Christmas Blessings: Joy

Luke 2:6-7
While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

Nine years ago on December 22, my daughter, Sara, labored for hours. In the hospital they kept a monitor on her as the labor pains ebbed and flowed. I sat close by and prayed this little one would arrive soon. And he did eventually come. She gave birth to Elijah Duncan, a beautiful baby boy. Joy overflowed from my heart when I held that sweet bundle.

Sara and James made their way to a hospital for Eli's birth. Joseph and Mary traveled from Nazareth to the far away town of Bethlehem. No hospital, not even a room to stay in. Instead they rested in a cave used to shelter animals. And there, Mary gave birth to the Prince of Peace. The manger used as a feeding trough for the animals turned into a bed for the new born king. I've experienced childbirth, and I can tell you I wouldn't want to give birth in a cave for animals. But God made a way for Mary and Jesus to be safe and sound even among the sheep and cows.

I can imagine the joy in Mary's heart when she swaddled that sweet baby and held him tight. I wonder if she sang a lullaby to him before she placed him in the manger to rest. Jesus birth is a beautiful gift of redemption; the beginning of the joy the world can have if we trust in him. 

He truly is the reason for the season.

Christmas Traditions Around the World: Norway's Julekurver

For years, I've enjoyed making a fun paper craft. Until recently, I didn't know that the tradition of making woven paper baskets came from Norway. 

Close to Christmas, people in Norway cut and weave paper or straw heart shaped baskets. They sometimes attach a handle and then fill the basket with sweets. The hearts decorate their trees and homes. There's rumor that Hans Christian Anderson may have started this tradition.

This is an entertaining craft to do with the whole family.

If you'd like to try your hand at heart baskets, follow these instructions.

The Reason for the Season

Who Put the First Selfie on a Christmas Card?

We can thank Sir Henry Cole of England for the tradition of sending and receiving Christmas cards. In 1843, he commissioned John Calcott Horsley to create an image Henry could send to his friends and family. The card featured a family celebrating the holiday, as well as, folks helping the poor. With the writing of A Christmas Carol, a new light shined on helping those in need.

My great-grandma's Christmas Cards on display.

Eventually Americans adopted the practice of sending cards to friends and family to celebrate the season. In 1875, Louis Prang mass produced affordable cards for everyone to share in. Then in 1915, the Hall brothers created Hallmark cards. And you know the rest of that story.

Guess who had the first "selfie" Christmas card? Ohio's own Annie Oakley. She toured Scotland around the holidays and had her photo printed on the cards she sent back to friends in America.

I'm fortunate to have a few of my great-grandma's Christmas cards framed for display. I enjoy sending and receiving cards. I hope you do too!

Cooper, James. “The History of Christmas Cards .” Why Christmas?, 2018, www.whychristmas.com.

Green, Jonathan. Christmas Miscellany: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Christmas. Skyhorse Publishing, 2017.

Christmas Blessings: Peace

Luke 2:13-14

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

  

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."

As Eli and Ella Cate put my Fisher Price Nativity set together, I watched with great joy. They placed Mary and Joseph in the stable and gently laid baby Jesus in between them. Ella Cate found all the palm trees and lined them up, while Eli herded the sheep to the shepherds. As they were playing, my daughter, Sara, asked Eli if he would sing a song he'd learned for his great-grandfather's funeral. As he tinkered with the manger scene, his strong, young voice filled the room. "Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me." Wow, what a blessing to hear this almost nine-year old sing one of my favorite songs.

At Jesus birth the angels rejoiced with a song of peace. They glorified God and poured the favor of peace over the shepherds.

The Christmas season can get hectic. Too much to do, places to go. So many families are knee deep in sports and activities, while others are lonely, even sad. The holidays can be a difficult time for so many reasons. But it can also be a time filled with peace. Just knowing that Jesus birth changed the world and our options in life brings me calm and comfort. If it weren't for that sweet baby in the manger growing to be a man who gave his all for me, my life would be utter chaos. Instead I have peace in my heart, knowing my life is in God's hands.

I pray God's peace pours over you as you prepare to celebrate Jesus birth. May his arms be a place of rest and his feet a place of worship.

Christmas Traditions Around the World: Iceland's Jólabókaflóð

We all create traditions in our families for the holidays. My daughters and I get together with my mom and roll out, cut out, and bake Christmas cookies. My husband and I cruise the area and marvel at Christmas lights. We gather together to open presents, share food, and celebrate Jesus' birth. I never miss the children's Christmas pageant.

I've always been curious about Christmas traditions in other countries; or even in different regions of America.

Have you heard about a cool custom in Iceland?

As a book lover, I adore this Jólabókaflóð—"the Christmas book flood." Icelander's open their gifts on Christmas Eve and one of the wrapped gifts is always a book. Once the clutter is cleared, the receiver of the gift takes their new shiny book, wraps up in a cozy blanket and cracks it open to read the night away. What a glorious tradition. Meaningful because the giver took the time to choose the perfect book. Relaxing as they read well into the night.

We read about Jesus birth from the Bible each Christmas and Holiday stories from Mary Engelbreit's Believe: A Christmas Story.

How can you incorporate book giving into your Christmas?

• Add a book to your gift list.
• Share a favorite book with a loved one.
• Celebrate the joy of the printed word.

St. Francis of Assisi-Quote to Remember