Christmas has come and gone - ever so quickly!
The stockings were hung and eventually filled and emptied!
A new handcarved Santa was received with open arms -
and is now safely tucked away with the others for next year.
The tree was of course erected and then...
...beautifully decorated and adorned with shiny ornaments and gifts!
The mantel was strewn with garland and tinsel...
... and delicious gifts arrived from near and far.
It can seem a bit melancholy to have it end...the day after Christmas can
hang in the air with anticipation unfulfilled...
But looking back over the days before Christmas and the special day itself...
all the preparations and the list making, the shopping and gift wrapping,
the card sending and food baking....what I cherished most was the time...
the time stamped with love and spent with friends and family...
attending Christmas Eve Candlelight Service where we worshiped together with songs and praises, dropping by a friend's house and surprising him with some Christmas company, sipping a Mimosa while I watched my grown up kids laugh and smile as they played with a silly toy....and seeing the joy on my husband's face while his eyes filled with pride and gratitude to see how his children have become real blessings to us and to the world.
There is no need to be heavyhearted...
Christmas is not just on December 25th...
Christmas is celebrating the Love that came into the world through the birth of our Savior and being grateful for the sacrifice He made for us - every day can be Christmas - if we remember to show that same love to those around us by spending time with those we love and reaching out to those we don't love so much, surprising someone who needs a little boost, sharing a smile with a stranger and remembering to be grateful for what we have been given today and always!
Merry Christmas Today and Every Day,
Carrie
Christmas always seems to pass in the wink of the eye, doesn't it. It sounds as if your Christmas was filled with beautiful moments filled with love and special family memories. Your home sang a most beautiful Christmas carol with glorious touches of the festive season.. May your 2019, dear Carrie, be one filled with many moments where you shine with the love of Jesus♥
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post. Looks like it was a lovely Christmas.
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays Carrie! My birthday is actually on Christmas Day and I think it's so special to share a birthday with Jesus Christ. You wrote such a beautiful post. It looks like you had a wonderful Christmas!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you had a lovely Christmas! Happy New Year to you too! ♥
ReplyDeleteA great post.
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a blessed Christmas.
We still have some decorations up
since I am still on break but they
will all come down slowly.
M : )
Very happy to see your post pop up and know you had a wonderful Christmas. This time of year goes way too fast! Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Kris
Glad you had a wonderful family and love filled Christmas. Your tree is so pretty! Mine is still up and gifts around it, as hubby has been gone house sitting out of town, and won't be back until Jan. 2nd. We'll have our Christmas then (I did manage to sneak a couple of gifts on Christmas Day and open them).............. and like you said, Christmas should be EVERY day... where we can share our love with others and do nice things for others. Glad you have some precious memories to cherish. Marilyn
ReplyDeleteA sweet and heartfelt post! Wishing you a happy and healthy 2019! x Karen
ReplyDeleteOh, Carrie! I feel the same way. Here today, gone tomorrow. It sounds like you had a wonderful Christmas, I love how you described it!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
Jane
Your home looks so cozy, Carrie. Those hand carved Santas are a treasure. I love your feelings on Christmas, and my sentiments are the same. Happy 2019 to you!
ReplyDeleteHappy happy new year Carrie! !!!
ReplyDeleteYou have some great collections and have beautifully displayed them!
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my blog!
~Heidi