Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Bringing in the Light


As we count down to Christmas Day, 
we have brought together many
traditions from all over the world,
most going back centuries.



Decorating the Christmas tree.....
(or two)


Anticipating Santa's arrival.......


Or perhaps Father Christmas.....


(I found these darling little lambs at Spot on Cedar Pond
Santa and Father Christmas were made by me.)


But the real reason, of course, is the birth
of the baby Jesus.


A symbol of hope, light, and all things
 good, just, and holy.


In this,  the darkest time of the year,
we each bring our own light
to our celebrations.

All things bright and shiny
 reflect our own inner light.



Angels, God's divine messengers,
are lovingly displayed.


Nature's gifts are brought inside -



And if we are fortunate, we have
a warm and cozy home
on these cold December days.

It's a time to remember those less
fortunate, who might not be so blessed.




It's a time for giving and receiving....

A beautifully wrapped blog give-away that I 
won from Celeste at Southern Day Dreams


A sweet little tree in a tart tin,
surrounded by presents.



So perfect on my kitchen queen shelf.
Thank you, Celeste!


It's a time to remember those no longer
with us, and a time to pray for
all those struggling with serious health issues,
loss, and misfortune.


And it's a time to gather those we love
 together, to celebrate
this holy season of light
with joy and peace in our hearts,
counting our blessings
that we made it through another year.

Another year to live, love and learn
what is most most important
in this life.


Faith, Family, Friends.
And all the love and light we can share.

Sending all of you my very best wishes
for a truly beautiful Christmas,
filled with love, wonderful memories
 and many lovely blessings.

xoxoxo

Karen


32 comments:

  1. Amen to this. Thanks for sharing your beautiful words and photos. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

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  2. MERRY CHRISTMAS to you...
    Warm hug,
    Titti

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  3. Hi Karen, such a beautiful post sharing your home and the gorgeous displays you share with family and friends. Your trees are so pretty and I adore your hand created Santa with the little lamps. So adorable.
    So glad you can enjoy the little tree in the tart cup and how cute it looks on your hutch. Thank you for sharing and the mention. So kind of you!!

    Thank you for the directions on how to restore the lost followers. I am terrified to delete the gadget and start over. It feels like everything will go away all together. I had 1030 in followers so this is scary to do.
    If it goes away, I'll leave it off but thanks for letting me know.

    Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and all the best in the new year. So glad I met you and look forward to lots of fun visits in the new year.
    Blessings, xo

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  4. Back to share this info Karen however thank you for the details you used for your followers. This is effecting Google Friends connect and I think you are referring to Google+ which is in the gadgets. Google Friends connect is not in gadgets and to delete that would make it all go away completely Thank you however for sharing what you did for google+
    I just did a check and found this out. I don't know where to fix or change google friends connect. It's very old since 2009 and I started in around 2011 and not sure how I even added it. haha. Thanks so much for trying to help out. I don't even have google+ on my sidebar. Tried to add it once last year and it would not show up.
    Hugs xo

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  5. Karen, I thoroughly enjoyed your festive post. Wow - you made those Santas! Both are precious. Father Christmas looks so nice and toasty all bundled up! Merry Christmas!

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  6. Dearest Karen,
    What a wonderfully written post about the essence of the true Christmas.
    Love your groupings and the hand made Santa and Father Christmas!
    Congrats with winning the giveaway from Celestina Marie.
    Sending you blessings and hugs for a Merry Christmas.
    Mariette

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  7. I enjoyed seeing your pretty Christmas trees! They do make our houses seem so cozy, don't they? I wish I could keep mine up all year, but I don't think the rest of my family would agree to it:) Congrats on winning the giveaway. The Santas you made are perfect! I like all the miniatures you added to them.
    I wish you and your family a wonderful Christmas!

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  9. Dear Karen, this is a beautiful post! You truly do live in a wonderful part of the world!! Have a very Merry Christmas! I am so looking forward to what will be shared in 2016!!

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  10. Dear KAren,
    I wish you and your family a wonderful , joyful and peaceful Christmas! Thank you for this wonderful post!
    Sending Love, hugs and blessings and all the best for 2016!
    Claudia xo

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  11. Dear Karen, this is such a beautifully written post you have shared for the Christmas holiday. I wish you and your family a blessed Christmas and all the best for the new year. Merry Christmas, Pat xx

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  12. Hello, beautiful words and post. Your home and Christmas decorations are so pretty. Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Years!

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  13. Thank you a lot for writing such a wonderful post and bringing with it a Christmas mood. WE all at stilusessaywriting.com office would like to wish you and your family all the best this Christmas and in a New year.

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  14. Hola amiga querida ,, espero que pase una linda Navidad junto a sus seres queridos y este 2016 llegue cargado de bendiciones
    Catiños

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  15. What a beautiful Christmas message. I love your amazing view my friend. Merry Christmas, Diane

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  16. What a lovely post with beautiful photos and wonderful words.

    I gasped at the beauty of your blue tree. WOW!

    Love, hugs, peace and joy for you and yours this Christmas and have a wonderful 2016.

    FlowerLady

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  17. Merry Christmas~ Dear Karen.
    Your home always looks so inviting and warm, Thank you for sharing a little piece of your life with us.
    Your pretty little Christmas tree from Celestina looks perfect with your red dishes. Congratulations on your win!

    May your Christmas be filled with much joy as you gather together with loved ones, and blessings to you in the New Year that awaits us.

    Much love~ Debbie

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  18. I am so behind on blog reading Karen, and sorry to not have visited for a while. I thought I would pop by and wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and hope that the festive period is jam packed with happy family time. Take care xx

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  19. Well said and with such lovely photos.

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  20. Beautiful glow to your tree Karen!! I see your getting snow, it has been too warm here for that so we have been having thunderstorms and tornado watches, really crazy weather for this time of year. I love your picture of the nativity with the rays of sunshine coming through, so pretty. Wishing you and your family a blessed Christmas and a wonderful year ahead!

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  21. Merry Christmas to you and your family dearest Karen!
    Love, Olympia

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  22. Two Christmas trees - I knew it! You do everything with such style and enthusiasm and zest for life, why would Christmas be any different?! Hope it is your best one ever.
    Wren x

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  23. Dear Karen,

    Beautiful post and I enjoyed seeing your wonderfully decorated home.
    Hope you have had a merry Christmas with your family. Building memories, to cherish for years to come is a lovely thing.
    Happy holidays and best wishes for 2016.
    hugs
    Carolyn

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  24. I am hoping you enjoyed a lovely Christmas, Karen, and are relaxing in the after-glow of it, as I am. I have so enjoyed your friendship over this past year, and look forward to sharing in 2016!
    I have a couple of those wee sheep from Kathy, too. I love them!
    Blessings, Deborah

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  25. The sentiments expressed here are those that matter most to me and my family. Such a beautiful post . ( Thank-you for mentioning my little sheep, they look so sweet in your display.)

    I have come to enjoy the day after Christmas Day most during this season because I finally have time to reflect on all the joy of family gatherings and also what matters most. You said it here. Blessings and Happy New year !

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  26. Dearest Karen,
    I cherish also the traditions and the Christmas decorations have all their stories ... That makes them even more special!
    Enjoy the Christmas Holidays and have many blessed moments with family and friends,
    Lots of love from
    Nina

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  27. I tried to comment on this post at Jess' house when I was there for Christmas, but it didn't go through. I love the blue lights on your tree, so pretty. Blue lights at Christmas is always so special. And your red bowls on your kitchen shelf looks charming.

    Wishing you lots of peace and joy in the new year, Karen. I have enjoyed your blog this year so much.

    ~Sheri

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  28. Merry Christmas dear friend..beautiful post..
    Hugs

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  29. Your home does indeed look cozy. And I love the blue tree. Happy New Year!

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  30. Wonderful post Karen! Thanks a lot for inviting us to get into your house.

    Hugs and kisses from Spain

    Marina

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  31. A very beautiful post and photos Karen. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and wish you many blessings for the new year. Pam

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Thank you for stopping by! Your comments are important to me and are very much appreciated. xx Karen

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