The Christmas Pickle for Your Christmas Tree, A Fun Tradition

 I learned about hanging a pickle sharped ornament in our Christmas tree when I was a child in Wisconsin. I have told lots of people about it since moving to California. 

 The tradition says to hide the pickle ornament in your tree and the first child to find it gets applause or is first to open a present or whatever reward your family chooses. Can you see my pickle ornaments in the first photo? They are rather hidden. This tradition probably began in Germany.

Here is a Scripture to read with family in this Christmas season: "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

This post was written by Terra Hangen today, and I hope you enjoy it and that it encourages Christmas joy in your home.

 

Merry Christmas To All

 Here is my new angel on the top of my tree, photographed today. My old angel is retired and has a place on the fireplace mantel. I fancy I see a sweet smile on the face of this angel. Do you?

Here is a poem from "Voices in the Mist" by Alfred, Lord Tennyson, quoted in our "A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts: Stories to Warm Your Heart and Tips to Simplify Your Holiday" book:

The time draws near the birth of Christ:

The moon is hid; the night is still;

The Christmas bells from hill to hill

Answer each other in the mist.

Four voices of four hamlets round,

From far and near, on mead and moor,

Swell out and fail, as if a door

Were shut between me and the sound:

Each voice four changes on the wind,

That now dilate, and now decrease,

Peace and goodwill, goodwill and peace,

Peace and goodwill to all mankind.

This post was written by co-author Terra Hangen with the intent of spreading Christmas joy

The Light Shines At Christmas

 

Here is our new wreath, shining in the darkness and a poem about our bright and morning star from our "Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts: Stories to Warm Your Heart and Tips to Simplify Your Holiday."

Come thou bright and morning star, Light of light without beginning!

Shine upon us from afar that we may be kept from sinning.

Drive away by thy clear light our dark night.

Let thy grace, like morning dew, falling soft on barren places,

Comfort, quicken and renew our dry souls and dying graces;

Bless thy flock from thy rich store

Evermore.

Poem written by Christian K. von Rosenroth 1636-1689. Translated by Richard Massie 1800-1887

Merry Christmas to All. Post written by Terra Hangen

My new Christmas angel tree topper in her golden gown arrives

Merry Christmas friends far and near.
Here is a photo of my new Christmas tree angel topper in her golden gown. I had to replace my twenty year old angel tree topper because she showed signs of scorching near her lights.
Here is the new angel below.

Below is our angel in her white gown who is now moved to near the nativity scene, where she can keep an eye on things, while not being plugged in. Like me, I think she is liking the change, as she retires from being queen of the tree, and I retired from work.

Below is one of my new ornaments, made from a kit by my son Lane, of Bounce's paw print.

The other new ornament is below, and is also handmade, painted by a neighbor of my son Colt.

As you can see it features a purple mushroom and a cute Christmas gnome.
Have you added new ornaments to your tree this year?
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6 KJV
I hope your Christmas is blessed and merry.
Written by Terra, one of the co-authors of "The Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts."

We Celebrate Advent, which means Coming or Arrival

The tradition of Advent is 1400 years old and leads us to look forward to and to celebrate the birth of Christ. We are looking back to the birth of Jesus in a manger in Bethlehem and looking forward to the return of the Messiah, at at unknown time. Candles are a reminder of the light of the savior who was born into a dark world to bring us that light.

This angel is a cute representation of the powerful and holy angels who announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds in Bethlehem,

The wise men or three Kings followed the star from their lands to Bethlehem when they learned that Christ was to be born.
Advent now officially begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas day which is Advent Sunday and it ends at midnight on Christmas eve, December 24.
Many homes and churches have Advent wreaths with 4 candles. Three of the candles represent hope, peace and love and are often purple. The final candle is often red and represents the joy of new life offered to us by Christ's birth and sacrifice on the cross. Sometimes a fifth white candle is added which is lit on Christmas eve and symbolizes Christ's birth and that he is the "light of the world."
Do you have Advent traditions in your home?
I would like to hear about them. Terra Hangen

Some Happy Christmas Photos

Hi. I am one of the authors of "Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts". We all got together and created this blog. Above is my dog Bounce in his first Christmas sweater. He is thinking What is she thinking! I adopted Bounce last year and he is a sweetie.

My new 24 inch tall bird tree with 12 birds on it. I think it is cheerful. Did you add new Christmas decorations this year?

Gifts given to me from the GriefShare / Surviving the Holidays classes I attended at a local church. For anyone having a sad time at the holidays or anytime, I recommend the GriefShare program (13 sessions at different times of the year) and the Surviving the Holidays event.
Merry Christmas to All.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

Rudy Day, Bible gift idea

It is Rudy Day again, the 25th of each month and a good time to think of Christmas gifts.
Here is an idea I love.

This is the "ESV Daily Reading Bible: Through the Bible in a Year". I treated myself to a copy last Christmas and I find it very easy to read about 15 minutes a day in this Bible. At the end of one year you will have read the Old Testament once and the New Testament twice. Today I looked at Christianbooks.com and it is only $6.99.
No, I have no connection with that online store, but love that low price!
A wonderful Scottish pastor, Robert Murray M'Cheyne (1813-1843) created this reading plan. I was stunned to see he lived to be only 30 and yet left this lasting treasure.
I think this Bible would be a great Christmas gift to yourself or anyone on your gift list, and then they could start in reading on January first.
What gifts are you planning to buy or make?
This was posted by Terra Hangen.