Christmas

A Nursing Home Christmas in Photos

/ pastorpete51 / Leave a comment 
But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 
Luke 2:19

I am kind of a photo junkie. I both take way too many (Thank God for the digital age!) and I enjoy going through old family photos. I know that in Heaven everything will be made new, but here on earth I treasure these special memories. I especially love Christmas times past, and photos help me remember the sights, sounds, and smells of moments that have slipped by over the years. Christmas time at nursing home is a lot different from ones we have had at home. Read the rest here

His Face I Clearly See

/ pastorpete51 / 5 Comments 

Into creation’s workshop
Before the night and day
God strode onto the scene
And flicked on the sun’s first ray

And paused to smile and sit awhile
As He watched the darkness flee
Then spread out all His many tools
And drew up plans for you and me

Next, God chose an unroofed stable 
Where cows and chickens are
And in the center put a manger
So His Son could see the stars

Now through the long years of my life
That Hope still shines in me
And by starlight from so long ago
His face I clearly see

And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. Genesis 1:3 ESV

His Face I Clearly See by Peter Caligiuri
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A Wise Man Named Joe

/ pastorpete51 / 2 Comments

And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. Matthew 2:11 ESV

“What’s for dinner honey?” I said with a laugh knowing that it would be lentil soup for its third and final performance. During those first years of marriage, (circa 1975) our food shopping was a low-cost adventure. So, with Christmas not far away, even putting up a tree with decorations was something we couldn’t afford. That year, Christmas Eve was pay day and at four thirty I waited in line for my check. “Merry Christmas” My boss said winking as he handed me my envelope. “There’s something extra in there for you tonight.”  

I peeked inside and drew a quick breath in astonishment. “Wow thanks Joe! Merry Christmas to you too” I said amazed at seeing a fifty-dollar bill tucked inside! so I drove home through the heavy traffic getting there just before five. “Come on Nancy! Let’s go buy a tree!” I shouted as I ran up the stairs to show her my bonus. Five minutes later we bundled up and drove to a Christmas tree lot where the owner was delighted to sell us a tree for five dollars, just before he closed. Then we raced over to the Woolworth store, where for ten cents each we bought some colored glass bulbs and a string of lights with tinsel. God didn’t have to send the wise men with gifts to make it Christmas; but He did. That Christmas our wise man was named Joe and he left us a special gift on that Silent and Holy Night!