Book Review:Stories Behind the Great Traditions of Christmas by Ace Collins

Posted on by Mary

Christmas

All about Traditions of  Christmas

What Christmas Traditions are your favorite?  Have you ever wondered where on earth we get the traditions we use when we celebrate Christmas?  You know, things like Christmas Cards. Advent, and Christmas trees just to name a few.  Well, Ace takes us back in time to the times and places that these traditions became an indelible mark on our holiday celebrations.  26 chapters you will learn about the history and heart behind each of these traditions!.  Ace definitely did a lot of in-depth research that left us with some very interesting facts.  The chapters are short and could easily be read each night leading up to Christmas.

Some of the interesting facts learned in reading this book :

  • Many of our Christmas traditions were started or carried on through the Vikings.   Especially since the Vikings had the reputation of being a brutal people group. But after the Vikings became Christians it became very important that they made remembrances of their faith.
  • Christmas Seals.  They have been talked about and I never knew what they were-Stamp like stickers used on Christmas envelopes and I most certainly had no idea what they were used for.  Well, they were used for raising money in helping people beat the disease Tuberculosis.
  • Boxing Day and Epiphany- As Americans we don’t usually celebrate these but it was fascinating to earn about these traditions and I must confess I have mentioned to my husband that celebrating and teaching on Epiphany would be neat for our family!

My Thoughts-

Well, I enjoyed this book immensely.  Though I didn’t get it finished in my timeline I will say that it really doesn’t matter when you read this book.  I do think it would be cool to read a chapter a night with our family in the days leading up to Christmas.

It’s so amazing just how much of our Christmas traditions are tied back to the Birth of Baby Jesus too.  It’s a great teaching tool for kids, and it’s easy to understand.  And it would also be very simple to turn into a teaching tool for even younger kids!  ANYONE can enjoy this book.  It is a delight to read for sure.

I also appreciated the few times throughout this book when the author admitted that he just didn’t have the answers to when exactly a tradition started.  Sometimes details like a specific person, place or time are not available and I thought it was neat that he admitted to not knowing.

I honestly cannot wait till next Christmas season when we will delve into this book as a family!

I give this book 5 Christmas lights! Check out this book on Amazon. 

And a super Big THANK YOU to BookLook Bloggers for giving me a free copy of this book to review!  I always give my honest review and am expected to do so!

 

Random Reflections: An Interesting Idea

Posted on by Mary

lists

My Friend Sarah over at SINCERELY ANCHORED  wrote this book last year.  And it spawned interesting idea.  It’s a devotional, It’s dated but it is S-I-M-P-L-E!  When I received it in the mail last year I couldn’t wait to start it so….I started in September!      I had just Finished Hello Mornings where the author spoke about 3 minute mornings and can I tell you THAT principle changed things for me BUT enough on that for now.  I used Sarah’s book in my 3 minute morning routine and boy did I fall in love- but this isn’t a book review (That will come later)

You can get her book here.

But out of the use of Sarah’s book came an idea.

An Idea is Born

It’s no secret that this month is February and with that comes Valentines day (I know I know insert all the yucky faces and cue the comments about it being only a commercial day and blah blah blah- People this is a no negative zone)

Well Sarah decided (perhaps as she should) to use verses based on love throughout this month- people it took me 6 days to catch on I mean REALLY?)

Anyway through some preaching (thanks hubby) and reading on my own and some circumstances in our world we live in I have been wrestling with some questions.

Now I am not going to share this questions right now with you. but as  write over the coming weeks maybe you will begin to see what I have been struggling with.

As I have worked through 6 days of verses based on love I began to ask myself  a different question What if we took those verses and applied them to how we love God. HMMMM!  What triggered this you might ask, well First Corinthians 13 to start.

Lets start at the very beginning

LOVE IS PATIENT- when we hear this at least for me I immediately apply this to my immediate relationships MY husband and kids, but maybe for others it is your parents, or your…..whatever.  But what if we looked at is as showing love to God by being patient with him timing?  We so often  look at  a situation we have been trying to wait patiently on God for- and then one day we just decide enough is enough God needs some help- I’m just gonna give this a nudge in the right direction…..MY direction.  Verse 3b says Love does not demand it’s own way!  Wowsers!! That has all sorts of implications in our world today!  So Many say I love God but I’m still gonna choose……you fill in the blank with  a sin of choice…..But when we get to February 28th and the verse says in John 14:15 IF you love me you WILL keep my commandments.

This is just one of the areas we will touch on overs the coming weeks in February ( and one I’m sure will land in March).  This isn’t going to be an everyday discussion.   It will probably look like every 5 to 7 days  depending on our crazy schedules!

Have you ever looks at verses about loving others and put God in that place I mean after all He is ….

.BLESSINGS

Mary

 

Happy Homemaker …..TUESDAY? UGH!

Posted on by Mary

Hello everyone! And Happy New Y…MONTH

I’m behind WAY BEHIND.   I’m Tired BUT it’s a good kind of tired.  The kind of tired when you feel like you have accomplished so much.  That was my today.  This warm spell here in upstate NY was exactly what this girl needed!   But tonight I must confess my heart is heavy for a sweet friend.  She has been walking a rough road for many years and she is struggling and I don’t blame her one bit.  Because I was once there.   and it hurts to see such a dear friend going through it too. BUT different.  Her name is important and the situation is important but praying for her doesn’t require specific knowledge. Pray for peace, pray for courage to fight with God’s strength not her own. Pray she stay strong in her faith. Pray that she will shine through all that is false.  Pray for this sweet woman!

The weather outside is::::

WELLLL this morning and most of that day was GORGEOUS!  Springlike and just downright glorious! Tomorrow however Really don’t want to think about that right now!!

On the breakfast plate this morning::::

a Soft pretzel.  I know breakfast of champions right?  Nah not really I was in a hurry and needed something quick!

As I look outside my window:::

Blackness.  we live in the country so there aren’t many lights at all

Right now I am::::

sipping my favorite tea (Plantation Mint aka spearmint tea) basking in the silence as I type

As I look around the house::::

Well the kitchen in in really good shape.  the living room needs some tidying and there are a few loads of laundry to be doe but our back stairwell, my sewing cabinet, bedroom and craft room needs some help!   Thats Thursday nights project!

On today’s to do list::::

Well today was tackling the kitchen and it’s 90% there and the kitchen bathroom is cleaned and dinner was made

Currently reading::::

oh man I have a big list as of right now!

  • Enough by Sharon Jaynes
  • The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren
  •  The Stories Behind the Great Traditions of Christmas  by Ace Collins (I told you I was way Behind)
  • the Bible Specifically a verse/topical study on Joy My word for the year
  • and a book with my two youngest sons – 10 Boys who Changed the World by Irene How

On the TV today:::: Different Strokes I’m such an 80’s-90’s kid!

On the menu this week::::

Monday –  Leftover chili ( I had a salad since I can’t eat chili at night time)

Tuesday –  Mac and Cheese with hotdogs

Wednesday – Sloppy Joes with Tater tots

Thursday – Grilled Cheese and soup (I will decide what type I will be making Thursday morning)

Friday – Pizza and wings

Saturday –  Steak um sandwiches (LOL this is leftovers (frozen) from a few weeks ago when hubby and I had a family night and gave the kids a blast from our past)

Sunday – Meatball subs

What I am creating at the moment::::

a wrap for around hubby’s face when he is splitting wood outside in the cold some paintings and some Cricut projects

Favorite photo from the camera::::

happy basketball

Our girls first yea playing basketball, she loves it so much

Prayers, Inspirational Quotes or Devotionals::::

Friends and family going through stuff.  Physical, emotional faith struggles.

our family has 2 big things coming up in the future.   can’t say anything as of yet. Stay tuned.

My verse for the Year

Romans 12:12

12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Want to see more Happy Homemaker Monday Posts? Check out Diary of a stay at Home Mom

 

Book Review: Less Than Perfect by Ann Spangler

Posted on by Mary

Perfect

Ann Spangler writes some of the most interesting narratives of  people of the Bible .  In her Book Less Than Perfect  Ann shows how God takes those who are  “less than perfect” and uses them and their stories for His Glory. It s a truth that our churches and our world so desperately need to hear and embrace today.  The people of the Bible were  not perfect, they are sinful humans like you and I  and we all need to realize that no matter how messy our stories are God is completely capable of taking this messes and transforming them into pictures of his grace and his mercy!

This isn’t the normal devotional either . So many times devotionals take creative license and go too far but this devotional is different..  Ann finds the fine balance of creative license and  truth.   Each chapter (or days depending on how you choose to use the devotional,) is broken into three sections:

  • The Account-  This is what actually happened in Scripture. And yes she takes creative license to fill the gaps.
  • The times- This section is unique because it is basically the historical background and explains why certain things for The Account Section has significance.It is so important to understand these details and it helps us to understand why the account is important to our lives.
  • The Takeaway- YIKES. sometimes the questions in devotionals are  lacking in substance.    In this devotional however you will quickly find yourself digging deep as you interact with the account from scripture.

I really enjoyed the book.  When I first got the book I thumbed through the pages and I got giddy because the chapters were “short” HA Just because a chapter is short does not necessarily mean it’s an easy read or fast read!   I found that  scattered through the chapters were these bullets/ sidebar pieces.  Now these were horrid for me to read!   So I asked a friend to give her thoughts on it.  She said it was way difficult for her to read as well.  So I found that if I  took a picture with my phone and made it bigger I could read it BUT THAT TAKES A LONG TIME!

That is the only real downfall I found with the book.  I enjoyed it thoroughly!  I have not finished all the questions either mainly because they are SOOOOO in depth and took a fair amount of pondering!  BUT I really enjoy that about devotionals I want to dig deep and grow closer to Go!

I give this book four out of five Starts

Thanks to BookLook Bloggers for my free copy of this book for reviewing purposes.   All of my options given in the book are mine.  I am in no way compensated fora positive review!

Happy Homemaker Monday- October 29th 2018

Posted on by Mary

Homemaker

Happy Homemaker Monday Everyone!  Can you believe it is the last few days of October.  I know my mind is completely jumped past Halloween and Im in full swing thinking about Thanksgiving!

The weather outside is:::: I must say that the dreariness that we have been experiencing has made me somewhat exhausted.   It been raining pretty much for three days straight.  It cool and very fall like.  I have very much missed seeing the vibrant leaves this fall It’s what makes the gray days of fall bearable !  I love how the  gray skies make the bright foliage pop.  However this fall theist description I can give to you is that it looks like a very muddy fall watercolor painting outside!

On the breakfast plate this morning:::: Hahaha I am not a breakfast eater at all.  I had coffee and two pieces of bacon at 6:30 and then normally -today was no different I eat brunch around 10:30 or 11

As I look outside my window::: WET SOGGY GRAY that is all

Right now I am:::: I just let the kids in after they got off the bus.

As I look around the house:::: Weekend mess.  I will whip it into shape this evening but this morning I spent preppy our church play.

On today’s to do list:::: I had to get the play thing figured out.  Every time I have pursued a play option the door closed.   Now I have landed on a spectacular option and the details are all falling into place

Currently reading:::: Less Than Perfect by Ann Spangler (My review book)Courageous Creative by Jenny Randle (half way through the study!!) Jesus Calling and the Bible

On the TV today:::: Wild Prairie Rose

On the menu this week::::

Monday –  Tacos

Tuesday –  Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole

Wednesday – Pizza and a movie night with some friends

Thursday -meatball subs

Friday – Loaded baked potato soup

Saturday – chili and Biscuits

Sunday -meatloaf and loaded mashed potatoes

What I am creating at the moment:::: Well I have been kind of obsessed with water color painting.  I have tinkered with it for a while BUT now I am full blown addicted to learning

Favorite photo from the camera:::

:homemaker

One of the challenges from last week  from Courageous Creative was to watch a youtube tutorial of how to draw something you have always wanted to learn how to draw. Mine was a pansy.  o used my water color pencils (still learning with those)

Prayers, Inspirational Quotes or Devotionals::::

Perfectionists fixate on making  flawless art, but our greatest pursuit is to find God’s perfect Heart.

Jenny Randle Courageous Creative

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