In Which We Are Invited . . .

'So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the Baby, who was lying in the manger.  When they had seen Him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this Child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart ...'
Luke 2:16-19.

*   *   *

 

These final days of Advent.

This is when we are invited to step away from our ordinary routines.  So that we can fully step into His extraordinary story.

For some, this venturing away from business as usual happens gradually, almost imperceptibly.  For others, it requires a clear decision made that invites the possibility of a holy awe to settle in and over and somewhere deep within our beings.

We ponder the story of the birth of the Holy One, our Savior, Jesus Christ. 

And His young God-chosen mother.

For Mary is living out an unbelievable holy saga as her simply unexplainable pregnancy and the scandal that surely swirled around her take on a life of their own.

Literally.

The grueling journey by some beast of burden takes place in her final days of pregnancy.  At their assigned destination, does panic descend as she realizes that there is not a decent room to be had? 

And what does she do with the stark realization that she and Joseph will be settling into an animal shelter, a shed jam-packed with an assortment of creatures whose owners have also joined the town's throngs?

As labor pains begin to grip her body with a burning frequency, the surreal reality hits her and her husband-to-be.  Her birthing suite would be right in the midst of manure-littered straw with cumbersome, noisy animals staring as they chomped on their feed ... and no woman friend or relative to gently guide her to the culmination of this, her virgin birth.

The Spirit who brought Jesus into her womb never leaves her side as she delivers the Son of God into a fallen world that's just as messy as the shed in which He took His first earthly breaths.

 

Miraculously, the Spirit quiets her young wise soul even as the Holy Child's first visitors include a random assortment of shepherds and more than a few curious bystanders who've caught wind of this unusual sacred drama. The ragtag company heads off in awe to spread the incredible heavenly news. 

 

And Mary is somehow able to pause.  In the midst of all that has swirled around her in a short period of time, she gently rests with her Savior-Baby and processes all that has happened.  Does she once again offer up those early pregnancy praises recorded in Luke's first chapter?  Or does she simply contemplate her own private thoughts during these first hours with the Son of God in her arms, at her breast?

 

Fast forward a couple thousand years. 

 

In the midst of our own whirlwind of emotions, travel plans, unexpected circumstances, glorious surprises, and deepest disappointments, we, too, are offered a compelling invitation to lay aside all that's ordinary and dwell on the sacred extraordinary.  We, who have been offered eternal hope and everlasting joy, are invited to ponder the remarkably glorious news that Jesus Christ is born.  And meditate, once again, on the miracle of our salvation and promise of heaven for those who claim Him as their own.

 

Just like the young virgin mother did all those generations ago.

 

I'm heeding that winsome invitation to take a bit of a break from business as usual.  Sweetest Advent blessings to you, my friends.  Be sure that I'll see you a bit further down the road ...

 

Comfort & Joy ~

 

A Vintage Ornament Daybook

This year, the only thing that's hanging on the tree's fake forever green branches are lights. 

 

Lots of them. 

 

They sparkle and shine, the teeny teardrop shapes, the vintage elongated ones, and the round orbs.  All together, they shed the most magnificent glow. 

 

Simple is best this year.  For sure.

 

But I do love my vintage ornaments, handed down from my grandma and assorted relatives ... and gleefully gathered from random shops and flea markets over the decades.  And even though they remain attic-bound this season, they are sure to make another holiday appearance before long ...

 

 

 over time, those aqua and pink babies on the left rarely saw the light ... 

their vibrant colors are as spectacular as the day they were bought

 

 

 one year I didn't even bother stashing these gems in their ancient cardboard homes ... 

instead they resided in big ol' glass jars where they were appreciated all year 'round

 

chips and scratches and flakes don't distract 

one single bit from this star-struck lovely 

 

 

 

this oh-so-faded marred red and white striped beauty

still catches the tree's glowing lights

 

 

one of a very few left from a larger collection,

this fragile baby is tissue paper thin

 

an ancient celluloid Santa light holds court way up high atop a jam-packed jar, 

while his felt snowman friend sports a battered hat and holds a tiny broom

 

 

old snow globe Santas join the colorful orbs as they party all over the place,

while a wee little celluloid friend and a cardboard gift tag nestle in the freshly clipped holly

 

 

more and more companions arrive to join in the fun ...

and I can't help thinking that Grandma would be oh-so-pleased and  

very much surprised to see her holiday belongings bringing joy to so many

 

You just might love these little albums, too ...

Christmas  *  Plain & Simple - 2013

A Christmastime Scrapbook - 2012

 

*   sharing sparkly things with Myquillyn  *  Angie  *  Kristen 



Mom's Surprise Meringues

Baking, anyone?

This is the only cookie I bake at Christmas.  I'm no Scrooge, it's just that these are easy and I can pretty much create these dainty little crispy crunchy sweets with my eyes closed and guarantee they'll turn out great.  I'll leave all the fancy decorated butter cookies to my girls.

Surprise Meringues are my Mom's recipe, and I think she'll be happy that I'm sharing it with you! 

Here's the recipe.  Last time I baked I used both white chocolate and milk chocolate chips, but you can use anything that's stashed in your cupboard.  Long ago I penciled in the amount of the ingredients times four.  My philosophy?  If you're gonna go to all the trouble of baking, you might as well go big or go home.   

;-}

 

Beat 8 egg whites, 1/2 teaspoon each salt and cream of tartar, 4 teaspoons of vanilla til soft peaks form.

 

Add 3 cups sugar gradually, beating til peaks are stiff. 

 

Fold in 4 cups chocolate chips. 

 

Drop onto paper covered cookie sheets by teaspoon.

 

Bake at 300 degrees for 25 minutes.

 

Enjoy!

 

~~~>  So ... what kind of cookies are you pulling out of the oven?

 

* Sharing sweets with Donna  *  Jen  *  Rachel  *  Amy  *  Kristen  *  Becky  *  KariAnne



Christmas * Plain & Simple

 

 

 

dressed for winter, the gingerbread gang hide out 

right smack dab in the midst of this favorite collection of woodenware 

 

 

these two join hands in front of the jam-packed crock,

proudly showing off their cozy red scarves

 

 

and then they join their buddies, hanging out for just a minute

on the vintage aluminum spice rack

 

 

 

 

all four grin with glee as they end up standing at attention

in front of the much-used canister set

 

 

the candles have been lit at dusk since mid-November,

a gentle welcome seen from far up the hill and way down the street

 

 

 the old bells gently chime, announcing the arrival of all who visit

and bidding a sweet farewell at evening's end

 

 

tiny hands craft snowflakes from red and white striped popcorn bags,

while nibbling on leftover sprinkles from freshly decorated cupcakes

 

 

 

priceless old and young Santas make their annual appearance,

gathering in and around an ancient ancestor's spice cabinet

 

 



 

 

tall twigs rescued from the back woods fill an old green mailbox,

providing a safe place for stockings to rest quietly til Christmas Eve

 

 

 

trees that faintly glitter shield a gathering of Santas on the mantle,

overseen by a treasured Cape Cod map

 

 

 

 

fragrant eucalyptus fills an old enamelware bread tin

 tucked inside the fireplace constructed of old reclaimed bricks

 

 

 

 

Grandma's prized ornaments are welcomed from a collection of vintage glass jars,

safely stored since last year's appearance on mantle top

 

 

 

and a stray box of old orbs is unearthed with great delight,

a last minute basement discovery just begging to be opened

 

 



 

 

gentle hands smooth an ancient bed covering,

 arranging the soft folds under an awaiting tree

 

 

 

 

a chipped and faded family gem

is hung with a smile and great care

 

each cherished ornament carries its own valued

memories of generations of Christmas celebrations

 

 

delicately transparent and tissue thin,

 few of these fragile beauties remain with us

 

 

 

 

but the beautiful, life-changing truths of the Nativity never depart,

the never ending, firm foundation of all that is celebrated with grateful hearts

 

*

 

'For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour,

which is Christ the Lord ...'

Luke 2:11 

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and

 

INSPIRED BY CHARM

 

A Christmastime Scrapbook

a Boyd's bear gently settles in to make a welcoming appearance
on this year's front door wreath 

afternoon sunlight hits the home-crafted oak mantle laden with
Grandma's vintage ornaments, old celluloid Santas, and fresh snipped holly

 

 

big ol' jars make their way from kitchen cupboards to host these oh-so-fragile orbs    

 

old and new Christmas friends

perch on a tiny vintage wooden ironing board

 this Santa just might light the way
if we dared plug in his way-too-ancient electrical cord

four pairs of eager little hands joined in to decorate the tree

with unbreakable treasures collected over five generations,
as seen in this photo taken very late one evening 

 

 

 

a chipped enamelware plate and a much-used cutting board

host the remains of autumn's potpourri and a fragrant yuletide candle

 

 

grinning gingerbread people ornaments

stand at attention in a sparkling 1930/1940s refrigerator dish

 

 

chippy white bunnies guard a tiny tree that's taken up wintertime residence

in an old galvanized washtub

 

 

And don't miss these very fun blog events ...

 CREATIVE MONDAYS

 

 

LINKY PARTIES here and there!
 

THE NESTER'S TOUR OF HOMES

 

 

LAURA BORGESS.COM

Noel ~