We're enjoying visiting with daughters. Being in the city traffic reinforces to me that I am NOT a city gal...but both daughters seem to be, and it is fun for a visit. We visited Andrea's church this morning and are looking forward to Christmas Eve services. Alyson was able to get off all day yesterday so we were able to spend the entire day together as a family which was delightful. I'll eventually post pictures.

Roy and Andrea are off doing a bit of father/daughter bonding (translation: getting the oil changed in her vehicle). I'm not sure what is on the agenda for the evening.

I hope this is a wonderful holiday season for one and all.

christmas hugzzzz
chattye/cathye
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Today your Savior was born in the town of David. He is Christ, the Lord.
Luke 2:11

An ordinary night with ordinary sheep and ordinary shepherds. And were it not for a God who loves to hook an "extra" on the front of the ordinary, the night would have gone unnoticed. The sheep would have been forgotten, and the shepherds would have slept the night away.

But God dances amidst the common. And that night he did a waltz.

The black sky exploded with brightness. Trees that had been shadows jumped into clarity. Sheep that had been silent became a chorus of curiosity. One minute the shepherd was dead asleep, the next he was rubbing his eyes and staring into the face of an alien.

The night was ordinary no more.

The angel came in the night because that is when lights are best seen and that is when they are most needed. God comes into the common for the same reason. His most powerful tools are the simplest.

by Max Lucado

STORY OF THE LITTLEST ANGEL

If you haven't ever read the story of The Littlest Angel, you have missed a treat. You can go to it by clicking on the adorable little angel below.

THE "W" IN CHRISTMAS

The "W" in Christmas

Each December, I vowed to make Christmas a calm and peaceful experience.

I had cut back on nonessential obligations - extensive card writing, endless baking, decorating, and even overspending. Yet still, I found myself exhausted, unable to appreciate the precious family moments, and of course, the true meaning of Christmas.

My son, Nicholas, was in kindergarten that year. It was an exciting season for a six year old. For weeks, he'd been memorizing songs for his school's "Winter Pageant."

I didn't have the heart to tell him I'd be working the night of the production. Unwilling to miss his shining moment, I spoke with his teacher. She assured me there'd be a dress rehearsal the morning of the presentation. All parents unable to attend that evening were welcome to come then. Fortunately, Nicholas seemed happy with the compromise. So, the morning of the dress rehearsal, I filed in ten minutes early, found a spot on the cafeteria floor and sat down. Around the room, I saw several other parents quietly scampering to their seats.

As I waited, the students were led into the room. Each class, accompanied by their teacher, sat cross-legged on the floor. Then, each group, one by one, rose to perform their song.

Because the public school system had long stopped referring to the holiday as "Christmas," I didn't expect anything other than fun, commercial entertainment songs of reindeer, Santa Claus, snowflakes and good cheer. So, when my son's class rose to sing, "Christmas Love," I was slightly taken aback by its bold title.

Nicholas was aglow, as were all of his classmates, adorned in fuzzy mittens, red sweaters, and bright snowcaps upon their heads. Those in the front row- center stage - held up large letters, one by one, to spell out the title of the song.

As the class would sing "C is for Christmas," a child would hold up the letter C. Then, "H is for Happy," and on and on, until each child holding up his portion had presented the complete message, "Christmas Love."

The performance was going smoothly, until suddenly, we noticed her; a small, quiet, girl in the front row holding the letter "M" upside down - totally unaware her letter "M" appeared as a "W". The audience of 1st through 6th graders snickered at this little one's mistake. But she had no idea they were laughing at her, so she stood tall, proudly holding her "W".

Although many teachers tried to shush the children, the laughter continued until the last letter was raised, and we all saw it together.

A hush came over the audience and eyes began to widen.

In that instant, we understood the reason we were there, why we celebrated the holiday in the first place, why even in the chaos, there was a purpose for our festivities.

For when the last letter was held high, the message read loud and clear:

"C H R I S T W A S L O V E"

And, I believe, He still is. Amazed in His presence... .humbled by His love.

Again, HAVE A BLESSED HOLIDAY SEASON!

THE LITTLEST ANGEL

I LOVE this story and this song. Here are the lyrics and the music.
********************
THE LITTLEST ANGEL
sung by Bing Crosby

Let me tell you a tale that is often told
In the great Celestial Hall
All about an angel only 4 years old
The littlest angel of all.

How all day he would play with a little box
That to others had no worth
Ah, but there were treasures in this little box
The treasures he brought from earth

Just a butterfly with golden wings
A little piece of a hollow log
Two shiny stones from a river bank
And the worn out strap of his faithful dog

Then the angels all heard that the Holy Child
Would be born in Bethlehem
And they all brought presents for the Holy Child
And each gift was a heavenly gem

Then the littlest angel put his little box
With the presents fine and rare
And the littlest angel sat alone and cried
For his gift was so meager and bare

Just a butterfly with golden wings
A little piece of a hollow log
Two shiny stones from a river bank
And the worn-out strap of his faithful dog

But the Lord chose the gift of the little box
That a child had blessed with love
And it started glowing that very night
It became the star up above

When you see that star as it shines on high
In the great Celestial Hall
You will know the proudest angel in the sky
Is the littlest angel of all

With his butterfly with golden wings
A little piece of a hollow log
Two shiny stones from a riverbank
And the worn-out strap of his faithful dog



The above sound is very cranky. Sometimes I have to close my blog, open my browser, and paste in the following URL

http://cathye48.blogspot.com/2007/12/littlest-angel.html

to get it to play. Sometimes I have to do that more than once. I've tried numerous other players, and believe it or not, this one is the best so far. You do have to have Flash Player installed to be able to hear it.

This low quality .mp3 is for preview purposes only. If you like the song, please support the artist by purchasing the recording.

OH MY GOODNESS

I spent a delightful yesterday morning shopping with a friend. I had a gift certificate that I had received last Christmas from a another friend, so we headed to the appropriate store to do a bit of shopping. I found a wonderful purple pantsuit w/ jacket...and it was on sale! What a wonderful way to use my gift certificate.

But then....

a lovely green pantsuit tapped me on the shoulder and said that it would file discrimination charges against me if I didn't buy it, too!

And then. . .

I felt a tap on my other shoulder....and would you believe it....it was a denim outfit...jeans with tiny stripes and a vest...and it wanted in on the action, too.

WHAT'S A GIRL TO DO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I did what any thoughtful, caring person would do...I INCLUDED ALL OF THEM!!!!

BRING ON THE COLD WEATHER IN SEATTLE...I'M READY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FRIDAY HUGZZZZZZZZZZZZZ TO ALL!

LAST CHRISTMAS...THIS CHRISTMAS

This was written after 9-11, but it's just as applicable today.
*******************
LAST CHRISTMAS...THIS CHRISTMAS


Last Christmas we were thinking about all the things we didn't have. This Christmas we are thinking about all the things we do have.

Last Christmas we were placing wreaths on the doors of our homes. This Christmas we are placing wreaths on the graves of our heroes.

Last Christmas we were counting our money. This Christmas we are counting our blessings.

Last Christmas we thought a man who could rush down a football field was a hero. This Christmas we know a man who rushes into a burning building is the real one.

Last Christmas we paid lip service to the real meaning of the holidays. This Christmas we are paying homage to it.

Last Christmas we were lighting candles to decorate. This Christmas we are lighting candles to commemorate.

Last Christmas we were trying not to let annoying relatives get the best of us. This Christmas we are trying to give the best of ourselves to them.

Last Christmas we thought it was enough to celebrate the holidays. This Christmas we know we must also find ways to consecrate them.

Last Christmas we were thinking about the madness of the holidays. This Christmas we are thinking about the meaning of them.

Last Christmas we were getting on each other's nerves. This Christmas we are getting on our knees.

Last Christmas we were giving thanks for gifts from stores. This Christmas we are giving thanks for gifts from God.

Last Christmas we were wondering how to give our children all the things that money can buy - the hottest toys, the latest fashions, the newest gadgets. This Christmas we are wondering how to give them all the things it can't - a sense of security, safety, peace.

Last Christmas we were thinking about all the pressure we are under at the office. This Christmas we are thinking about all the people who no longer have an office to go to.

Last Christmas we were singing carols. This Christmas we are singing anthems.

Last Christmas we were thinking how good it would feel to be affluent. This Christmas we are thinking how good it feels to be alive.

Last Christmas we thought angels were in heaven. This Christmas we know some are right here on earth.

Last Christmas we believed in the power of the pocketbook. This Christmas we believe in the power of prayer.

Last Christmas we were sharing/spreading/listening to gossip. This Christmas we are sharing/spreading/listening to the Gospel.

Last Christmas we valued things that were costly. This Christmas we value things that are holy.

Last Christmas the people we idolized wore football, basketball and baseball uniforms. This Christmas the people we idolize wear police, firefighters and military uniforms.

Last Christmas "peace on earth" is something we prayed for on Sunday mornings. Now it is something we pray for every day.

CHRISTMAS HOT CHOCOLATE

Christmas Hot Chocolate

"No hot chocolate on Christmas Eve?" Christine asked.

"Next year," her mom Cheryl promised as she dressed for the midnight service.

Having hot chocolate on Christmas Eve was a family tradition, but this year they couodn't afford even that. Jack, the dad, had been laid off months earlier; their car was broken down; food was scarce, and the family's financial picture was growing bleaker each day.

Later, as they sat in the candlelight service, Cheryl prayed silently, "Oh, Lord, you promised to take care of us. Have you forgotten?"

Joyful songs and hope rang out as people filed out of the church, but Cheryl's heart was heavy. Just then, their daughter's youth director called to them: "Wait!" She pulled a brightly ribboned jar from her bag -- hot chocolate mix! "Merry Christmas!" she said.

This kind friend didn't know of their family tradition, or that to Cheryl, this simple gift was a reminder that God had not forgotten their family after all.

(from Christmas Treasures of the Heart by Cheri Fuller)

STAY

I pulled into the crowded parking lot at the Super Wal-Mart Shopping Center and rolled down the car windows to make sure my Labrador Retriever Pup had fresh air.

She was stretched full-out on the back seat, and I wanted to impress upon her that she must remain there. I walked to the curb backward, pointing my finger at the car and saying emphatically, "Now you stay. Do you hear me?" "Stay! Stay!"

The driver of a nearby car, a pretty blonde young lady, gave me a strange look and said...

"Why don't you just put it in park?"

CHRISTMAS IS COMING

Goodness...a week into December already. Christmas is just around the corner, and I haven't done any decorating yet. I am delighted to tell you that I have actually gotten all out-of-town gifts mailed...possibly the earliest that has ever happened. I'll try to post Christmas thoughts here as Christmas approaches. Maybe reading about Christmas will put me in the mood to get out some decorations!!!

Our weather is beautiful...in the 80's yesterday and today, but the weather man assures us that tomorrow with be cold and rainy. The trees are beautiful with their multi-colored leaves. My camera and I took a few pics the other day of our pecan tree in the back yard. Roy and the Golden Retrievers have been having a race to see who can get to the fallen pecans first. So far I think it's a tie!







Tomorrow night is the Christmas Musical done by the children's choirs at church. I'll be playing with that cool $5,000 camera again! The owner is such a brave soul. I'll also play with my digi camera to get some pics of the kids in their costumes. I wish there were 2 of me on occasions like this.

lovies and huggies to all!!!