The phrase is used more broadly to describe: 

• A major political scandal being revealed just before an election
• An unexpected diplomatic breakthrough 
• A sudden economic announcement 
• The release of damaging information about a candidate 
• A major political or governmental decision that could influence voters 

Many of us remember the November surprise in “The Griswald’s National Lampoon Christmas Vacation.” The “crazy” family members show up and anything that can go wrong does go wrong. 

However, November is a month filled with opportunities to pause, reflect, and recognize the blessings God has placed in our lives.  

What if we intentionally created a few “November Surprises” within our families? Not surprises that require money, elaborate planning, or perfect circumstances, but small, meaningful moments that remind us of God’s goodness and the importance of loving one another. 

Here are four areas where families can create meaningful November Surprises! 

1. A Heart of Gratitude 

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.” — Psalm 107:1 (NIV) 

Sometimes the greatest surprise is discovering just how much we have to be thankful for. 

• The Gratitude Surprise: Each family member shares one thing they appreciate about another family member during dinner. 
• The Blessing Jar: Throughout November, write down blessings, answered prayers, and moments of joy. Read them together on Thanksgiving. 
• The Unexpected Thank You: Encourage children to write a thank-you note to a teacher, grandparent, neighbor, or someone who has positively influenced their lives. 
• The Gratitude Challenge: Identify three blessings each day, including one that is not material. 

Family Reflection: How might our home change if we spent more time recognizing our blessings than discussing our disappointments? 

2. The Gift of Family Gatherings 

“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” — Romans 12:10 (NIV) 

Family gatherings can be more than meals and celebrations. They can become opportunities to restore relationships, strengthen communication, and create lasting memories. 

• The Unexpected Compliment: Before a family gathering ends, each person shares something positive about another family member. 
• The Technology-Free Surprise: Set aside phones and electronic devices for one hour to enjoy meaningful conversation and fellowship. 
• The Family Story Surprise: Invite older relatives to share a story about God’s faithfulness during a difficult season. 
• The Reconciliation Surprise: Take a small step toward repairing a strained relationship through an apology, forgiveness, or a sincere conversation. 
• The Inclusion Surprise: Invite someone who may be alone, overlooked, or disconnected to join your family gathering. 

Family Reflection: Are we simply gathering together, or are we intentionally building relationships that reflect the love of Christ? 

3. Making Thanksgiving Meaningful 

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” — Psalm 100:4 (NIV) 

Thanksgiving provides an opportunity to redirect our attention from the abundance of our tables to the abundance of God’s grace. 

• The Thanksgiving Blessing Surprise: Ask each family member to share how God has blessed them personally during the past year. 
• The Scripture Surprise: Select a Bible verse about gratitude and invite family members to discuss its meaning. 
• The Hidden Helper: Secretly take care of a household responsibility to ease the burden on another family member. 
• The Prayer of Thanksgiving: Allow each family member to offer a brief prayer of gratitude before the meal. 

Family Reflection: How can we make Thanksgiving a celebration of God’s goodness rather than simply a celebration of food, fellowship, and tradition? 

4. Giving to Others in Our Community 

“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” — Acts 20:35 (NIV) 

One of the most powerful lessons a family can teach its children is that God’s blessings are not meant to stop with us. We are called to be a blessing to others. 

• The Neighbor Surprise: Prepare a meal, deliver baked goods, or assist a neighbor experiencing a difficult season. 
• The Community Care Surprise: Collect nonperishable food items for a local food pantry. 
• The Warmth Surprise: Donate coats, gloves, hats, and blankets to those experiencing financial hardship. 
• The Thankful Servant Surprise: Write encouraging notes to educators, healthcare workers, or community servants. 
• The Gift of Service: Offer to rake leaves, help with groceries, or complete a household task for someone in need. 
• The Presence Surprise: Call or visit someone who may be lonely, grieving, or disconnected from family. 

Family Reflection: If God has blessed our family, how can we become a blessing to another family? 

The Greatest November Surprise: Love in Action 

Perhaps the most meaningful November Surprise is not something we receive, but something we become. 

As families practice gratitude, extend forgiveness, strengthen relationships, and serve their communities, they create opportunities for God’s love to be experienced in practical and meaningful ways. 

Children begin to understand that gratitude is more than saying “thank you.” Family gatherings become opportunities to nurture relationships. Thanksgiving becomes more than a holiday; it becomes a lifestyle of appreciation. Giving becomes an expression of Christ’s love. 

This November, let us surprise one another with the goodness of God, the warmth of family, and the joy of giving. Sometimes, the greatest blessings are the ones we intentionally create for someone else.

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In one of his illustrations about gratitude and contentment, he acted out a pretend robbery and stabbing on a subway and asked the teens, “What could he still be thankful for in this situation?”  

Some of the answers were, “He wasn’t killed,” “He was able to get medical care,” “Someone was there to help him,” and “He knows God.” All good answers, especially from kids. 

But many of us adults know there are times when no one is nearby to help or when the doctors aren’t able to save someone we love. Figuring out how to be thankful when life is hard isn’t always so simple. We might still come up with some answers, but they wouldn’t come nearly so easily. 

Struggling with Daily Life & Hardships

Perhaps we aren’t facing something as drastic as losing someone we love. Maybe we just feel as though we are already working at our limit and prices keep going up. We’re working extra hours or two jobs, and medical bills, car payments, or other debt keep us stuck where we are. We feel as though we can never get ahead. 

Sometimes it’s even harder to feel thankful then because those worries are always in the back of our minds, wearing us down. We constantly feel behind, overwhelmed, and discouraged.  

Or perhaps our struggle with thankfulness has nothing to do with finances but more with relationships. Estrangement from parents, a spouse, or our children will certainly affect how we feel. 

Finding Gratitude When Life is Hard 

The Bible talks about thankfulness in difficult times.  

God tells us to give thanks in everything (1 Thessalonians 5:18). I read once that Paul uses “in” rather than “for” – so we don’t need to give thanks for tragedy or pain. But we can give thanks in the midst of those situations because God keeps His promises – to comfort us, to stay with us, and to give us eternal life – even there. 

But even though I wanted to stop right there, I kept thinking.  

If God is in control, if He is sovereign over everything, and if He makes all things work together for good to those who love Him (Romans 8:28), then even the bad things – the tragedy, the disappointment, the pain – are being worked by God for our good.  

God’s goal is to make us more like His Son, Jesus Christ, and that is for our good. Everything that happens to us changes us in some way. And if we allow God to use those circumstances to make us more like Jesus – more dependent on God instead of ourselves, more compassionate and understanding toward others, more whatever we need to be – then even the pain and evil that made us more like Jesus are things we can be thankful for. 

I do not mean this flippantly. Losing a child, a job, or a spouse is not something we experience without sorrow.  

Even Jesus cried at the death of His friend Lazarus.  

Trusting God – Even When It Doesn’t Make Sense 

At this time of the year, we are often culturally reminded to be thankful, perhaps we need to look beyond what we feel. Sometimes God may be using difficult circumstances to get our attention, showing us something in our lives that needs to change so that we become more like Jesus. 

But sometimes He is simply working in ways we don’t understand.  

Either way, choosing gratitude is possible. We may still feel sorrow, frustration, or disappointment, but we can trust the One who loves us, who has all things under His control, and who is working everything for our good. 

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A political figure had posted a short video of him and his wife having fun and enjoying their time at a state dinner at the White House. (No politics here whatsoever – the point is outside of politics!) The person who reposted it criticized them for the look it presented with the midterm elections coming up, and most of the comments said the same thing – or worse.  

I don’t really know who the original poster is, but I wondered what is wrong with just enjoying yourself occasionally?  

Now, I think for some people it really is all politics because apparently many of us do just want to have some lighthearted fun. Google searches for the word “whimsy” spiked more than 400 percent over last year, and Etsy reported a 50 percent jump in searches for whimsical jewelry and decorative items this year. 

The whimsy trend is having a moment. 

Craft stores have reported a surge in demand for stick-on rhinestones because people are buying them en masse and putting them on their disposable coffee cups, their phone chargers, their face masks, and many other temporary surfaces. The Midwestern goose statues are making a comeback. They are out in front yards and porches again wearing sports jerseys, raincoats, or graduation gowns. 

The trend has moved inside our homes too where we are drinking out of mugs shaped like strawberries, buying colorful plates and cups, and using cowboy boots as flower vases. Some people have managed to find and buy old rotary phones and grandma TVs strictly for decoration. 

It has made its way into fashion, where people are apparently continuing to get dressed long after you would think they were finished. That means wearing more than one belt, piling on several necklaces, or tying colorful scarves around their heads – or even their thighs. 

It has even affected what we eat. People are molding butter into swans, using cookie cutters to slice their fruit into shapes before eating it, and putting rainbow sprinkles on their drinks. 

It sounds, to me, kind of like being a kid again. 

When you are six and put more than one outfit on or want sprinkles on everything, no one thinks a thing about it. But if you do it as an adult, it’s a “trend.” 

Why Whimsy Now?

Many have offered reasons for why this trend has captured people’s attention.  

• One is that it is burnout from the minimalism and plain white of the last decade (Remember the sad beige baby clothes?) and a backlash against corporate branding.  

• Another is that it is a coping mechanism for all the real or perceived anxieties people are facing, and a third reason is whimsy involves purposeless joy.  

You can bake cupcakes and not feel pressured to start a business, walk without counting your steps, or take pictures without creating an Instagram account and building a following.  

Putting a ceramic duck on your windowsill, learning how to juggle, or painting a flowerpot bright yellow is not going to make you healthier, wealthier, or more organized. And it actually won’t bring you long-term joy or peace either. That comes from only one Person.  

But that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy them. 

Not everything we do has to accomplish something, make a statement, or serve a greater purpose. Sometimes we can simply have fun, whether you are an adult or not.  

You can put sprinkles on your latte without worrying about the midterms!  

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Opportunity to experience new sights, sounds, and adventures arrives.  

October kicks off local fall festivals exhibiting lights, smells, and crafts that only appear this time of year. October ushers in the opportunity to explore a variety of outdoor venues, taste seasonal pumpkin treats, and to inhale the crisp air of fall. 

C – Cooler/Cold Temperatures 

Cooler and even cold temperatures begin to slip in. Warmer sweaters, hats, and gloves begin to protect our extremities. October’s cooler temperatures usually include a switch over from air conditioning to heat within our homes. And currently, at this writing, cooler temperatures of October warn us that “Daylight Savings Time” is near. 

T – Togetherness 

Togetherness begins to be on everyone’s minds. The holidays of Thanksgiving and Christmas are just around the corner. Families may begin their plans. If the holidays are not on top of mind, the shorter days and longer nights facilitate more family time within the comfort of home. Togetherness may include movies, board games, story-telling, and even an old fashion sing-a-long. 

O – Others 

The thought about other people and their needs often materialize during October. The beginning of the Thanksgiving and Christmas fundraising drives will start soon. Food pantries need filling, Toys for Tots and other seasonal gifting organizations look for donations as well as volunteers. 

Giving to others is a reflection of God’s giving to us. 

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) 

B – Beauty of Fall Colors 

The beauty of the multi-colored leaves bursts forth before our very eyes. Green leaves of summer ignite with fiery colors of red, yellow, orange, and various colors between.  

Riding through the countryside, and even in the city, you can observe the gradual change, anticipating the full explosion of color before the leaves fall to create a mountain of color at our feet. Homes decorate with flags and buntings full of the colors that compliment the change of season October brings.  

E – Expectation 

Expectation begins to mount.  

Depending on your age, your role, and your responsibilities, your expectation may be filled with excitement, while someone else’ s expectation may be full of dread.  

• A young child has longingly waited all year long for the sights and sounds that herald Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the New Year celebrations just around the corner.  

• An adult with the financial responsibility of paying for all the “glitz and glamor” of this season may have unspoken trimmers of fear, wondering where will all the cash come from to pay for the “joyous” occasions. 

R – Rest and Restoration 

Rest and Restoration can be built into this time of year.  

Intentionality is the key. God ordained the seasons, and October begins the time of rest and restoration for the physical environment around us. Longer nights was God’s intention to slow the fast-paced production of life (photosynthesis) down so as to build a cyclical rest within the year that was beyond the 24-hour day and night cycle.  

• Intentionally breathe deeper, linger longer, and soak in the presence of God during this most beautiful time.  

• Find a rhythm that feeds your soul.  

• Don’t try to fill every minute of your day with “productivity.”  

Spending October with Our Good Shepherd 

Psalm 23:1-3 is a great verse to begin quieting your soul for rest, 

 “The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.”  

God wants us to rest in Him, as well as enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of the season with our family, friends, and others.  

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We sing “Happy Birthday” each week and hand out a small token of love to each birthday person. In our congregation, September has the highest number of birthdays. When I was teaching, September also had the highest number of birthdays year after year. 

What’s up with that? I have my own opinion that I formulated back in my late teens. I believe many of the September birthdays may have been a result of Christmas and New Year celebrations. And, we’ll leave that right there. 

Historical Significance of the Harvest 

September on the Gregorian calendar is represented by the number 9. The number 9 in Jewish/Hebrew numerological interpretation states, “The number 9 symbolizes divine completeness or conveys the meaning of finality.” 

Harvest is both an end of the growing cycle, and simultaneously a replenishing of new seed for the next growing cycle. Harvest is the culmination of a process that has been hidden for weeks and months. Growth occurs even though there is very little evidence of the final full fruit. It is important to remember that harvest goes through the phases of planting, development, maturation, and then the delivery. 

The farmer is invested in the harvest long before the reaping begins. The farmer prepares the ground, plants the seeds, protects and nurtures the seedlings, and watches the plants to identify the “fullness of time” to bring in the harvest. 

What About You?  

Have you ever thought about your life as a crop? Who is the farmer and what is the seed? What is the growing process time frame? What will the harvest produce? Jesus’ parable about the “Sower and Seed” (Matthew 13:1-23) is a great analogy of the fullness of harvest based upon the condition of the ground and the growing environment. 

Where are you in anticipating the “fullness of time” and harvest in your life? Do you know what seed (potential) God has planted in you? Are you aware of the condition of your spiritual and emotional health to support growth? September can be a month of spiritual reflection and asking, “What is coming to fullness/birth?” 

Here are a few questions to ask yourself: 

• What has God planted in you? 

• What has been developing quietly within you? 

• What may be nearing the fullness of time and harvest in your life? 

Let’s anticipate whatever is planted within us comes to birth in the fullness of time to harvest. May the harvest produce a bumper crop that is shared with the people in our lives. May there be seeds planted from our harvest into the lives of those in need of life-giving potential.  

May this seed, plant, and harvest cycle be nurtured so that we eventually fulfill Habakkuk 2:14, “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea” (NIV). 

What a harvest that will be! 

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But what stood out to me among the thousands of tributes was how many people seemed to agree on one thing: Everybody seemed to like Dolly Parton. That’s pretty impressive having spent so many years in the public eye.

Her fans included people who probably couldn’t agree on much else. Country music fans and pop music fans. People on the left and people on the right. Grandmas liked her, and young people liked her.

How did she do that?

Maybe part of the answer is that she didn’t take herself too seriously. She joked about her hair, clothes, and figure.

And yet she was comfortable with who she was. She didn’t lose her Tennessee accent when she became famous. She kept her rhinestones when critics called them cheap. And she didn’t hide her Christian faith when it became unfashionable.

She also didn’t think every difference of opinion required an argument. Of course, she had opinions like everyone else, but she resisted attempts to get her to choose sides and said she loved everybody.

But she didn’t just talk about loving people. Inspired by her father, who never learned to read or write, she founded Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which has given hundreds of millions of books to children. When people lost their homes to wildfires, she stepped up to help. She supported scholarships, hospitals, and many other causes.

Maybe the reason so many people liked Dolly Parton is because she seemed to like them first. Maybe there is something Christians can learn from that.

We aren’t called to make everyone agree with us, but neither are we called to make disagreement as unpleasant as possible. Paul says: “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men” (Romans 12:18).

As much as depends on you.

Notice Paul doesn’t say everyone will like us. He doesn’t even say peace will always be possible. Jesus was very clear that following Him would sometimes bring opposition. But as far as it depends on us, we should pursue peace.

Sometimes standing for what we believe will cost us approval. Jesus said to expect that. But when people dislike us, it shouldn’t be because we were unnecessarily harsh, eager to argue, or unwilling to listen. There’s a difference between being disliked because of what we believe and being disliked because of the way we behave.

Dolly herself seemed to understand that being kind didn’t require being a pushover. When Elvis Presley wanted to record I Will Always Love You, she was excited – until his manager demanded that she give up half of the publishing rights. Dolly said no. She admitted she cried all night over her decision, but she didn’t change it.

Being gracious doesn’t mean changing your convictions or giving up what truly matters. We can stand firmly for what we believe without being eager to fight or treating people as enemies.

Dolly Parton said she loved everybody. Maybe. But Christians do have a pretty big reason to love others: “We love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19).

Will everyone like us?

Probably not.

But as much as depends on us, maybe we should give them every opportunity to.

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But I wonder if the real attraction this time isn’t just Spider-Man but those three simple words:

Brand New Day.

They sound hopeful. They sound like possibility. They sound like the beginning of something better. Maybe that’s why those words resonate even with people who have never seen a Spider-Man movie.

Why We Love Fresh Starts

We love fresh starts. Think of all the places we wish for one. We start over on January 1. We try again on Monday. Birthdays, graduations, a move to a new town, a new job, a retirement. After a divorce, after a failure, after saying something we regret.

Why? Perhaps because we know something isn’t right. We know we’ve made mistakes. We know life rarely unfolds the way we expected. And we long to start over. We don’t just want tomorrow. We want another chance.

Stories about fresh starts have always been popular. The Prodigal Son hit rock bottom, learned his lesson, and came home. Ebenezer Scrooge was given the opportunity to see his past, present, and future and the chance to escape his chain-filled fate. George Bailey, from the Christmas classic It’s a Wonderful Life, saw what his world would be like if he had never been born, then chose to live his life with new purpose and enthusiasm. And of course, Peter Parker has spent much of his story learning how to start over after loss, disappointment, and failure.

Different cultures, different times, different genres, but the same desire. None of us gets everything right the first time. The good news is that God gave us examples of people who didn’t get it right either but were given another chance.

Jacob deceived his family and had to flee in fear yet became the father of a nation.

Moses, a murderer and a fugitive, became Israel’s deliverer.

David committed adultery and murder but repented, was restored, and remembered as a man after God’s own heart.

Peter, the disciple who denied Jesus, became the bold preacher at Pentecost.

John Mark was a young man who Paul once refused to take on a missionary journey but later called him useful to his ministry (2 Timothy 4:11).

And Paul himself was once a proud persecutor of Christians yet became Christianity’s greatest missionary.

These failures were part of their stories, but they weren’t the end of their stories. Not because they deserved it but because God delights in redemption.

Perhaps that’s why stories like this continue to fill movie theaters. We all want to believe our failures don’t have to define us. We want to believe there is still hope after disappointment, forgiveness after failure, and purpose after we have made a mess of things. The Bible reminds us that there is. God does not promise that life will be easy, and we, almost certainly, will keep making mistakes. But God can and does redeem what seems beyond repair. He can make all things new.

And that’s a story that never grows old.

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Practicing summer safety isn’t living in fear—it’s living with wisdom. By taking a few simple precautions, we can protect ourselves, our families, and those around us while fully enjoying the blessings of the season.

Please note that while these are helpful preventative safety tips, you should always consult medical professionals for the most up to date recommendations and advice.

Water Safety: Respect the Water

Whether enjoying a swimming pool, lake, river, or ocean, water deserves our respect.

• Never swim alone.
• Use U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets when boating or participating in water sports.
• Avoid alcohol while operating a boat or supervising swimmers.
• Watch children continuously around water—drowning is often silent.
• Learn CPR and basic water rescue skills.

Remember that strong swimmers can also become fatigued or encounter unexpected currents. Preparation and attentiveness save lives.

Sun Safety: Enjoy the Sunshine Wisely

Sunshine boosts our mood and helps our bodies produce vitamin D, but too much sun increases the risk of sunburn, heat illness, premature skin aging, and skin cancer.

Whenever possible:

• Plan extended outdoor activities before 10:00 a.m. or after 4:00 p.m. when UV rays are generally less intense.
• If you are outdoors during peak hours (approximately 10 a.m.–4 p.m.), seek shade regularly.
• Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) and reapply every two hours—or more often after swimming or sweating.
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses with UV protection, and lightweight clothing that covers exposed skin.

Even on cloudy days, UV rays can reach your skin, so protection remains important.

Heat Safety: Listen to Your Body

Heat-related illnesses can develop quickly.

To stay healthy:

• Drink water consistently throughout the day, even before you feel thirsty.
• Limit beverages that contribute to dehydration, including excessive alcohol and high-caffeine drinks.
• Take frequent breaks in air-conditioned or shaded areas.
• Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
• Know the warning signs of heat exhaustion: dizziness, headache, excessive sweating, weakness, nausea, and muscle cramps.

If symptoms worsen or confusion develops, seek emergency medical care immediately, as heat stroke is a life-threatening condition.

Driving Safety During Summer

Summer often brings heavier traffic, road construction, family vacations, and sudden storms.

Protect yourself by:

• Wearing your seatbelt every trip.
• Reducing speed during heavy rain to help prevent hydroplaning.
• Increasing following distance on wet roads.
• Using polarized sunglasses to reduce sun glare during morning and evening travel.
• Staying alert for motorcycles, bicyclists, pedestrians, and children playing near neighborhoods.
• Avoiding distracted driving by putting phones away.

Defensive driving allows you to respond calmly when others make unexpected decisions.

Living with Wisdom

Scripture reminds us that wisdom is demonstrated through our actions. Preparing for emergencies, protecting our health, and watching over our neighbors are practical ways we honor God.

As you enjoy this summer season, pray for discernment, remain alert, and encourage those around you to practice safe habits. Caring for ourselves allows us to continue serving our families, churches, and communities with strength and gratitude.

May this summer be filled with joyful memories, meaningful fellowship, and God’s continued protection over you and those you love.

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Across the country, people are counting down the days until they can step away from work. Some are boarding airplanes for destinations they have dreamed about for years. Others are packing up the family for a week at the lake. Many of us will just enjoy a slower pace at home, spending an evening on the back porch with a glass of lemonade instead of answering one more email or working one more shift.

There’s something refreshing about getting away from our daily routines. Vacations remind us that we need rest.

But they also raise an interesting question: Why do we work in the first place?

Investor Warren Buffett often challenges young people to “look for the job you would take if you didn’t need a job.” Most of us don’t have the luxury of choosing a career based solely on what sounds fun, but his comment points to something many people feel deep inside. We don’t just want a job that pays the bills. We want our work to matter.

But this desire didn’t come from a career coach or a self-help book. It came from God.

Many people assume work was part of the curse that came after Adam and Eve sinned. But the curse didn’t create work. It created weeds. It created frustration. It created aching backs, difficult coworkers, broken equipment, and all the other headaches that remind us we live in a fallen world.

But work came first.

Before sin entered the world, God placed Adam in the garden to “work it and take care of it” (Genesis 2:15). The Bible presents work as part of God’s good creation, not as a punishment. Paradise wasn’t a permanent vacation. Adam had responsibilities before there were thorns. He had purpose before there was pain.

That’s an important distinction. God didn’t invent work as punishment for our sin. What once had been joyful would now require sweat. The curse didn’t create work – it made work harder.

That changes the way we think about our jobs.

Work is one of God’s good gifts.

Why do so many people enjoy building a deck, planting a garden, baking bread, repairing an engine, teaching a child to read, writing a story, or serving a customer well? Why does finishing a project, even something like mowing the lawn or preparing a meal, bring satisfaction?

Because we were created by a God who works. We don’t work because the world is fallen. We work because God made us in His image.

From the opening pages of Scripture, we meet a Creator who brings order from chaos, beauty from emptiness, and life where there was none. And that is why we enjoy creating things. We like seeing our flowers bloom after planting them, balancing the books, fixing an engine, stepping back to admire a freshly painted room, or finally figuring out why the printer wouldn’t cooperate.

That doesn’t mean every day at work is exciting or enjoyable. Some jobs are repetitive. Some are physically exhausting. Some people are caring for aging parents around the clock. Some are raising little ones. Some are retired from their careers but busier than ever serving at church, volunteering in their community, or helping grandchildren.

The work looks different in every season, but the need to contribute never really goes away. Perhaps that is why vacations are refreshing. Vacation isn’t valuable because work is bad. It is valuable because rest is also part of God’s design. And it prepares us to return to our work refreshed and reminded of our purpose.

So enjoy every moment of your vacation. Explore, relax, and embrace the gift of rest. And when it comes to an end, don’t think of work as the interruption. Think of it as one of God’s original gifts – a chance to reflect the Creator who made us in His image and designed us with purpose from the very beginning.

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Most of us probably won’t be able to attend any of them. I, and maybe you too, would love to go, but we will be right where we usually are – in small towns, suburbs, and ordinary communities far from the major celebrations.

But that is okay. Because for 250 years, America has never existed only in the most important and famous places. Men and women from every place have contributed ideas, inventions, creativity, art, work, and even their lives when called for.

It has existed in church fellowship halls and family farms, in factories and small businesses, in county fairs and Little League games. It has existed in neighborhood cookouts, school gymnasiums, memorial services in old cemeteries, and in communities where people work hard and still help a neighbor in need.

The large celebrations will be exciting, and I am glad they are happening. Important milestones should be marked. Two hundred fifty years is significant.

But I think some of the best appreciation for our country will happen far away from the television cameras.

It will happen in places where people gather for small-town parades and sit in folding chairs waiting for the fire engines and the marching bands to come by. It will happen in conversations between grandparents and grandchildren. It will happen when someone takes the time to explain why there are so many little flags in front of gravestones or why certain songs are played every Fourth of July.

It will happen when people pause long enough to realize – and appreciate – that freedom is not normal in the history of the world.

Americans have always argued with each other, and we certainly still do. But despite our disagreements, we still quietly enjoy blessings people in many countries have never even experienced – the freedom to worship openly, speak freely, gather together, vote, own property, raise families, and pursue ordinary peaceful lives.

Those things become easy to overlook because they are so familiar to us. We don’t know what it is like to not have them.

That is one reason why national anniversaries like America’s 250^th celebration are important. They remind us to stop long enough to notice what we have been given. Fighting the world’s superpower was the riskiest thing Americans have ever done. And we all owe our freedom and safety to those original risk takers, many of whom gave so much.

But you do not have to travel to New York or Washington D.C. to appreciate America’s 250^th anniversary.

You can attend a local America 250 parade or community celebration. Visit a historical marker you usually drive past. Put out a flag. Walk through an old cemetery. Take your children or grandchildren to a community event or celebration. Learn something about your own town’s history. Treat this holiday as something special no matter where you are.

Because much of America’s story was built in ordinary places by ordinary Americans who simply lived, worked, sacrificed, raised families, served others, and tried to leave things better for others.

And that is still worth honoring today.

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You stop thinking of your mother only as the one who cared for you and begin to see her as someone who now needs care herself – not always physically but in quieter ways. You notice things you didn’t before. The passage of time. The weight she carries.

And without announcing itself, your role changes.

You begin to pray for her – more intentionally than you did before.

Seeing Her Clearly

For much of life, it is easy to see your mother primarily in relation to yourself – what she did, what she didn’t do, what you needed, what you received.

But time has a way of widening that view.

You start to see that she has her own burdens, her own questions, her own need for grace. She is not only your mother; she is a woman who still needs the Lord just as much as you do.

Scripture calls us to honor our parents – even as adult children – and one quiet way we can do that is by bringing them before the Lord in prayer.

What Do You Pray?

When you’re not sure how to pray for your mother, it doesn’t have to be complicated.

Not elaborate prayers. Not polished ones.

Just faithful, specific ones.

You pray for her health because it is no longer something to assume.

You pray for her faith, that it would remain steady – or grow deeper – even in her ordinary life.

You pray for her peace, especially in the areas where she carries concern – often for the very people she once carried in her arms.

You pray for her endurance because finishing well requires strength.

The Lord bless you and keep you;

The Lord make His face shine on you

and be gracious to you;

The Lord turn His face toward you

And give you peace.

(Numbers 6:24-26)

These prayers may feel simple. Even repetitive. But they are not small.

Letting Prayer Replace Assumption

It is easy to assume your mother is “fine,” especially if she has always been strong.

Prayer interrupts that assumption. It makes you slow down and think about what she might not be saying. It moves you from just reacting to paying attention. It reminds you that you may not be able to fix anything, but you are able to bring her before the One who can.

Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.

(1 Peter 5:7)

And over time, prayer changes you too.

You’re less impatient.

You’re more grateful.

You start to see things a little more clearly.

The Kind of Work No One Sees

There may never be a moment when your mother knows how often you pray for her.

And there may be no clear, visible outcome you can point to. But you are entrusting to the Lord the woman who once entrusted you to Him, whether she realized it or not.

And that matters.

A Simple Prayer for Your Mother

Lord,
Thank you for the woman who raised me.
You know her strengths and her burdens, her joys and her concerns.
Strengthen her in body and in spirit.
Give her peace where she is anxious and steadiness where she feels weary.
Draw her heart continually toward You.
Help me to honor her – not only in words but in faithfulness of prayer.
Amen.

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They’re just ordinary.

Nothing is wrong, but there is nothing special either. But sometimes it is fun or comforting to add a little “specialness” to your day. And often small, simple things can improve your day in a noticeable way.

Open the windows

Even for a little while. Fresh air changes the feel of a room more than you expect. It makes everything feel less closed in.

Pray

Truly pray. Try more than a simple “Thank you, God,” although that is good, but sitting down and pouring out your heart – everything – your fears, your sins, your pain – and giving it to Him, trusting Him who loves you more than anyone, will completely change your day. You may cry, but it will reduce your stress and bring you peace.

Get one thing done that has been sitting in your head

Not everything – just one thing. Send the email. Make the call. Finish the small task you have been putting off. It clears mental space and makes you feel so much better.

Read a book

Not your phone. Not scrolling. Just a few pages of something you actually want to read. It’s a different kind of rest.

Make something you actually want to eat

A simple meal. A dessert. Something you’d enjoy – not just what is easiest or fastest. If you are worried about making something you don’t want to eat a lot of, make a smaller portion or share the leftovers. Even a small portion feels different when you chose it on purpose.

Dance and Sing

Put HOPE 100.7 on while you are making dinner or doing a chore and sing along – out loud. Singing out loud literally improves both your health and your happiness.

Write a short note to someone

Nothing long or formal. Just a quick message to thank someone or tell them you appreciate them. It doesn’t take much time, but it tends to lift your mood as much as theirs.

Light a candle during dinner

It’s a small thing, but it changes the feel of the evening. It makes an ordinary meal feel special without any extra effort.

Clean one thing

Not the whole house. Just one spot or area.

The counter, the sink, a small pile that’s been sitting there. One clear space can make the whole room feel easier to be in.

Step outside

Even briefly. A few minutes of fresh air or sunlight can reset your mood more than staying inside all day. And if you can’t get out for a quick stroll during the day, go out and look up at the night sky. It’s an excellent reminder of who is in control and might let you fall asleep a little easier.

You don’t have to do all of these, of course. And you don’t have to turn them into a routine.

Some will come and go. Some might stick without you really trying. And some might be things you save for days that need a little extra help. But they’re there – small, simple ways to make an ordinary day feel a little better.

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The first witnesses to the empty tomb of Jesus were women.

All four Gospels record that women discovered the empty tomb of Jesus early on the first Easter morning. According to Jewish custom, burial spices were used to prepare a body for the tomb, but because Jesus needed to be buried quickly before the start of the Sabbath, the hurried circumstances of Friday afternoon meant the work had not been finished. Several women went to the tomb of Jesus to complete the burial preparations that had been interrupted by the Sabbath.

They were not expecting a resurrection. They were simply coming to care for a body. The Gospel of Mark records their conversation as they walked:

Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us? (Mark 16:3).

When they arrived, however, they discovered something astonishing. The stone had already been rolled away, and the tomb was empty. And the angel at the tomb told them the news that would change history:

He is not here; for He is risen (Matthew 28:6).

At first glance this part of the Easter story might not seem unusual. Yet in the cultural world of the first century, this was actually quite unexpected. In Jewish and Roman society, women’s testimony was often not accepted in legal settings. Their words carried less public authority than those of men.

For that reason, if someone were inventing a story meant to persuade others, women would be an unlikely choice for the primary witnesses. Yet the Gospel writers all record the same thing: The first people to discover the empty tomb of Jesus were women.

Mary Magdalene at the tomb appears in every account of the empty tomb. Other women were present as well, depending on the Gospel writer’s perspective. These women had followed Jesus faithfully during His ministry. Some of them had even helped support His ministry and remained nearby and watched the crucifixion when many of the disciples had fled. They saw where Jesus was buried. And now they were the first to see that the tomb was empty.

It is a beautiful and often overlooked part of the story. The message of Easter was not first announced to powerful leaders or public figures. It was given to ordinary followers who had come simply to care for their teacher.

And those women were then entrusted with an important task. They were told to go tell the disciples. Matthew records the moment clearly:

Go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead (Matthew 28:7).

In other words, the first witnesses of the resurrection were also the first messengers of the news. This detail reminds us of something important about the Easter story:

God often works through people the world overlooks.

The first witnesses were not chosen because of status or authority. They were simply faithful followers who showed up when others did not. Because they came to the tomb that morning, they became the first to hear the words that would echo through history:

He is risen.

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Within our personal lives winter seems so long and so unnecessary. Here are a few reflections I’ve heard from friends and family:

“I think the winter has completely drained, kicked butt, pulled hair out, made you scream, and run down the street. It has been awful, cold, dreary, I mean, just everything. And so I am so looking forward to even just seeing a little bitty bit of the warmer temperatures. It reminds me there’s hope, and I’m looking forward to spring, like really for real.”

“This winter was very draining, very exhausting. The days are getting longer. I watched the news and the newscaster said, ‘We’re going to have another hour and 10 minutes of sunlight.’ I can tell the sun is shining more and that it’s coming. OK, we’ve turned the corner.”

“I feel the warmth of the sun and hear the early morning songs of the birds a bit more. That’s a sign of hope, that spring is on its way. I really enjoy spending quiet time on my porch, drinking coffee, and enjoying the quietness and ability to watch the little squirrels run around.”

God has created the seasons and each has its significance. Winter may seem the least beneficial, but it’s not. Here are 10 Benefits of Winter.

1. Natural Pest Control

Cold temperatures reduce populations of insects, parasites, and plant pathogens. Extended freezes help limit agricultural pests and disease-carrying insects that would otherwise multiply rapidly.

2. Soil Restoration and Structure

Freeze-thaw cycles break up compacted soil, improving aeration and allowing water and nutrients to penetrate more deeply. This natural “tilling” strengthens soil health for spring growth.

3. Water Storage Through Snowpack

Snow acts as a slow-release reservoir. As it melts gradually, it replenishes groundwater, rivers, and lakes — supporting ecosystems and agriculture well into warmer months.

4. Plant Dormancy and Energy Conservation

Many trees and perennials enter dormancy, conserving energy and protecting vital tissues. This rest period is essential for healthy budding, flowering, and fruiting in spring.

5. Seed Stratification

Some plant species require cold exposure before they can germinate. Winter’s chill triggers the biological clock that allows seeds to sprout at the right time.

6. Wildlife Population Balance

Harsh conditions naturally regulate wildlife populations. While challenging, this balance helps prevent overgrazing and resource depletion.

7. Nutrient Cycling

As leaves and plant matter decompose under snow cover, nutrients slowly return to the soil. This quiet process prepares fertile ground for new life.

8. Water Oxygenation

Cold water holds more dissolved oxygen than warm water, which benefits fish and aquatic organisms during winter months.

9. Ecosystem Reset

Winter provides a seasonal pause — a resetting of growth cycles, pest pressure, and biological rhythms. This seasonal rhythm supports long-term ecological stability.

10. Climate Regulation

Snow and ice reflect sunlight, helping regulate global temperatures by reducing heat absorption at the Earth’s surface.

Though winter may appear barren, it is a season of hidden work restoring, refining, and readying the earth for renewal. Scripture reminds us in Ecclesiastes 3:1, “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.” Winter embodies that truth in the natural world. It teaches that rest is purposeful, dormancy is not death, and quiet seasons are often the soil of future fruitfulness. As we observe how winter strengthens ecosystems and prepares the earth for renewal, we are reminded that God’s design is both ecological and spiritual. The Creator who ordained the seasons also ordains times in our lives, each with meaning, each with purpose, and each moving us toward renewal. Let’s look into our souls during this winter and search for what God is renewing in us as we prepare for our personal spring.

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“Great Is Thy Faithfulness” was written in 1923 by Thomas O. Chisholm (1866-1960), a Kentucky-born Methodist minister, who wrote it as a poem reflecting on God’s daily faithfulness throughout his life. Inspired by Lamentations 3:22-23, it was set to music by William M. Runyan (1870-1957) and gained popularity through the Moody Bible Institute and Billy Graham crusades. Thomas Chisholm wrote over 1,200 poems, but this particular hymn became his most enduring legacy, focusing on the theme that God’s compassions are new every morning.

Let’s look at Lamentations 3:22-23 in several different versions of the Bible.

● Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. New International Version (NIV)

● Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. New King James Version (NKJV)

● God’s loyal love couldn’t have run out, his merciful love couldn’t have dried up. They’re created new every morning. How great your faithfulness! I’m sticking with God (I say it over and over). He’s all I’ve got left. The Message (MSG)

Thomas’ life was not one of ease. He experienced health problems and financial struggles. Thomas wrote out of experience of need. He needed God’s unfailing mercy daily within his life. Now, let’s look at the words to “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” and reflect on the truth of the inspiring scripture. If this were the only scripture and hymn that we ever knew, the profoundness of its message could sustain us for a lifetime.

May we each realize the LOVING KINDNESS of God our Father. His FAITHFULNESS is what sustains us each and every day. May we not become immune to the wooing strains of God’s mercies that waft through the chords of this song with the intention of capturing our heart and producing a return from us of LOVE and GRATEFULNESS to the GREAT I AM.

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Why Winter Feels So Long

If winter feels especially long right now, you’re not alone. People, especially women, often feel this in response to reduced daylight, colder temperatures, and the “sameness” the season often brings. While we cannot shorten winter, there are simple ways we can make winter feel shorter and more livable. Not big transformations – just small, steady practices that bring warmth, light, and a sense of movement into everyday life.

Mark Time in Small, Visible Ways

One reason winter feels so heavy is that the weeks blur together. Instead of waiting for spring, try giving yourself small markers throughout the week. A simple Friday soup night, a Sunday afternoon walk, or a midweek coffee ritual can break up the monotony. These small rhythms give you something to look forward to and help the days feel more distinct.

This is one of the simplest ways of coping with winter fatigue: Create gentle structure without pressure.

Add Light Whenever You Can

Light plays a bigger role in winter mood than we often realize. If possible, open the curtains first thing in the morning and spend a few minutes near a window or step outside, even if it is cloudy. Getting outside within the first hour of waking helps reset your body’s natural clock. Use lamps instead of overhead lighting in the evening. Candles can help too.

Sit near windows or even outside if you can while you eat or work, and if lack of light seems to be a real problem for you, some have found help with vitamin D supplements or light therapy lamps.

Move First Thing in the Morning

You don’t need a full workout for this. Just five minutes of stretching or a short walk tells your body it is time to start the day.

Lean into Warmth – In More Than One Way

Warmth matters in winter, and not just physically. Warm foods like soup, tea, and slow-cooked meals nourish in a way that quick snacks don’t. Warm conversations matter too. Isolation intensifies fatigue. So, sitting with someone over a cup of coffee, even briefly, can bring emotional warmth that counters isolation.

When winter feels long, connection shortens it.

Don’t Wait for Motivation – Start Small

Winter often drains motivation. Instead of waiting to feel ready, start with five minutes. Five minutes of movement, tidying, journaling, or stepping outside. Momentum often follows action, not the other way around. This is especially helpful when coping with late winter blues, when energy is limited.

Stay Connected, Even When You Would Rather Hibernate

The instinct to withdraw in winter is understandable, but isolation tends to make the season feel longer and heavier. Staying connected doesn’t require hosting or planning. A short walk with a friend, a phone call, or an invitation for coffee can make a real difference. If your church has them, make the effort to get to a home group or Bible study. The warmth of fellowship can do wonders.

Sometimes winter is hard, but it will pass. Until it does, simple winter care routines – light, movement, warmth, rhythm, and connection – can make the days feel lighter and more manageable.

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I find it fascinating to look into the geopolitical and world history during the time hymns were written. You can often find the threads of the spiritual and physical struggle that individuals were facing. The hymns became the authors’ prayers and cries to God. “I Know Who Holds Tomorrow” is no different.

Can you imagine being born in the same year that World War 1 erupted? Even though Stanphill was a baby, the trauma of his mother, father, family, and community created an atmosphere that influenced his upbringing. This war brought much uncertainty and fear to the entire globe. Next, when Stanphill was approximately 15, the Great U.S. Depression unfolded and lasted for almost ten years until World War 2 broke the U.S. Depression, but thrust the U.S. into another world conflict after the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

It is safe to say that Stanphill’s family was full of faith and a devotion to God. Stanphill gave his life to the Lord at age 12. He was called to preach at age 22 after attending Junior College. Stanphill not only preached, but he loved music and composed over 500 gospel songs. Stanphill by age 10 was an avid musician and was composing and performing his own music by age 17.

With that history in mind, now let’s turn to the actual words of the hymn. Stanphill was writing from emotion and desperation of his day. In comparison, it may be very similar, but different than we are currently facing. Stanphill’s time as our time is filled with unrest, uncertainty, and a desire for God’s sustaining hand and direction.

“I Know Who Holds Tomorrow” was published in 1950, five years after the end of World War 2.

Let these words become your and my prayer and confidence as the world around us takes the unknown turns we cannot foresee. Even though we may not know what will happen later today, tomorrow, or in the future; we can know who holds our hand.

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Perhaps you are grateful for many blessings yet quietly aware that this year asked more of you than expected. There may have been empty chairs at Christmas, health answers you are still waiting on, financial strain that followed you all year, or children who aren’t “turning out” the way you prayed.

The end of the year can be an emotional place – full of reflection, gratitude, grief, and questions about what lies ahead. In moments like these, Scripture gently redirects our hearts. It does not promise that the coming year will be easier or clearer, but it does show us where true hope is found.

Hope Rooted in God’s Faithfulness

When we look back over a year that felt uneven or unfinished, it is tempting to measure it by what we accomplished – or by what we did not. But the Bible consistently points us to a different measure.

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22-23).

God’s faithfulness does not mean the year unfolded the way you hoped. It means He did not abandon you in it. Faithfulness looks like strength that met you on days you did not know how you would keep going. It looks like grace that sustained you when you were weary and mercy that quietly renewed you.

As you reflect on the past year, hope grows not from a perfect record but from the realization that God carried you through every page of it.

Hope Anchored in God’s Presence

Standing at the edge of a new year reminds us how little we actually control. The unknown can weigh heavily in these final days of December – or any time of the year.

Yet Scripture does not ask us to face the future alone.

Fear not, for I am with you (Isaiah 41:10).

Behold, I am with you always (Matthew 28:20).

Christian hope for the new year is not rooted in knowing what will happen, but in trusting God with the future. God does not promise us a predictable path, but He does promise His presence on it. Whatever the coming year holds, you will not step into a single day without Him.

Hope Held in God’s Promises

We often want clarity before we move forward. God, instead, gives us promises.

Promises like:

· My peace I give to you (John 14:27)

· My grace is sufficient for you (2 Corinthians 12:9)

· I will strengthen you and help you (Isaiah 41:10)

These promises do not erase uncertainty, but they steady us within it. They remind us that hope in Christ is not wishful thinking – it is confidence rooted in the character of a faithful God.

As the year ends and a new one begins, you may not have answers to every question or clarity about what lies ahead. But you do have promises that are firm and trustworthy.

An End-of-Year Invitation

It may help to pause and reflect:

· Where did God sustain me this year, even quietly?

· What burdens am I carrying that I need to place in His hands?

· What promise of God do I want to take with me into the new year?

The invitation here is not to reinvent yourself but to rest your hope where it truly belongs.

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On Christmas Day, 1863, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow heard the church bells ringing and wrote these words:

But it was not a season of Christmas peace for Longfellow. His wife had recently died from severe burns, civil war was ravaging the nation, and earlier in December, army surgeons had informed Longfellow that his oldest son had been severely injured in battle and might possibly be paralyzed.

He heard the bells chiming “peace,” but all around him, he saw despair and violence. He had lost two wives, been himself injured in the fire that had killed his second wife, his son was hurt, his children left motherless, men were enslaving other men, and brothers were killing brothers.

But as he listened to the bells longer, he was able to pen words that still bring Christmas hope to those longing for God’s peace in difficult times:

Longfellow knew that God was on His throne. Even though he couldn’t see it, Longfellow knew that God was still working and that ultimately, He would win over all the hate, injustice, and evil of the world. But what is sad is that Longfellow most likely did not really know the God of peace who sent His Son for us to conquer the “Wrong” and bring us eternal peace.

Henry Longfellow was curious about Jesus Christ, but he lived and died a member of the Unitarian Church. Unitarians believe that Jesus was not the Son of God but only a good man and that there was no need for Jesus to sacrificially die for us, and there is no eternal damnation.

Like Longfellow, many people today hear songs of peace while carrying private grief, loss, or discouragement. And like him, they know about God. Over half of Americans have no doubt that He exists, and others are open to it. They overwhelmingly believe that Jesus existed, and most know what He did for us; but very few really know God. They have not chosen to believe they are sinners in need of a Savior or allowed Him to be the Lord of their lives. They can sing (and even write) Christmas carols, but they do not yet know the Savior or the peace that they sing about.

Longfellow believed God was not dead; how much more can we who truly know God rest in the promise that God’s peace is real and eternal. We can be confident in the hope of Christ. One day soon the Wrong shall fail, the Right prevail, with peace on earth, goodwill to men.

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Christmas card giving dates back to 1843 and Sir Henry Cole who introduced the Penny Post in England as an affordable postal system. He wanted to make it easy to send holiday greetings to friends and family. The first card was designed by John Callcott Horsley featuring a family celebrating together and the message was, “A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You.” With improved printing and inexpensive postage the 1860s and 1870s saw a worldwide popularity of Christmas card giving. There has been an evolution of Christmas cards with improved manufacturing and distribution.

The giving and receiving of Christmas cards was important and memorable when I was a kid. As kids, we often were given the opportunity to pick out a box or two of the cards we would send. Mom would do the writing inside and sign from, “The 4Js” (all our names started with J).

As a kid and then repeating it with my kids, we picked a received Christmas card (each week or month depending on total cards received) and placed it on our table. We would then pray for that family and often call them or send a note telling them what we were doing with their card.

Sometimes saved Christmas cards were used to create new art. 3-D decoupage was the “rage” while I was a kid. You would take various cards, cut out characters, animals, or stars and layer them on top of each other using glue-guns and shellac.

But, what has happened to the giving of Christmas cards?

• Technology came and many people started sending electronic (digital) cards.
• The rise in the cost of cards and the cost of postage made some families limit the number of cards sent…if any.
• The Christmas cards became less about celebrating Jesus’ birth and more about the commercialization of “the holiday.”

What can we do to revive the spirit of Christmas card giving? Make Christmas card giving a family event from start to finish!

1. Schedule 1-2 nights (1-2 hours per night) a week starting now to get everything completed to deliver cards by Christmas.

2. Choose a basic stock paper you will use. There are varieties of weight, colors, and textures to choose from.

The heavier the stock, the less likely you will want to make a folding card. You may create a postcard style with art on one side and the message on the back. Heavier stock also allows for possible mediums as tempera or finger paint, glue guns, and other heavier “bling.”

Lighter weight paper, like copy paper, can be folded in half or in fours. “Bling” is still possible, but must be lighter like string, ribbons, small buttons or the card will be cumbersome to open.

On lighter paper, make sure you have layers between the folding sides as you create so as not to have ink or paint bleed through.

When folding paper for cards, test out the direction of pages to show pictures, text, and final salutation…you don’t want to work so hard and see you have a page upside down or backwards…but that could add character.

3. Decide your front cover theme. If you have small children, baby lambs, angels, and shepherds may keep their interest.

Allowing your small ones to do finger tip or thumb art is exciting. Dipping their thumb in white paint can create the body of a sheep or angel. Dipping their pinky finger into the white paint and appropriately placing that mark becomes the head of the sheep or angel.

Painting or placing of characters should occur after the background has been sketched on with crayon or colored pencils. This could be done as an assembly line. Someone colors the ground, someone colors the sky, and someone can place glitter stars in the sky.

A theme for older children and adults may be Christmas trees or Poinsettia flowers. Again, this could be completed as an assembly line.

4. Wait now for the next session to add any eyes, legs, arms, or accents to the front cover art. Sharpies come in multiple colors and thickness and work well even over dried paint, crayon, or colored pencils. Additional sticky eyes, stars, or glitter can be used.

Remember, place a sheet or two between the page on which you use the sharpy and the page below so it won’t bleed.

5. Choose a Christmas verse or a goodwill greeting you want in your card. Maybe you want two or three for variety.

At this point you will decide, are you going for the neatness and choose someone with the best penmanship, or are you going for the love and memory making, and anybody who can copy the script to fit in the space becomes a scribe.

6. Make sure the salutation page has everyone’s name and age. Include the year of this Christmas card. When people sift through memories this will be more meaningful because of the names, ages, and date.

7. Finally …the delivery method. Many handmade cards will not fit into an envelope. Depending on who will receive your cards and the distance of delivery, there are several options.

• Before you start, but have decided whether your Christmas card is a postcard, folded in half, or folded in quarters; head down to a local store that still sells envelopes and see if any fit your card. You could measure your card (L x W x H) and then check various online services and find envelopes that match your card size. Always go just a little larger so your creative “bling” won’t be smashed.

• Your family may choose not to use envelopes and hand deliver. This is  my favorite method. Know which cards can be given out at school, work, or church. Present them just saying, “Our family was thinking of you, Merry Christmas.”

• Your family may choose to deliver your Christmas cards to a homeless shelter or senior center. Make sure you check on numbers beforehand if this is your family’s choice…you don’t want any residents to be left out.

Guess what? If your family chooses to purchase the pre-made Christmas cards and skip the creative mayhem…you still can finish well by following steps 6 (salutation page) and 7 (delivery method) and make your Christmas card giving memorable to both your family and those who receive your Christmas Cheer.

For more thought-provoking topics, tune in to Hope 100.7. 
God bless you. Stay hopeful!

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