Christmas Card From Jesus

 

Our Savior is Born! Rejoice in this day! May your day be filled with love, laughter, and sweet memories for years to come!

 

 

~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~

Rebecca



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Christmas Card From Jesus

 

Our Savior is Born! Rejoice in this day! May your day be filled with love, laughter, and sweet memories for years to come!

 

 

~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~

Rebecca



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Family Tradition Friday-Barb

Twas the Friday before Christmas and the stores are crazy! Are you done shopping or are you finishing last minute? I can't believe how fast the season came upon us! I love everything leading up to the grand finale, but I wish I had one more week to just enjoy it a little more:)

Thank you, to our sweet mentor mom, Barb Anderson for sharing her Christmas traditions with us!  She shares;

1.  Tea lights or candles at each place that are lit at the beginning of the meal.  The first person lights the candle of the person next to him/her and makes a wish or prayer for the New Year.  The match is then passed on to the next person.  When all the candles are lit, we sing Silent Night and then my husband (previously it was my father) reads the Christmas story from Luke.

2.  We always have a Christmas ornament at each place (with a date written on it).  It's fun to remember past Christmases that way when decorating the tree the next year.

 

I love both of them but the first one just brings a tear to my eyes. I can only imagine the beautiful, peaceful scene that must be. Thank you for sharing!

 

I pray you all have a safe spirit filled weekend! Enjoy this fun special time shared with those you love most!

 

~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~

Rebecca

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Family Tradition Friday-Barb

Twas the Friday before Christmas and the stores are crazy! Are you done shopping or are you finishing last minute? I can't believe how fast the season came upon us! I love everything leading up to the grand finale, but I wish I had one more week to just enjoy it a little more:)

Thank you, to our sweet mentor mom, Barb Anderson for sharing her Christmas traditions with us!  She shares;

1.  Tea lights or candles at each place that are lit at the beginning of the meal.  The first person lights the candle of the person next to him/her and makes a wish or prayer for the New Year.  The match is then passed on to the next person.  When all the candles are lit, we sing Silent Night and then my husband (previously it was my father) reads the Christmas story from Luke.

2.  We always have a Christmas ornament at each place (with a date written on it).  It's fun to remember past Christmases that way when decorating the tree the next year.

 

I love both of them but the first one just brings a tear to my eyes. I can only imagine the beautiful, peaceful scene that must be. Thank you for sharing!

 

I pray you all have a safe spirit filled weekend! Enjoy this fun special time shared with those you love most!

 

~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~

Rebecca

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Thrifty Thursday- Dancing Christmas Lights

Are you looking for a cheap and festive family outing? I have found two houses in our general area that are doing musical Christmas light displays. We were able to visit both houses and to quote my 17 year old "That is the coolest thing I have ever seen in my life....like seriously!". If a teenager thinks it's cool then it must be:) Here are they are.

1. 12052 Vintage St NW  Coon Rapids, MN 55433

2. 156th Ave NW & Basalt St NW  Ramsey, MN 55303 (you can just put this in your GPS or Ma Quest it like I did and it will bring you there).

~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~
Rebecca Pin It

Thrifty Thursday- Dancing Christmas Lights

Are you looking for a cheap and festive family outing? I have found two houses in our general area that are doing musical Christmas light displays. We were able to visit both houses and to quote my 17 year old "That is the coolest thing I have ever seen in my life....like seriously!". If a teenager thinks it's cool then it must be:) Here are they are.

1. 12052 Vintage St NW  Coon Rapids, MN 55433

2. 156th Ave NW & Basalt St NW  Ramsey, MN 55303 (you can just put this in your GPS or Ma Quest it like I did and it will bring you there).

~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~
Rebecca Pin It

Women in the Word-Oh Holy Night

I want to share with you my favorite song, not just my favorite Christmas song, but my most favorite song-ever! The words just soak into my soul and I am always brought to tears. Oh Holy Night.
 "A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn". Hope, our great hope in Jesus Christ who came to the world in the most humble and lowly ways to be our sin bearer and to give us hope (Google Jesus and hope). When there seems to be nothing left to give, feel, or even take-we still have our hope in Christ and Christ alone. His mercies are new every single day! Amen!
"Chains shall He break,for the slave is our brother. And in His name all oppression shall cease". He came to break the bondage of sin and Satan's hold on us. There is a constant struggle of things that can hold us in bondage-grief, food, drugs, alcohol, p*rn, and just about anything else you can think of of this world. "For the slave is my brother" With Christ, you see a brother or sister in place where you might of just seen a prostitute, a drug addict, a beggar, a Muslim or Jew, or any other undesirable or different beliefed person we live among. To love them, so that even if they don't seek or know Him, they will recognize Him in us.. Oppression of worldliness will no longer weigh me down in spirit and will cease to have any hold on my life.
Our Savior came to be the light of the world (John 8:12) and to save us from sin (Matthew 1:21). Rejoice with greatness and gladness that our Savior lives and our Savior brings with Him hope and life.
I leave you with a few versions of my favorite song-take a minute to really hear the lyrics and see how it resonates in your soul.
http://youtu.be/4Zh-yR0pbmU  
http://youtu.be/lKSknasrE3k

~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~
Rebecca

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Women in the Word-Oh Holy Night

I want to share with you my favorite song, not just my favorite Christmas song, but my most favorite song-ever! The words just soak into my soul and I am always brought to tears. Oh Holy Night.
 "A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn". Hope, our great hope in Jesus Christ who came to the world in the most humble and lowly ways to be our sin bearer and to give us hope (Google Jesus and hope). When there seems to be nothing left to give, feel, or even take-we still have our hope in Christ and Christ alone. His mercies are new every single day! Amen!
"Chains shall He break,for the slave is our brother. And in His name all oppression shall cease". He came to break the bondage of sin and Satan's hold on us. There is a constant struggle of things that can hold us in bondage-grief, food, drugs, alcohol, p*rn, and just about anything else you can think of of this world. "For the slave is my brother" With Christ, you see a brother or sister in place where you might of just seen a prostitute, a drug addict, a beggar, a Muslim or Jew, or any other undesirable or different beliefed person we live among. To love them, so that even if they don't seek or know Him, they will recognize Him in us.. Oppression of worldliness will no longer weigh me down in spirit and will cease to have any hold on my life.
Our Savior came to be the light of the world (John 8:12) and to save us from sin (Matthew 1:21). Rejoice with greatness and gladness that our Savior lives and our Savior brings with Him hope and life.
I leave you with a few versions of my favorite song-take a minute to really hear the lyrics and see how it resonates in your soul.
http://youtu.be/4Zh-yR0pbmU  
http://youtu.be/lKSknasrE3k

~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~
Rebecca

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Family Tradition-Andrea

I have the pleasure of sharing a table with this sweet lady this year! Andrea shares-"Every evening of Christmas Eve after the extended family would leave our house we would make our own stars for Santa to find his way. My brother and I would draw a star on a piece of cardboard and my parents would cut it out and then we'd wrap it in tin foil and cover it with glue and glitter. My brother and I would each make one and then when it was dry we would place them at the top of the tree. We continued this tradition through high school or maybe even later. Bless my mother and the glitter mess she'd be left with after we went to bed. As if just having a house of 20-30 guests and getting ready for Christmas morning wasn't already enough. I can't wait to start this same tradition with my own family!

My moms kept most of them and its so funny to look at the changes in our artistic capabilities and sadly the later years when we started to lose the joy of it and the effort was no longer there".

Your mama sounds like one special lady, Andrea! How wonderful that you want to keep this tradition going with your own precious little girl! Thank you for sharing!

Take the time to love on your families a little extra this weekend!

~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~
Rebecca

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Family Tradition-Andrea

I have the pleasure of sharing a table with this sweet lady this year! Andrea shares-"Every evening of Christmas Eve after the extended family would leave our house we would make our own stars for Santa to find his way. My brother and I would draw a star on a piece of cardboard and my parents would cut it out and then we'd wrap it in tin foil and cover it with glue and glitter. My brother and I would each make one and then when it was dry we would place them at the top of the tree. We continued this tradition through high school or maybe even later. Bless my mother and the glitter mess she'd be left with after we went to bed. As if just having a house of 20-30 guests and getting ready for Christmas morning wasn't already enough. I can't wait to start this same tradition with my own family!

My moms kept most of them and its so funny to look at the changes in our artistic capabilities and sadly the later years when we started to lose the joy of it and the effort was no longer there".

Your mama sounds like one special lady, Andrea! How wonderful that you want to keep this tradition going with your own precious little girl! Thank you for sharing!

Take the time to love on your families a little extra this weekend!

~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~
Rebecca

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Thrifty Thursday-Christmas Crafts

It sounds like it might be another stay close to home weekend. Here are a few fun and easy festive crafts to do with your kiddos!

1. Dress up like Santa http://jennwa.blogspot.com/2009/12/santa-picture-craft.html

2. Wise men handprint http://www.simplycindyblog.com/two-cute-christmas-crafts%E2%80%A6/

3. A great simple alternative to gingerbread houses http://thefrugalgirls.com/2009/12/how-to-make-christmas-tree-cones-fun-edible-craft-for-kids.html

4. Yummy treat http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/christmas-ideas/easy-holiday-decorations?click=main_sr#slide-5

5. Cinnamon dough ornaments http://crafts.kaboose.com/cinnamon-dough-ornaments.html

~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~
Rebecca


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Thrifty Thursday-Christmas Crafts

It sounds like it might be another stay close to home weekend. Here are a few fun and easy festive crafts to do with your kiddos!

1. Dress up like Santa http://jennwa.blogspot.com/2009/12/santa-picture-craft.html

2. Wise men handprint http://www.simplycindyblog.com/two-cute-christmas-crafts%E2%80%A6/

3. A great simple alternative to gingerbread houses http://thefrugalgirls.com/2009/12/how-to-make-christmas-tree-cones-fun-edible-craft-for-kids.html

4. Yummy treat http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/christmas-ideas/easy-holiday-decorations?click=main_sr#slide-5

5. Cinnamon dough ornaments http://crafts.kaboose.com/cinnamon-dough-ornaments.html

~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~
Rebecca


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Women in the Word-Christmas Devotion

I truly love the beauty of how Max Lucado thinks about the scriptures and about our Lord. He has a way of painting a story in your head. Here is a Christmas devotion I hope you enjoy! http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/christmas-devotionals/thrill-of-hope-christmas-devotional-december-13.html

~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~
Rebecca Pin It

Women in the Word-Christmas Devotion

I truly love the beauty of how Max Lucado thinks about the scriptures and about our Lord. He has a way of painting a story in your head. Here is a Christmas devotion I hope you enjoy! http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/christmas-devotionals/thrill-of-hope-christmas-devotional-december-13.html

~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~
Rebecca Pin It

Family Tradition Friday-Joelle and Joni

There is nothing more wonderful this time of year than the traditions and the memories you have of this holy special season.

Joelle shares-
Koland Family Tradition

On Christmas Eve every year all my aunts, uncles and 13 cousins would
pile into Grandpa Trygve and Grandma Verna's small living room for Christmas. There was
barely room to move, but we all loved to be together. Stereotypically, most
people would think that a Norwegian family's Christmas would be fairly quiet
and stoic. Not this family. We'd often have prank gifts and messy silly
string.We always had a huge wrapping paper war and a ton of laughs. We were
pretty loud too.
We had one tradition that seemed completely out of place. I don't know how it
started or why, but we loved it. Towards the end of the evening all the
cousins would go to the basement and take turns being blindfolded and swinging at a
piñata. Eventually one of the older boys would break it, and we'd all go crazy
fighting over the candy. It was a blast!
Years went by, and we still piled in their small living room, but now
several of my cousins had spouses and kids. When it came time to do the piñata, it was a
new generation taking part in the tradition. Then one Christmas I brought my
boyfriend Rick (now my wonderful husband). I had spent Thanksgiving with his
extended family, and they were very quiet. I couldn't wait for him to
experience one of our Christmases. He did well with all of the good natured
teasing, wrapping paper fights and so on. We were downstairs watching the kids
take a shot at the piñata, when my cousin Wendy made a decision. We all had a
chance at the piñata while we were kids. It was time for Rick to be inducted,
so to speak. The next thing I knew, she'd gotten everyone to loudly chant his
name while they blindfolded him and started spinning him around in circles. If
you know my husband Rick, you know he handled it well and had a ton of fun!
My grandparents have since passed away, and my beloved cousin Wendy lost her
battle with breast cancer. The rest of us no longer all get together for
Christmas, mostly because there's nowhere we all fit. I will always
cherish the fun memories and crazy traditions we all had. I feel that traditions are very
important. At the same time I have learned that life is ever changing,
and what matters the most is enjoying the time together with those you love. Make the
most of the time this holiday season.

Joni shares-
We put a very low amount $5.00 let's say and everyone needs to be creative with there gifts for the adults.  Whoever cries when they open theirs then that giver wins best gift!!!  My family likes to go for the jugular!!  Some things we have done in the past have been a photo frame with handles screwed into the side and under the glass were all the child's accomplishments and was given to a parent as a tray to set out and put things on.  I made my mom a patch to a start to a quilt.  In the middle I stitched a bible verse.  My dad made all of us a candle out of a branch from a birch tree in our back yard growing up.  It has been some of my most memorable gifts I have given and received! 

Such different but wonderful traditions! Thank you Joelle and Joni for sharing! I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Make memories and enjoy the time you have together!

~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~
Rebecca






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Family Tradition Friday-Joelle and Joni

There is nothing more wonderful this time of year than the traditions and the memories you have of this holy special season.

Joelle shares-
Koland Family Tradition

On Christmas Eve every year all my aunts, uncles and 13 cousins would
pile into Grandpa Trygve and Grandma Verna's small living room for Christmas. There was
barely room to move, but we all loved to be together. Stereotypically, most
people would think that a Norwegian family's Christmas would be fairly quiet
and stoic. Not this family. We'd often have prank gifts and messy silly
string.We always had a huge wrapping paper war and a ton of laughs. We were
pretty loud too.
We had one tradition that seemed completely out of place. I don't know how it
started or why, but we loved it. Towards the end of the evening all the
cousins would go to the basement and take turns being blindfolded and swinging at a
piñata. Eventually one of the older boys would break it, and we'd all go crazy
fighting over the candy. It was a blast!
Years went by, and we still piled in their small living room, but now
several of my cousins had spouses and kids. When it came time to do the piñata, it was a
new generation taking part in the tradition. Then one Christmas I brought my
boyfriend Rick (now my wonderful husband). I had spent Thanksgiving with his
extended family, and they were very quiet. I couldn't wait for him to
experience one of our Christmases. He did well with all of the good natured
teasing, wrapping paper fights and so on. We were downstairs watching the kids
take a shot at the piñata, when my cousin Wendy made a decision. We all had a
chance at the piñata while we were kids. It was time for Rick to be inducted,
so to speak. The next thing I knew, she'd gotten everyone to loudly chant his
name while they blindfolded him and started spinning him around in circles. If
you know my husband Rick, you know he handled it well and had a ton of fun!
My grandparents have since passed away, and my beloved cousin Wendy lost her
battle with breast cancer. The rest of us no longer all get together for
Christmas, mostly because there's nowhere we all fit. I will always
cherish the fun memories and crazy traditions we all had. I feel that traditions are very
important. At the same time I have learned that life is ever changing,
and what matters the most is enjoying the time together with those you love. Make the
most of the time this holiday season.

Joni shares-
We put a very low amount $5.00 let's say and everyone needs to be creative with there gifts for the adults.  Whoever cries when they open theirs then that giver wins best gift!!!  My family likes to go for the jugular!!  Some things we have done in the past have been a photo frame with handles screwed into the side and under the glass were all the child's accomplishments and was given to a parent as a tray to set out and put things on.  I made my mom a patch to a start to a quilt.  In the middle I stitched a bible verse.  My dad made all of us a candle out of a branch from a birch tree in our back yard growing up.  It has been some of my most memorable gifts I have given and received! 

Such different but wonderful traditions! Thank you Joelle and Joni for sharing! I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Make memories and enjoy the time you have together!

~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~
Rebecca






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When the Dog Eats Baby Jesus

The following article was recommended by our fabulous Joelle! She says "I just love this article. I read it every year." http://traceysolomon.wordpress.com/2012/12/06/when-the-dog-eats-baby-jesus-you-may-be-missing-the-point/

~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~
Rebecca Pin It

When the Dog Eats Baby Jesus

The following article was recommended by our fabulous Joelle! She says "I just love this article. I read it every year." http://traceysolomon.wordpress.com/2012/12/06/when-the-dog-eats-baby-jesus-you-may-be-missing-the-point/

~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~
Rebecca Pin It