Today is National Build Joy Day!

So, what is "National Build Joy Day"? Well, according to nationaltoday dot com it is a day to, "give back to your community in whatever way possible and make someone’s day!" This is certainly something we all are able to celebrate and make a part of our every day lives by bringing joy to people’s lives with tiny acts of kindness. 

What might we do to celebrate National Build Joy Day - consider the following ideas from Nationaltoday - 

It is Time for a Candy Cane Hunt!

Yes, it is the time of year for a Candy Cane Hunt! What is a Candy Cane Hunt, you ask? Think Easter Egg Hunt, and substitute Candy Canes, grab your camera, and get ready for some photos, memories, and fun your grandchildren - or children - will never forget!

This Christmas Engage & Equip the Ones You Love with God's Word

 

We will not hide them from their descendants;  we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done. He commanded our ancestors to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds, but would keep his commands. Psalm 78:4, 6, 7

Just for Fun - Interesting Christmas Trivia!

Since today is the first day of December, I thought it would be fun to share a bit of Christmas trivia with you! Did you know . . . 

Countdown-to-Christmas - Casting Crowns - I Heard the Bells

I'm very happy to share this Christmas song with you today . . . I Heard the Bells is a beautiful song with a wonderful history and message! Feel free to  "pass it on" and share it with the people you know, too . . . a type of "social-media-caroling"!

Don't Worry: It is Impossible to Spoil Grandchildren - A Christmas Gift Which Helps You Do What Matters the Most

Do you agree with me when I write about passing on a heritage of confident faith to the children you love, but are not sure where and how to begin? Do you have friends who are grandparents - or parents - who also want to pass on confident faith, but are also not sure where to begin? Are you looking for a Christmas gift for a grandparent/ parent you know which is a good read and one which will help them know how to do what matters the most?

My Christmas Carol for Today - Countdown-to-Christmas - Silent Night by Casting Crowns

When you think about Christmas carols, you likely think about the  classic, Silent Night. According to Wiki, Silent Night was, "composed in 1818 by Franz Xaver Gruber to lyrics by  Joseph Mohr in the small town of Oberndorf bei Salzburg, Austria. The song was first performed on Christmas Eve 1818 at St Nicholas parish church in Oberndorf, a village on the Salzach river. The young priest, Father Joseph Mohr, had come to Oberndorf the year before. He had already written the lyrics of the song 'Stille Nacht' in 1816 at Mariapfarr, the hometown of his father in the Salzburg Lungau  region,where Joseph had worked as a coadjutor.

A Gift Which Lasts All Year & Beyond . . . Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

 

Are you looking for a gift for your family? One which you do not have to worry about arriving in time for Christmas? One which is more than just another "thing" to open and shortly end up just taking up space? One which will help them connect and build memories? If so, then give the gift of either tickets to or a family membership to Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park (or a botanical garden near you.)

This Christmas Give Books Which Make a Difference

Yesterday I wrote about the book - Praying Deeper Through the Psalms for Children! It makes a fantastic Christmas gift for the children you love ages four through fourteen. Today I wanted to share with you about three books in the "Praying Deeper" series of books which will help parents and grandparents pray Scripture for their own walk with God and for the children they love as well - young, grown, and grandchildren!

My Christmas "Carol" for Today - Christmas Eve/Sarajevo

When I think about my favorite Christmas songs, one is best enjoyed as an instrumental, and as such it must be Trans-Siberian Orchestra which plays the music! Yes, I know this is supposed to be a "Christmas Caroling" post, but I am very happy to share with you the link so you are able to enjoy this song. 

Today is National Lemon Pie Day!

Today is National Lemon Pie Day - and while I certainly enjoy a tasty slice of lemon meringue pie, I'm thinking more about celebrating this with a cross between a lemon bar and lemon chiffon pie! To make this tasty treat I will make a butter shortbread cookie lemon bar bottom, take my lemon curd, cool it, whip the egg whites to make meringue, then fold the lemon curd and meringue together - gently - and top on my cooled butter shortbread cookie crust. This will be tasty for sure!

This Christmas Give the Gift of Prayer with Praying Deeper Through the Psalms for Children

One of the most powerful things we are able to do for the children we love is for us to pray for them. One even more powerful thing we are able to do for them is to help them learn to be people who pray. This Christmas give a gift which will help you do exactly this - give the children you love ages four through fourteen the book - Praying Deeper Through the Psalms for Children!

My Christmas Carol - Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

I very much enjoy listening to someone who is able to play a piano well and when you add in a cello, well, I am a very happy person. So, when I saw Norah Jones and Laufey on the Today Show singing "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas", I knew it had to be part of my Christmas Carols for this year - you will find it at this link. Enjoy!

There's a . . . by the Freeman Boys!

Several years ago, in honor of Dr. Seuss, my grandsons made their own version of, "There's a Wocket in My Pocket". They drew their own creatures, named them and then hid them in the appropriate locations for their parents to find when they arrived for lunch. 

It was so much fun watching them be creative . . . they had almost as much fun thinking up the creatures and drawing them as I did watching them do so!

I thought you would enjoy their story, so here it is . . .