“Daniel answered and said: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; ”
Daniel 2:20-21 ESV
Today marks the “official” first day of winter for the Northern Hemisphere. Our sunrise this morning (photo from yesterday) is as far south along the horizon as it will appear. The sun will now once again be trekking north, barely noticeable for a while, but it will occur with surety, as the Prophet Daniel declared, God changes the times and the seasons!
We have several churches or chapels on our main tree. This one might be my favorite. Should you celebrate or consider Advent in some way as part of your Christmas, today is the fourth Sunday of Advent. We will celebrate with the lighting of candles today at church as we have for the past three Sunday’s. We all have our own traditions, and celebrations certainly vary, but however we choose to worship, may the Christ Child be at the center of all our activities!
A number of snowmen find their place on our Christmas tree year after year. We rarely have snow, but that doesn’t keep us from having snowmen around for the holidays! (With predictions of 73 degrees F, 23C, for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, real snowmen would not be pleased with our weather).
What is a Christmas tree without a few Santa’s hanging around? This guy is one of our larger Radko’s, but what I like about this view of him are those 3 little folks on a previous year’s ornament peering over his shoulder. I think they might be looking for that big sack that most Santa’s are known to be carrying this time of year!
The grands and I really love this ornament, an EM creation. Christmas Pam is even wearing a headband with reindeer antlers. A priceless ornament, costing about 3 cents, yet far more valuable than all the Radkos!
The Byers Carolers grace the top of the piano, an appropriate place for this group who bring “glad tidings” through singing. Their voice is their gift. Pam and I were reflecting on days long ago when we, along with friends, went door to door a few days before Christmas singing carols while standing on the porches or sidewalks in front of houses in the community. Seemed it was always cold, but still quite a joy to see people smile and often sing along!
The letter carrier has always been one of our favorite singers. I look at him and think, “this guy is a tenor”! It’s our first Christmas without Pam’s dad. Pawpaw was a letter carrier for 34 years.
Of course the familiar bell ringers from The Salvation Army deserve a special place as they step up to help lead the group in singing traditional Christmas Carols. Have you ever been caroling?
As represented by our group of carolers, Christmas brings people together from all walks of life, all ages, and all vocations. As I noticed the music Pam had open on the piano, I could hear in my heart and mind a wonderful version of O Holy Night!
This dedicated pair has been with us for many years and continue to remind us season after season of the importance of music, especially at Christmastime! We would love to share a Christmas song with you as part of today’s post and as our gift to you. Search for “In A Manger by Butch Richardson” on Youtube, or simply click “In A Manger”.
When the grands made ornaments for their tree, EM made a star which they placed on the tree as a topper. EK also made a star, we saw her making it, but Pam and I didn’t notice it on the tree when we looked later after everyone had gone home. EK mentioned wanting it in a special place so we were puzzled…until walking through the den by the fireplace, where the mystery was solved. The star will remain here throughout the season!
The stockings don’t have names and we cannot remember from year to year which is which, but no problem, EM knows exactly. And, it is a requirement that they be hung in a certain order, also known and directed by EM.
From our home to yours & From our hearts to yours…MERRY CHRISTMAS
“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!””
Luke 2:13-14 ESV
Linking with:
Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Life and Linda
Merry Winter Solstice Butch and Pam! I adore ‘Christmas Pam’…the most special ornament to grace your tree! Everything is so festive for the carolers, stockings and tree. I so enjoying listening to ‘In a Manger’ and your beautiful harmonies…what a treat this morning.🎼 Wishing you and your family a wonderful week and Merry Christmas! ❤️ 🎄
Thank you Mary. It’s officially winter but the rest of our week is supposed to be in the 70’s. We hope you and your family have a great week and a wonderful Christmas!
Butch and Pam
Happy winter solstice and fourth week of Advent! EK’s star is perfectly placed. I love all your carolers and yes, I have participated in caroling in years last, and loved it. Our climate is slightly colder, so we often have snow, but we’re forecast for low 60s this Christmas, with rain. I see it as better than snow. We’ve already had two storms with impactful accumulation!
Merry Christmas, Butch and Pam, and to all the Richardsons. I hope Santa is good to everyone.
Thank you Rita. We always enjoyed the caroling back in the day. We knew you had snow a couple of times already but it doesn’t look like a white Christmas, not with 60’s and rain. Supposed to be 73 here and I’m ok with it. We hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas!
Butch and Pam
It will be warm here for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day also. At least, no rain is predicted. The star at the foot of the manger is precious. Wishing you both and your family a Merry Christmas!
Thank you Rachel. Having snow for the kids would be great but for me personally warm dry days are just fine. We wish for you and your family a Merry Christmas!
Butch and Pam
So lovingly lovely…your family, your traditions, your home, the sweet Christmas decorations and delightful ornaments, your beautiful Christmas song, “In a Manger” was truly a special gift this morning, thank you❣️ Much love to you all…
Thank you Sue. Traditions are very special and can be very simple. We were just talking and wondering if there’s snow on the ground at your place? We hope you and yours have a Merry Christmas!
Butch and Pam
Hello again!
It has really been such strange weather this week! VERY windy, 60 miles an hour in our region. We have NO snow in our yard and at times the thermometer reads 50 degrees, and it’s been RAINING…at Christmas time…which is just so unusual for us!
Jackson is getting some snow, the Teton Pass was it’s usual slippery self I hear. Our kids from TX have arrived and are so hoping for snow and some snowmobiling…so our fingers and toes are crossed for them.
Whatever the weather, we are so greatful everyone has traveled safe. All our best Merry Christmas wishes❣️🎄❣️✨️💞❄️
Those Radko ornaments are wonderful! Love the last photo of your tree with all the stockings, a wonderful family Christmas day is on the way.
Thank you Carole. We are glad we have a 9 year old who can remember everything about our ornaments and stockings. We hope you have a great week and a Merry Christmas!
Butch and Pam
How sweet about EK and her star. Your grands are beautiful examples of God’s blessings.
Enjoy this week as we move on down to the big day. Merry Christmas Hugs Kris
Thank you Kris. The big day is coming fast. A great time to make memories with the grands and family. We wish you a delightful week and a Merry Christmas!
Butch and Pam
Oh my heart❣️Thsnk you Butch‼️
Thank you Alice. We hope you are doing well. Have a great week and a Merry Christmas!
Butch and Pam
We enjoyed “In a Manger”. It’s beautifully performed and the words are wonderful! The Pam ornament is a fitting tribute to sweet Pam. The star is in the perfect place! Last year’s ornament is adorable! This year’s ornament will have another sweet addition! The singers and other Christmas figurines are all so festive. We know how much Pam’s sweet daddy will be missed during this holiday. He was a wonderful, loving Christian. While it’s sad to lose him on this earth, heaven welcomed him with open arms because Jesus made it possible for all of us. We know you have many good memories of him, but that “first year of firsts” is very challenging we know. We hope the memories shared during this season will help ease the sting of his home going. May you have a lovely Christmas with happy memorable moments!
Thank you Clara. We do hope we are gifted with a new ornament and it will have 4 little folks on it. We must save the Christmas Pam ornament and all the other “hand crafted” ones. We have scaled down the decorating somewhat though. There comes a time that you just have to do that. We hope you have a wonderful week and a Merry Christmas!
Butch and Pam
Merry Winter Solstice!
Merry Christmas!
What a joy to see the beautiful ornaments on your tree. And the stockings hung by the fireplace. But Christmas Pam is my favorite of everything. I loved that EK decided to put her star by baby Jesus. How sweet!
Hearing you both sing this morning was such a lovely start to my day.
Merry Christmas to ALL the Richardsons! 🎄🙏❤️
Thank you Nancy. There’s a country song called Christmas Carol so maybe I should write one called Christmas Pam to go along with the ornament. Yes, EK’s missing star was discovered in a very perfect place. We hope you have a great week and a wonderful Christmas!
Butch and Pam
Thank you Butch & Pam…the song is beautiful as are the two of you. The harmony so perfect just like our Lord and Savior. What a special time of year we are in. I pray for the world to know exactly what Christmas really means…yes, there are gifts and parties and lots of food with family and friends, but more importantly, Jesus came so that we might be saved from our sins and we should love everyone because He first loved us. The fields are ripe and where there is no vision, the people perish and time is short…today is the day of salvation.
I love that EM placed the star by the baby Jesus. So Special of her and how proud of her and her faith. I also like Christmas Pam…treasure that and add to your memories. Your tree is lovely and I collect Byers Carolers too so seeing them gives me great joy. Merry Christmas my dear ones….Luke 2: 11-14
Thank you Kari. The Byers carolers have been displayed in a number of places throughout the years but I believe they now have an appropriate home on top of the baby grand. Seems like that’s where they should be. Thank you for reminding us to keep our focus on Christ in this busy season of distractions. We hope you have a wonderful week and a blessed Christmas!
Butch and Pam
Butch & Pam, your trees sparkle with the sweetest stories and collected moments. My favorite is the handmade crafted, artistic rendition of Grandmother Pam, reindeer antlers included – priceless!
Merry Christmas and may you two keep making spirits bright! 🌟🎄🌟🎄🌟
Thank you Mary. I saw one of those antler headbands yesterday in a store and started to bring it home for Pam but decided the antlers on the ornament might be enough. Sparkles created by stories and moments are probably part of what brings true brightness to all of us. Have a wonderful week and a Merry Christmas!
Butch and Pam
Christmas Pam is indeed priceless as is the mystery of the mystery of the missing star.
Merry Christmas blessings to you and your family!
Thank you Kitty. It seems the simplest of things are often the best, the most valuable. She didn’t announce to us where the star was, we happened to see it later. We hope you have a pleasant week and a wonderful Christmas!
Butch and Pam
precious ornament memories. you two have a beautiful voice. thanks for sharing. Merry Christmas!
Thank you Nancy. We’ve spent a lifetime singing but it’s mostly around the house these days, and that’s ok. Have a great week and a Merry Christmas!
Butch and Pam
Happy Winter Solstice! This is the only time of year I can see the sunrise because the leaves are off the trees. Your Christmas song is beautiful, and it was such a treat to see you and Pam perform it. We are barreling towards Christmas Day now, and I bet the Grands’ excitement is reaching a fever pitch!
Thank you Roxanne. The angle of the light around the solstice plus having the leaves gone really brings a different but beautiful look as the rays bathe the landscape, especially early and late. Christmas Day has come on us so fast, don’t blink. The grands and grandparents are all getting excited I do believe. We hope you enjoy your week and have a Merry Christmas!
Butch and Pam
Merry Christmas Pam & Butch. Have fun with those sweet grandchildren.
Thank you Darlene. The grands are such a joy. We hope you have a wonderful week and a Merry Christmas!
Butch and Pam
You’ve captured the best of the season! Happy holidays,
Amalia
xo
Thank you Amalia and wishing you a bright and beautiful season!
Well, today is Boxing Day and I am catching up on all the beautiful blogs I missed during our family time (aka early Christmas, which lasted several days!). I love seeing all the beautiful touches i your home, especially the ornaments, which always enchant me. And yes, “Pam” is my favorite too, and the star could not be better placed. I send you all heartfelt wishes for a beautiful new year and a safe holiday season. I’m sure your Christmas was very happy indeed.
Oh, what a beautiful song! And the guitar picking and singing and harmony is so pretty, too! I started to leave you a comment on YouTube, until I saw that I had already done that in the past! I didn’t remember, so I am so glad you shared the link again. I wish you all would share more! You are a blessing!
Thank you Cheryl. We don’t play and sing as much as we used to and we do miss that. Thanks for that encouragement!
Butch and Pam