I often find Christmas time exhausting. Present buying, decorating, baking, and readying the house for guests stress my already full schedule. However, years ago, my parents taught me the holidays don't have to be hectic but rather times of simple joy.

When my brother, Jim, and I were young teens, our house often didn't get decorated because of our family's involvement in church activities. Mom and Dad prepared a huge dinner for the homeless. Jim and I helped serve. Seeing the smiles made me thankful that I'd had a chance to help others in such a meaningful way. read more »

Christmas songs have changed. If I asked the average non-churched member of society their favorite holiday song and they might say, “Jingle Bells”, or “My Favorite Things” rather than the traditional favorites of “Joy to the World” or “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear.” When I’m at the mall or at a restaurant, I hardly hear one song that even mentions the reason for the season. This time of year has become a big celebration with decorations, presents, and music without ever mentioning the guest of honor. read more »

One Christmas, my best present didn’t arrive until January. That’s because I was almost nine months pregnant on December 25th and our son, James, (named after his grandfather) was born seventeen days later. read more »

This is our first December in Ohio. We love living in such a beautiful area. The rolling hills and multitude of trees really are a treat for my eyes since I’m used to being from the more flat area of Chicago. The other day we went to a store called “Tis the Season” which advertised itself as the largest Christmas store in Ohio. My daughter, Amanda, and I went inside and got lost almost immediately in this circular store with more Christmas trees, ornaments, angels, and decorations than I’ve seen in one place. read more »

How do you know you’re settled into a new home after a move?

When your clothes are unpacked?

When the dishes are put away in the cabinets?

When you’ve found the hangers?

When you’ve found the labeler?read more »

1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

My meeting at work hadn’t gone as planned and I arrived home feeling pretty overwhelmed. I needed to get dinner on the table, help my children with their homework, and do a thousand other things I know mothers around the world do daily but seem to accomplish with a lot less stress than me. I put some chicken breast in the microwave and paused. I had almost forgotten about some unexpected bills that were due the next day.  read more »

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privately. (Matthew 1:18-19)

“God examines both rich and poor, not according to their lands and houses, but according to the riches of their hearts.” Augustine of Hipporead more »

And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. (Luke 1:46-49)

“If I was a nightingale I would sing like a nightingale; if a swan, like a swan. But since I am a rational creature my role is to praise God.” Epictetusread more »