Merry Christmas! | Do Say Give

Merry Christmas!

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A few Christmas tidings before I sign off for the holiday!

First, I want to say thank you to my sweet readers for your support this holiday season. For trusting me for ideas for your loved ones. For sharing this blog with your friends. For the kind Facebook comments, messages, and emails. It brings me such joy to know I helped people show love to their family and friends in a small way. I hope that by saving you some time looking and shopping for gifts, you were able to spend more time doing the special  things you really wanted to do this season!

As we head into the holiday weekend a few thoughts:

Remember those who are hurting. The friends who lost family members this past year. Even just a text to let them know you are thinking of them is a kind gesture.

Make time for quiet time. There is so much hustle and bustle and carting children to different houses and waking up early and staying up late. Be sure to sneak a few minute by yourself or with your children for reflection or conversation. Reading aloud a meaningful Christmas book (the book above is precious for young children) is a good way to bring calm to the household, even in the middle of the day.

Don’t forget the family traditions. Or maybe it’s time to start a new one! Traditions play such a big part of a child’s memory. They don’t have to be fancy or intricate either. For example, on Christmas Eve we read Luke 2 as a family right before bed and the children get to open one present. Some extended families act out Luke 2 which is cute. If you need ideas, I have lots of sweet traditions in this post.

Be gracious. You won’t regret it. The tension that can sometimes arise when extended family gets together can often result in actions or words we regret.  Pray for love, peace, patience, and kindness as we gather together!

And, finally, remember the true meaning of Christmas. It’s not about family or gifts or even helping the needy. Yes, those are all wonderful things, but Christmas is about celebrating what really happened in that stable 2,000 years ago. The baby born in a manger (which was probably not as picturesque as we make it out to be!) was part of God’s plan of redemption from the beginning of time. As the well-known carol goes,”mild he lays his glory by, born that no man may die,” meaning  Jesus left his throne in heaven to be humbly born in Bethlehem, lived a sinless life (that we cannot live) and then paid the ultimate price with his life on the cross as the perfect offering, so that we, in believing these things, have the promise of eternal life. And so that every Christmas we can sing: “God and sinners reconciled” with joy and confidence. The absolute best gift you could give someone this season is to tell them this “good news of great joy.” Just like the angels told the shepherds: “A Savior has been born to you; He is the Messisah, the Lord.”


 

I will be taking some time off from posting on the blog to enjoy time with my family but will be sharing traditions, recipes, and some of our favorite books on Instagram and Facebook.

Merry Christmas to you and your family!

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Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With th’ angelic host proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem.” 
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”Christ, by highest heav’n adored:
Christ, the everlasting Lord;
Late in time behold him come,
Offspring of the favored one.
Veil’d in flesh, the Godhead see;
Hail, th’incarnate Deity:
Pleased, as man, with men to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel!
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”Hail! the heav’n born Prince of peace!
Hail! the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
Risen with healing in his wings
Mild he lays his glory by,
Born that man no more may die:
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”
 

 

 

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3 thoughts on “Merry Christmas!

  1. Merry Christmas to you, Lee! I’ve so enjoyed your blog and following along on Social Media- I was initially drawn in because of the sentiments expressed in your post on Mamie’s Poppy Plates and was thrilled to see that there was someone who just “got it”. This is our first Christmas with our long awaited daughter, and your thoughtful traditions and gift ideas have helped us maintain focus on the true meaning of Christmas and spend our time celebrating the miracle she is and the ultimate gift of our Savior Jesus Christ. Many blessings to you in 2016!