Tag: Christmas and holiday season

faith, God, Hope, Prayer, Quotes, Spirituality

Quotes for Christmas

Merry Chirstmas my friends. I wish you peace and joy and new birth of all new things.  God came into the world, to do what we could not do for ourselves. Emmanuel, God with us. He is such a good, good Father.

Source: lovelylovelythings.wordpress.com

Quotes for Christmas

  • “Once in our world, a stable had something in it that was bigger than our whole world.” -C.S. Lewis
  • All the Christmas presents in the world are worth nothing without the presence of Christ.” -David Jeremiah
  • “Christmas is based on an exchange of gifts, the gift of God to man – His unspeakable gift of His Son, and the gift of man to God – when we present our bodies a living sacrifice.” – Vance Havner
  • “The Son of God became a man to enable men to become the sons of God.” – C S Lewis
  • “Infinite, and an infant. Eternal, and yet born of a woman. Almighty, and yet hanging on a woman’s breast. Supporting a universe, and yet needing to be carried in a mother’s arms. King of angels, and yet the reputed son of Joseph. Heir of all things, and yet the carpenter’s despised son.” – Charles Spurgeon
  • “For unto us a Child is born,
    Unto us a Son is given;
    And the government will be upon His shoulder.
    And His name will be called
    Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
    Of the increase of His government and peace
    There will be no end,
    Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
    To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
    From that time forward, even forever.
    The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” – Isaiah 9:6-7 NKJV
  • “I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.” ― Charles Dickens
  • “You can never truly enjoy Christmas until you can look up into the Father’s face and tell him you have received his Christmas gift. ” – John R Rice
  • “Best of all, Christmas means a spirit of love, a time when the love of God and the love of our fellow men should prevail over all hatred and bitterness, a time when our thoughts and deeds and the spirit of our lives manifest the presence of God.” -George F. McDougall
  • “Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And behold,an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.  Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.  For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

“Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” – Luke 2:8-14 NKJV

Daily Post, Healing, Spirituality

The Perfect Gift

Secret Santa

You get to choose one gift — no price restrictions — for any person you want. The caveat? You have to give it anonymously. What gift would you give, and to whom?

 

Come with  me to Bethlehem. Do you see the star? Something amazing is happening over there. I see the Shepherds. I see the Angels. Let us follow the 3 Wise Men and go see for ourselves.  That would be my present. Let’s go see for ourselves, the Savior born in Bethlehem, Emmanuel – God is with us!

The Gift of His Presence

©2013 Diana Rasmussen

My prayer for you this Christmas
Is to receive what Christ has done
A baby born in a manger
Has come to save everyone

Let your sorrow be turned to joy
Let your ashes be turned to beauty
When Christ is born inside your heart
Even the Angels in Heaven sing

Open your heart to receive Him
Let the Love of God rush in
Unwrap the Gift of His Presence
Receive comfort, joy, and peace

 

An Event for Everyone

There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.”

 At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises:

Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.

 As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. “Let’s get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.” They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.

Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they’d been told! (Luke 2:8-20 MSG)

Spirituality

Pine Cones, Rusty Bells, Broken Snowmen, and One Antler Reindeer

Pine cones, Rusty bells, broken snowmen, and one antler reindeer – what? Oh, the lessons we learn along the way. Let me share a story with you.  This year was the first time in the past 3 years we got a real Christmas tree.  Last year I thought I would be ‘special’ and bought a Holly Bush. It died, and man those thorns are sharp, lol! And the years before I think we used my daughters fiber optic mini tree. At that time we had cats and didn’t want to fight the battle with climbing kitties. So for the last three years we have been using some of the shatterproof plastic ornaments.  This year was different.

We moved and had to get rid of the cats. Sad, but true. Anyway, we got a real tree. So Ms. D took out the real ornaments – the glass ones that had been packed away for 4 years. I can’t believe I found the box!  The other night the kids and I were decorating the tree while Bob made his famous Spaghetti sauce.  I did the lights and pearls – and let the kids put the ornaments on.  We still have 2 High School children at home. As they took out and hung the ornaments I took one of those ‘Mom Moments’ to sit back and watch and listen.  I realize I only have 3 more years until they are out of the house and on their own. So we moms hold onto these times and cherish them in our hearts.

I thought it would be the ‘pretty’ ornaments that they would remember. But no – it was the ones that were ‘less than perfect’ that they remembered and talked about.

The Rusty Bell – from Elementary School when all the kids got to watch “Polar Express” at school. I was working at the kids school that year as we started our family over again that year. Me and the kids out on our own.

The One Legged Snowman and One Antlered Reindeer – That was bought from a gas station for $1.  I couldn’t afford a pricey ornament that year. It was a last minute thing on Dec 24th and I gave it to them at the gas pump – no wrapping required.

 

The Pine Cone – “Ornaments on a budget” as my son said. But they remember these ones. Through the trials, through the tribulations, lives the memory of love – no matter what the cost.

 

My life lessons learned that night:

 

  1. Remember the simple things – they last.

  2. Just because it’s broken doesn’t mean it doesn’t matter.

  3. Cherish the moments. Hold these things in your heart.

“Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself.” (Luke 2:19 MSG)

 

 

Depression, Domestic Violence and Abuse, Music, Uncategorized, Videos

7 Ways to Beat Depression During the Holidays

Holidays may bring upon an old “friend” – Depression.  Sometimes we have unrealistic expectations of what Holidays should be. Increased stress, increased commitments, and just the hustle and bustle of running around can be overwhelming.

7 WAYS TO BEAT DEPRESSION AND THE HOLIDAYS

1.  Be easy on yourself, admit that this is a stressful time for all of us.
2.  Schedule your trips to go shopping, write them down.  That way they do not get to live ‘rent free’ in your head.  Having a plan always reduces stress.
3.  Ask for help.  You do not have to get everything done in one day.  Let others in your family contribute, this will help you and them as well.
4.  Be realistic.  Set a budget and stick to it.  Try your best.  Overspending will only lead to more stress in the long haul.
5. Decide ahead of time what Holiday gatherings you will attend – and give yourself permission to say no.  You don’t have to be the life of the party everywhere you are invited!
6. Might want to give yourself a break from the diet until after the Holidays.  Really.  It’s ok, you can pick up after the first of the year.
7.  Enjoy yourself.  Don’t let the bad attitude of others, the road rage or the shopping rage rub off on you.  Keep your joy, and your peace this year!

I had to repost this one =- it was the only post that did not make the move to my new home here.  And I wouldn’t want you to miss it.  Nashville Joe is one of the best!  And I just found the video thanks to Penny Towers and Peter of PGO Media!

 

HOLIDAY BLUES

©2013 Diana Rasmussen

Holiday blues

poisonous thoughts

paralyzing fears

unrealistic expectations

wrapped with bows

stockings filled

with sadness

hanging on the

chimney with care

red and green

lights blinking

feelings on and off

candy cane dreams

garland and bows

tinsel trappings

frozen in time

Click on Nashville Joe to hear his great Christmas Song CHRISTMAS BLUES!

More about Nashville Joe:

JOE HENDRICKSON–AKA–NASHVILLEJOE–POET/SONGWRITER/sometimes a PERFORMER/STORYTELLER ETC…-I spent so much time in Nashville ,Tennessee that everyone started calling me Nashvillejoe here where I live in Florida–even my mother calls me Nashvillejoe so I use it as my pen name–my two best friends–JIM and JON HAGER,starred on the hit TV show HEE HAW for 19 years-they both have passed on to that big HEE HAW show in the sky–I sure miss them old boys.THANK YOU for taking an interest in my 16.songs and 1.poem–I AM 23 YEARS SOBER NOW! & APPRECIATE BEING ALIVE–EASY DOES IT–CHEERS!–JOE.

 

(Featured Image Source: www.wyominghealth.com)

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Music, Poetry, Uncategorized, Videos

Depression and the Holidays
Source: http://blog.royaloakscc.com

Holidays may bring upon an old “friend”.  Here is a poem I wrote about it, and a song my friend Nashville Joe wrote.  He lives in Florida!

HOLIDAY BLUES

©2013 Diana Rasmussen

Holiday blues

poisonous thoughts

paralyzing fears

unrealistic expectations

wrapped with bows

stockings filled

with sadness

hanging on the

chimney with care

red and green

lights blinking

feelings on and off

candy cane dreams

garland and bows

tinsel trappings

frozen in time

Click on Nashville Joe to hear his great Christmas Song CHRISTMAS BLUES!

More about Nashville Joe:

JOE HENDRICKSON–AKA–NASHVILLEJOE–POET/SONGWRITER/sometimes a PERFORMER/STORYTELLER ETC…-I spent so much time in Nashville ,Tennessee that everyone started calling me Nashvillejoe here where I live in Florida–even my mother calls me Nashvillejoe so I use it as my pen name–my two best friends–JIM and JON HAGER,starred on the hit TV show HEE HAW for 19 years-they both have passed on to that big HEE HAW show in the sky–I sure miss them old boys.THANK YOU for taking an interest in my 16.songs and 1.poem–I AM 23 YEARS SOBER NOW! & APPRECIATE BEING ALIVE–EASY DOES IT–CHEERS!–JOE.

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