ON THE BRIGHT SIDE: For Saturday, December 20th, 2025

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

Saturday, December 20, 2025

For Saturday, December 20th, 2025

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20TH, 2025

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

In Texas

Sunrise: 7:22 am

Sunset: 5:37
pm

Life is a special occasion!

Hallmark

Today is Go Caroling Day which is a day tune up your voices and join others going caroling from door to door as a form of celebration. The word carol means a joyful song or dance.

The tradition of singing carols has roots in pagan celebrations of the Winter Solstice. Carols were later adopted by the Christian faith to celebrate the nativity during the 4th and 5th centuries and were primarily sung in Latin. St. Francis of Assisi improved their popularity when he paired songs with stories, canticles, and songs were preformed in modern languages.

The Victorian era saw a surge in caroling and many popular songs are still sung today were written during this era.

Though caroling is not as popular as it once was, it is still a tradition many families, communities and churches look forward to. Some popular caroling songs are: Here Comes Santa Clause, Jingle bells, O Christmas Tree, Silent Night, We Wish you a Merry Christmas, Joy to World and Let it Snow!

This holiday spread cheer and joy. Celebrate and join friends and family and go caroling.

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

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear

Elf 2003

When my boys were in Boy Scouts we used to go caroling at nursing homes. The old folks loved seeing the boys come! They were our best audience. Older people and shut ins loving seeing young people come for a visit of any kind!

We also had carolers in our neighborhood, and one time I had just finished baking Christmas cookies they came by singing. I pulled out a tin of cookies and invited them in. It was a nice break for them have a sweet treat and to warm up on a cold winter’s night.

Our church choir always did an evening of Christmas carols too. They were very good and our choir director wrote a song for them to sing, called Happy Christmas Jesus! Some times we were all invited to join in the songs too. What a festive time that was!

I hope you all have a FANTASTIC Friday!

COUNTING MY GIFTS

Christmas now surrounds us,

Happiness is everywhere

Our hands are busy with

many tasks as carols fill the air

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

13,919. for carols that delight us

13,920. for choirs so brightly singing

13,921. for good tidings and holiday cheer

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

Keep calm and jingle all the way!

a smile,a word of cheer,

A bit of love from someone dear…

Love,

3 comments:

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...: Celebrate and join friends and family and go caroling today!; December 20, 2025 at 9:54 AM
Mevely317 said...: I've never participated in caroling, but those I see in pictures -- wearing their Victorian-like clothing -- always embody Christmas to me. Your boys must have been so cute while visiting the nursing home(s). That's a sweet gesture, bringing the residents some holiday joy.; December 20, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Chatty Crone said...: I have never caroled either - but I do know lots of people who go sing in nursing homes and things like that.; December 21, 2025 at 8:53 PM

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