During this wondrous Christmas Season... Katie and I
would like to share in the spirit of giving by
giving away each week... one of the "Souls of Joy"
art dolls AND one set of four handmade cards.
This Wednesday, Dec. 8th
"Sascha... defender of mankind"
will find a new home...
as will a packet of four handmade cards!
Here is how it works:
During these fours weeks in Advent
between now and Christmas
on Wednesday evening (12/1, 12/8, 12/15, 12/22)
Katie and I will choose the TWO posts
that we feel best express the "Reason for the Season!"
Each week, one post will be selected to receive
a "Soul of Joy" doll, and one post will be selected
to receive a set of four handmade cards.
Share the joy and post a note that inspires us all!
Yuletide Blessings... Daryle & Katie
When I sit and ponder the reason for Christmas it is almost too much for me to take in. To know that Jesus chose to enter our world in human flesh, and a baby at that. To do for us what we could not do for ourselves. To open up a way to make "relationship" with him possible again. To save us is amazing in itself, but it's so much more than that. It's love and unconditional acceptance, healing and life for the hear and now.
ReplyDeleteRestoring what was lost.
Such amazing grace!!
Daryle and Katie,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for spreading joy and harolding the Reason for the Season.
It is so easy to overlook the real reason we celebrate. In all the hustle and bustle and desire to make our children's wishes come true, we bury the real celebration.
Jesus is my Savior and Lord. I have not always been faithful to Him, but He has always been faithful to me.
He was faithful from the beginning of time and gave all of Himself so that I could spend eternity with him. He gave himself so that I could see what real love is.
During a very difficult time of trial and failure, I heard these words in my heart many years ago: "You are the pure, wholesome girl I made you to be the day you were born again. Now my child you have merely been acting out of character".
That is the reason for my celebration! He sees me...redeemed and perfect in His sight!
Annette-Confounded Concoctions
Something supernatural happens this time of year. People stand out in the cold and ring a bell and weary, spent shoppers find themselves compelled to shove money into a pail for those who have less...I worked as a CNA in a nursing home and always loved this season. The Christians come out in force to bring gifts of candy and lotions and other needful things. They sing carols and bring in small children and pets to hold. The joy of the season is contagious and the residents spirits (many of them abandoned by friends and family ) are lifted. It is a precious time of year...but January comes and as quickly as the spirit of Christmas comes it goes and a sadness settles over the people as things settle back into the norm. I don't say this to bring you down. All of the excitement is exhausting for the residents and couldn't be sustained year around but I encourage everyone to visit those you know, who are shut in, throughout the year. It means so much.
ReplyDeleteDaryl and Katie -
ReplyDeleteI have struggled this year in finding a "reason for the season" - it seems like my life in the past few years has been a Greek tragedy. This year for me it is about hope.
From my husband losing his parents within 6 months of each other, losing a sister-in-law to cancer, losing several friends to tragic accidents - and just when we are starting to recover - losing my job and my husband has a workplace accident. Fate sure has a way with messing with us!
But when I force myself to remember everything I am thankful for - my mother is still with us, family and friends rally around us, my family is still making ends meet and has food on the table, and I have found a new passion in dollmaking - I start to remember what it's like to have hope.
I recently read Eat, Pray, Love and while several passages from the book spoke to me, this one stands out:
"There’s a crack (or cracks) in everyone…that’s how the light of God gets in."
Without the bad, we would not be able to appreciate the good.
I hope you both have a wonderful holiday!
Shauna
The cards arrived today...excitement...JOY...they are lovely. My favorite is the pansy one but they are each finely done. Thank you
ReplyDeleteThis time of year is so uplifting and joyous for me. I embrace it's arrival as it brings us hope; hope for mankind and a deep love for all. Celebrating the birth of Christ and the anticipation of his return is the greatest celebration of all. Peace on earth is a prayer for all which one day will be upon us. In celebrating the season and awaiting the return of Christ to save us all from the "ways of the world" and bring us that peace, I love the sharing and giving that I have the opportunity for during this time. I chrish the opportunity to make a difference in others lives and especially those in need. To ease the struggles others are having and give them a sense of love, hope and peace as Christ does for me makes this season a season for believin' and I pray for it for all.
ReplyDeleteThank you both for allowing me to share my reasons for the season.
Happy Holidays,
Jody
visionquest2020 AT msn DOT com
Hello Daryle and Katie,
ReplyDeletewithout peeking to see what others have commented I will come straight out with the Reason for the Season being that there is NO season that is more or less suited to the asking of "What am I here for, what is my role and what can I do?" But, as the year goes to its end we do tend to sit and ask ourselves what we have achieved this year. Perhaps it is the silence that snow causes if you live in the northern hemisphere. Sounds get filtered out and we hear the unusual quiteness that catches our attention and allows us to think for a change.
Whatever it is caused by, we become aware of some special great joy or 'otherness' that this season brings and of our responsibility in furthering it. Your Souls of Joy dolls remind us that we are more than the solid flesh we often take ourselves to be. We need a Defender of Mankind to remind us that what we ourselves do has an effect on others. We are all responsible for making each and every season 'special'.
denise
http://brittanyfaeries.blogspot.com/