Love Letters from My King

How would you respond to love letters from a king?

Letters full of understanding, encouragement, comfort, and acceptance.

Wouldn’t they just wow you?
Make you feel special?
Help you believe that you, too, are part of the royal family?

One of the special gifts I received this Christmas was from a close friend. She gave me a small book by Sheri Rose Shepherd called His Princess – Love Letters from Your King. This treasure contains beautiful photographs and about ninety short letters, each based on a Bible verse.

The writings are Sheri’s interpretation – based on scripture - of what God might say to us if He were to pick up a pen and put His thoughts and feelings down in the form of a letter. I love them because they are so personal. Words found in the Bible become even more intimate. They help reveal His character and just how much He cares for me.

I’ve joked for years with my husband and friends that I’m a princess. With God as my father, I really am a princess. And with God as YOUR father, you are too…unless you’re a prince, of course. :)

A member of the royal family,
Dawn

Do Not Be Afraid

Christmas brings visions of packages under decorated trees, candy canes, gently falling snow, and carols being sung with family and friends.

We all want to have a happy and memorable Christmas filled with warm moments shared with those we love.

We celebrate the birth of the baby Jesus and the hope He brought to the world. Nativity sets are placed in the home as a reminder of the real reason for the season.

In the midst of cheer and merriment there's another message I embrace.

Do not be afraid.

When Mary discovered she was going to be an unwed mother…

The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.

He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.” Luke 1:30-33

When the angels appeared to the shepherds in the field…

She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manager, because there was no room for them in the inn.

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. Tonight in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you. You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.

Suddenly, a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest and peace to men on whom His favor rests.” Luke 2:7-14

My husband and I recently attended the wedding of a young couple. They’d planned to marry “someday,” but due to an unplanned pregnancy, decided to make the commitment now.

The bride’s parents provided a beautiful wedding and reception. The church had just been decorated for Christmas and our pastor reminded the couple, just as Mary had been told…do not be afraid.

What a wonderful message to give two young people who wanted to do the right thing, but could very easily be filled with fear. Fear about the future and how they’ll handle caring for a child so soon.

Christmas will come and go. The bright lights and tinsel will be taken down. The decorations will be packed away. Life will settle back into a routine.

With the end of the holidays, job stress will resume. Bills will need to be paid. People may experience medical challenges, loneliness, or breakdowns in relationships.

Never forget.
The good news is the “Good News.”
Christ has brought hope.

Do not be afraid.

Dawn

The Scent of Christmas

Isn’t it wonderful to have the sense of smell?

It creates memories and connects us to places, events, special occasions.

I love the scents of Christmas...

Peppermint.

Bayberry candles.

Cookies baking.

Turkey roasting in the oven.

Logs burning in the fireplace.

Fresh evergreen branches on the mantel.

Apple cider – with cinnamon sticks – simmering on the stove.

The whiff of hot chocolate and melting marshmallows as you bring the cup to your lips.


The ability to smell is a gift that keeps giving…and giving…
Don’t we have an awesome and creative God?

What other scents connect you to Christmas?

Dawn

Ready for Christmas?

Are you ready for Christmas?

I set aside the day after Thanksgiving every year to put up several trees and decorate our home. I enjoy the transformation, but it takes a lot of time and energy.

My husband looks forward to lighting the yard and exterior of our home. This year because of complications that seem to come with stringing many lights, it took him two days to complete the task to his satisfaction. But, now when I arrive home after a long day at work, I’m welcomed by a beautiful display.

For many years I’ve included a letter and photos of the family in Christmas cards sent to friends and relatives. The girls, now in their twenties, have been put through the drill of having their photo taken for this mailing since they were babes. Their part in this is to sputter and complain. “Mom is at it again!” But, the first year I suggested we didn’t do photos since they’re all out on their own, I heard protest. Hmmm…what do you know? They actually love the tradition.

Do you bake mounds of cookies in preparation? I hadn’t baked much at all these past years. I have enough trouble staying away from sugar as it is! But, I did spend a day baking and freezing sweet treats for a Christmas party we held in our home last night.

Of course there’s shopping to finish…and packages that need to be mailed out to family in the Midwest.

Many hours are spent in preparation for the holidays…

But, what about preparing my heart?

How much time have I spent embracing and reflecting on the reason why we do all this?

Not enough.

Not nearly enough.

Father in heaven, fill my heart with joy and wonder as I celebrate the birth of Your Son… my Savior, Lord, and King.

Dawn

Home By Christmas

Do you enjoy Christmas stories?

Do you have limited time to read them?

If so…

I want to share something I’ve been reading the past few days.

Thirteen talented authors, who have a passion for historical Christian fiction, have collaborated on a story set in late Victorian England titled, Home by Christmas.

The beginning of this tale was posted on December 1st on www.homebychristmas.blogspot.com Each day a new author will pick up where the last one left off until all thirteen installments have been added.

Each piece is well written and only takes a few minutes to read.
Check it out!

Dawn