Merry Christmas

Subscribe to Grand Connection by Email

Tuesday's Grand Connection Thought

by Mary May Larmoyeux

Merry Christmas!

And she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”   (Luke 2:7-15)


Photo © Jim Larmoyeux. All rights reserved.

The Magic and Wonder of Christmas

Subscribe to Grand Connection by Email

Tuesday's Grand Connection Thought

by Mary May Larmoyeux

Not too long ago I was with some grandparents and we were sharing some favorite memories. One of the women said that the "magic of Christmas" began with her grandmother who lived with her family.

She recalled her grandmother asking her on Christmas Eve "Did you hear 'em?"

Then her grandmother would point to the roof and say with a twinkle in her eye, "Santa Claus and his reindeer are up there!"

As you turn the pages of the calendar to December, do you have childhood memories of hearing the tapping of reindeer hooves?

Were you like me on Christmas Eve, watching the weatherman track Santa, knowing that within hours jolly old Saint Nick and his sleigh would somehow arrive at "our" house.

Did you or you kids make special cookies for Santa? Did you leave them for him by the Christmas tree, with a glass of milk? Pops and I did as kids, and so did our children. Now's a good time for us to share some of those memories with loved ones and friends.

Santa used to write our kids notes reminding them of the real meaning of Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ. Some of those notes are still tucked away in their scrapbooks.

Ahhhh ... the magic and wonder of Christmas ... the hope and promise of Christ.

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

                      (1 Chronicles 16:34)

Have a wonderful weekend,

Mary

http://grandconnection.blogspot.com
www.marymaywrites.com/
 

© 2009 by Mary May Larmoyeux. All rights reserved.

Photo © Mary Larmoyeux

Look to the Light

Subscribe to Grand Connection by Email

Tuesday's Grand Connection Thought

by Mary May Larmoyeux

My heart is heavy as I write the post today. With the recent tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School, my mind can find rest in only one place—God. As I looked at the moon last night, I was reminded that He still provides light in even the darkest of times.

Isn't that the message of the lighting of Advent candles, that Light came into darkness? As Pops and I lit a candle for the third week of Advent last night, we read Isaiah 35:10: "And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away."

I need to read that verse again and again. A day is coming when there will be no sorrow! Revelation 21:4 says, "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

The next time that the grandkids spend the night, I want to point to the moon and remind them that God can light even their darkest times of life.

And may we each celebrate the true meaning of Christmas this year, our Savior Jesus Christ came as a babe to save us from our sins. Our Light ... our Hope ... He will come again in glory, and there will be no more sorrow or tears.

Looking to the Light,
Mary
www.marymaywrites.com
http://grandconnection.blogspot.com
 

Post and photo © 2012 by Mary May Larmoyeux. All rights reserved.

 

Salt Dough Christmas Ornaments

Subscribe to Grand Connection by Email

Friday's Grand Connection Fun
by Mary May Larmoyeux

In our family’s Christmas ornament collection are a few remaining relics from my childhood—handmade salt dough ornaments. I remember using cookie cutters to form some shapes and then I made others ... Well, let’s just say they’re definitely original.

I've made salt dough ornaments with Pops' and my grandkids. It's fun and very easy to do.

Salt Dough Ornaments (not edible)

2 cups regular flour

1 cup regular salt
3/4 cup warm water

• Combine flour and salt.
• Add water.
• Knead until smooth.
• Shape ornaments  

You may want to roll out the dough and use cookie-cutters to cut various shapes.

• Bake in 275 degree oven on foil-lined cookie sheet for two hours.
• Cool completely.
• Decorate with acrylic paints.
• When the ornaments are dry, seal with a coat of varnish or Mod Podge ®.

You can purchase Mod Podge at a craft store. If you don’t want to use acrylic paints, you could add food coloring.

Have fun!
Mary
www.marymaywrites.
http://grandconnection.blogspot.com


© 2008 by Mary May Larmoyeux.
Photo © 2008 by Mary May Larmoyeux.