For Sunday, December 14th, 2014

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14TH, 2014

7 DAYS UNTIL WINTER 

Sunrise: 7:45 am

Sunset:  4:59 pm

Life is a Special Occasion!

Hallmark

Today is Worldwide Candle Lighting Day.  It’s a celebration of solidarity and memory. A day on which people around the world gather to light candles for children who have died and to show that they will always be loved and never forgotten.

The day is celebrated with a quiet elegance: at seven pm local time, people light candles for one hour to remember their loved ones. As everyone lights their candles at seven pm local time, far flung parts of the world get illumined in turn, so that eventually the light has moved all around.

While this day first began in 1997 as a small remembrance, it has since spread world wide, creating hope and unity for those whose children are no longer with them.

Whether lighting a candle at home, or joining a gathering, it is a way to show love and community!

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

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

 A Christmas candle is a lovely thing; It makes no noise at all, But softly gives itself away. 

Eva Logue

I’ll be lighting a candle and saying a prayer here today in memory of a beloved grandson.  He was only 2 when he passed away.  His life had hardly begun.  But we treasure the memory of him.  I know several others that have lost a child and will include them in my prayers today too. 

Candles are such wonderful things.  They bring light in the darkness and their glow is very comforting.  Today is the third Sunday of Advent.  The third candle of the Advent Wreath is pink or rose colored and represents JOY.  We too can be reminded that for however a short of time we had those we’ve loved and lost it was a JOY to have had them in our lives.

 Rose is a sign of JOY and it recalls the angels joyfully singing about the birth of Christ. The message of the angels to the shepherds was one of good tidings of great joy, reminding us that the Christmas message was, in fact, one of rejoicing.  The beauty of the angels was not so much in that they were joyful themselves, but that they brought joyful tidings to the world.  May we all experience the Light shining into dark places of our lives and be filled with JOY.

We can all spread some JOY buy giving a smile, a hug, or a kind word. If we just make an extra effort to be kind, complimentary, caring or appreciative to the overworked, overtired retail employees, the frazzled coworkers in the elevator, the surly aid in the nursing home or the lonely person in our neighborhood, we can help them feel joy. Every person we meet has some goodness in them. If we can find it and remind them of it, we can give them joy. And surprisingly, we will feel our own joy in making someone else feel good. Best of all, it does not cost a thing! 

I hope you all have a restful and relaxing Sunday filled with JOY.

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
Every day, every day, every day, every way,
Gonna let my little light shine.

Light that shines is the light of love,
Hides the darkness from above,
Shines on me and it shines on you,
Shows you what the power of love can do.
Shine my light both bright and clear,
Shine my light both far and near,
In every dark corner that I find,
Let my little light shine.

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.

Monday gave me the gift of love,
Tuesday peace came from above,
Wednesday told me to have more faith,
Thursday gave me a little more grace,
Friday told me to watch and pray,
Saturday told me just what to say,
Sunday gave me the power divine,
Just to let my little light shine.

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
Shine, shine, shine, shine, shine.

Harry Dixon Loes

11 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS

There is very little time to finish your gift buying or gift making. You will save yourself time and stress if you don’t wait until the very last minute. If you are sending Christmas cards, it is time to get them in the mail.  Mine went out last week.  Sadly I haven’t put the gifts in the mail yet to my out of town family, but should be able to do that on Wednesday.  Hopefully every thing else will be done by then too.

COUNTING MY GIFTS

My candle burns at both ends; 
It will not last the night;
But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends--
It gives a lovely light! 

Edna St. Vincent Millay

End each Advent night by saying a simple thank you prayer of gratitude to God. This is a wonderful way to remind ourselves of all the blessings and joys we have in our lives. We realize we already have more than enough for which to thank God.  

Counting at least 3 things every day that I'm thankful for.  There is always, always something to be thankful for.

2309. for memories of those we’ve loved and lost, they are in our hearts for ever

2310. for candles that light a dark night

2311. for JOY, it can be found in the most unexpected places

Enter into His courts with thanksgiving — and in His presence is fullness of Joy!

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 !

ADVICE FOR TODAY

Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.

Budha

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

 

Love,

ma