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Thought for Today

“Each time a person passes by you and you say ‘hello’, imagine that person turning into a candle. The more positivity, love and light you reflect, the more light is mirrored your way. Sharing beautiful hellos is the quickest way to earn spiritual brownie points. You should start seeing hellos as small declarations of faith. Every time you say hello to a stranger, your heart acknowledges over and over again that we are all family.”
― Suzy Kassem, Rise Up and Salute the Sun: The Writings of Suzy Kassem

Thought for Today

“We cannot please all men but we can be a blessing to many.”

― Mac Canoza

Fun and Easy Ways to Shine Your Light on the Shortest Day of the Year

Have you ever wondered about the difference between an equinox and a solstice?

According to the National Weather Service an equinox is one of the “two times of the year when the Earth’s axis is tilted neither toward nor away from the sun, resulting in a “nearly” equal amount of daylight and darkness at all latitudes.” The Equinoxes occur in the Spring (Vernal) and Autumn (Autumnal).

A solstice occurs “at the moment the earth’s tilt toward from the sun is at a maximum. Therefore, on the day of the summer solstice, the sun appears at its highest elevation with a noontime position that changes very little for several days before and after the summer solstice… The winter solstice marks the shortest day and longest night of the year. ”

So on this day, December 21, 2017 we are experiencing the shortest day and longest night of the year. Is it any wonder so many cultures and religious traditions celebrate light during this season?

Winter Solstice is observed as a Pagan Holiday with ritual and celebration involving light, including bonfires. We know that our own celebration of Christmas includes traditions and practices “borrowed” from other cultures and religions. So on this shortest day and longest night of the year it seems fitting to at least take a few moments to stop and reflect on the light that shines in the darkness no matter what your religious or spiritual beliefs. Light a candle, or a bonfire or set out luminaria along your driveway, hang lights on you house, put a great big smile on your face and let that light shine!

Resources:

National Weather Service

Holidays and Traditions Around the Winter Solstice

Celebrating Winter Solstice as a Christian Family

Have Yourself a Healthy Little Holdiay — Free Book

Today (Dec. 20) only my holiday e-book Have Yourself a Healthy Little Holiday is available free in the Amazon Kindle Store. Please help yourself to a copy and tell your friends, especially those with food restrictions.

If you have read the book please consider leaving an honest review at Amazon.com. Remember to mention you received a free copy in your review.

Still Christmas shopping? While you are there click on my name and take a look at my other books which are regular price today.

Thank you and wishing everyone a happy and healthy little holiday!

Thought for Today

“Goodness works in mysterious ways. Even in the deepest dark, you’ll find a light to shine your way through.”
― Melissa de la Cruz, Return to the Isle of the Lost

Thought for Today

“Dragonflies are reminders that we are light and we can reflect light in powerful ways if we choose to do so.”
― Robyn Nola

Random Acts of Christmas

One thing I like to do at the holidays is give a small (very small) token gift to people at random. One year I hung handmade angel ornaments anonymously on neighbor’s door knobs. Other years I have given candy canes or tea bags from a display on our door (we spent a lot of years in apartments). One year I grabbed a handful of holiday stick pins from our Christmas box (when Bob worked for a toy, novelty and gift company) as we were leaving for church and pinned them on people who were very special to me. And of course I have given away too many plates of holiday goodies to count.

What I remember most about all the things I have given at the holidays is the reaction of the people receiving them. Most have reacted like instead of a mere token I gave them gold. People like to be remembered and appreciated, especially in a way that does not make them feel obligated in any way.

So what is my Random Act of Christmas this year?

Reindeer antlers of course! The ladies at my holiday party all received antlers at the door and I’ve been handing out the leftovers on my daily walk. Remember I live in a senior community. I’ve never seem so many people over fifty smile and giggle in my life.

So I hope you will think about Random Acts of Christmas. This isn’t about spending a lot of money. Remember the thought really does count.

Thought for Today

“Reach out and help others. If you have the power to make someone happy, do it. Be a vessel, be the change, be the difference, or be the inspiration. Shine your light as an example. The world needs more of that.”
― Germany Kent

Fun and Easy Ways to Shine Your Light: Be an Angel

Our word angel comes from the Greek ἄγγελος. It means messenger. I will always think of this with a smile remembering a fellow seminary student in Greek class who happened to be named Angel beaming and exchanging laughter with the professor about the appropriateness of his name.

I do believe in God’s holy angels who are sent to be messengers of God’s love, care and sometimes judgement. I have had personal encounters with angels.

But I do also believe that we are also called to be messengers of Gods light, love and care to each other. This is not reserved for pastors or those studying to become pastors. We all do this by the way we live and care for others.

Especially during this season be sure you reflect God’s love and light and spread it around. I love angel crafts and have included a few links below if you want to share God’s love and light by giving handmade angels. If you are interested in Greek I have a reference for that too.

Resource:

Blue Letter Bible — referring to Strong’s Concordance

49 Awesome Angel Crafts

All Free Christmas Crafts — Angels

Thought for Today

“Most people…are nothing but glimmers in the great darkness of time. But you…are no swift-burning spark. You are a torch against the night – if you dare to let yourself burn.”
― Sabaa Tahir, A Torch Against the Night