It is a beautiful snowy day here in my world. It is as if the Lord has covered the earth in a comfy white blanket! I absolutely love snow and The Sweetheart will affirm that I get “upset” with the weatherman when he misses the forecast. If he says we are to get 8-10 inches…we had better get 8-10 inches or I am not happy! Well this time he nailed it! Schools are closed, it is a Winter Wonderland!

I remember one of our first snows when we were overseas in Tallinn, Estonia.

They measure in the “feet” sometimes. We were not prepared! We watched from our city apartment window as it just seemed to fall in buckets from the sky. But it didn’t bring traffic to a halt, nor did it bring the people to a stop! They still trudged down the sidewalk as they did every day and it was soooo cold outside. But the beauty was breathtaking as you can see in my photos today. Even my photo with the Christmas tree is taken in Tallinn, the Christmas market was held right behind our apartment. It was bitterly cold but it didn’t stop them from selling their handmade crafts. These are my beautiful friends Silje from Norway and Gabe, another missionary from the States. Miss these girls! Oh, yes, you all know the Big Guy, they called him Doogalas in the Baltics.

 This is me on the same day…freezing! Wanted you to see some of the beauty of the backstreets. They decorate everywhere for Christmas. Old Town is just breathtakingly beautiful! And if you have ever wondered what these creatures that we sing about around Christmas really look like…

Now you know! We were thrilled to see real, live reindeer! They were so beautiful and must have been resting up for the big trip. They didn’t bother to get up.

One of my favorite snow pictures! You would think we are in Switzerland! So gorgeous, I wish I could remember how much snow we received that weekend, it was tons! One of the homes, or condos, we visited, it is just picture perfect in the snow.

We enjoy so many things during this blessed season. We should enjoy them. God has given us His creation to appreciate.

“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.” Psalm 19:1

But the most wonderful treasure we have is the HOPE that came with the birth of the Savior! Hope was born in that manger! Hope that we would have eternal life. Hope that we could conquer over death because He came and took the keys to death, hell and the grave.

Hope that we would one day walk on streets of gold and suffer no more sickness or pain, all because He came, He gave, He loved!

Hope was born that night!

All we need is found in that Hope that was born on Christmas morning. This should bring us JOY that makes us want to share with everyone we meet!

Jesus has come! Hope was born!

Do you feel overwhelmed at Christmas with the busyness and hustle and bustle or are you finding time to enjoy HIM?

Take deep breaths! Spend a few minutes with the Lord every morning thanking Him for His precious gift. Focus on the story of the birth of Jesus and give Him praise. Worship will take away your burdens and fill you with the Joy that you should be experiencing!

Share with us how YOU keep grounded in this busy season. How do YOU keep HOPE alive at Christmas?

 

 

Sharing with Sunday Stillness, The Weekend Brew, Jumping Tandem