ON THE BRIGHT SIDE: For Christmas Day, December 25th, 2023

THE BRIGHT SIDE

Decide to be happy today, to live with what is yours – your family, your business, your job, your luck. If you can’t have what you like, maybe you can like what you have.

Just for today, be kind, cheerful, agreeable, responsive, caring, and understanding. Be your best, dress your best, talk softly, and look for the bright side of things. Praise people for what they do and do not criticize them for what they cannot do. If someone does something stupid, forgive and forget. After all, it’s just for one day.

Who knows, it might turn out to be a nice day.

THE BRIGHT SIDE

I'm looking out the window
and the day is drab and dreary,
And I'm trying to console myself
by thinking something cheery
I know it's simply horrible
to get in such a slump
And I also know it's up to me
to get across the hump
And I realize I'm selfish
to mention this to you
For, gee, you might be feeling
a little 'low-down' too
but often when I feel like this
I tell myself it's true
That I am not the only one
who feels 'low-down and blue'
And just knowing there are others
who feel the way I do
Renews my sinking spirit
and keeps me smiling through
and know that it's natural
to take a 'spirit-dive'
Provides the spunk and courage
to hang on and survive
And while there are a lot of moods
that we can drive away
by looking on the BRIGHT SIDE
in all we do and say,
There also is a loneliness
that God meant us to feel
But, gee, it sure is mighty hard
to know which one is real
And I'd hate to be a 'sad sack'
who never saw the sun
And just complained that every day
was such a dreary one.
But I know that all the dark days
are just part of God's plan
We should accept them graciously
and do the best we can...
So I'll just keep on trying
for I know it's 'Gospel true'
there never was a cloud so dark
the sun could not shine through!

by Helen Steiner Rice

On the Bright Side Newsletter

I send this little letter out each morning to all my family and friends and even to a few people that I've never met. Many of them send it on to others too. So in order to make it available to more people I post the 'brighter side' of the news here each day in this journal.

The letter began as an effort to keep in touch with my family as they are spread out in all directions. My family, friends and God are the most important things in my life.

You'll find quotes, poems and stories and even a few recipes included in this newsletter. I try to find something new each day to share.

In a world that very often publishes only the dark side of things I felt that others would be encouraged to hear about
'the bright side'.

'On Ya'-ma

Monday, December 25, 2023

For Christmas Day, December 25th, 2023

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

MONDAY, DECEMBER 25TH, 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

84 Days Until Spring

In Ohio

Sunrise: 7:52 am

Sunset: 5:04 pm

Life is a special
occasion!

Hallmark!

Today is Christmas Day, which is a joyous occasion marking the birth of Jesus.

It is a joyous occasion celebrated with loved ones and often includes a Christmas feast, gift exchanges, church celebertions, a visit from Santa and holiday parties.

In England from 1649 to 1660, Oliver Cromwell banned Christmas carols and parties. He thought that Christmas should be a solemn holiday and the only celebrations should be church services. This law obliviously didn’t last.

So celebrate today and hang a Christmas wreath, enjoy some cookies at home, kiss a loved one under the mistletoe, or take part in a gift exchange. Make sure you wish your family and friends a Merry Christmas!

If you cannot see the bright side, polish the dull side

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Best of all are the decorations the grandchildren have made—fat little stars and rather crooked Santas shaped out of dough and baked in the oven.

Gladys Bagg Taber

It’s a merry festive Christmas here at my house. We already had our annual Christmas gift exchange on Saturday. But I’m enjoying all those gifts today! I’ll be having another feast too as DS#5 and family are having me over to their house for dinner. I used to stay home, thinking the celebration was over for me, but now I’m celebrating with them. Christmas shouldn’t be celebrated only one time, but always, keeping the spirit of Christmas alive and in our hearts always !

They are having a turkey today and I hope to get more leftovers to have later on. I don’t even have to take anything. He said they would have enough to share with me.

We did our church service last evening so today I am just going to enjoy everything and relax and be lazy again!

I hope you all have a Merry Christmas day ! Happy Monday !

COUNTING MY BLESSINGS

We are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmastime.

Laura Ingalls Wilder

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

11,918, for a 2nd Christmas feast to enjoy

11,919. for another ride from my son

11,929. for family to celebrate with!

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

Remember, if Christmas isn’t found in your heart, you won’t find it under a tree.

Charlotte Carpenter

a smile, a word of cheer,

A bit of love from someone dear…

Love,

3 comments:

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...: I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!; December 25, 2023 at 9:42 AM
Mevely317 said...: I didn't know that about Oliver Cromwell. Sure glad that law didn't last!
I hope your day was wonderfully satisfying. Merry Christmas!; December 25, 2023 at 6:46 PM
jack69 said...: Good graphics and pictures. Also a Merry Christmas to you up in the cold area.; December 25, 2023 at 7:42 PM

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

THE BRIGHT SIDE

RECIPES AND CRAFTS

Labels

Followers

THE BRIGHT SIDE

On the Bright Side Newsletter

Award from Aging Disgracefully

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE OF LIFE

Blog Archive

About Me

Monday, December 25, 2023

For Christmas Day, December 25th, 2023

3 comments: