Christmas A joy that is shared is a joy made double. (John Roy, musician) I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior . . . the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem . . . When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to...
Christmas Eve Even as an adult, I still find it hard to sleep on Christmas Eve. (Carrie Latet, pseudonym for Terri Guillemets, poetry collector) Can you imagine what it was like for Joseph and Mary on that long ago night? It was the fulfillment of ancient prophecies,...
A Lasting Spirit He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree. (Roy L. Smith, author) Christmas is a disappointment for some because of unrealistic expectations. Children may not get the toys they asked Santa for. And some adults expect this...
Fun and Reflection The Christmas spirit is a spirit of giving and forgiving. (J. C. Penney, 20th century American businessman) The holiday season provides many opportunities for social gatherings—from one-on-one “coffees” to company parties and family gatherings....
Thoughtful Giving Christmas is most truly Christmas when we celebrate it by giving the light of love to those who need it most. (Ruth Carter Stapleton, 20th century American writer) As we plan our Christmas giving, we should remember Stapleton’s observation. It isn’t...
Only Five More Days It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air. (W.T. Ellis, 19th century U.S. congressman) We’ve been hearing the popular seasonal tune, It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas for weeks now. And we do “feel” it, don’t we? But as...
Living Life Life is what happens when you’re making other plans. (John Lennon, late singer, songwriter) Some of us long so much for the “good ole days” that we’re hardly aware of what’s happening right now. Others are making detailed plans for the future—our work, our...
One Week to Christmas At Christmas all roads lead home. (Marjorie Holmes, 20th century American columnist) I’ll Be Home for Christmas is one of our most beloved Christmas songs. The very sentimental lyrics bring tears to our eyes, as we realize that the singer is...
Failure There is no failure except in not trying. (Elbert Hubbard, 19th-20th century American writer) Hubbard also wrote: “The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing you will make one.” An anonymous author offered this provocative question:...
Advancing Years A test of a people is how it behaves toward the old. (Abraham J. Heschel, 20th century rabbi) With newer medications and improved health care, people are living longer, so Heschel’s comment is appropriate. He continues: “It is easy to love children....
Decisions Each day, you have three choices: go backward, stay the same or go forward. (Chris Suitt, pastor) We may not often stop to think about it, but it’s true that our choices often determine failure or success—or maybe it’s just a stalemate. Suitt advises: “Go...
Volunteering There’s nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer. Lt. Col. Jimmy Doolittle, famed World Ward II pilot) Four months after the infamous attack on Pearl Harbor in Dec. 1941, Doolittle, the first Air Force general, led a courageous bombing raid on...