Advent ~ Traditions

by Journeys of My Heart, posted in Life Foundations
Advent ~ Traditions
 
This Scandinavian heart was my first Norwegian ornament. I was fascinated by how they were formed, and then of course, I like hearts too, so it was perfect for me. I was quite young when I got it. It is on my tree every year.
 
Traditions are activities we do that are special to us. They are ways to celebrate our heritage and our family life. We grow up with them. If asked, we all have traditions that were part of our growing up years. You may have chosen to make your own as you got older. But they are a part of our lives all year-long, but especially meaningful to us on holidays.
 
You see, some are given to us over and over. Some we see later in our lives and so we incorporate them into our lives. Here are just a few of mine:
 
~Christmas Eve is Lutefisk and usually ham for non Lutefisk eaters.
~Lefse is served.
~I make traditional krumkaker, which is my favorite.
~Other traditional cookies and goodies.
~I have a wood piece with advent drawers for 25 days of Christmas.
~I always enjoy setting a cozy table scape.
~I have a Santa and Mrs Santa that my mom painted but never finished and I display it each year.
~We always toast of thanks with special cider before we eat.
~We open Christmas presents on Christmas Eve.
We don’t go all out on each other for gifts. Often times, it is something we can do for the person. Christmas Eve is the special celebration for us.
~Easy and lazy morning Christmas Day and usually at home.
~I have candelabras that are in two of my windows, since I only have two so far. This is something I finally found in the last few years and started with one and I hope each year to add one so I have it for all the windows.
~I’m big on candles, so I have several lit throughout my house.
~I put up my dad’s Christmas Tree every year and light it.
~The smell of pine in the house.
~It’s become hard to do now but I used to make Kringler cookies and we all sat at the table and rolled and made them.
~I also make Chinese Noodle Chocolate/Butterscotch cookies that if I don’t make, the guys ask where they are.
 
Those are just a few from my house. Fun memories. Traditions are good for us. Don’t be afraid to start new ones either! It can be hard during this season also for those of you who are alone, or lost a loved one, because of the traditions you enjoyed together. That’s ok. In the future, you may find you are able to come back to some of those traditions. Also, if your normal traditions seem like it’s too much to do, make a new one that is easier to do this year. Sometimes it is the most simple things that your family remembers. Start something new with your family, and they will take that with them when they have their own place. Quiet your soul so that you can enjoy Christmas… that is for what it means to you right now, this year. It is such a wonderful time to be thankful for all He has done.
 
It’s your story. Pass it along, not just in the doing but in the telling of why it is a tradition. Think about what you are doing as your traditions and then share how it came to be or why you have chosen to keep the tradition. We each have a story…don’t forget to tell yours!
Until next time…
JoAnn

Advent ~ Friends

by Journeys of My Heart, posted in Life Foundations
Advent ~ Friends
 
This ornament hangs on my tree because of a friend that shared it with me as a Christmas Gift. I love it for many reasons…its red, it reflects wonderful light, and it is LeCreuset, which I love cooking with, and also because of the thoughtfulness of the gift. But most of all, I love it because it is from a very dear friend.
 
Friends are important to me. Because of that, I try to be the best friend I can back to them. This ornament reminds me that this time of year is a time to be grateful for all God has given to me, and friends and family are tops on my list! My friends have seen me through a LOT! I also have been with them through a LOT! What a blessing and treasure it is to have them in my life! So… when I see something on my tree that they have shared with me, or I use something they have given me, my heart is full. Every. Time.
 
Remember your friends at Christmas. A special hand written note to tell them how much you appreciate them. A phone call if you haven’t talked in a while. We never know where they are at in their life. It may look fine from the outside, but there may be some real tough stuff going on in the inside. Your note, or call, or cookies, or visit, may be just what they need to lift their spirit. God is timely like that… He will bring them to mind. Don’t just say, “Yes I should….”. Do the thing! It’s the time of giving…giving of yourself is FREE!
 
Lean on me, when I’m not strong. I’ll be your friend, I’ll help you carry on. (It isn’t a hymn or chorus, but perfect just the same).
Until next time…
JoAnn

Advent ~ Open Doors

by Journeys of My Heart, posted in Life Foundations
Advent ~ Open Doors
I loved finding this ornament several years ago because to me at the time, it represented my home; especially my office. Today in this home, it represents my cabin/office. It represents invitation, welcome, and expectation of what is to come. I wrote JoAnn’s Studio on the picture to personalize it for me. (And Mail on the mail slot :)) It is my study place, reading spot, my creative space, and my escape.
Did you know that Doors are one of the languages of God? So this year that made me excited when I saw this ornament in my box. I decided to use it to share. Maybe during this Season of Advent/Christmas, it is sadness, or fear of the future, or not knowing, or maybe unanswered prayer that makes you keep the door of your heart closed. Satan likes to get us discouraged, I think, especially this time of year because He knows if we catch the real meaning of this Christmas Season, and live by it, we will be changed for more than this few days of December!
What ever it is, swing wide the door and welcome it! Don’t fear it. If you are a believer than the Holy Spirit is IN you! That means we have nothing to fear. Just call on Him and He will answer. He gave us the Holy Spirit to be in us, so we can call on the Holy Spirit to take over the situation. Trust Him…answer the knock…open the door.
When Jesus comes in, He will save you from sin, but YOU must open the door…
Until next time…
JoAnn

Advent ~ It’s About Hope

by Journeys of My Heart, posted in Life Foundations

 

Advent ~ It’s About Hope

The hope ornament is something that lifts my spirits when I see it. There are times in our lives where it feels hopeLESS. The reminder of this hanging on my tree is something that lifts my spirits when I see it.

We have hope because a child was born that would one day save the lives of those who come to love Him. Because of that, we have eternal life.

It’s also a time to fan the flame of our desire to follow closely to Jesus. All the Christmas lights are wonderful and I enjoy them all! But it is US who are supposed to be the light in the world.

Be still my soul, the Lord is on thy side….

 

Until next time…

JoAnn

Advent ~ Give a Coat

by Journeys of My Heart, posted in Life Foundations
Advent ~ Give a Coat
I’m sorry to have missed my post for yesterday. Got interrupted by the needs of someone else here at home. And…that’s ok.
I love this sweet vintage coat ornament. It reminds me of doll clothes when I was young. I would have loved to have had a coat like this as a little girl. So cute.
But it also reminds me of the love that we are asked to share EVERY day with those around us. And that includes those who may need a coat to go along with the mittens of the last post. It’s a cold time of year and many are without a warm home to go to. So it’s a great time to share Christmas with someone who might need a sweatshirt or coat to keep them warm. Make it a family project.
Wear Jesus in your heart so they see Jesus in your actions…and share a coat. Share the story of the Season that Jesus loves them and provides for them. Be His hands and feet. He knows what its like to be outside in the elements of the night.
Silent Night, Holy Night…
Until next time…
JoAnn

Advent ~ Cozy Warmth

by Journeys of My Heart, posted in Life Foundations
Advent ~ Cozy Warmth
 
Remember those younger days when winter came to visit and it got very cold to play outside? The first thing my mom would say if I wanted to go outside was, “You better put something on your hands so you stay warm.” Maybe you are saying that same thing now to your children or grandchildren. My family didn’t have a whole lot when I was young and so sometimes that “something warm” on my hands was my dad’s wool work socks; maybe two pair! But it worked for quite a while. If we got mittens at some point, they were a gift, and they were also handed down to the child below us when we outgrew them. Share and share alike, you know. Pass down the blessing. 😉
 
This ornament reminds me of those times. It represents warmth to me; not just for my hands, but the warmth of our homes; lights and candles, the warm in our hearts as we share time together. At my house as a child, it was also music. My dad would take out his harmonica and play a few Christmas songs. I remember feelings proud that my dad could play all sizes of harmonicas. He even had a mini that he could play! Blessed times.
 
It’s not about how fancy everything is. Think about it…the wisemen came and shared time with baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph, in a stable with animals around them. I doubt they smelled the stable smells…they were into the moment…seeing the Christ Child they had heard so much about. Excited to see the scripture fulfilled. And then… offering their best gifts.
 
Keep the season simple and share the warmth of your home and heart. That is what is most important…your warm, cozy home and heart.  Enjoy the sweet soft lights of Christmas!
 
Come home, come home! Ye who are weary come home…
Until next time…
JoAnn

Advent ~ Seen Through the Eyes of a Child

by Journeys of My Heart, posted in Life Foundations

Advent ~ Seen Through the Eyes of a Child

Have you ever been with a child and noticed they can zero in on a toy or something they want for Christmas out of shelves and shelves of toys? They have laser focused vision.

I was in a thrift store one day here in my town and there was several bags of ornaments and other things all in ziplock bags. My eyes went immediately to this particular bag out of all of them because I

saw these ornaments in there. Five of them. There was a lot of other stuff I didn’t want, but I did want the ornaments!! I was very excited about them. The bag was stapled shut so you couldn’t see everything but I was happy getting these ornaments.

When I got home and displayed them, I went through the bag and at the bottom of the bag was a black Cross pen and pencil set with its own leather holder. Another score. It was like Christmas for me!!

Sometimes our most unexpected gifts come when we aren’t expecting them. They may come from the most unlikely places too! I would like to think that I look at the time of year with this idea…where is it I am to be a blessing,? It’s not just what I receive. Maybe I am to be someone else’s’ unexpected gift. What do you think?

…Bearing gifts we traverse afar…

Until next time…

JoAnn

Advent ~ Joy

by Journeys of My Heart, posted in Life Foundations

Advent ~Joy

Today’s ornament brings me joy. When I see it, I see someone who is feeling the joy of Chirstmas. She has the look of someone who looked up, and then closed her eyes to the joys of what she is experiencing. She is ringing the bell of Christmas and ready to decorate with a touch of pine.

Christmas is like that for me. I want to enjoy everything about it. I love the lights, the tree, the ornaments, gift shopping, smells of the baking in the kitchen, and family gathering. It is something I want to take slow, and take it all in.

You see, Christmas makes us a bit crazy at times with all the activities that go along with this time of year. Yet….it can be different. Take the time to slow down and just like the expression on the face of this ornament, breathe in the experience around you. Let this time of year be one of new traditions and the find the joys in every day.

Joy to the World, the Lord has come…

Until next time…

JoAnn

Advent ~ New Expectation

by Journeys of My Heart, posted in Life Foundations
Advent ~ New Expectation
 
I came across these ornaments today and thought of the window scape that I made with them in my home prior to coming to where we live now. It’s a little bit old and a little bit new.
 
The burlap reminds me of old times…times of feed sacks, animals; rather a farm-house look. The plaid ornaments remind me of a new way of decorating the Christmas ornaments; an old idea made new.
 
We are like that especially at Christmas. We bring the traditions to our families, but we also may be making new traditions with our families too. We have expectations of the taste of the goodies that we know, but we may be anticipating something new also. We have anticipation of the gifts we will receive, or just the fact that our family will be together, and all the fun we will have.
 
But sometimes, we have feelings of expectation and we aren’t even sure why we feel that way. There is a shift in us that we don’t quite understand. We aren’t sure what to think, or possibly, we are even a bit nervous that we don’t KNOW exactly.
 
I think that the people felt the same way about the birth of Jesus. The had been told a King would come, but a baby a King? Doesn’t look like anyone they would consider a King…from parents such as Joseph and Mary? However, God has His own plans and they don’t look like ours. It’s always a challenge to believe what we don’t quite understand. It may mean a period of being uncomfortable on our part to get through and beyond to the place where we are supposed to be, and understand why we are here.
 
Embrace the gift of the child for what it means then, and now. I look at this window and realize it was perfect for that space. Anyone who came to our house would see the window driving up and walking up to the door. It won’t look the same here in this house. My window is at the back of the house. No one will see it but us, or unless someone comes to visit and comes in the kitchen. But it will still be beautiful to me, just different then this vision.
 
God is just that” individual” with us. He will change the circumstances around us, and our heart toward it. To burlap, sparkles and expectation!
 
What Child Is This…while shepherds watch are keeping…
Until next time…
JoAnn

Advent ~ Love

by Journeys of My Heart, posted in Life Foundations

Advent ~ Love
 
I received a gift in the mail yesterday and thought it fit perfectly with my ornament postings. One side says Merry Christmas and the other side has a key hole and a key that fits into it.
 
What could this mean for Advent? Because of the love of God for us, He sent His Son. He loved us enough to send His one and only. Jesus later loved us enough to die a horrible death so that we might live. That is love and grace extended.
 
The heart shape reminds me that it is my heart that I need to keep open, and not give my key away. This key represents the perfect key to fit into my heart. It won’t fit your heart, but it does fit mine. We are unique; each of us. The gifts and talents He gives to you, aren’t the same as He gives to you friends, or sister, or brother. So… don’t look around you and feel “less than”, but remember that what you do is who YOU are. Don’t be jealous in your heart for something someone else has, or the way they decorate, or the material possessions they have. This Advent Season is for you to decide how you open your heart to what and who is around you.
 
Be a giver. Buy the car behind you their ordered drink. Give a person who has a heavy load a place in line ahead of you. Send a note. Make a phone call, or text. But let this heart spur you on to share more love today! Keep your key handy to open your heart to His leading. His key is the perfect fit for the door of your heart, but only you can insert the key! Get your key!!!
 
When Jesus comes in, He will save you from sin, BUT YOU must open the door…
Until next time…
JoAnn