The light of the Christmas star to you,
The warmth of home and hearth to you,
The cheer and good will of friends to you,
The hope of a childlike heart to you,
The joy of a thousand angels to you,
The Love of the Son,
And God’s peace to you.
-Irish Christmas blessing
Merry Christmas from our home to yours! Love, Lisa
As a child, it was comforting to be tucked in, snug and warm in a familiar soft blanket. When the blankets were all around, it seemed that nothing could get me from under the bed or outside in the hallway. And when the bad dreams came, a hand of comfort from a caring parent could calm and send me back to sleep.
So I was so encouraged this morning to discover a treasure of a Bible verse:
“You hem me in – behind and before; You have laid Your hand upon me.” – Psalm 139:5
Tucked in by God. Protected by His blanket of angels. Patted back to calm by His mighty hand.
What an image of peace. Of His great love for us. Of protection. Of safety.
You are loved, I am loved. Beyond imagination and measure.
Love, Lisa
There is a thick mist this morning. Sitting quietly and peacefully upon the earth, cloaking all with its heaviness. But the effect is quite calming. As if everything is taking a deep rest, a pause, a waiting. Waiting for the Christmas star this evening, the lining up of Saturn and Jupiter, for the first time in 800 years. Waiting for the sky to clear and God’s glory to be revealed. Waiting for the celebration of Christ’s birth. Expectant, hopeful.
Expectant despite the advent of the cold.
Hopeful despite COVID and political differences.
The Lord Jesus Christ, the One who is triumphant over the cold, the despair, the differences, the sicknesses, the hopelessness.
“There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.” – Proverbs 23:18
Expectant, hopeful. Love, Lisa
Enjoy this spare, quiet version of “In the Bleak Midwinter” by Andrea Corr.
I have a very special guest blogger today….our fourteen year old daughter, Amy. Here is her beautiful poem. Enjoy.
A crystal, clear as water, fine as granulated sand…pure
Think about these things
Wind blowing softly through the pines, at the highest peak on the mountain
Think about these things
Waves crashing against majestic cliffs amidst a rising sun
Think about these things
Rain pattering gently onto the grass helping to nurture and tame
While the sun’s rays pull every blade higher and higher out of its secure underground
home
Think about these things
Think about what is worthy to be praised
The Lord should give us you every reason to feel a little dazed
For the Lamb is our love and our light
If He is in us, than we shall shine bright
Let us share these things with others
So that they may tell all their sisters and brothers
Rejoice in His name
And His blessings you will obtain
If anything is good or excellent, commendable or pure
Think about these things
c2020 Amy Lyons
Snow comes down, slowly, gently
Covering what was… with what is
Snow makes beautiful what was mundane, marred
Covering what was… with what is
The blessed covering, the quiet, the peace
c2020 Lisa Lyons
“Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.” – Psalm 32:1
Think About These Things 