Let me pour you a cup of hot cocoa, sweet friends.
Would you like extra marshmallows?
I also have some oh-so-sweet Christmas cookies,
homemade caramel, and our family-favorite fudge.
Help yourself!
{{smiles}}
I just love this time of year.
Yes, I enjoy the pretty Christmas decorations,
the sweet holiday baking,
the Christmas songs and carols,
and I can't help but get excited when my husband, son, and I
head off into the woods to find the "perfect" Christmas tree.
But do you know what I love the most?
The fact that this time of year represents the birth of Jesus Christ.
And do you know what His birth means for all of mankind?
Salvation. . .
eternal life for each one of us.
This sweet gift is free and all one must do is believe. . .
believe that Jesus Christ was born, died upon Calvary,
and arose again to live victoriously.
For God so loved the world,
that he gave his only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in him should not perish,
but have everlasting life.
- John 3:16 -
Lovely friends,
please enjoy the beautiful Christmas music
while you read through this holiday post.
All my heart this night rejoices as I hear, far and near, Sweetest angels voices. "Christ is born" their choirs are singing, Till the air everywhere now with joy is ringing.
- Paul Gerhardt -
And there were in the same country
shepherds abiding in the field,
keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them,
and the glory of the Lord shone round about them:
and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them,
Fear not: for, behold,
I bring you good tidings of great joy,
which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day
in the city of David a Saviour,
which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you;
Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes,
lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel
a multitude of the heavenly host praising God,
and saying,
Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace, good will toward men.
- Luke 2: 8-14 -
God rest ye merry, gentlemen let nothing you dismay
Remember, Christ, our Savior was born on Christmas day
To save us all from Satan's power when we were gone astray
O tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
From God our Heavenly Father a blessed angel came
And unto certain Shepherds brought tidings of the same
How that in Bethlehem was born the Son of God by name
O tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
"Fear not," said the angel
"Let nothing you affright
This day is born a Savior of pure or Virgin bright
To free all those who trust in Him from Satan's power and might"
O tidings of comfort and joy,
O tidings of comfort and joy
- Unknown -
Wonderful-
He would be wonderful
in what He would accomplish for the fallen human race.
Counselor-
He would be our guide through life,
and our advocate before the heavenly Father.
The Mighty God-
He would be the God before whom
every knee shall one day bow.
The Everlasting Father-
He would be the God
of eternity.
The Prince of Peace-
He would be the one who would ultimately bring
a true tranquility among all nations.
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given:
and the government shall be upon his shoulder:
and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor,
The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
- Isaiah 9:6 -
His Name is Wonderful,
His Name is Wonderful,
His Name is Wonderful,
Jesus My Lord.
He is the Mighty King,
Master of everything;
His Name is Wonderful,
Jesus My Lord .
He’s the Great Shepherd,
The Rock of All Ages,
Almighty God is He;
Bow down before Him,
Love and adore Him,
His Name is Wonderful,
Jesus My Lord.
- Audrey Mieir -
The shepherds had an angel
The wise men had a star
But what have I, a little child,
To guide me from far,
Where glad stars sing together
And singing angels are?
Christ watches me, His little lamb,
Cares for me day and night,
That I may be His own in heaven;
So angels cald in white
Shall sing their "Glory, glory,"
For my sake in the height.
- Christina Rossetti -
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.
The stars in the sky looked down where he lay,
The little Lord Jesus asleep in the hay.
- John T. McFarland -
How important it is that we take time to help out children
see beyond the glitter of the Christmas season
and teach them the true meaning of Christ's birth.
The most thrilling story ever known to man began
in Bethlehem at Christmas.
- Kenneth W. Osbeck -
O little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by;
Yet in the dark street shineth
The everlasting Light;
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight.
For Christ is born of Mary,
And fathered all above,
While mortals sleep, the angels keep
Their watch of wondering love.
O morning stars, together
Proclaim the holy birth
And praises sing to God, the King,
And peace to men on earth.
How silently, how silently,
The wondrous Gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of His heaven.
No ear may hear His coming,
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive Him still,
The dear Christ enters in.
O holy Child of Bethlehem,
Descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin and enter in,
Be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell:
Oh, come to us, abide with us,
Our Lord Immanuel!
- Phillips Brooks -
In the same way that God's "wondrous gift"
came to Bethlehem, silently,
so Christ comes into our lives today
and casts out our sins and fears
if we are willing to have Him abide in our lives.
- Kenneth W. Osbeck -
To give knowledge of salvation unto his people
by the remission of their sins,
Through the tender mercy of our God;
whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,
To give light to them that sit in darkness
and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.
- Luke 1:77-79 -
Precious friends, sweet readers, and faithful followers,
the time has come for me to end this post.
By now the first song is likely over
so please enjoy this beautiful musical piece of "Silent Night"
as you read the heartwarming words of this beloved carol.
Silent night! Holy night! All is calm, All is bright Round yon virgin mother and child. Holy infant so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace. Sleep in heavenly peace. Silent night! Holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight, Glories stream from heaven afar, Heavenly hosts sing alleluia; Christ the Savior, is born! Christ the Savior, is born! Silent night! Holy night! Son of God, Love's pure light Radiant beams from thy holy face, With the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth. Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.
- Joseph Mohr -
Kaylene Adams killed her daughter and then was shot by police.
Attorney Emilie Wesley knows a different story:
Kaylene would never hurt anyone and was looking for a way out
of a controlling, abusive relationship.
Her death shakes Emilie’s belief that she can make a difference
for women in violent marriages.
Self-doubt plagues her as she struggles to continue her work
in the wake of the tragedy.
Reid Billings thought he knew his sister—right up until he learned how she died.
He discovers a letter from Kaylene begging him to fight for custody
of her daughters if anything should happen to her.
No attorney in her right mind would support an uncle
instead of the father in a custody case,
but Kaylene’s letter claims Emilie Wesley will help him.
Thrown together in a race to save Kaylene’s surviving daughter,
Emily and Reid pursue the constantly evasive truth.
If they can hang on to hope together, can they save a young girl—
and find a future for themselves in the process?
My Thoughts
Cara Putman is a new author for me
and after reading her book Imperfect Justice I fell for her writing,
hook, line, and sinker.
Cara's latest book takes you behind the scenes
where domestic abuse/violence is brought to light.
This is not a pretty subject and sadly,
it's one that is often pushed to the side in hopes of it "just going away."
The author writes about this issue in a delicate,
but also an eye-opening manner.
Cara clearly shows the reader through Kaylene's story
the impact that domestic violence can have on families.
Imperfect Justice is the kind of book
that will keep you up late at night turning the pages. . .
it has twists and turns that you didn't expect and will leave you speechless. . .
and it will give you a new awareness about this devastating matter.
This book is filled with suspense and a touch of clean romance,
but it's also incredibly inspirational and moving-
can it get any better, my friends?
The characters were excellent
and their interaction with one another flowed effortlessly.
As I read Imperfect Injustice
I couldn't help but think of our loving God
and His perfect justice. . .
because with Him and in Him there is indeed perfect justice.
If you enjoy legal thrillers than this book is for you.
** I was given a complimentary copy of this book from BookLook Bloggers
for an honest review.
All thoughts are my own and no other compensation was received. ** About the Author
Cara Putman is the author of more than 25 legal thrillers,
historical romances, and romantic suspense novels.
She has won or been a finalist for honors
including the ACFW Book of the Year
and the Christian Retailing’s BEST Award.
Cara graduated high school at 16,
college at 20, completed her law degree at 27,
and recently received her MBA.
She is a practicing attorney,
teaches undergraduate and graduate law courses at a Big Ten business school,
and is a homeschooling mom of four.
She lives with her husband and children in Indiana.
Visit her website atCaraPutman.com
I could spend do spend hours looking at their clothing.
Yes, I find it very addicting - HA!
My very first purchase from them was this stunning rose dress
and since then I have been hooked.
I purchased this dress December 8, 2011
and 6 years later it still looks brand new.
The length is oh-so-feminine
and the roses. . .be still my heart!
You all know I love roses.
Well, since that first purchase I find myself picking out a Christmas dress
every year at ModCloth and I thought I would share with you
some of the lovely things I have found on their site.
The next year I found this beautiful skirt
with velvet fans on it.
Paired with a black shirt and a red belt
it looks quite festive for the holidays.
This next dress was a splurge. . .
splurge in the sense that I fell in love with the whimsical side of it
and I just couldn't pass it up.
Oh, how lovely I feel when I slip this dress on.
The tulle. . .
the lace. . .
perfection!
Now most of you know I love lace
so this next dress was a must-buy when I saw it.
And not only is the entire dress made of lace,
but it's also one of my favorite colors.
The gold rose belt is also from ModCloth
and adds the finishing touch to the dress.
This sweet pine cone dress is not only a favorite to wear during Christmas,
but also during the winter season.
I like to pair it with a red or green cardigan.
And finally,
here is a delightful red skirt that is perfect for the holidays.
This skirt is not from ModCloth. . .
it's from my second favorite online shop
which is eShakti.
With eShakti you can customize your clothing.
I love my skirts and dresses to be knee length or longer,
but being on the tall side I have a hard time finding things that length.
At eShakti I can always get the length I want. {{smiles}}
I hope you enjoyed this post, my friends.
Feel free to share where you find your favorite clothing items. Do you like to buy yourself a Christmas outfit?
I would love to hear in the comments.
Love and hugs!
***Please know that the links shared are not affiliate links. I'm just a girl sharing my favorite dresses and online shops.*** Also, from now until Christmas please enjoy 15% off your order at Rose Petal Blessings.
