Category Archives: Christmas

Savior of the Nations, Come ~ Hymn

Savior of the Nations, Come

Savior of the na­tions, come;
Virgin’s Son, here make Thy home!
Marvel now, O Heav­en and earth,
That the Lord chose such a birth.

Not by hu­man flesh and blood;
By the Spir­it of our God
Was the Word of God made flesh,
Woman’s off­spring, pure and fresh.

Wondrous birth! O won­drous Child
Of the Vir­gin un­de­filed!
Though by all the world dis­owned,
Still to be in Heav­en en­throned.

From the Fa­ther forth He came
And re­turn­eth to the same,
Captive lead­ing death and hell
High the song of tri­umph swell!

Thou, the Fa­ther’s on­ly Son,
Hast over sin the vic­to­ry won.
Boundless shall Thy king­dom be;
When shall we its glo­ries see?

Brightly doth Thy man­ger shine,
Glorious is its light di­vine.
Let not sin o’er­cloud this light;
Ever be our faith thus bright.

Praise to God the Fa­ther sing,
Praise to God the Son, our king,
Praise to God the Spir­it be
Ever and eter­nal­ly.

Leftovers…

Before I jump right into 2024 here are some leftover photos from our after Christmas family time. Three of us were under the weather but we managed to have good times in the midst.

Thanks to dear Auntie Lolo for taking all these photos. It was a nice finale to 2023.

Our son-in-law treated our daughter with an elegant dinner date for her birthday after they returned home from our Christmas time together. Well done, Andrew!

New Year’s Eve was quiet here, as usual. We had a wonderful church service. We came home and enjoyed a steak meal and we were in bed before midnight on the West Coast. We also put a pork butt in the slow cooker to make the recipe I posted on Saturday. We’ll enjoy that on New Year’s Day. I managed to ring in the New Year with folks on the East Coast of the US!

On New Year’s Day I enjoyed sitting with my coffee watching the annual Tournament of Roses Parade that has taken place in Pasadena, California since 1890. The parade is always held on January 1st unless the 1st lands on a Sunday. When it lands on a Sunday the Parade and Rose Bowl game are moved to the 2nd of January. During my thirty seven years of living in Southern California I only managed to go to the Rose parade a couple of times.

This was one of the times with a friend from Buffalo, New York and a friend from San Francisco. This photo is from 1971 or 1972.

Our own Washington Huskies from the University of Washington played in the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day and we watched that game since we have 3 graduates of the University of Washington in the family. Greg also earned his Pharmacy degree from UW.

Greg was at the University of Washington as an older student from 1988-1992. We were able to acquire Rose Bowl Game tickets easily since he was a student. During his time at the University the football team had some of it’s most historic players and wins. The Huskies played against Michigan on January 1st 1992. We and 102,000 other people were at the game and our team won!

I’m happy to report the Huskies won the game and are off to the National Championship Game which will be played on January 8th in Houston. The last 50 seconds of the game were intense but they managed to hold on for the win! Yikes.

It Was Merry and Bright

On Christmas morning Katie, Andrew, Greg and I enjoyed Eggs Benedict for breakfast before the rest of our crew arrived for our Christmas Day festivities. Josh and Laura left the Seattle area 8ish in the morning for their trek across the mountains to our country bungalow. We were so thankful it was clear sailing for them all the way to our place. After they arrived our Colville kids packed up their truck and headed over.

Before we opened gifts, Greg (Gramps) read from from Hebrews 1 which speaks of who Jesus Christ is and Luke 2 in the Bible which speaks of the birth of Christ in Bethlehem.

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. Hebrews 1:1-3a


Addy and JJ made the wrapping paper for some of the gifts they gave.

 

This little guy was impersonating a Bah-bush-ka!

The Yorkshire pudding popped up well!

The meal (which I didn’t photo) was Prime Rib roasted to perfection, Yorkshire Pudding, Creamed Corn, roasted brussels sprouts and asparagus. After the meal was enjoyed we popped the poppers and enjoyed the crowns and gifts and jokes!

Since Andrew and Katie had to leave early on Boxing Day, Katie shared a cake with Jesus. Our Grands mommy made a two tiered cake that was chocolate and vanilla for Katie and Jesus. Addy requested both flavors. After we sang happy birthday to Katie and she blew out her candles, we closed our eyes while Addy and Jamie redecorated the top of the cake.

We all marveled at the wonderful cake topper for our celebration of the birth of Jesus. Great creativity Jamie and Addy!

 

What a wonderful treat to be able to be together on this special day to celebrate the birth of our Savior. We are thankful for the joy we can share with one another.

Katie and Andrew’s sleigh left on Tuesday, Boxing day. Josh and Laura are here for a few more days of fun and adventures.

Today is Katie’s actual birthday. Happy Birthday dear Katie. Dad and I love you and are so thankful for you and what you mean to our family.

 

Boxing Day

We had a very wonderful Christmas Day with all our Washington State Family. We didn’t get a White Christmas this year but when we woke up this Boxing day we had a light dusting of snow. If we measured it would be a short half inch of snow. It is all white and quiet.

I’ll be sharing all the things soon. When I woke up this morning Dear had the pots and pans washed from our Christmas evening meal. He’s a keeper!

Happy Boxing day to all of you and by the way, today is Tuesday, your welcome.

Merry Christmas to All!

Christmas Carol

Hallelujah! hark! from above
Angels come on their wings of love;
Loud hosannas welcome the morn;
Christ our Redeemer’s born.

Refrain

Glory to God the choral strain;
Glory to God the sweet refrain;
Glory, glory, glory to God!
Christ our Redeemer’s born.

Chiming, chiming, hark! ’tis the bells;
Joy to all now their music tells;
Floating onward, greeting the morn;
Christ our Redeemer’s born.

Refrain

Hallelujah! joyful we sing,
While we praise our exalted king;
Let our carol welcome the morn;
Christ our Redeemer’s born.

Refrain

Words: Fanny Crosby

Hallelujah tis done, I believe on the son, I’ve been saved by the blood of the crucified one.

Christmas Eve 2023

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly host praising God and saying,

4

“Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace among those

with whom he is pleased!”

С Рождеством Христовым

(S Roždestvom Khristovym)

On the birth of Christ a very Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Christmas Recital

Tuesday the 19th of December was the Christmas Piano Recital that Addy is part of. She is still the youngest student and always starts off the program. She has grown so much and her piano skills are growing with her.

Keep up the good work of practicing dear Addy. It’s good you are having fun, too.

 

The next photos are the last of our Christmas Decor that I’ll share this year.

This next Nativity set was purchased this year in downtown Colville at a shop that sells vintage and second hand decor. It is Italian and I thought that it was a good buy at $15.

It was so good to hear from friends and family near and far this year. Some new addresses in new states, babies on the way, beautiful family photos, and sadly a death we weren’t aware of.

Today is Saturday and we are expecting our first car load of kids to arrive this afternoon.

Tomorrow will be a good and busy Christmas Eve Day and Eve. Blessings on all who visit here.

A Grand Day

Our grands came over for a few hours on Monday afternoon. We had some fun activities planned. First off, they both were ‘hungry’ so we sliced some of their mom’s homemade sourdough bread and they enjoyed it with some honey on top. They also enjoyed some hot chocolate with marshmallows in their special Christmas mugs.

Then it was time for the dollar store aprons and cookie baking. I had to take photos fast because JJ was already unwrapping the butter.

We got everything mixed in with their help leveling the sugar and flour with very minimum spillage. Then it was time to roll the dough into balls and lay them on the parchment paper lined cookie sheet.

Poking a hole in each round with the end of a wooden spoon was fun.

Ready to go into the oven.

Once they were out with lots of warning not to touch the hot cookie sheet we carefully helped each other put some melted semi sweet chocolate into each hole.

We didn’t taste test till after their mom came back from some alone time and we enjoyed dinner together. We all agreed this was a good recipe. I’ll add the link to Charlotte’s German Hazelnut Cookies here. We did not have hazelnuts so we substituted pecans in this recipe.

After cookie baking, Addy and JJ were given the task to set up a Christmas village with these pop up cards we have received every year from my college roommate and her husband. I told the Grands to be extra careful with them since they are paper and won’t last forever. Over thirty of these pop up cards have survived over the years.

On the day the kids were setting up the village this year’s card arrived in the mail.

A cuckoo clock. We had a fun discussion about Cuckoo birds with Addy and JJ.

The vintage angels were my mother-in-law’s. They are sweet but when I think of angels and the verses in the Bible that speak of angels, I never think sweet as a description. They startled and caused fear and were powerful and not easily described. I prefer my wooden angel on the left.

The three mugs in the back are Josh, Dan and Katie’s mugs. The two in the front I purchased for Addy and JJ.

Today we will pick up our food items for our Christmas Eve and Christmas day meals. Tomorrow our daughter and hubby arrive from the west side of our state and celebrations will continue. Hope all is merry and bright in your corner of the world.

JOY!

 JOY

Joy is a recurring theme and response to Jesus and what he has done for us. Look at the joy in these verses from the Bible. Take a moment to read through them.

Sing for joy and be glad, O daughter of Zion; for behold I am coming and I will dwell in your midst,” declares the LORD.
Zechariah 2:9-11
When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.
Matthew 2:9-11
You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.
Luke 1:13-15
For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy.
Luke 1:43-45
And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
Luke 2:9-11
Be glad in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven.
Luke 6:22-24
At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.
Luke 10:20-22
In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
Luke 15:9-11
These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.
John 15:10-12
“I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.
John 17:12-14
And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
Acts 13:51-52
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:11-13
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:12-14
…fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1-3
and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
1 Peter 1:7-9

Remember this Christmas season when you see a star, man made or God made, pause to rejoice.
When you see a babe think of our Savior and rejoice.
When you see gifts beautifully wrapped think of the very best gift of all we have been given from God through Jesus and rejoice.
REJOICE with the angels.
REJOICE with the shepherds.
REJOICE with Mary and Joseph.
REJOICE and again I say REJOICE!
~~~~~~~~~~~~
This post is replacing Truth for Today this week. Truth for Today will resume next week. Praying you all will have reason to Rejoice this Christmas.

Listening and Sipping Tea Hodgepodge

With gratitude to Joyce From This Side of the Pond for our last Hodgepodge questions of the year.

1. Did you do more talking or more listening yesterday? Was it by choice or by necessity? 

I’m happy to say that I did more listening than talking yesterday. Our grands were here in the afternoon for a few hours and it was fun listening to their banter. JJ had several stories to give us the details on. He talked about his dad’s work on the hot water tank, in detail. Addy filled in anything he missed. He chuckled while calling me, Baa bush Kah, in three separate syllables instead of Baba. Addy read out the instructions on the cookie recipe we made. During dinner together JJ had many things to share. I made the comment that he was quite the conversationalist!

2. Are you a tea drinker? Hot, cold, or both? Flavored? What do you like in your tea? Do you make Christmas tea this time of year? What time of day do you like to sip your tea?
I grew up in a tea drinking household where tea was served regularly and we enjoyed our tea with a sweet cherry syrup or lemon syrup that our mom made and canned in quantity.
At the church we grew up in we’d have meals where tea was served. My friends and I enjoyed making bridges of sugar cubes across the top of our tea glasses before we poured the hot water in. We broke the sugar bridge with the hot water. No tea bags, loose tea steeped. The glasses were hot so the tea was poured into the bowl and we drank the tea from the bowl. At our Russian wedding receptions, Чай не сладкий  (the tea is not sweet) ‘Chai nye slatki’ was a chant that was made while gently tapping our tea glasses with a spoon so the newly married couple could stand and give each other a kiss to sweeten our tea.
I think we mostly had tea in the afternoon or evening.
After I was married I transitioned to coffee and enjoyed tea as an event rather than daily consumption. When I drink tea I enjoy Earl Grey or English Breakfast Tea. No green tea for me. I do not make Christmas tea but I do remember having some in the past.
3. What’s an activity you won’t try, an event you won’t attend, or an athletic challenge you won’t take part in not even for ‘all the tea in China’? 
I will not try bungee jumping. I will not attend a Monster Trucks Show. I will not take part in a marathon.

4. What’s something most people seem to love but is not ‘your cup of tea‘? 

Owning pets.

5. How does your family celebrate New Year’s Eve? 

Hmmm. It has changed over the years and we do not have any set traditions for this eve. Lately we are in bed by 9pm and will hear the fireworks go off at midnight. I used to watch at least one of the countdowns (New York) that were 3 hours ahead of us. Here in Colville the Fourth of July is not a good time to shoot off fireworks because of the fire danger so many folks save their fireworks for New Year’s Eve.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I’m still relishing our Children’s Christmas Musical that was on this past Sunday and this song that the Children sang.

You can have my room, Jesus.
You’re always welcome here, Jesus.
I won’t turn you away to a cattle stall.
You can have my room, Jesus.
You can have it all.
Come in, Come in,
Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.
You can have it all.

A Very Merry Christmas to Jo and all of my Wednesday Hodgepodge Friends!