Community Chat

[gloriajean]

Hello my friends! Busy day today again - Deil and Monica left after lunch - we played some more cards before lunch after they came back from shopping again! It was very enjoyable having them there - and then at 5:00 we had a Wedding to go to - Church was full! It was a big wedding - we knew the bride over 30 years! Met up with our old friends again and sat with them and had a nice visit too. Praying for you all and hope you are still counting your blessings - your everyday blessings that sometimes go un-noticed.

Not only must we know God's will, but we must do God's will to enter

the Kingdom of Heaven. Lord, I commit myself to obeying the will of

my heavenly Father.

Scripture for the day:

"You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of

joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore." ~Psalm 16:11

Meditation for the day:

"In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are

pleasures forevermore." We do not find true happiness by looking for

it. Seeking pleasure does not bring happiness in the long run, only

disillusionment. We need not seek to have this fullness of joy by

seeking pleasure. It cannot be done that way. Happiness is a

by-product of living the right kind of life. True happiness comes as

a

result of living in all respects the way we believe God wants us to

live, with regard to ourselves and to other people.

Prayer for the day:

I pray that I may not always seek pleasure as a goal. I pray that I

may be content with the happiness that comes when I do the right

thing.

Good Night Prayer

Good night Dear Jesus, Your Presence I adore.

Grant me to love You more and more.

Do keep me near You that I may holy be.

Dear Gentle Jesus, Good night.

Heart of my Savior, protect me in sleep,

my heart forever in Your love keep.

Bless me dear Savior and keep me in Your sight.

Dear Gentle Jesus, Good night.

25 ways to share the the Joy this Season

1. Mend a broken relationship with a

friend or relative during the holidays.

Wreath

2. Every night of the Christmas Season,

before going to bed, ask yourself,

"Whose life did I make brighter today?"

Wreath

3. Give your toddler the honor of placing

the star or angel on the top of the Christmas tree.

Wreath

4. Try the Swedish custom of writing a short,

lighthearted poem on each of your gift cards

that half reveals the contents of the present.

Wreath

5. Take a holiday family photograph each year in

the same spot, such as by a favorite tree in your yard.

In the years to come, you'll have a wonderful

record not only of the growth in your family,

but also of the growth of your tree.

Wreath

6. Tell your children about Christmas

when you were their age.

Wreath

7. Offer to run Christmas errands

for an elderly friend or relative.

Wreath

8. Record a cheerful Christmas greeting

for your answering machine.

Wreath

9. Learn to say "Merry Christmas" in

several languages.

Wreath

10. Remember that Christmas carols never sound

better than when you sing them in church.

Wreath

11. Tip someone who doesn't expect it.

Wreath

12. End an evening with family and close friends by

forming a circle, holding hands, and

singing a favorite Christmas carol.

Wreath

13. Reserve a night for the entire

family to make ornaments for your tree.

Wreath

14. Set aside some time at the beginning of the

holiday season to help your children

plan their gift-giving lists.

Wreath

15. On a clear night, find the bright North

Star and recall the story of the Wise Men.

Wreath

16. Open Christmas cards as a family activity each

night at the dinner table. Read the messages aloud.

Wreath

17. Toast your friends when they are in your home.

Tell them how much it means to have them there.

Wreath

18. This Christmas, write letters to several people

who have had a positive influence on your life.

Thank them for this gift they have given you.

Wreath

19. Take a decorated miniature tree

to someone in a hospital or nursing home.

Wreath

20. Secretly shovel the snow off

of your neighbor's front walk.

Wreath

21. Instead of giving gifts at the office, take

up a collection to donate to a designated charity.

Wreath

22. If you have friends who have lost family

members since last Christmas, make a special

effort to call and cheer them during the holidays.

Wreath

23. Begin a Christmas journal. Write down memories

your family will share: events you attend, presents

you give and receive, and the

inevitable crises that occur.

Wreath

24. Don't try to do everything yourself.

Remember, even Santa needs helpers.

Wreath

25. Take time to remember that the greatest

holiday gift is a home filled with the people you love.

Don't be too busy today...

Share these ideas with friends and family!

THE FIRST CRIB

St. Francis of Assisi assembled the first crib in a cave on an Italian

hillside in 1223. His aim was to make the Christmas story come alive for the

shepherds and farmers of the locality.

On Christmas eve the friars and the people assembled with candles and

torches to illuminate the night. Then Francis arrived and was very happy

when he saw the preparations they had made.

The crib was put in place.

The hay was brought in.

The ox and donkey were led forward.

The woods rang with their prayers.

The rocks echoed with their hymns.

Francis spoke to them about God's Son coming among us to help us to realize

our splendid dignity as sons and daughters of the same Father.

At the end of the vigil they all returned to their homes, full of peace and

joy, feeling very close to GOD and to ONE ANOTHER.

Blessed Christmas!

(Author Unknown)