Archive for December, 2003

You Are Old, Father William

Wednesday, December 31, 2003

Recently, a number of events, contacts regarding a wedding with a young woman I baptized when she was a baby, my son's 53rd birthday, and now my own drawing near, have served to remind me that "Time marches on!" My … Read more

Forever There

Tuesday, December 30, 2003

I am not an antique collector, but my relatives have passed down a few things that I cherish. One of these articles is a tattered green autograph album that belonged to my great-grandmother, Sarah. Carefully, I read each article, and … Read more

From The Old Things To The New

Monday, December 29, 2003

My husband, daughter and I are now living in what has been the family cottage for the past 40 years. Over the past two years we have completely transformed the cottage into a beautiful home. Last fall, my good friend … Read more

The Real Kingdom

Sunday, December 28, 2003

On a recent trip, I purchased a cubic zirconium ring from a souvenir shop. Its huge stone and its sparkle attracted the attention of all who saw it. For a few days, I enjoyed my new ring, but then I … Read more

Why Was He Hiding?

Saturday, December 27, 2003

I was new at the church that Sunday, having only been in the area for a month, so I didn't know why the small boy who was sitting ahead of me was being so uncooperative. For the entire pre-service, he … Read more

Five Paradoxes Of The Incarnation

Friday, December 26, 2003

Prayer: Marvellous Father and gracious God, thank You for these five paradoxes of Jesus' incarnation. May our hearts be filled with joy this Christmas as we meditate upon them. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. … Read more

The Candlelight Parade

Thursday, December 25, 2003

Every year, our town has a Candlelight Parade on the first Friday evening in December. Whenever our church enters a float, we try very hard to ensure that we represent the true story of Christmas as the birthday of Christ. … Read more

Angels

Wednesday, December 24, 2003

Two years ago The Halifax Herald relayed a Christmas story that gripped the hearts of all who heard of it. On Christmas Eve, after a visit with members of her family, a young mother skidded on a narrow turn, and … Read more

The Unfinished Afghan

Tuesday, December 23, 2003

Years ago at Christmas, a family member gave me a kit that included all the materials needed to complete an afghan. She gave it to me for two reasons. First, she knew I enjoyed crocheting, and would get tremendous pleasure … Read more

They Came To Worship Him

Monday, December 22, 2003

"Stop! What's that up ahead of us?" I asked my husband who was driving our rental car over some back roads in the highlands of Scotland. About a thousand sheep were being herded down the middle of the road by … Read more

Child Of Wonder

Sunday, December 21, 2003

Can you even imagine the magnitude of the wonder that Mary must have felt — to know that she was going to give birth to the Saviour of the whole world! Shortly after we started adoption proceedings, I was with … Read more

What Did Mary Do?

Saturday, December 20, 2003

A few years ago, when my son's family was expecting their third child, I had an interesting conversation with my two granddaughters. We talked about what it would be like to have a new baby in the family. Then we … Read more

Stand To Be Counted

Friday, December 19, 2003

It was a Sunday afternoon in the month of October in the year 2000, and we were in Turkey where a census was being taken. It was a strange feeling as our group travelled together by bus along the road … Read more

Let's Talk Turkey

Thursday, December 18, 2003

Home economists tell us to take great precautions when thawing a large turkey for the holidays. If we are thawing it on the counter, it must be covered in cold water that is repeatedly changed. If we can find room … Read more

Carolling

Wednesday, December 17, 2003

As a young girl, I was always an "ideas" person. "Ideas" came naturally to me, so it didn't take much imagination at Christmas to suggest to school friends that we should gather together as a group to go carolling. The … Read more

These Boots

Tuesday, December 16, 2003

It wasn't the doll that my husband and I had so carefully chosen to give our daughter for Christmas that captured her heart; it was a pair of brown boots. I can still see the smile that lit up the … Read more

Christmas Simplicity

Monday, December 15, 2003

"Was that all?" my friend asked, and, from the tone of her voice, I knew that she was trying to picture a Christmas where the only decorations in the home consisted of a six-inch tree and two handmade candleholders. "That … Read more

The Greatest Gift

Sunday, December 14, 2003

As the Christmas season approaches, my mind is consumed with the buying of gifts, especially for my children and grandchildren. I desire to give each of them a gift that conveys how much I love them — gifts that will … Read more

The Flickering In The Woods

Saturday, December 13, 2003

As I casually looked out my window the other morning, I saw a tiny red and sometimes green light, flickering in the woods. As I neared the window to get a closer look, I noticed a tiny water droplet dangling … Read more

Fence Jumping

Friday, December 12, 2003

We once had a dog that always had to go over the fence! Sarah was never content with the space at hand, even though she had ten acres where she could run and romp and play. At the time, we … Read more

Less Is More

Thursday, December 11, 2003

Every year, it's the same at Christmas. I make resolutions to shop less, buy less, sign up for less, bake less, wrap less, and eat less. (Sigh!) I make resolutions to place Christ's birthday high on my priority list by … Read more

The Peace That Was Meant To Be

Wednesday, December 10, 2003

After ten years and more of going to Florida, we spent last year's winter season in central Ontario, Canada. When it started to snow, I found that I had never lost the excitement that comes with the first snowfall! Likewise … Read more

Whiter Than Snow, Lord

Tuesday, December 9, 2003

Our children have invited us to visit Minnesota with them this winter. We can't wait to go. If it were possible, I would buy a few extra pairs of eyes to help me take in all the beauty that I'm … Read more

Where Are You Looking?

Monday, December 8, 2003

As Christmas approaches, I am reminded of a habit my collie, Belle, exhibits whenever we are out walking, and another person or vehicle approaches us from behind. Instead of continuing to look forward while she is walking, she tries to … Read more

The Peace Of Christmas

Sunday, December 7, 2003

One of my early school memories is of the Christmas choir concert. Our teacher was a stickler when it came to diction, and she made us repeat the words over and over. After several repetitions, one of the boys, who … Read more

The Light In You

Saturday, December 6, 2003

As I checked out of the grocery store, I glanced at the magazines on the rack. In the one that caught my attention, Christmas trees were being called "holiday trees". The magazine displayed a wreath and candles, but the article … Read more

Season of Joy – Season of Sorrow

Friday, December 5, 2003

Joy to the world! the Lord has come; Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare Him room, And heaven and nature sing, And heaven and nature sing, And heaven, and heaven and nature sing. At this time of … Read more

One Of The Best Gifts

Thursday, December 4, 2003

Pepper came from the local dog pound. Gregarious and active, he loved nothing better than our walks to the post office each morning. One morning, however, all that changed. Another much bigger dog was tied to the fence in front … Read more

The Christmas Gift

Wednesday, December 3, 2003

"I can't wait until you see Melody [not her real name] open the present I bought her for Christmas," our friend said. Melody was an only child, and planning for Christmas was an exciting event in my friend's home. On … Read more

Advent Opportunities

Tuesday, December 2, 2003

Advent is one is my favourite times of the year, and the reason for this is the opportunity which it presents to help other people. Over the past couple of years, the Advent appeal in our congregation has taken an … Read more

Let's Put Christ Back Into Christmas

Monday, December 1, 2003

Commercialism and materialism have attacked our Christian values. At Christmas, a walk through the shopping malls gives ample evidence of this statement. Nothing is displayed that portrays the real meaning of Christmas. As a child in a family of nine, … Read more

 



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