Do you want to build a snowman? Apparently Jingle Bell does! This "Frozen" theme was really working, despite the warmer weather outside. Today was a day off for Madison, and work day for Daddy - although he did get to go to the annual Christmas luncheon for our church staff. It was a nice occasion that everyone enjoyed over at the country club.
We're so blessed to be a part of this church - this is coming up on ten years that Daddy has been employed here. This past year has been exciting, but we've got some great new ideas for the next that will hopefully be more engaging for the children and volunteers.
Daddy worked on a message for Sunday today, but got home just in time for us to make a trip. Tonight, we wanted to take advantage of the limited time offer the weather was providing, and make a return trip to Life University's Nights of Lights.
This picture was taken by somebody else. I have no idea who. Daddy forgot his camera tonight, but that was okay - sometimes it is a pain to keep up with! We had some great family time this evening, and the weather was perfect. Madison rode on a pony, all by herself, I might add. Daddy is usually right beside her, walking alongside for the journey. But not this time! Madison wanted to go solo on this trip, so Mommy and Daddy sat along the side and watched her ride with a big grin on her face. She really enjoyed the journey, even though it was around in circles for three minutes!
Afterwards, Mommy and Madison hopped aboard the train. No, it isn't a real train. It's a small train that rides around the campus a short distance, all covered in lights. Daddy waved goodbye, and Madison herself never stopped waving at everyone else as the train rode by. That's what you're supposed to do on a train: wave at everybody.
We roasted marshmallows, trying not to burn them. Daddy failed in this respect, but his marshmallow was still good. They all were, though I suspect they were loaded with much more sugar than the average marshmallow: Madison was literally running everywhere tonight. If she wasn't running, she was skipping. Or cantering, at least.
We walked through the lights, and then afterwards rode through the lights again. It's an impressive display of lights, all in one small area. Madison was trying to estimate, but I don't think any of us could count that high, even if we were given a month or more. It's a wonderful display, and we were glad to make the journey over to Marietta, even if the traffic was a little heavy on the way down.
We got home safely, and read a short Christmas book in bed, but all three of us were ready for sleep pretty quickly. It's been a full day!
Time for the devotional once more before going off to bed. Have a great night!
DECEMBER 20 - "The Nutcracker"
Uncle Drosselmeyer is a generous man at Christmas time. Every single year for over two hundred years, you can see him handing out gifts to children on stage in “The Nutcracker.” That's where Clara gets her nutcracker from - the one that starts this whole story. In the movie adaptations, he is pretty much the same: a mysterious and yet kind man dressed in black, with an eye patch over one eye. The children aren’t looking at his face though – they’re wanting to see what is in his bag of toys this year!
Being generous can make you the most popular person at the party. But it makes you a hero in God’s eyes too, so long as you’re giving for the right reasons. Each year, we’ll all see plenty of opportunities to give at church, or give to someone directly in need.
You can give money, but you can give other things, like your time. Just don’t give so that everyone will think you are super awesome. The point of giving is about blessing others, and not yourself. Because when you bless others, you’re blessing God Himself. This year at Christmas time, find someone to bless with a gift. You could even do it without them knowing who the giver is! Whatever you give, do it with a thankful heart, remembering the point of Christmas is that we’ve all been given the greatest gift of all.
Daddy worked on a message for Sunday today, but got home just in time for us to make a trip. Tonight, we wanted to take advantage of the limited time offer the weather was providing, and make a return trip to Life University's Nights of Lights.
This picture was taken by somebody else. I have no idea who. Daddy forgot his camera tonight, but that was okay - sometimes it is a pain to keep up with! We had some great family time this evening, and the weather was perfect. Madison rode on a pony, all by herself, I might add. Daddy is usually right beside her, walking alongside for the journey. But not this time! Madison wanted to go solo on this trip, so Mommy and Daddy sat along the side and watched her ride with a big grin on her face. She really enjoyed the journey, even though it was around in circles for three minutes!
Afterwards, Mommy and Madison hopped aboard the train. No, it isn't a real train. It's a small train that rides around the campus a short distance, all covered in lights. Daddy waved goodbye, and Madison herself never stopped waving at everyone else as the train rode by. That's what you're supposed to do on a train: wave at everybody.
We roasted marshmallows, trying not to burn them. Daddy failed in this respect, but his marshmallow was still good. They all were, though I suspect they were loaded with much more sugar than the average marshmallow: Madison was literally running everywhere tonight. If she wasn't running, she was skipping. Or cantering, at least.
We walked through the lights, and then afterwards rode through the lights again. It's an impressive display of lights, all in one small area. Madison was trying to estimate, but I don't think any of us could count that high, even if we were given a month or more. It's a wonderful display, and we were glad to make the journey over to Marietta, even if the traffic was a little heavy on the way down.
We got home safely, and read a short Christmas book in bed, but all three of us were ready for sleep pretty quickly. It's been a full day!
Time for the devotional once more before going off to bed. Have a great night!
Uncle Drosselmeyer is a generous man at Christmas time. Every single year for over two hundred years, you can see him handing out gifts to children on stage in “The Nutcracker.” That's where Clara gets her nutcracker from - the one that starts this whole story. In the movie adaptations, he is pretty much the same: a mysterious and yet kind man dressed in black, with an eye patch over one eye. The children aren’t looking at his face though – they’re wanting to see what is in his bag of toys this year!
Being generous can make you the most popular person at the party. But it makes you a hero in God’s eyes too, so long as you’re giving for the right reasons. Each year, we’ll all see plenty of opportunities to give at church, or give to someone directly in need.
You can give money, but you can give other things, like your time. Just don’t give so that everyone will think you are super awesome. The point of giving is about blessing others, and not yourself. Because when you bless others, you’re blessing God Himself. This year at Christmas time, find someone to bless with a gift. You could even do it without them knowing who the giver is! Whatever you give, do it with a thankful heart, remembering the point of Christmas is that we’ve all been given the greatest gift of all.
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