God's Christmas Autograph

God’s Christmas Autograph

On Christmas Eve I saw
God’s autograph in the snow --
Tiny creature tracks so fine,
All lacy in a row.
And with the dazzling Christmas dawn,
My eyes did then behold.
God’s signature grown ever dear,
Etched in sunlight gold.
~Rosalyn Hart Finch 

As a child, growing up in Canada, long about the beginning of December, I would start to look for snow. As the days grew shorter, the temperatures dipped, and the ground grew hard and cold . . . I would scan the sky daily for those tell tale feathery first flakes that would begin to fall and alight on my eyelashes and face. Is there anything on earth that tastes better? I think not! Those first few flakes of the season were eagerly anticipated and greeted with great aplomb, for if the snow was falling . . . the arrival of Christmas and Santa Claus could not be too far behind! 

 

As an adult there is nothing more peaceful then the air that rings with silence early in the morning after a heavy night-time snowfall. How I love to look out over the pristine fields adorned with a heavy white blanket, only disturbed by the tell tale signs small hop hop hoppings of tiny bird feet upon it's surface. All the branches of the surrounding trees draped in it's heavenly sugarlike decorations. There is no more beautiful sight on earth, to my way of thinking anyways. I can always tell when snow is "in the air" . . . I can almost smell it's impending arrival, and the sky takes on a peculiar dark grey leaden appearance. 

  

As children, the first snowfall brought about a flurry of activity. Our absolute first chore was to build the first snowman of the season. We would spend hours rolling the snow into big balls, three in number . . . each one getting a bit smaller than the last . . . and heaping them one on top of the other, with the very smallest on top. Those first snowmen were always adorned with the last few escaped leaves from autumn's flurry of raking . . . little prizes missed from the rake's ruthless prongs. 

Sticks were sought out and discarded, for only the straightest and best were sufficient for the snowman's most capable arms. Stones were prised from the frozen earth at the sides of the roadway to be used as eyes and mouth, and mom always donated a carrot for the nose. An old scarf and hat were also donated, after much begging of course! (I'm quite sure she kept an old one in the utility room to be used year after year for just this purpose!) 

  

 What a wonderous sight that snowman would be to behold when he was done. !!! Snowmen would spring up all over the neighbourhood, like welcome immigrants from a mysterious and snowy foreign land that was visited upon us for a time . . . 

I know that the snow was not as welcomed by our parents, for it heralded the season of the back breaking labour of shovelling and having to clean the car off everytime you wanted to go somewhere . . . but it was a wonderful gift from above, and pure magic for us children. It would be several weeks before the novelty would wear off. 

 

  I do admit that I miss the snow over here, especially before Christmas. A green Christmas, when I was growing up, always meant a season of doom, for, if all the old wive's tales were to be believed, it meant a season of illness and possibly even death in the family. So, while we kids eagerly awaited those first snowy flakes for all the joy they would bring . . . our parents eagerly awaited them as well, despite the work they would bring, for they heralded a season of good health for the family and others . . . 

Alas, I have not known a white Christmas since I arrived on these green and verdant shores, and I expect I may never have one here in England at least, but as they say hope springs eternal, and we have already had a few flakes this year, so nothing is impossible! 

 

We got the tree up yesterday, and some of the other decorations.  We did not put up a big Christmas tree this year because there just isn't the room. I'm not sure why.  In any case the small one looks quite nice tucked away in it's corner by the Grandmother Clock. 

  

I had asked Todd to pick up some Christmas tree lights last week when he was out because our old tree had them built in and the new smaller tree didn't so we had no lights.  He picked up some red lights that look like berries, and some blue LED lights.  I am not fond of either, but what can you do, lol.  I am just grateful he picked any up at all!  As they say beggars cannot be choosers! 

 

This is one of our nativity sets.  We have three regular ones, and all of our Jim Shore Angels have nativities carved into their skirts, including our Jim Shore Santa Claus.  This one is one of my favourites.  It is a small olive wood one that some lovely friends gave us one year.  It has great sentimental value. 

 

It is definitely beginning to look like Christmas in the Rayner household.  I got my cards for mailing yesterday and last evening we watched "A Christmas Story" about the little boy who wants a Red Rider bb-gun for Christmas.  I am wearing Todd down. Two Christmas films in two days.  Score! 

 

It cracks me up every time we watch it.

just wouldn't be Christmas without

it.

And with that I will leave you with a thought for the day  . . . 

 
° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★
 *.˛.° For it is good to be children sometimes, 

and never better than at Christmas, 

when its mighty Founder was a child Himself. 

~Charles Dickens •。★★ 。* 。 

Spiritual Enlightenment 

 

BOOK OF MORMON CORNER - Today's Reading - 2 Nephi 3:6-25
Question: What have you learnt from the reading today? How can it help us to know that, even in our weakness, The Lord has a work for each of us to do?  

My thoughts - Each of us has a part of the work of the Lord that we are given to do. The prophets of old had it on a much grander scale, but we too have been given a sphere of influence to work within. Something which I see in studying the scriptures, is that the prophets of God we're just men, good men, but just men to begin with. It is the Lord who consecrates them, and changes them into mighty men. How does that change happen? Through experience, opposition, through trial and the strengthening of the Lords hand.

 
Joseph of Egypt was sold into slavery and put into prison unjustly before the Lord used him to save the families of Israel and Egypt. Joseph had a lot of love for his people.

 
Moses chose to leave the life of luxury and fight for the cause of his own people, the Israelite slaves. He was completely lacing in confidence in his role as a prophet, because of some sort of speech impediment. Yet through him the Lord delivered the Israelites. He struggled with bringing them to the knowledge and understanding of the Lord, despite all the miracles they were shown, and God wanting to make Himself known to them. Moses had a lot of love for his people.

 
Joseph Smith, from age 14 until his death, had to deal with persecution and slander. He had the truth yet few would hear it. He knew Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ personally, and was loved of them. Yet he still had to pass through bitter trials upon him, upon his family, upon his friends and his people. Anyone who would listen to the message he was proclaiming could be saved and delivered. He loved his people.

 
I am so grateful for these mighty prophets, who were, just men. These men that allowed the Lord into their lives to change them, and to change the world around them. Who have shown me how to endure all manner of persecution, and who are teaching me that opposition can be for our benefit to make us mighty in spirit. And that love for my people, and being strengthened in the Lord is the key ingredient in the work I have to do. 

Tomorrow's reading (Day 41) - 2 Nephi 4:1-27

Question -What have you learnt from the reading today? How can you identify with Nephi's psalm?   

 

Cooking in The English Kitchen today  . . .  Spaghetti Francisco.  A simple, yet delicious casserole that will have your family reaching for seconds!

Have a wonderful Wednesday.  Mitzie is going for her yearly check-up this morning.  Don't forget today that  . . .

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And I do too!