ON THE BRIGHT SIDE
The moments of our lives may be bright with possibility, dark with fear or sadness, or even plain everyday gray, but God's glory never fades. May God's glory shine into the exciting lights, upsetting darks, and boring grays of your every day.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 6TH, 2018
Sunrise: 7:54 am
Sunset: 5:14 pm
Life is a Special Occasion!
Hallmark
Today is Epiphany - Three Kings Day. Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar were the three kings, also known as the Three Wise Men, who saw the star over Bethlem when Christ was born. They followed it to find the Christ child on January 6th. They brought the Christ child gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Epiphany marks the beginning of the Mardi Gras season in Louisiana. It is customary to bake king cakes during this time of the year. These cakes may include a small trinket, such as a baby doll, inside. The person who gets the piece of cake with the trinket receives various privileges or obligations. For example, they may be requested to provide the next king cake.
The Twelve Days of Christmas are considered by many to be the days leading up to December 25th. Some religious historians, however, believe these days actually represent the time between December 25th and January 6th.
Three Kings Day always falls at the end of Christmastide—also known as the Twelve Days of Christmas! Traditionally, this is the day when all Christmas trees and decorations are taken down. Happy Three Kings Day!
If you can't see the Bright Side, polish the dull side
THOUGHT FOR TODAY
We Three Kings of Orient are,
Bearing gifts we traverse afar,
Field and fountain,
Moor and mountain,
Following yonder star.
Chorus
O Star of wonder, Star of night,
Star with Royal Beauty bright,
Westward leading.
Still proceeding,
Guide us to Thy perfect Light.
This weekend officially ends my Christmas celebrations. I’ll be taking down all the decorations and packing them away once more. It’s still very cold outside, but I’m going to make an effort to retrieve the storage bins from the outside unit here at the end of my car port. I’m sure I will not get completely done, but at least I will make a start.
I also fallow an Epiphany Tradition called The Chalking of the Door.
You write on the door frame the following:
20+C+M+B+18
This is the date for this year and the three initials of the traditional names of the Wise Men: Caspar,Melchior, and Balthazar. It also stands for Christus Mansionem Benedicat, Latin for May Christ Bless this House.
Following the chalking of the door, this little prayer or a similar one is said:
God of doors and homes, bless this home this year and every year.
Bless all who come and go through this door,
both those who live here and those who visit.
May all who enter through this door come in peace and bring joy.
May all who come to this door find welcome and love.
May the love and joy in this home overflow
and spread into the community and the world. Amen
It’s supposed to be the last day of this terrible cold streak we’ve been having. Tomorrow we are supposed to be near 30 degrees which is a heat wave compared to what we’ve had this past week.
Take good care everyone and keep warm !
I hope you all have a SUPER Saturday!
WHAT’S NEW IN THE KITCHEN
There is a food holiday to celebrate every day of the year!
Today is Bean Day which is a day to celebrate beans in just about every way your can think of. Beans keep the heart healthy and help you live longer. So go ahead and dive into bowlfuls of beans today.
I love pinto beans and like them cooked with the ham bone leftover from the holidays, but you can also use ham hocks.
BEAN AND HAM SOUP
2 c. beans
2 qts. water
2 or 3 smoked ham hocks
1/2 tsp. salt
1 onion, chopped
1 garlic, crushed
Put beans in large pot. Cover with water and soak overnight. When ready to cook, drain beans. Add 2 quarts water, ham hocks, onion, garlic and salt. Boil about 1 1/2 hours. Add remaining ingredients and simmer another 1 1/2 hours. Stir frequently. Makes about 10 cups.
This is delicious served with cornbread or biscuits.
You can also make bean soup using the same recipe substituting great northern beans and adding a pound of sliced carrots and some chopped celery. It’s wonderful on a cold day.
COUNTING MY GIFTS
Down in their hearts, wise men know this truth: the only way to help yourself is to help others.
Elbert Hubbard
Counting at least 3 things every day that I'm thankful for. There is truly is always something to be thankful for.
5596. for beans, good and good for you
5597. for the Three Kings who followed the Star
5598. for warmer weather coming our way
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.
Almighty and eternal God,
Protect our military
as they discharge their duties
with the shield of your strength,
may the power of your love
enable them to return home in safety
that with all who love them
they may ever praise you for your loving care.
AND bless our Police Officers, Firefighters
and Paramedics and EMT’s
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen
GOD BLESS YOU ALL!
ADVICE FOR TODAY
It's a wise man who understands that every day is a new beginning, because boy, how many mistakes do you make in a day? I don't know about you, but I make plenty. You can't turn the clock back, so you have to look ahead.
Mel Gibson
A little smile, a word of cheer,
A bit of love from someone dear…
Love,
ma
3 comments:
Good Morning! I learned so many things from your post today!
I will join you in at least making a stab at taking Christmas decorations down! LD and I are both feeling a bit better this morning so I’m not going to go all out crazy about the undecorating but at least I think I’ll make up the bed and then see where that takes me.
It has warmed up in Texas and will be 60 degrees today. I wish I could package up a little bit of warmth and send it up to you!
Summer will fly home from NYC tomorrow and she said it’s exhausting to put on so many layers of clothes to go out and then take layers off when you go inside a restaurant or museum and then layer them all back on to leave.
Wishing you a good weekend!
Yes! The Epiphany! Then I will take down my Christmas decorations. But probably not until Monday. Not reason to hurry!
I'd planned to de-Christmas the house today, but have been down with the 'crud' ... totally without motivation. That bean soup sounds delightful!
Always presumed the 12 Days of Christmas were referring to days preceding Christmas, but I like the historians version better. I'd not heard of a King cake!
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