Thinking About The Tree

December is here!
Christmas songs are sneaking into my head at odd moments, and I’m contemplating putting up the tree next week.
Last year the tree stayed in its box under the bed. We didn’t know if we were moving, there were boxes everywhere, not much room…we decided to take year off decorating.
I don’t know what it is about the last few days, but I’ve suddenly leapt into Christmas mode! Christmas Day itself is just over three weeks away, so I can’t say it’s too early ๐Ÿ™‚
Perhaps it’s because we feel settled here. Perhaps we just needed a rest last year. I’m excited to see how our decorations fit in this house.

I’ve been looking for a Nativity set lately. I couldn’t find anything in our budget that I liked, but then my Mum gave me some bits towards putting one together. Until I figure out how to make the rest of the figures, they’ll be here.

There’s even a cat in attendance!

We went to a wedding today, which was beautiful โค
We were outside for lunch afterwards, and this was our view.

As trees go, these were quite majestic.

I’ll still enjoy my little fake tree with nearly thirty years of accumulated baubles…

Just to start off the Christmassy season with a smile – and an acknowledgement that Christmas here is considerably hotter than some other parts of the world (even if we’re not in LA).

And a bonus – this is more of a “winter” song than a “Christmas” song, but we’ve had the air conditioner on, and this made me (happy) cry.

Published in: on December 2, 2023 at 10:39 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Sing, For The Day Has Come!

Published in: on December 25, 2022 at 12:01 am  Leave a Comment  
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This Is The Story

Published in: on December 24, 2022 at 9:52 pm  Leave a Comment  
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The Child Who Sees Us

Amidst all the flashing lights
there are still glimpses of darkness.

We don’t really get the full experience in Australia – Christmas here is in the season of light and heat, rather than the northern hemisphere Christmas of short, cold days and long dark nights. We can still ponder on the Christ child, born into a time of darkness, come to bring light to the world.

Published in: on December 19, 2022 at 7:21 pm  Leave a Comment  
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The Silence And The Stillness

Christmas Day is just over a week away.
It’s hard to believe that this year has gone so quickly, and it seems that the bustle of the average Christmas season has passed us by.
For various reasons, and in various ways, this Christmas will be quite muted for us.
We wait.
In stillness.
In silence.
For our hearts to light, and the flame to brighten.

Usually, I love all the glitz and glitter of the trees and presents, the jingle of the bells and carols.
Sometimes, though, it’s just the right time to sit, and remember, the coming of the baby King – the beginning of the story that culminates in death, redemption, and resurrection.

And so – we hold on to faith, and we wait.
For God, in His love, will not tarry.

Published in: on December 15, 2022 at 8:03 pm  Leave a Comment  
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The Day Has Come!

MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE!
โค

Published in: on December 25, 2021 at 12:01 am  Leave a Comment  
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Nearly There!

Yay!
๐Ÿ˜€

Published in: on December 23, 2021 at 9:20 pm  Leave a Comment  
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The Shepherds Meet The Lamb

(sorry about the ads ๐Ÿ˜ฆ )

Published in: on December 22, 2021 at 5:12 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Contemplating The Inconceivable

This is one of my favourite Christmas songs.
I’ve loved it since I first heard it many years ago.
Lately I’ve noticed that it gets some criticism, which I don’t believe is warranted – accusations that it treats Mary as ignorant, or that the writers must have never read the Bible…
Let’s face it – of course she knew!
She was told of what was to come by an angel; that word was confirmed by Elizabeth. She was inspired to sing a prophetic song of what God was doing, and then received further prophecy from Simeon and Anna!
Mary was far from ignorant, and she thought deeply.

If the intent of the song were to mock Mary for her perceived ignorance, then I could understand the criticisms. I have never heard it that way. To me, it seems like someone in awe of the unfolding magnificence of the story, asking Mary how it was possible to conceive of such a truth. It invites us to really enter the story, and marvel. There’s a line that says, “When you kiss your little baby, you kiss the face of God”…and – I just don’t know what to do with that! Every time I hear it, it feels new and amazing – God in flesh, helpless and vulnerable, in the arms of a young first time mother. Surrounded by animals and shepherds, tired and hungry and probably a bit bewildered.
All for us.

A song not born from a lack of Bible reading.
Just a writer (and listener) struggling to really take in all of the good news!

Published in: on December 20, 2021 at 4:40 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Crisp And Cool…

The air conditioner’s on, the sheets are freshly changed, and I’ve done my heavy cleaning for the inspection on Monday.
You know that feeling when you’ve been dreading something, but you’ve finally done that something, and you feel all light and giddy with achievement? That’s me right now ๐Ÿ˜€
Also – chilled and comfy!

Still have the pressies to wrap, but that can be a fun thing for later.
There’s been a fair few “must do” things lately, but I still found time for a sit down in front of the Christmas tree the other day, with a mug of gingerbread milk and an Elf DVD.

Also, a cup of mocha and a muffin, before doing some Christmas shopping. It’s been a bit harder without a car, so I needed my caffeine…
Here’s my little nook in the cafe.

Here are the forest friends that shared the space with me…

I’m looking forward to a peaceful evening. ๐Ÿ™‚ I hope you are too!
Maybe this will help…
not specifically a Christmas song, but something to reflect on.