WELCOME TO "GOD'S HANDMAIDENS"

From my home to yours, I wish you a very Merry Christmas.

Let me be a true handmaid of the Lord.
Let His word be fulfilled in my life.
"Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her." Proverbs 31:28

"Christmas, A Celebration of Love" by Sallie Motes

If I were to show you a few pictures of the home place, where my siblings and I spent our childhood Christmases, you and I would see them quite differently.

You would see an old gray ramshackle house and a yard with nothing much to catch the eye. No flowers to speak of, and no beautiful drapes in the windows. No glorious light display in the yard; as for me, I would see so much more.

I would see the little tree sparkling through the front window and mother in the kitchen. You would see the cake batter splattered on her dress front but I would see my brothers joyfully licking the batter from the prongs of the electric mixer and the beautiful smile on my mothers face. You would probably see the messy kitchen and wonder, but I would see my mother and I cleaning up while we talked and became the best of friends.

You might even feel sorry for us, and our little tree, with the tin foil behind the lights and its crooked, uneven limbs. But if you could see it with my eyes, you would see a beautiful little tree; a place where we would lie around on the floor beneath the lights and tell about our dreams and what we were hoping to get for Christmas. The packages were never wrapped in shinning gold or silver paper and had no fancy bows, but every wrapping and strip of tape was applied with love.

You would see the hard wood floors beneath that tree as bare and plain, but I would see them shinning after mother mopped them, the reflection of the lights glowing and twinkling in the wetness.

You would see the plain concrete steps leading up to our front door, but I would see the many visitors, family and friends, who walked up those four steps into our home and hear them welcomed by my mother. There was always a warm cup of coffee ready for all who entered and most of the time a sweet was available.

You might see us as poor and pitiful, but I see us as a rich family. Blessed with love and a mother who knew how to make Christmas special.

After all, Christmas is really a feeling; a celebration of Love.

If I could show you a few pictures of the birth place that first Christmas, you and I may see quite differently.

You might see it as an old dirty stable, but I see the glow of firelight and the wonder on the face of young Mary.

You might see the hay and packed dirt as filth and feel pity, but I see it as a place of honor for the birth of a King.

You might see the feeding trough as rough and unsanitary, but I see it as a precious cradle.

You might see the young couple as poor and pitiful, but I see them as a rich family; blessed with love and a God who knew how to make Christmas special.

After all Christmas is really a feeling. A celebration of Love, and here in this stable, in this manger Love lay. Therefore we celebrate Him.

Christmas, a celebration of Love, has come.Let us rejoice and be glad.

Celebration of Friendship, Christmas Tea

Christmas is a wonderful time to celebrate friendships. There are many different types of friendships in each of our lives. Why not find some way during the Christmas season to let each of your friends know that you appreciate them.

One of my dear friends is Kay Allen. We spend a lot of time talking and laughing. There are also times of talking and crying.

Kay's mother, Audrey Lee, is also a precious friend of mine. We talk about many things but our friendship is based mostly on the Spiritual. We share our burdens and our prayer requests. We talk about the Lord and our desires for our church. She is a great lady of faith and prayer. My husband and I depend on her for so much and she always comes through. I hosted a Celebration of Friendship Christmas Tea and she was the special guest of honor. In fact she was the only guest. We had hot tea in beautiful magnolia cups, finger sandwiches, deviled eggs, nuts, and a variety of sweets. It was a time of just talking. I read her a favorite passage from a cherished book of mine and gave her a little gift in token of our friendship. She came to the tea, bearing me a wonderful gift of her time and love. She had made homemade dumplings, rolled them out, sliced them and brought them ready for the freezer. Now I can easily have her dumplings (which my family loves) anytime. We celebrated our friendship in our own way.

It is not that Kay is not Spiritual, for she is, but my friendship with her is different from that which I share with her mother. Kay and I talk about the more earthy things of life such as husbands, our homes, our children and decorating themes. We share a lot of time chatting over the Internet together. My husband puzzles over this. He says we see each other every church service, and can call any time. Its fun chatting over the net though and we enjoy it. Besides, there is always someone else wanting our attention at church. I plan to have a tea just for Kay also before the Christmas season is over. Just the two of us, to celebrate our friendship.

Jennifer Byrd is another of my friends. She is a minister's wife and that makes for a different kind of friend. Its good to know that someone understands me and all the pressures that being a pastor's wife can bring. She and I share a love for teacups and teapots. I remember when she said to me, "My husband and boys collect things but I do not have a collection. I encouraged her to start a teacup collection. What a thrill it is to see her cups when I go to her home. It is a joy to share a love of something with a friend. We talk about many things, spiritual and the mundane. We share talks about our homes, our families and our dreams. It seems funny that though each of us has many teacups we have never had a tea party together. But we will soon, to celebrate our friendship and our love of tea things.

And for my best friend in the whole world, there is a celebration every day. He is my dear husband and the best friend I have ever known. I try to tell him in many ways how much I love him. Lots of hugs and sincere compliments. Does your husband excel at something? His job, a talent, a hobby? Tell him so! My husband is a wonderful preacher and teacher. I can honestly say that in all my years of sitting on church pews, I have never heard any better preaching or teaching than his. I make sure he knows it. Another special thing you can do for your husband is to make him a love basket. We listen to Old Time Radio programs sometimes late at night in our bedroom. Recently, I fixed a lovely tray with cloth napkins, a candle, two beautiful teacups filled with hot apple cider and two delicious raspberry tarts. I surprised him with it in our bedroom. It was a big hit. He loved it and it made him feel special.

Do you have special friends that you have neglected to celebrate? Remember, it can be done inexpensively and easily. Just a phone call or a card.

I have many more friends that I have not mentioned here because of time and space but I cherish them, one and all.

The Greatest friend of all is our Lord and Savior. When I celebrate friendships, I am celebrating him, for it is because of him that I live and have my being. It is because of him that I have precious friends and family. He is truly the "friend that sticketh closer than a brother."

Jesus, special Friend, I celebrate our friendship; I celebrate You.

Merry Christmas to all my Friends. I love you!

Sallie Motes / Christmas 2001

You too, can submit an article! (Read the article below by my Mother-in-Law)

To submit an article, email me at
melwana@yahoo.com

Time with Jesus Ministries (You want to see my Mother-in-Laws Site)

Christmas Article "Through the eyes of a Child" written by my Mother-in-Law

"Through The Eyes of a Child"

We have officially entered the Christmas holiday season. The malls are decorated with festive colors and we are making plans for a big celebration with our family. Our children and their families will be with us sometime during the month of December. It is an exciting time of the year and it brings out a little of the child in each of us.

I am blessed with beautiful memories of Christmases past. Memories of my own childhood on that special day as well as those of my children. Now we are making new memories each year with our grandchildren. It is exciting to watch those little guys as they open their gifts purchased and wrapped especially for them. I must admit, it is pretty exciting to open the gifts that have my name on them. It is one day of the year that adults can be a kid again.

Recently, I went to a local mall for a leisurely shopping trip. It was actually a short trip that my husband had insisted I take. In his words I had been "pushing myself too hard." He insisted I drop everything and relax a couple of hours in the mall while he took care of business. I simply walked through the mall and enjoyed 'window shopping.'

The mall I was in has a huge carousel. As I came near to the children's attraction its lights flashed on and it began to move. Around and around the wooden horses moved swaying up and down in time with the music. I slowed my pace wanting to see the bright faces of the children I was sure were enjoying the ride. As the brilliant horses and Victorian carriages made another round I watched for squealing children, but saw no one. "Surely, they are running the carousel for some reason. Maybe encouraging children to ask their parents for a ride," I thought. Then I saw him. Sitting in one of the carriages was one lone figure. An elderly man sat silently with a relaxed, slight smile on his face.

I stood for a few minutes and watched as this well dressed elderly gentleman enjoyed his ride. As I watched, I wondered what had brought him alone to the mall that day. Did he come with riding the carousel in mind? Was he reliving his own childhood or wishing his grandchildren were riding with him? Regardless of the reason, he was a happy camper as he rode inside the lovely carriage. I must admit I was rather envious of the dignified looking gentleman. "If only my grandsons were here," I thought, "I would not hesitate to join in the fun!" Then I wondered to myself why I needed to use my grandson's as a camouflage for my own desire to ride the carousel?

All too soon it was time for me to leave the mall. I had enjoyed my two hours alone. It had been nice to have nothing to do, but the most enjoyable part of my free time was watching the aged man on the carousel. I can still see in my mind's eye the smile that seemed transfixed on his face. I admire his bravery to ride the carousel regardless of what people thought of his actions. He did not care that someone might think he was acting foolish or childish. He has learned in his many years on this earth that one has to do whatever he feels is right. He came to the mall, saw the carousel, and made a fast decision, "I believe I'll have a ride!"

As we near this exciting season, maybe we should allow ourselves to enjoy it as seen through the eyes of an innocent child. "Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:4). Have a great December!




To go to Elizabeth's Site "Time with Jesus Ministries"