Pink!

For Buddy the Elf, my favorite color is pink.  You know bright flamingo pink. 

Then there is the pretty medium pink of the beautiful Christmas poinsettia my sisters gave me. 

Oh and the glowing pink of the sunsets in the late sky across from my bedroom and living room windows.  Pink strawberry ice cream is pretty.  And the cherry pink salad my daughter loves.  There are pink geraniums and pink impatiens in spring. 

Did you ever notice the pretty pink glow in the cheeks of playful children?  I think I like that best!  Yes, even over flamingo feathers. 

So even in winter I find lots of pink

To color my days and nights as I think.

Days are not dreary when you choose to see 

The many small colors individually.

Hope you see lots of pink today!

Love, Meme

Proverbs 4

23 Guard your heart above all else,
  for it determines the course of your life.

24 Avoid all perverse talk;
  stay away from corrupt speech.

25 Look straight ahead,
  and fix your eyes on what lies before you.
26 Mark out a straight path for your feet;
  stay on the safe path.
27 Don't get sidetracked;
  keep your feet from following evil.

  I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry.  He drew me up from the desolate pit, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.  He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.  Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.  

  Psalm 40:1-3  

  The Revised Standard Version  

The Shepherds and the Angels

Luke 2:8-10

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

Jeremiah 23

The Coming Messiah: the Righteous Branch

 2Therefore thus says the LORD God of Israel concerning the shepherds who are tending My people: "You have scattered My flock and driven them away, and have not attended to them; behold, I am about to attend to you for the evil of your deeds," declares the LORD.

 3"Then I Myself will gather the remnant of My flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and bring them back to their pasture, and they will be fruitful and multiply.

Happiness lies for those who cry, those who hurt, those who have searched,
and those who have tried, for only they can appreciate the importance of people who have touched their lives.

Psalm 3:3-5

3 But you are a shield around me, O LORD;
       you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.

 4 To the LORD I cry aloud,
       and he answers me from his holy hill.
       Selah

 5 I lie down and sleep;
       I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.

Just a few more things added on to our day.

Must squeeze it all in without delay.

When it's all over will we recall?

If we actually managed to accomplish it all.

What is the hurry?

Just why all the fuss?

Some memories will be blurry.

Some linger with us.

This one small piece of advice I feel I must say.

Keep your mind on the reason we celebrate Christmas Day!

Christmas Ornaments - Ancient Symbols Of Hope And Life

Have you ever wondered why we hang ball ornaments and bells on our Christmas trees? We did a little research on the history and symbolism of Christmas ornaments, and we found some fascinating answers!

Apples symbolize fertility, summer, and are a powerful reminder of paradise.

Ball Ornaments signify the perfect shape, which is a symbol for the divine. Their shape is also closely related to the shape of apples, another favorite Christmas ornament.

Nuts are hidden in a shell and difficult to open, symbolizing god’s wisdom.

Small gift packages have a long tradition as Christmas ornaments. They are reminders of the gifts brought to Bethlehem by the Three Holy Kings.

Pine Cones symbolize fertility and are closely associated with the Virgin Mary.

Birds are very popular Christmas ornaments, and their meaning differs depending on the type of bird. For example, owls symbolize wisdom, whereas pigeons stand for peace, and the peacock’s shimmering feathers are a symbol for the brilliant stars often seen on clear winter nights.

Fish are an old symbol for water, life, and fertility. In ancient times, they were the secret symbol of Christians.

Good luck symbols, such as lady bugs and little money pouches used to be very popular Christmas ornaments in Victorian times.

Hearts are another favorite, as they symbolize love.

Trumpets are the instruments of angels and signal good news.

Stars are a reminder of the Star of Bethlehem. Star ornaments made out of straw, which are especially popular in Europe, symbolize the straw in Baby Jesus’ manger.

Angels spread the news of Christ’s birth and are thus an important symbol of Christmas.

Bells are always rung on Christmas Eve, spreading the good news of Christ’s birth. They also warn of danger, and as Christmas ornaments function as a symbol to ward off bad luck.