15 Days!

 You all know it too - there are only 15 days left until Christmas.  

     As part of our holiday season, today we start reading our little holiday book - A BETTER December by Steven Estes. We picked this little gem up a few years ago and shared it with our small group and our family.

  These thoughts from the book of Proverbs have calmed me down the last few years - helped me to put this whole busy season into perspective, helped as Mr. Estes says "give an arresting twist on our modern Decembers gone crazy".

  The perspective that - YES, it is important to celebrate the arrival of Jesus on the planet earth. But NO, I will not be caught up in all of the hype and hoopla to the detriment of my health and sanity.

  That being the hope again this year, I am setting a goal of sharing a thought each day from what we read in our little book with you. As we move through these last two weeks before the 25th, enjoy some thoughts and photos to lighten your load.






  Solomon was the writer of Proverbs, and Steven proposes that he wrote about Christmas 1000 years before the first one occurred.

   "The coolness of snow...refreshes the spirit"    Proverbs 25:13 
 

    Well, not maybe when it's snow and below zero temps - way below - like, get up early and start the car 20 minutes before you can go to the YMCA each morning cold.



   But, as I told Howard the other day - the snow is still beautiful - every time, even when you have to drive in it, and even when the cold causes the windows on the inside of the new church building to ice over while the heat is trying to keep the building above freezing.

 












 
"an ornament of fine gold" 

                  Proverbs 25:12 

 I still love putting up a tree and hanging our memories on the branches - the little reminders of times past and homemade gifts. The sparkle and lights brighten up the short days during winter

  


 "perfume and incense bring joy to the heart"                                                  Proverbs 27:9 

  And then there are the candles and cookies!  All those great smells that fill the house. Good smells bring joy to my heart every day.  Whether it is the vanilla and cinnamon candle or the smell of the pot roast cooking in the oven.


   Slow down this year - stop and look at the snow, the lights, and enjoy the smells of the season. God's gifts are all around us.