of all the year, the shortest? My mother didn’t like the short, dark days of winter, so I’d always remind her on December 21 […]

A Look Back, Way, Way Back

I found my old diary–my very old diary. It was a 5-year diary and, oh joy! it began in 1953! Can you believe it? I’ve always preferred reading diaries or journals of people who lived through old times because to me those are the truest accounts. This was evidently the journal of a young farm […]

Advent Candles

Our family has the tradition of lighting Advent candles on the Sundays before Christmas, then readingĀ  Scripture. The soft glow of the candle is peaceful and silent but it reflects a powerful message of hope and love. I wish that our world would stop for a moment and absorb this quietness and peace. Doesn’t Scripture […]