So I am not at the kitchen table but instead I am sitting in front of the tree. The fire is going, all the lights aglow, and Uncle Buck playing on the tv...waiting for Izzy and her family to get here. They should be here shortly after midnight and then they can open their pajamas. Since the kids were little, it has been a tradition that each year on Christmas Eve they get a new pair of jammies...washed and ready to wear! This has become one of their favorite traditions and so it has carried on even though they are no longer little ones. I now have new jammies to prepare...but I love it (Izzy and her Daddy). I also love the fact that my house will be full. You know that feeling when you can just feel those you love are close by and you just feel the warmth of the love throughout the house...
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| Around the house shots...the winter village aglow... |
From my kitchen table this morning I read in Luke. I think it is one of my favorites of the story of the birth of Jesus. Perhaps it is the shepherds or Mary holding it in her heart...Part of Luke 2 in the Living Bible says:
About this time Caesar Augustus, the Roman Emperor, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the nation. (This census was taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.)
Everyone was required to return to his ancestral home for this registration. And because Josesph was a member of the royal line, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea. King David's ancient home--journeying there from the Galilean village of Nazareth. He took with him Mary, his fiancee, who was obviously pregnant by this time.
And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born; and she gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the village inn.
That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly an angel appeared among them, and the landscape shone bright with the glory of the Lord. They were badly frightened, but the angel reassured them.
'Don't be afraid!' he said. 'I bring you the most joyful news ever announced, and it is for everyone! The Savior--yes, the Messiah, the Lord--has been born tonight in Bethlehem! How will you recognize Him? You will find a baby wrapped in a blanket, lying in a manger!"
Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others--the armies of heaven--praising God:
'Glory to God in the highest heaven', they sang, 'and peace on earth for all those pleasing him.'
When this great army of angels had returned again to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, 'Come on! Let's go to Bethlehem! Let's see the wonderful thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.'
They ran to the village and found their way to Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. The shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds story expressed astonishment, but Mary quietly treasured these things in her heart and often thought about them."
Merry Christmas...may you have the gift of LOVE! Peace on Earth...
Love,
Penny
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| Merry Christmas from the Pfeiff's! |
Merry Christmas to the Pfeiff family!
ReplyDeleteTressie is tucked into bed in her new Christmas PJs and her Mama is so excited for her first Christmas, she can't sleep!
Have a fantastic day!
Penny, we have had the same pj tradition. Ever since I can remember mom and dad gave my sister and I new pj's on Christmas eve and I did and still do it for Maria and now Trinity and Noah get new ones only from their mommy. I give the robes and slippers so I still get to do something for them Christmas eve. Your pictures of the house are so pretty and so warm and inviting. I wish I were sitting there with you beside the fire.
ReplyDeleteThank you again for the wonderful gifts. I had a cup of Country Peach Tea using my new cup and tea pot this afternoon. Yummy.
God Bless you and all the family.
Ginger