A Graceful Holiday Series IX

The Gift of Music

"Then David and all Israel played music before God with all their might, with singing, on harps, on stringed instruments, on tambourines, on cymbals, and with trumpets."

1 Chronicles 13:8

Prayer for today:

Thank you for the gift of music.  Thank you for songs that bring comfort to my soul and takes me to places that nurtures my spirit.  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen

Reflection Corner:

As I write this, I can hear ringing in my ears, It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year and the excitement of the holiday season brightens my day.  Throughout this time, whether you are in the grocery store or listening to your favorite radio station you hear the songs of the season. 

I believe that music is a source to our soul.  Whether it’s classical, spiritual, jazz, rhythm and blues, or country it speaks to us in different forums.  We have a plethora of holiday music to choose from to fill our season.

My Dad was a drummer and music was a very big part of our life growing up. When I was a child, while we were decorating music would always be in our background.  He loved to decorate and I was his little helper.  Our celebrations were centered around music where we would sing, dance and have a wonderful time together as a family and Dad was always in the center.  This Christsmas by the Whispers, takes me back to our apartment in Maryland and we would play this song many times on the record player.  When I hear it today, it warms my spirit and I feel the closeness with my Dad.  Although he is no longer on this earth, his presence through the gift of music, is everlasting. 

Activity Inspiration:

This activity is to create a special file with all of your holiday music favorites (old and new).  Play it in your car, at home, in your office and it will fill your days. 

Journal:

What songs in my childhood can warms my heart?

Who would these songs honor if you could tell the stories of how they impacted you in your past?

 What new songs will you add to your song list?

~ Missing My Dad ~

James Edward Daniel, Sr.

During the holiday season the experiences held by loved ones that have left this earth, can sometimes make us sad.  I miss my dad dearly because this was a time of year where he would turn it on.  He did all of the decorating with me by his side.  I miss his spirit, the love that he gave to me and just being my guy.  The best a girl could ask for.  I love him and miss him dearly and as I was searching through messages from the time of his death and this message from my dear friend Toni, really touched my heart and it explains my Dad in a poetic way.  As I walk through this holiday season, I pray that I will embrace his spirit and walk in Joy and Peace knowing that he lived a good life and his legacy lives in me.

"In the middle of the afternoon, I am struck by the adulatory notion of joy--the simple and easy joy expressed by the radiant soul of beauty of family--overflowing, breathing, dancing. With no uncertainty, he has not left but looks and guides all in his charge and under his watch towards the gifts of love, health and prosperity. Follow your dreams and he will be honored. For clearly this man possessed a destiny and each one of you continue to be part of it." Toni Orrill

A Graceful Holiday Series - VII

~ Celebration with Gratitude~

And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at this birth.  Luke 1:14

Prayer for today:

Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your precious son Jesus to this earth so that I may have eternal life.   I celebrate Jesus today and I am forever grateful for your unconditional love.  In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen

Reflection Corner:

Happy Birthday, Jesus,
I'm so glad it's Christmas.
All the tinsel and lights and
The presents are nice
But the real gift is You.

Happy Birthday, Jesus,
I'm so glad it's Christmas.
All the carols and bells make
The holidays swell
And it's all about You.

Happy Birthday, Jesus; Jesus, I love You.

 My daughter Lauren sang that song when she was three during a Christmas program at her pre-school.  It is such a special song that touched my heart back then and still brings a bright flickering smile to my heart when I hear it.  I think this song was a great foundation for my three year old to let her know that Christmas is about the celebration of Jesus’ birth, so we go through the season preparing for his birthday. 

I often think about ways to celebrate Jesus’ birthday and I recently attended a birthday party that sparked a great idea for his celebration.  At the birthday party, the host gave each person a cupcake along with a candle.  The host came around and lit the candle.  We were giving the instructions to make a birthday wish for the guest of honor and then blow out the candle.   1,2,3 blow out the candles as everyone cheered for the birthday boy as he grinned ear to ear knowing that the room was full of birthday wishes especially for him.  I can imagine that Jesus would be sitting with a big smile on his face as we all gathered around him with hearts full of love rejoicing in his birth and thanking him for his love.  I’m excited about all of the possibilities to celebrate, in the activity inspiration, there is a cute idea with the cupcake inspiration I described above.  Thank you Lord for blessing us and loving us unconditionally!

Activity Inspiration:

“Cupcakes, Candles & Gratitude”

Beautiful cupcakes and a room full of love and gratitude sounds like the ultimate way to celebrate Jesus’ birthday.  You can create some yummy cupcakes or special treats of your choice.  This is definitely a way for your kids to be involved in preparing special treats.

All of your guests will have their own special cupcake with a candle.  If it’s a smaller group you can light one candle and pass it on and use this as a time to talk about the light and love of Christ and our love and commitment to him.

The host will let everyone know that once their candles are lit, everyone will have a quiet moment to be share what is on their heart and what they are thankful for.  At this time, everyone will blow out their candles and shout, HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS, WE LOVE YOU!

Journal:

1. Will you celebrate Jesus’ birthday on December 25^th or another day during the advent season?
2. Who will you invite, that will grow and will be blessed by walking through this process to grasp the reason for the season?
3. What special ritual will you think of that will make your celebration unique that honors Jesus and shows gratitude?

Celebrations from the Soul features...

~Pantone 2014 - RADIANT ORCHID ~ 

My favorite creative thing to do when preparing for guests is  to make beautiful tablescapes.  So when the Pantone featured color for 2014 "Radiant Orchid" came out today, I immediately started envisioning beautiful tablescapes for the holiday season that featured this vibrant non-traditional holiday color.  I did a search on the web and I found this beautiful classic tablescape on (www.slimpaley.com) that featured the Pantone color of 2013 - "Emerald" within the luscious greenery anchoring the table and the pops of 2014 - "Radiant Orchid" in the flowers and other table accessories.  How beautiful, it's not to late to incorporate this in your 2013 Holiday decorating...enjoy!

Wishing you a day of grace!
xo

A Graceful Holiday Series VI 

~ Inspired by Your View ~

"You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you."

(Nehemiah 9:6)

Prayer for today:

Dear Lord, let me breathe in the splendid beauty that you have enriched our lives with here on this earth.  From the beautiful skies, the bountiful mountains, to the everlasting seas, you are the creator of all things and I humbly thank you.  In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.

Reflection Corner:

Each season brings a new view and a new vision that often acts as a creative muse fleetingly inspiring hostesses while they embark on creating environments that inspire and show the bounty and beauty that each season possesses.

As we enter into December, we are moving towards our coldest time of the year, our views are often met with bare branches, icicles, snow drifts and clear crisp skies.  It’s something that brings peace and quiet to us as we enter this season that enables us to go inside physically and mentally to nest and renew our souls.  It’s always a gentle reminder that this space and place where we live has been graced with God’s beautiful paint brush so we can be inspired and our spirits renewed by the beauty the abounds us. ​

​As you move about your day I hope that you will take mental and heartfelt notes, and envelop the beauty and serenity that surrounds you during this soulful season. Entertaining and decorating for Christmas provides the opportunity to bring the beautiful elements that inspire us to life. We are able to share our hospitality and our Souls at the same time.  I hope you are Inspired by your view.

Activity Inspiration

Breathe in the beautiful world that surrounds you.   If you live in the country and the dark night that glistens with beautiful stars, or in the bustling city where the sounds of bells and honking horns become a symphony of Christmas music, be inspired.  Today is a special day that gives you the opportunity to embrace the elements of the earth that inspire you.  You can bring these elements into your home, whether it’s a beautiful holly tree, or a bright purple scarf, or the vibrant stars of the night that inspire you.  Bring these beautiful inspirations into your home and Christmas decorations.

Journal:

1.    Embrace the beauty of the season, as you go about your day, take a mental note of things that inspire you, please write them down?

2.     How can you incorporate this into your creative inspirations (i.e. holiday decorating, writing, cards, painting, etc.?

3.    What does the beauty of the season and outdoor, how does it speak to your soul?

4.    In what ways does it inspire you?  

Peace & Blessings!