Share the joy of music and make a homemade breakfast
I had to make sure that Zoe had the chance to hear the choir sing. Kevin and I took her to see Music and the Spoken Word. It's absolutely beautiful and the longest running radio broadcast. Plus, in my family and many others, it's a tradition to listen to the choir every Sunday.
The choir is now singing in the Conference Center all of December. It's really something inside with all the decorations.
My Daddy on the second row. He was especially happy that we came to hear him sing.
The message was what I needed. I'd like to share it with you too and hope it will touch your heart as it did mine.
"During this season we celebrate "peace on earth,” yet some of us find it the most busy and stressful time of the year. We worry about decorations and decking the halls, gifts and gatherings—and the many other things we feel we need to do. And, very often, amid all the hustle and bustle, we have a quiet sense that we want to make our celebrations a little different, a little more meaningful than they have been in the past.
This year, rather than focusing on everything we need to do, let us consider what we can offer. Some offer talents in singing carols or playing musical instruments; others offer time as they visit loved ones and share memories of Christmases past. Some offer resources and labor, doing acts of service to help the less fortunate. No matter what our offerings are, if our intent this season is to make someone’s life happier, Christmas will be for us a time of peace and joy.
Children teach us much about making heartfelt offerings. Not long ago, a little girl stood to tell her class some sad news. Her grandmother passed away, and as she related details, she became overcome with emotion. Not able to say anything more, she walked toward her chair. A little boy got up from his chair and sat down beside her. Filled with compassion and a desire to make her feel better, he gave her the only thing he had: a little toy that he had smuggled into class. He did not pause to wonder whether it was good enough. He simply and selflessly gave from the heart.
Something deep and meaningful happens within us when we make such offerings. We feel connected to those around us. We feel a love that we may not have known we had—the love of that babe in Bethlehem, whose pure offering, given so long ago, still fills the earth with "peace, [and] good will toward men” (Luke 2:14)."
Me and Zoe by the tree at the Conference Center
I love this picture of the two of us. I'm going to miss her when she goes home this week.
Those of you who really know me, I'm no cook which is a little sad. But I really wanted to make a nice breakfast because Kevin and I hardly have time to eat breakfast, let alone make it. Zoe came with us back to our little apartment and I made my favorite, french toast. Something interesting? People in England don't put syrup on french toast. It's not supposed to be sweet. Mine on the other hand, is supposed to be VERY sweet!
Along with our french toast, we watched The Bishop's Wife. What a fun classic, here Dudley (Carey Grant) shares a story with little Debbie.
"Singing loud for all to hear is the best way to spread Christmas Cheer!"
~Buddy, The Elf
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