For Friday, December 8th, 2023

 

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE 

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8TH, 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

14 DAYS UNTIL WINTER 

In Ohio

   Sunrise:   7:41 am

   Sunset:    4:’58 pm

Life is a special 

occasion!

Hallmark!

 

Today is National Christmas Tree Day which celebrates every type of Christmas tree we use to deck the halls during the holiday season.  It’s an opportunity to set up your tree if you haven’t done it already.

Christmas Trees first became a tradition in 16th century Germany.  People decorated trees in homes with candles or built Christmas pyramids out of wood. 

Queen Victoria, who married her German cousin in 1840, is credited with making the Christmas tree part of mainstream culture. By the 1890’s Christmas trees had become popular in the U.S.

Today we can celebrate by getting a tree and decorating it in our own home. 

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

 

THOUGHT FOR TODAY 

Some Christmas tree ornaments do more than glitter and glow, they represent a gift of love given a long time ago.

Tom Baker

Thanks to DS#5 I have a new artificial tree here at my house.  Previously I’ve only had small table top trees.  This one sits on the floor and is in front of my living room window. It has tiny lights that are LED.  They are placed on the tree going down from the top, But when the tree lights up it looks like they were put on circular around the tree.  

It has a controller that I can push to see different patterns and colors. It is quite a light show and I’ve had hours of fun looking at it.

I do love Christmas lights that brighten up the dreary December Days.

The pictures today are

 a few pictures of Christmas trees my family sent to me. 

It’s supposed to be a great day with temps in the 50’s for a change and sunny.  It would be a great day to go out and find a tree on a Christmas tree farm.

I hope you all have a FANTASTIC Frida

y!

COUNTING MY BLESSINGS 

The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.

Bill Vaughan

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

11,870 for Christmas trees decorated with bright lights

11,871 for good memories to look back on in my pictures

11,872. for the tree that was given to me by DS#5

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!

ADVICE FOR TODAY

Nothing ever seems bad, too hard or too sad when you’ve got a Christmas tree in the living room.  All those presents under it, all that anticipation, just a way of saying there’s always light and hope in the world.

Nora Roberts 

a smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

Love,

ma