Monday Morning Motivation/Hope you had a Merry Christmas!

"The only real blind person at Christmas Time is he who has no Christmas in his heart."

Helen Keller

 "The perfect motive is that God so loved the world. 

The perfect gift is that He gave His only Son"

Corrie Ten Boom

Hope you and your family and friends had a wonderful Christmas!

Enjoy Your World:-)

Christmas Countdown...2011...Santa Claus....

 How does Santa fit into Christmas? How does he feel about the birth of Jesus?.....Back to my favorite resource...Google. The following quotes are from Santa's perspective:-)

 "Teach the children that I, Santa Claus, symbolize the generosity and good will we feel during the month of December."

 "Remember, teach the children the true meaning of Christmas and do not put me in the center, for I am but a humble servant of the One that is, and I bow down to worship him, our LORD, our GOD."

I liked what I found on Google.  I like that Santa does not in any way supersede Christ's birth but we can use Santa to symbolize giving and goodness during this holiday season.  Last week Steph, Josh and Caleb and the puppies came down for Christmas 2011 part I...let the festivities begin.....

(Brodie is excited for Christmas too:-)
Happy Christmas Eve Everyone!
I wish you a peaceful Christmas Eve and the joy and knowledge of the gift of Jesus for all of us.
Enjoy Your World

Christmas Countdown...2011...Christmas lights...

Have you ever wondered why we put lights on our Christmas tree?  Why we decorate our homes for the holidays.  Yes, the lights are beautiful, but what is the thought behind the tradition?  I consulted Google for some insight, here is what I found...
"Candles and Christmas lights represent Christ, the Light of the World. They also remind us that we are to be light to others, to show them the way to Christ.  Lord, be my Light in the darkness and help me to be a light to others, to show them the way to you. When all seems hopeless, help me to remember that the darkness cannot overcome Your Light." 
I am not sure who penned the quote but I like the sound of it.  Now lets go find some lights..off we go....

Caleb and I ready for the adventure....

Joe decorated this tree for his parents.....beautiful job.
Come on guys lets go.  Joe you are driving!

Here we are at Ronny's Garden World, Smyrna DE

(A very bright light in our world. Little Caleb:-)

Don't worry Caleb, we would not let that happen!

Back at Mom and Dad's.  We bought them a ribbon tree topper.
Looks great! 

Our family is also our "light" at Christmas.
I thank God for them.
(You too Joe, Erica, Josh, and Bruce:-)
Merry Christmas Everyone.
Enjoy Your World!

Christmas Countdown...2011...The Christmas Wreath

I love Christmas .  What a fun and beautiful time of year. Sometimes I wonder about the origins of  our many  holiday traditions.  Just what does the wreath we hang every year symbolize? I consulted Google came up with this quote......
"The circle of a Christmas wreath is a never-ending ring, a reminder of the everlasting love from God"
That sounds lovely to me:-) With that in mind my Brother Bruce and I set off to see if we could find a Christmas Wreath or two....   Here are a few pictures of our adventures from a couple of weeks ago....
First stop was Bruce's favorite restaurant...."Bob Evans" in Dover DE....

Fueled up and ready to go..... 

I had searched on line for area Christmas events and came across a happening in Odessa DE.

It was their annual Christmas open house.  Folks were invited to come into town to enjoy their decorations, food and fun.  Some of the historic homes were open as well.  

I had never been to Odessa and I said jokingly to Bruce...."Bruce I have never been to Odessa before we could get lost.  Should we still go?"  With a smile on his face he replied "absolutely" So off we went into unknown territory:-)

Bruce found a wreath! 

......and another......

Kinda looks like a wreath:-) 

Bruce and I heard music in the distance. With camera's in hand we
 jogged several blocks only to find the "Fife and Drum Corp Band"
 (Bruce looks dashing there in the foreground:-) 

 The wreath below is on Joe's parents back door.  Joe loves to decorate the house for them every year.
It has become his tradition, his gift to them....

Bruce and I had another great adventure together.  He is a very bright light in my life, a blessing.
We were able to find many Christmas wreaths and they were all wonderful.
When ever I see a wreath at Christmas I will thank God for his endless circle of love for us.
Merry Christmas Everyone!
Enjoy Your World:-)