December Series: True Living at Christmas Part 4 of 4 - Three Special Gifts Today's Musing is from Margaret Fowler. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. —John 3:16 As I look back on a lifetime of Christmas celebrations, three special gifts always come to my mind. One year, my husband, Ray, and I were shopping for our children when I stopped to admire a grandfather clock. My thoughts drifted back to my childhood home in England and the big grandfather clock that stood in our hall. My father faithfully set it every day, using the old-fashioned weights and pendulum, and it sounded the hours all through […] Read more »

December Series: True Living at Christmas Part 3 of 4 - The Tree That Nearly Stole Our Christmas Today’s Musing is from Donna Perkins. “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” —Matthew 6:33 It had just been one of those days. You know the kind I’m talking about. The one where … if it could go wrong, it did, where nothing seemed to go right, and every one of us, parent and child alike, were in a frump. It started out like any other Saturday with busy weekend stuff, the usual dump run, chores, homework, and housework. Great-grandma was coming for early supper and to decorate the tree with us. The afternoon had […] Read more »

December Series: True Living at Christmas Part 2 of 4 - Baby Alive Today’s Musing is from Marlene McKenna. “Therefore the LORD himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” —Isaiah 7:14 NIV “It’s her, it’s really her!” I screamed after ripping open the one Christmas gift I cared about. I hugged her tight and kissed her plastic cheek. “Thank you, Mommy! It’s just what I wanted!” Her blue eyes blinked as I cradled her in my arms. Tenderly, I swept her thick, golden curls over her smooth forehead. I wanted her so badly, and now she was mine. Baby Alive was the coveted Christmas present of 1975. Most little girls asked […] Read more »

December Series: True Living at Christmas Part 1 of 4 - The Best Gifts Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! —2 Corinthians 9:15 NIV When our girls were young, I worked hard to find fun gifts for them at Christmas. We also worked hard to explain why we give gifts at Christmas so they understood the celebration. We did this in several unique ways. First of all, we placed a “touchable” nativity set under the Christmas tree all by itself. The star above shone down on the manger scene below. “Look,” I would whisper to our daughters as we sprawled on our tummies under the tree lights playing with donkeys and sheep and baby Jesus, “This little baby—Jesus—is the best gift ever.” As […] Read more »