For Thursday, December 13th, 2012

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

DECEMBER 13TH,  2012

8 DAYS UNTIL WINTER
12 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS !

It's THURSDAY

 Today is Count the La's in "Deck the Halls" Day, so you can tell everybody you know how many la's there are.

 Be careful: don't count the fa's.

Deck the Halls or Deck the Hall (which is the original title) is a traditional Yuletide/Christmas and New Years' carol. The melody is Welsh dating back to the sixteenth century, and belongs to a winter carol, Nos Galan.

The lyrics first appeared in Welsh Melodies, a set of four volumes authored by John Thomas with Welsh words by John Jones and English words by Thomas Oliphant,  although the repeated fa la la goes back to the original Welsh Nos Galan and may originate from medieval ballads.

I have pretty much finished with decking the halls here at my house.  Decorating for Christmas is always a fun thing to do.  

And I've been singing Deck the Halls as I've done it all too!

Deck the hall with boughs of holly,
Fa la la la la la la la la.

'Tis the season to be jolly,
Fa la la la la la la la la.

Don we now our gay apparel
Troll the ancient Christmas carol,
Fa la la la la la la la la.

See the blazing yule before us,
Fa la la la la la la la la.

Strike the harp and join the chorus.
Fa la la la la la la la la.

Follow me in merry measure,
While I tell of Christmas treasure,
Fa la la la la la la la la.

Fast away the old year passes,
Fa la la la la la la la la.

Hail the new, ye lads and lasses!
Fa la la la la la la la la.

Sing we joyous all together,
Heedless of the wind and weather,
Fa la la la la la la la la.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

from my Daily Devotion

There was a cartoon not long ago picturing three little boys coming to the manger scene bearing gifts. The first two boys brought traditional gifts representing the gold and frankincense. The third little boy, however, came to the baby Jesus with a very large box of disposable diapers! Mary could only have wished! Someone, though, in that cartoon had captured love made practical.

Christmas is that time of year when we try to say to our family and friends how much they mean to us. A gift may not be the best way. And certainly gifts are given with many motivations in mind. But for most of us there is more joy in giving than receiving. We need this opportunity to express our feelings in a concrete way.

Celebrating the season with  friends and family; reading the Christmas story with loved ones. These are all special gifts because of the love we share.

COUNTING MY GIFTS

I am trying to count at least 3 things I'm thankful for each day and then in 1 year's time I'll have counted 1000 gifts.

58. for mementos that bring back memories of Christmas past

59. for a step ladder that helps me reach where I couldn't otherwise

60. for having a reason to decorate my house

Three gifts of hope

61. for life

62.  for love

63.  for peace 

Gift exchanges make love last longer.

Swedish Proverb

PRAYER FOR OUR TROOPS

Please pray for God's protection of

our troops and HIS wisdom for their

commanders.

Lord, hold our troops in

your loving hands.

Protect them as they protect us.

Bless them and their families for the

selfless acts they perform for us

in our time of need. I ask this in the

name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

AND bless our Police Officers, Firefighters

and Paramedics and EMT's

GOD BLESS YOU !

 

If you can't see the Bright Side, polish the dull side

 

A little smile, a word of cheer,
A bit of love from someone dear…

Love,

ma