Living in the Afterglow of Christmas

A happy, healthy, restful and relaxed day-after-Christmas to all! Many people are returning to their workplaces today, while others are running out for returns and after-Christmas sales, others are simply basking in the thought “Whew! We did it! We survived another Christmas!”

I'll be easing back into my usual routines because, for me, I'm right back where I started this season as I continue to savor the moments of this joyful, blessed time of the year. My little "peace" spot by my fireplace calls my name to embrace the sweet times in my thoughts and memories and my few family photos help me do that. My daughter's family and I stayed home this year where we had quiet and not-so-quiet times of hilarious family game-play and competitions, going to a see a Christmas movie, attending the Christmas Eve service, putting a puzzle together and gift exchanges! Alexia and I were overwhelmed with tears of joy when we opened our new computers. Lord knows I needed one because electrical tape was holding my old one together. I am so grateful. This year brought on new giving traditions from me. Instead of spending a crazy amount of time in the hunt for "the perfect gifts", I started a new tradition of giving a little money. I gave it with a "Cardinal" theme and a "memory" ornament -- thus the photos of each one with me. My Austin crew opened theirs and sent us photos! I'll tell you more about my new tradition tomorrow.

Yes, some of our traditions changed this year as we didn't converge with my Austin crew. It’s okay as we were all together at Thanksgiving and we stayed in close connection with photos of our Christmas experiences even though apart! On Christmas Eve I read our traditional Christmas story via technology with all of us together virtually. And we ate lots of yummy food and delicacies that certainly warrant a conscious effort to get back to healthy and nutritious eating come the new year. Some of our Christmas memories are here, both for my archiving and welcoming you into the little corner of our world!

Maybe you're like me and you want the afterglow of Christmas to linger a little longer. It is such a consolation and reassurance we have in knowing that the incredible GIFT of the baby in the manger, is still here. right now, because He is Emmanuel, 'God With Us' and He is LOVE. Love breathing, love giving, love caring, love dying. Walking where we walk, knowing how we feel, knowing our pain, knowing our disappointments, bearing our sorrows. GOD WITH US -- at work, during play, during mealtime, in the car, washing dishes, hurrying to work, relaxing on the sofa, at church, teaching our children, in good times and bad. God with us.

The afterglow of Christmas is the realization that each new day can be December 25th. Every morning we wake with the assurance that God is with us is real. We can decide daily to start with the angels singing “Glory to God in the Highest.” Let’s let Christmas linger longer. How about right on through to next December 25th? The true gift of Christmas—and each day—is the possibility of acting, thinking, and loving like Jesus.

Well Done, Good and Faithful Servants

Day 47 of Photo Inspirations.  Well Done Good and Faithful Servants
While delivering Valentine's flowers last week, my delivery partner and I were inspired by the sweet heavenly messages we received along the way.  

These first two photos are the beautiful store front window of an Interior Designer, where we delivered  flowers to its owner. I loved this life-size mural of "The Last Supper", with the red candles hanging in front of it.

And I loved the words on the window:  "Gather together; Give gifts; Share love".  I know their emphasis is on what we should do as we gather together, but it also speaks volumes about what took place on the night that Christ and His disciples joined together for their last official meal together.  They GATHERED TOGETHER.   He GAVE GIFTS -- the bread (His body) and the cup (His blood).  'This do in remembrance of Me.’  And, He  SHARED LOVE -- He became a servant to them as He washed their feet.  

This 3rd photo is that of a home we delivered flowers to next.  "Soli Deo Gloria "  was above the doorway of that gorgeous home.   Those words mean "Glory to God alone". Perhaps the owners of that home were telling us that they were giving God the glory for His gifts to them.  Those words have been used by artists like Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frideric Handel to signify that their work was produced for the sake of praising God.

Last Friday was about giving ourselves in service, and God tapped us on the shoulders to awaken our spirits to His presence with us.  No, I don't take these encounters lightly -- that my friend and I would be on a flower mission.....and it ends up with us being the recipients of the kisses from heaven along the way.  I think I even heard in the encounters a little message that said, "Well done, good and faithful servants!"