I didn't know Trans-Siberian Orchestra so resembled my favorite hair bands of yore. My kids love this version (and will even more with the heavy metal rockers.) Happy New Year's Y'all!
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Friday, December 30, 2011
Three Kings Day Party
Amy found this great activity list for Epiphany on Living Montessori Now. Take a look at all the great links and Three Kings Day ideas there.
Poking around I saw this adorable party concept on the blog Watkins Every Flavor Beans
Everyone dressed up in crowns and capes (towels or sheets). We played a game where the 'kings' all followed the star I had on a stick. They ran around the house looking for baby Jesus. Jonah played his own rendition of this game until we had to take the stick from him when the game became wild enough that I began fearing for our dishes and Christmas tree's safety.
I wanted to make a cake in a loaf pan and decorate it like a treasure chest... that didn't happen. But we did have carrot muffins with gold coins on top, and raisins and oranges in silver and gold papers. Gold, frankincense and myrrh!
Wish I'd started this when my kids were younger... would be fun to do with my Kindergarten Sunday school class too!
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Christmas and the Cross
My niece Abigail has great vision (her eyes and her spirit) and this is how she sees Christmas. This is a nice extension of the song yesterday, so glad she shared!
In the beginning was the word was with God and the word was God. God created the heavens and the earth, and man in His image. Man sinned. Man could no longer walk with God and they would now die. But, God so loved the world that He gave His only Son.But, Christ did not come into the world to condemn the world, but so that through Him the world might be saved.
The angel came to Mary and told her she would have the baby who was Christ. When the time came for her to deliver, she wrapped him in swaddling laid Him in the manger because there was no room for them in the inn. And the angels told the shepherds, “ I bring you good tidings of great joy that will be to all people, for born to you this day in the city of David is a savior who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you, you will find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and laying in a manger. The Shepherds made haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. After Jesus was born wise men from the east came to worship Him, and they gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
It is said, that Christmas is not about a man in a red suit or presents or candy or parties, but rather it is about the baby in the story above. I say that is true. But if that was the whole story, there would be no reason for Christmas. I mean even Muslims believe that Jesus was a sinless man born of a virgin. However, Jesus was more than that. Jesus is the Son of God. I believe it is sometimes easy to forget that Christmas is not about a baby, rather Christmas is about the Cross. The Cross that bore the son of God. The Cross that bore my sins. There is no true life without the Cross. There is no reason for Christmas without the Cross.
So, as you pack up your Christmas decorations and return to life as normal, remember why we celebrate Christmas. Think about the Cross. Think about what happened at the Cross. And praise the Lord that your life is new because of the Cross.
But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. ~Galatians 6:14
In the beginning was the word was with God and the word was God. God created the heavens and the earth, and man in His image. Man sinned. Man could no longer walk with God and they would now die. But, God so loved the world that He gave His only Son.But, Christ did not come into the world to condemn the world, but so that through Him the world might be saved.
The angel came to Mary and told her she would have the baby who was Christ. When the time came for her to deliver, she wrapped him in swaddling laid Him in the manger because there was no room for them in the inn. And the angels told the shepherds, “ I bring you good tidings of great joy that will be to all people, for born to you this day in the city of David is a savior who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you, you will find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and laying in a manger. The Shepherds made haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. After Jesus was born wise men from the east came to worship Him, and they gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
It is said, that Christmas is not about a man in a red suit or presents or candy or parties, but rather it is about the baby in the story above. I say that is true. But if that was the whole story, there would be no reason for Christmas. I mean even Muslims believe that Jesus was a sinless man born of a virgin. However, Jesus was more than that. Jesus is the Son of God. I believe it is sometimes easy to forget that Christmas is not about a baby, rather Christmas is about the Cross. The Cross that bore the son of God. The Cross that bore my sins. There is no true life without the Cross. There is no reason for Christmas without the Cross.
So, as you pack up your Christmas decorations and return to life as normal, remember why we celebrate Christmas. Think about the Cross. Think about what happened at the Cross. And praise the Lord that your life is new because of the Cross.
But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. ~Galatians 6:14
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Lives are Changed Forever Because...
...a little baby loved.
Check out this brand new Christmas carol by Cathryn Joanna, perfect for the 12 days of Christmas to keep the spirit alive until Epiphany. (And if you don't like the Christmas carpet ripped out from under you December 26, you might like that 104.7 FM is still mixing Christmas carols in with their regular music... really nice touch!)
Check out this brand new Christmas carol by Cathryn Joanna, perfect for the 12 days of Christmas to keep the spirit alive until Epiphany. (And if you don't like the Christmas carpet ripped out from under you December 26, you might like that 104.7 FM is still mixing Christmas carols in with their regular music... really nice touch!)
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Never too early to plan for next Advent
The Cradle to the Cross Wreath: As some of you are wondering about the best way to spend that Christmas cash, why not invest in next Advent? Easter too! This is a gorgeous advent and Easter candle countdown... all proceeds go to charity and a young family does all the handy work. Click on the words Cradle to the Cross and have a look! Thanks again to my webmaster Amy G who finds all the best stuff online.
Monday, December 26, 2011
Keeping the home fires burning
It's so tempting.
After a long day, the house is still at long last. The old me would be in the family room now, so glad everyone was finally in bed so I could start to clean, to organize into the smallest possible piles, to sweep up the remnants of Christmas.
But I've only had the tree up a week or so. And the books and toys beneath it still smell like wrapping paper. The Newborn King (asleep on the hay, of course) is just a few hours old. The Wise Men still have half a continent to cross and the candles in the Advent wreath really only burned short at lunchtime today.
So though it's tempting, I'm holding off.
And hanging out.
And enjoying the mess.
And the fact that Christmas isn't over.
It has only just begun.
After a long day, the house is still at long last. The old me would be in the family room now, so glad everyone was finally in bed so I could start to clean, to organize into the smallest possible piles, to sweep up the remnants of Christmas.
But I've only had the tree up a week or so. And the books and toys beneath it still smell like wrapping paper. The Newborn King (asleep on the hay, of course) is just a few hours old. The Wise Men still have half a continent to cross and the candles in the Advent wreath really only burned short at lunchtime today.
So though it's tempting, I'm holding off.
And hanging out.
And enjoying the mess.
And the fact that Christmas isn't over.
It has only just begun.
Sunday, December 25, 2011
A joyous Christmas day
Wishing blessings and love to everyone. Enjoy the day... and please share this glorious rejoicing with your family:
Saturday, December 24, 2011
the cross in christmas from tammi dryden on Vimeo.
a humble expression of thanks to my Savior(more than words photography by tammi dryden)
Friday, December 23, 2011
Slow Down
This is it... the home stretch... don't hurry... don't worry... it will all be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end....
(My thanks to Lillian for the great shot of "Sunshine" the turtle)
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