For Friday, January 6th, 2023

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE 

FRIDAY, JANUARY 6TH , 2023

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.

Slightly adapted from one of my morning devotionals

'

74 DAYS UNTIL SPRING 

In Ohio

 Sunrise:  7:54 am

 Sunset:   5:13 

pm

In Florida

Sunrise: 7:15

Sunset:  5:49

Sorry I can load pictures today, I'll try again later 

Life is a special 

occasion!

Hallmark!

Today is Three Kings Day, or Epiphany, which is a Christain holiday that commemorates the biblical story of the three kings —  Melchlor, Caspar, and Balthazar   The three kings also known as the wisemen or Maji, followed the bright star to Bethlehem to bring gifts to the Christ child.

Traditionally in Latin America, children dress up in king costumes and go door to door in their neighborhoods singing carols in the days leading up to Three Kings Day.  In Argentina, sweet wine, fruit and milk are left outside for the three kings and their camels to enjoy.  In France, people eat Galette des Rois, or king cake which has a trinket or bean hidden inside it.  The person with the trinket becomes the king for the day !

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.

To celebrate today, take down your Christmas decorations and put your tree out on the curb.  

If you cannot 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.

John Henry Hopkins Jr.

Here at my son’s house, All has already been put away.  My DIL put it all away the day after New Years day and at my house everything will wait until I get home. The final word is that it must all be down by Ground Hogs Day, if you want good luck for the New Year.

If I was at home, I’d also be doing a house blessing by marking my door sills with chalk so that all who enter my house will be blessed.  I take chalk and write the year and the initials of the the Three Kings.  This year will be 20+C +M+B+23.  This reminds us while passing in and our our dally routines, that our homes and all those dwell there belong to Christ, and of the welcoming the Magi gave to Jesus.  We should strive to be as welcoming to all who come to visit our homes. I always say a little prayer that all those that come and go will be blessed with peace and kept safe. 

I hope you all have a FANTASTIC Friday!

COUNTING MY GIFTS

True wisdom comes to each of us when we realize how little we understand about life, ourselves and the world around us.

Socrates 

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

10,944. for the 3 wisemen who followed that star

10,945 for the giving of gifts 

10,946. for a home blessing 

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 EMT’s.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen

GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

ADVICE FOR TODAY

Wise men don’t need advice.  Fools won’t take it.

Benjamin Franklin

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

 

Love,

ma