“O renew us, Lord, we pray,
with thy Spirit day by day,
That we ever one may be
With the Father and with thee.”
Wordsworth
SAVOR THE SEASON WITH WORDS
Years ago, I was given a tacky-looking Christmas journal. Instead of re-gifting it,
I picked it up and began filling the pages.
Recording the season with words has been a lovely way of lingering in Christmas for me.
I journal about…
~Things that I LOVE about the season:
Smells– Christmas trees~cookies baking~candles…
Sights– a tree in the back of a truck headed home for decorationg~babies in Santa suits~neighborhood lights…
Sounds- favorite Christmas carols being played in PUBLIC~Salvation Army bells…
~Things that I’ve done:
the annual Christmas dessert~a choir concert~parties with friends~feeding the homeless…
~Things that speak to me in my Advent readings (Scripture, songs. words and poems):
“Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift.” 2 Corinthians 9;5
Jesus– For He will save His people from their sins
Emmanuel– God with us
~Things that I’m struggling with:
financial challenges~walking through loss with grieving loved ones~time crunches~overspending…
~Things that I’m thankful for:
God’s precious gift~my healthy kids~a warm home~my bible~my church~a fun day with friends
Writing suspends time somewhat. It slows us down, allowing us to reflect on the preciousness of this time of year.
It enables us to glance back through the years, to remember things we may have forgotten. Buried nuggets from seasons’ past.
Reading my 2011 entries, I recalled the financial struggles of that time. God was faithful to our family. He loved and provided for us in the midst of a crazy period. How grateful I am to see those provisions in print.
Reading words expressed when my boys were little. I desired to spend meaningful time with them and pull off the holidays too. The Lord carried me those days.
Reading favorite scriptures, cherishing how they’ve spoken to me these years.
I challenge you to write in your own way and in your own time about your own things.
May journaling decrease your pace and be a sweet way of lingering in the season.
My wonderful, tacky-Christmas journal- so glad I didn’t re-gift it!
“O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel.” Phillips Brooks
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