Present Wonder

This is John Victor
on Christmas morning
with a shiny red bow
tied around his head.
Isn't he simply precious?

We told the children this year
that their present to us
would be their presence with us.

And what a gift it was
just to enjoy being together.

Being present
was simply as precious
as JV looked in that red bow.

Perhaps my present to God
this year could be
my presence.

Precious presence.

Simply precious.

Thank You, God, for these wonders of Your love:
*the Christmas hambone
*words of welcome here and there
*undressing the tree
*Ben hauling it down the walkway single handedly
*Joseph's sweet Christmas song
*sparkling eyes
*quiet days
*time for a little siesta
*holding hands for the blessing
*the walking trail through the woods

With gratitude,
Sally

The Wonder of Love

Just as the star shone
over God's gift of love
in Bethlehem
many, many years ago,

this star

shone
on Victor's gift of love
for me

this Christmas morning!

"For God so loved
the world
that He gave
His only begotten Son,
that whoever believes
in Him
shall not perish
but have eternal life"
-John 3:16

"Husbands, love your wives,
just as Christ also loved the church
and gave Himself up for her."
-Ephesians 5:25

I am beloved.
And I am deeply grateful.

Thank You, God, for these wonders of Your love:
*a prayer bench made with love
*pralines
*argyle socks
*"imagine"
*"grow"
*words coming to life
*pansies flourishing in pots
*the best slippers ever
*sweet scents
*friends dropping by with yummy treats

With gratitude,
Sally

Celebration Wonder

Christmas Week is here!
We've been waiting for so long
and now it is time to celebrate!

O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord!

Thank You, God, for these wonders of Your love:
*babies
*seeing old friends
*an angel coming to visit
*Jerry playing our piano
*beautiful ornaments
*friends from many places coming together
*singing "O Holy Night"
*candles everywhere
*Joseph playing for the party
*lots of hugs

With gratitude,
Sally

Elf Wonder

Here's my pretty elf, Margaret.
That smile sure does make our days
merry and bright!

May your days be
merry and bright too!

Try smiling.
It works wonders!

Thank You, God, for these wonders of Your love:
*fudge
*angel cookies
*Christmas carols on the radio bringing tears
*tipping
*a spring day in December
*an old friend stopping by
*following Victor along new paths
*Ben grilling the burgers
*boys coming over
*truth told

With gratitude,
Sally

Little Darlin' Wonder

The wonder of Little Darlin'
is that she can just be,
she can rest contentedly,
even on Christmas.

O Lord,
as these Advent days advance,
let me be
like Little Darlin'
and rest contentedly.

Thank You, God, for these wonders of Your love:
*seeing our card smiling back in an unexpected place
*knocking on our neighbors'doors
*being invited in
*Sweet Magnolia
*laughing about the smoke
*making progress
*a bench for our room
*brown paper packages tied up with red satin bows
*Margaret's creativity and ingenuity
*being home with the kids on a Friday night

With gratitude,
Sally

Red Banner Wonder

In the midst of
dry, dead, brown leaves
this red banner
seemed to shout
"Merry Christmas"!

I'm so glad Christmas comes
in the midst of winter,
aren't you?

Thank You, God, for these wonders of your love:
*red and green spice drops
*seeing friends at the grocery store
*hearing the Salvation Army bell ringing
*a full table at supper time
*red satin ribbon
*texting
*"The Nativity Story"
*plenty of pine straw for the raking
*a candy-filled cane coming in handy
*a new red rug for the bathroom

With gratitude,
Sally

Angels Everywhere Wonder

While walking and praying at Green Bough
I spotted this blue angel
snuggled in cedar
and I wondered
where else
all around us
the angels
are.

Hark!
the herald angels sing
glory to the newborn king
peace on earth
and
mercy mild
God
and
sinners
reconciled!

"Hark" means "to listen carefully".
O God, please help me to hark
and hear
the angels everywhere.

Thank You, God, for these wonders of Your love:
*my very own elf, Margaret
*walking and praying
*smiling and saying "Merry Christmas!"
*colorful stacked candy servers
*Little Darlin', our Christmas puppy
*Sweetie Pie, my birthday puppy
*Joseph doing tai chi out by the pond
*Christmas cards
*seeing the deep love of a father in his eyes
*Ben earning his reward

With gratitude,
Sally