Merry Christmas!
Well, it's finally here! Ready or not, it's Christmas!
In the days leading up to Christmas there's so much craziness that by the time many of us get to the actual day, we're more than a little tired, even stressed. I hope on this holiest of days that you can sit and take a deep breath and think of why we celebrate it.
I've enjoyed all the food and treats, movies, gatherings, decorations -- all the things we associate with the trappings of the season. I've been inspired by the special messages of inspiration I've read in the past weeks (thanks, Kathy, for the quotes in Wedneday's blog and Beth's real life message of prayer heard on Monday, among others).
Even more, I've been filled with hope about people when I read and the newspaper or Facebook or watch television news and see strangers helping others in need. Just because it's Christmas didn't mean that jobs weren't lost, cars didn't break down, couples didn't call a time out, and loved ones didn't decide to fall ill or die.
Yet every time there was a need expressed, strangers said they'd pray, money was offered up for groceries or shelter, presents were dropped off in boxes for children who wouldn't have a Christmas. Undoubtedly every need wasn't met or hearts aren't still hurting.
But that's life and it's still our best gift from God, along with His Son whose birth we celebrate on this day.
I wish you joy and love and spiritual peace today and every day. Merry Christmas!
Blessings,
Barbara
In the days leading up to Christmas there's so much craziness that by the time many of us get to the actual day, we're more than a little tired, even stressed. I hope on this holiest of days that you can sit and take a deep breath and think of why we celebrate it.
I've enjoyed all the food and treats, movies, gatherings, decorations -- all the things we associate with the trappings of the season. I've been inspired by the special messages of inspiration I've read in the past weeks (thanks, Kathy, for the quotes in Wedneday's blog and Beth's real life message of prayer heard on Monday, among others).
Even more, I've been filled with hope about people when I read and the newspaper or Facebook or watch television news and see strangers helping others in need. Just because it's Christmas didn't mean that jobs weren't lost, cars didn't break down, couples didn't call a time out, and loved ones didn't decide to fall ill or die.
Yet every time there was a need expressed, strangers said they'd pray, money was offered up for groceries or shelter, presents were dropped off in boxes for children who wouldn't have a Christmas. Undoubtedly every need wasn't met or hearts aren't still hurting.
But that's life and it's still our best gift from God, along with His Son whose birth we celebrate on this day.
I wish you joy and love and spiritual peace today and every day. Merry Christmas!
Blessings,
Barbara
Posted by Barbara Cameron at 12/24/2009 9:27 PM 
Categories: An Amish Christmas, An Amish Gathering, Amish novellas
Tags: Amish fiction
Categories: An Amish Christmas, An Amish Gathering, Amish novellas
Tags: Amish fiction
Merry Christmas Barbara and all you sweet ladies, just a quick note to thank you for all the wonderful messages you have written they mean so much to me, and for the super stories you have shared with me, I love all the books I have by each of you, and so far have not been able to part with a one to share.. shame on me
M
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Marti,
What a sweet note! Thank you for taking the time to write and say how much you've enjoyed our stories. I know Beth, Kathy, Amy, and I appreciate your support!
Hope you had a wonderful holiday!
Barbara
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Barbara, I'm behind in posting comments due to the illness and death of my husband's brother recently, and our son-in-law's still fighting cancer for two years now, but wanted to tell you that I'm excited to learn about your new series and will be looking forward to reading it. I have friends who still do quilting, so they should enjoy your books, too, when I share them with them.
In light of Kathy's recent post of Christmas sayings and Beth's about miracles, I just wanted to share our small Christmas miracle that meant a lot to our family. Back in October several exotic deer got loose from a ranch near us. Both visited us for awhile, but we hadn't seen either for almost a month. Then Wednesday, December 23, when 14 our of the 21 in our family were able to get together for Christmas, the larger of the two exotics showed up out on the St. Francis Trail! He looked majestic, with his tall horns; and to our granddaughter, Katie, who had just learned this year that Santa was Mom & Dad, but still wanted to believe in the magic of Christmas, it was like a visit from one of Santa's reindeer! What made it extra special was that our daughter Teresa had told Katie before they came that maybe the reindeer came by to eat corn at Grandma's house! What a special blessing this was for all of us, as the exotic stayed on the trail and ate corn for a good while, so that all got to see him and enjoy him! We thank God for the chance for our family to be together and for sending this "reindeer" to make our day so memorable!
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