Christmas Cards

So as our first Christmas being married, I didn't feel the need to do a grand Christmas letter with blow-by-blow happenings of the past 7 months since my wonderful husband and I have been married....is that bad?  So I made less than 20 cards that said "Merry Christmas" and had a verse inside and left it at that.  Only a few special people got them and I am happy.  Maybe next year I will launch into the scary world of mass Christmas card mailings and an intense "here's our life!" letter inside.  For now, these are my simple creations and I am happy. =)

I got the idea for this off of (where else) Pinterest.  However, I made my cards full sized and added ribbon/thread.  I like the effect.

Here is the link to the original from the Etsy page that they are sold.

And...here is the link to my Card Making Board on my Pinterest.

Enjoy!  This will probably be my last post until after Christmas.  So...

Merry, Merry Christmas to you all!  May the JOY of the salvation that was given in Jesus fill your hearts and homes this Christmas!

Emmanuel - God with Us

Yesterday morning, our pastor gave a sermon titled "Why He Came" for Christmas.  The first point in that sermon was - "He came to simply be with us."  His very name (Emmanuel) means God with us (Matthew 1:23).  Think about it.  God left heaven and became a human to simply be with us!  Wow!

Then I started thinking.  Not only did Jesus give up heaven and His power to come be with us on earth for a short 30+ years, but He came so that it would be POSSIBLE for us to be with Him every day of our lives through the Holy Spirit living in us!  Without Him coming to earth the Holy Spirit would not be able to have the spirit alive and at work within us. (John 14:25-26, 16:6-13, 20:22: Acts 1:8, 2:38)

Finally, Jesus came to make it possible for us to be with Him for ETERNITY in heaven! (John 14:2; Luke 23:43)  So Jesus gave up heaven, came to earth as a human, died a horrible death, and rose again to be with us for a brief time on earth, daily through the Holy Spirit, and for all eternity in heaven.  That is truly something to celebrate this Christmas!

Boughs of Beauty!

As it is my first Christmas with my own tree to decorate, I couldn't wait!  So it got our apartment decorated a week after Thanksgiving - as soon as my husband and I had a day at home.  I am happy with result and look forward to adding to it year after year.

I really like thick ribbon cascading down the tree, but I did not have enough thick ribbon.  So after a few days of contemplating, I decided to use a thin ribbon and I think it looks quite nice.  The tree is so small that a thick ribbon might be overbearing.

My ornaments consist of a set of matching balls and then a random assortment of ornaments that I have gathered over the past 20 years.  The tree is unique and tells a story about my life, but the balls pull the whole thing together to bring a nice matching feel.  Happy, happy.  =)

We still don't have a tree topper.  I am debating between a star and an angel.  I don't want something too gaudy and large, but I do love sparkles...hmmm.  The hunt continues.  Here is what it looks like without anything on top.  What does your tree look like?

Welcome

It's almost Christmas!  I love Christmas - the lights, the music, the work of thinking and planning and shopping until you have the perfect gift for a loved one.  Ironically, I have been reading through the book of Isaiah lately.  One of the many verses that stuck out was:


Isaiah 9:6-7 "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."


Listen - "Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end" - Wow...there will be NO END to peace and to the glorious reign of Jesus!  That is something to celebrate this Christmas season.


Speaking of Christmas, I have a list of things I want to do from now til January 1st.

Go look at Christmas lights

Go ice skating

Make Christmas Cookies (Sugar Cookies, Jam Thumbprints, Russian Tea Cakes, Shortbread)

Watch a Christmas Movie (Elf, The Christmas Story, The Nativity Story)

Make Cinnamon Rolls (Eat Christmas Morning)

Get a Tree Topper

Take a Walk in the Cold at Night

Eat Raclette Cheese

Read the Christmas Story

I am still thinking of things to add...any ideas?