Christmas Blessings

The other morning I woke up to a beautiful snowy morning and the gift of some of my niece's spending the night to make cookies and watch Holiday movie's and was even treated to a Reindeer Dance and song from my little niece Kiera. The best kind of Holiday Blessings.

A Cherokee tale of Creation

Many moons ago, the Great Sun created the plants and trees. Then he blessed them with the gift of green, so that they might bring forth fruit and flowers. All was well for a time, but the the Great One withdrew his face. The winds came down from the mountains of the north, and gray clouds jostled above the earth.
"Oh Father, don't leave us!" cried the plants.
"Give us your light and your warmth!" cried the trees.
But day by day the Great Sun sank lower in the sky, and the long nights were as black as a crow's wing. Then the vines began to wither, and frost touched the grasses of the meadows. A curtain of clouds covered the heavens.
"Dear Father, we will die without you," wailed the trees and plants. "Come back! Come back!"
"He's coming," whispered the clouds. "His face has turned in the sky."
The plants and trees were full of joy at the good news. Eager to greet their dear father, they decided to stay awake every night and watch for his return.
Sumac, sassafras, and purple aster put forth brilliant colors to welcome the Great Sun. But after a night of watching, they fell asleep.
The dogwoods and alders watched for two nights, but soon their boughs grew heavy and they feel asleep.
The maples and poplars whispered to each other, "We will not give in to sleep," But soon they were slumbering under the cold stars like the others.
When the Great Sun came from his wigwam on the dawn of the seventh day, the skies were clear. He looked down on the forests and meadows below. The only plants and trees awake to greet him were the pine, the fir, the spruce, the holly, and the laurel.
"For your faithfulness I will give you the gift of green forever," said the Great Sun to the plants and trees who welcomed him. "The others will drop their leaves or sleep through the winter, but you will remain awake. Your color a promise of my return to all who see you."
AND HE SENT A STREAM OF LIGHT ACROSS THE SLEEPING EARTH.
Many Blessings to all of you from my humble home and ecosystem.

Winter Solstice and God's hand in our lives

Yesterday my husband journeyed to our neighbors on foot. He called to tell me a chunk of one of our many ancient fir snags had fallen off and was amazing to see. He had forgotten how large and amazing they really are. He said you should bring your camera and come look. So I did, it was pouring down rain but this is what I saw. This is just a chunk from this tree and it is as tall as I am sideways on the ground. That is 5'7". The picture's with my hand and boot are to show you how large one branch from this tree was. Remember this tree is at least 600 years old, survived two Yacolt Burns around 1902 and 100 plus years since, and this is what is left. I can stick my whole arm into one of the rings from a branch. For me this is one of God's wonders I wish you could see first hand.
So I will write a tale above that reminds me how precious our lives are and some of what God's hand in our lives means to me. Happy Winter Solstice and enjoy the lengthening days and a Very Merry Christmas as Jesus light comes to shine in our lives.