Tag: Christmas
-
Let There Be Light: Hope in the Darkness
Advent. I’ll be real with you. I didn’t grow up in church, attending services all through the Christmas season as a kid. So as an adult, when I began attending in my late 20’s, advent appeared ritualistic in nature to me. Hear me out…I understand the meaning of Christmas. But the lighting of all the…
-
The Inn after Christmas
These are the leftovers of Christmas that remain underneath our tree. The last of the gifts that need to be unboxed and placed in their appropriate places throughout the house. We chose to unwrap our gifts and then place them here instead of leaving our tree bare after Christmas morning. Weird, maybe. Lazy…whatever you wish…
-
after the decorations are gone
The days after Christmas. Memories of the laughter. The time spent with family. The remnants of gifts not yet put away. The lazy days. The leftovers. Naps. Netflix. The promise of a new year. With this promise each year also comes the burning desire to reclaim the space in my house. Get back into my…
-
When Joy Seems Hard to Find
The grinch hated Christmas! The whole Christmas season! Now don’t ask why. No one quite knows the reason. -Dr. Suess, How the Grinch Stole Chistmas Usually Christmas brings me much joy each year. By the end of November, I have my tree up, my shopping is done, the gifts are wrapped, and I am ready for Christmas…
-
The Greatest Gifts Can’t Be Placed Under a Tree
When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 1 Corinthians 13:11 I remember when I was a child filling out my Christmas list each year. I would take it to…
-
Filling the Empty Places with Hope
Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison. Hebrews 13:3 Lately, I have been feeling a bit of nostalgia. Sometimes I long for the days when life was a bit more simple. When perhaps hearts were not so heavy. When the Christmas season was a little less hustle…
-
Why a Little Magic at Christmas Doesn’t Hurt
“It is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas when its mighty Founder was a child Himself” -Charles Dickens The picture above is, in fact, a picture of the Elf on a Shelf. This Elf has been a part of this household for two Christmas seasons now, and in all honesty,…
-
Because Christmas Is Not About Presents
“I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all the people. The Savior-yes, the Messiah, the Lord-has been born today in Bethlehem.” Luke 2:10-11 “So, what is the true meaning of Christmas, Hayley?” “Jesus!” That’s my girl! “Hunter, why do we celebrate Christmas?” “To get presents!” Um….well, not the answer I…
Grace N Grounds 