I trust everyone had a wonderful Christmas. My Christmas was absolutely fabulous! On Christmas Day, I gave you several Countdown to Christmas activities, but I never answered them myself. So, here are my responses for the activities on Christmas Day: Yes, I wore red and green on Christmas and what I like best about Christmas is spending time with my family and watching everyone open up their gifts. I have so much fun watching everyone open up the gifts that I gave them and watching their expressions of excitement and surprise. 

Technically the Countdown to Christmas is over, but I have one more question for everyone if you would like to enter the contest one more time: What was one of your favorite gifts that you received this year? I said ONE of your favorites because I have many favorites and I cannot choose just one, so I am sure some of you may have that problem also. I received many amazing gifts this year like books, DVDs, blankets, decorations for my room, and so much more, but one of my favorite things from this year was a New York Yankees Monopoly game! I have always wanted one and my sister gave me one this Christmas! So what about you? What is one of your favorite gifts from this year? 

Come back later this week to find out who won the Countdown to Christmas contest and of course as always HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY!!!

I just wanted to wish each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas! I hope and pray you have a blessed day filled with love! So we have been doing various activities to countdown the days until Christmas, and now it is hard to believe that it is Christmas Day already. 

I have a few things for you to do today, if you so desire. First of all wear a Christmas sweater or Christmas colored clothing. Second towards the end of the day, curl up with your favorite holiday beverage or holiday treat and look at the lights on your tree. Thirdly, sing Christmas carols.  Lastly but most importantly, don't forget the real reason for the season. Yes, Jesus is the reason for the season. 

To enter the contest let me know in the comments below if you were a Christmas sweater or Christmas colors and also for a bonus entry let me know what you like best about Christmas.

Today's Bible Reading is Luke 2:17-20. For an extra entry into the contest, answer the following question: Why did the shepherds praise and glorify God?

Merry Christmas and Have A Wonderful Day!!!

Merry Christmas Eve everyone! I trust everyone is having a wonderful time with family and friends! Christmas is one of the few holidays that is celebrated all over the world. Each country has their own traditions and ways to celebrate Christmas, so today's activity, I have listed different ways to say Merry Christmas from all around the World. See if you can figure out Merry Christmas in different languages.

1. Feliz Navidad
2. Feliz Natal
3. Fröhliche Weihnachten
4. Sung Tan Chuk Ha
5. Kurisumasu Omedeto
6. Buone Feste Natalizie
7. Mele Kalikimaka
8. Kala Christouyenna!
9. Sheng Dan Kuai Le
10. Joyeux Noel

To make it slightly easier, here are the different languages that I used: Italian, Chinese, German, Hawaiian, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Korean, and Japanese. Good Luck!

Today's Bible Reading is Luke 2:15&16. For an extra entry into the contest, answer the following question: How did the shepherds go to Bethlehem?

​Have A Wonderful Day!!!

This Countdown to Christmas post is for yesterday, December 23. I want to apologize for not getting this up yesterday, but I real gladly explain the reason for the late post. You see, yesterday, my family and I celebrated Christmas! On the 23rd you might ask. Yes, on the 23rd. This is a Christmas tradition we started over twenty years ago. Let me explain... we used to live in Indiana and my Granparents live in Tennessee. So in order to celebrate Christmas with them, we would have Christmas early and then go to Tennessee for Christmas. Growing up, my brother, sisters, and I would never know when we were going to celebrate Christmas. Sometimes we would come home from school and Santa had come while we were at school or we would wake up one morning and there would be presents under the tree. We would have fun anticipating when Santa would stop by and then have a wonderful time celebrating Christmas. After we were out of school for Christmas break, we would load up the van and head to Tennesse for Christmas. Once we arrived in Tennessee, we would have a whole slew of Christmas fun. On Christmas Eve, my Grandmother (on my Dad's side) would have a Christmas party with all of her brothers and sisters. Then on Christmas morning, we would open gifts at my Grandparent's house (Dad's side) and then for Christmas dinner we would go to my Great-Grandmother's house(Dad's side) and have Christmas dinner and open gifts there. Then later on in the week, we would go to my Papaw and Mamaw's house (Mom's side) and have Christmas with them! So by the New Year arrived, we would have had at least five Christmases!!! Sadly some things have changed over the years, as we have lost some of our loved ones, but we still try to keep the same traditions as much as possible. My family and I have moved back to Tennessee in recent years, but we still carry on the tradition of having Christmas early. So now we choose a day when we can all get off of work and out of school to celebrate Christmas early. This year it just happened to be yesterday, December 23rd. Later today we will go to my Grandparent's house (Dad's side) for the Christmas Eve party. Sadly, the number of people at the party has dwindled over the year's, but we are still looking forward to the party this evening. Tomorrow we will attend Church and then head to my Grandparent's house to celebrate Christmas and eat Christmas dinner! On December 30th, we will have my Uncle and Aunt(Mom's brother) over Christmas dinner. So that is one of our family traditions every year. Yes, in case you are wondering, we had a magnificent time yesterday opening gifts and spending time together! So for this activity, let me know some of your Christmas traditions or a favorite Christmas memory you have.

Today's Bible Reading is Luke 2:8-14. For an extra entry into the contest, answer the following question: What was the shepherds reaction to the angel?

Have A Wonderful Day!!!

Is everybody ready for Christmas yet? I hope you are able to find time to relax and enjoy the Christmas season amidst all of the hustle and bustle going on. For today's activity, watch Charlie Brown Christmas and then answer the following questions.

1. Who tells Charlie Brown what Christmas is really all about?
2. What does Lucy declare that she will never eat?
3. What does Linus say he might do with his blanket when he grows up?
4. Lucy sets up a booth from which she offers what kind of help?
5. Which character advises Santa to make it easy on himself, "Just send money, how about tens and twenties!"?
6. Which Christmas carol does the cast sing in the final scene?
7. What does Linus say that the snowflakes need?
8. How much does Lucy charge for psychiatric help?
9. What is pantophobia?
10. What does Lucy want for Christmas?
11. What song did Lucy ask Schroeder to play that she didn't recognize until he finally played it with only one finger?
12. What song did Schroeder play indicating it was his selection for the Christmas play music?
13. What part is Sally asked to perform in the Christmas play?
14. How many good reasons did Lucy give Linus to encourage him to memorize his lines for the play?
15. Pig Pen is the only person that Charlie Brown knows who can do what?
16. What kind of tree does Lucy want Charlie Brown to buy?
17. Who invited Charlie Brown to direct the Christmas play?
18. What Gospel does Linus quote?
19. What contest did Snoopy enter and win?
20. What part does Shermy always play?

Today's Bible Reading is Luke 2:6-7. For an extra entry into the contest, answer the following question: What did Mary wrap Baby Jesus in?

​Have A Wonderful Day!!!

We are now less than three days away from Christmas! So for today's Countdown to Christmas activity... wrap your Christmas gifts, if possible. To enter the contest, in the comments below tell me when you usually wrap your gifts and what do you like to use. (Boxes, bags, wrapping paper, etc) I like to wrap my presents as I buy them. That way I am not having to wrap them all the day before Christmas. I like to use mostly wrapping paper for my gifts. Occasionally I will use a gift bag, but I like to see people unwrap their gifts better. What are your preferences?

Today's Bible Reading is Luke 2:1-5. For an extra entry into the contest, answer the following question: Why did Joseph have to go to Bethlehem to pay his taxes?

​Have A Wonderful Day!!!

For today's Countdown to Christmas activity match the 12 Days of Christmas. In the comments below, just put the correct letter next to the number it belongs with.

1. First Day                                                          a. Golden Rings
2. Second Day                                                      b. Pipers Piping
3. Third Day                                                          c. Partridge in a Pear Tree
4. Fourth Day                                                        d. Swans a Swimming
5. Fifth Day                                                           e. French Hens
6. Sixth Day                                                          f. Drummers Drumming
7. Seventh Day                                                     g. Maids a Milking
8. Eighth Day                                                        h. Calling Birds
9. Ninth Day                                                          i. Geese a Laying
10. Tenth Day                                                        j. Lords a Leaping
11. Eleventh Day                                                   k. Turtle Doves
12. Twelfth Day                                                     l. Ladies Dancing

Today's Bible Reading is Luke 1:65-80. For an extra entry into the contest, answer the following question: What was Zacharias filled with?

Have A Wonderful Day!!!

It is now less than one week until Christmas! Can you believe it? I am excited for Christmas and can't wait for it to get here, but at the same time, I feel like I need more time to get ready for Christmas. So for today's activity, do something today that you still need to do to get ready for Christmas. Whether it is last minute shopping, wrapping presents. baking, or whatever, try to get something marked off of your to do list today. To enter the contest let me know in the comments below if you are ready or not ready for Christmas yet. 

I'm glad Jesus didn't have a to do list that He had to do finish before He came to Earth born as a baby, aren't you? He didn't need more time to get ready for Christmas. Thank God!

Today's Bible Reading is Luke 1:46-64. For an extra entry into the contest, answer the following question: Why did the people not believe that John the Baptist should be named John?

​Have A Wonderful Day!!!

We all like to sing Christmas carols and funny Christmas songs, but how well do we know them? Each of the songs below have a word missing from them. See if you can fill in the missing words.

1. I'm dreaming of               Christmas
2. Have yourself a                                     Christmas
3. Silent Night, Holy Night Son of God                       pure light
4. Here comes Santa Claus riding down                                                      
5. Jingle bells, jingle bells,                        all the way
6. O little town of                            
7. Rudolph the red nosed reindeer had a very                nose
8. Oh the weather outside is               
9. God rest ye merry                                     
10. I saw                    ships
11. In the                  we can build a snowman
12. Joy to the World the                  has come
13. Oh there's no place like                  for the holidays
14. And so I'm offering this                      phrase
15. Be near me                                    I ask Thee to stay

Today's Bible Reading is Luke 1:39-45. For an extra entry into the contest, answer the following question: Whom did Mary go see?

Have A Wonderful Day!!!

​

Can you believe we are in the single digits now of how many days are left until Christmas? The month sure has flown by. For today's Countdown to Christmas, I wanted to remind us what Christmas is really all about. So listed below are ten verses about the Birth of Jesus. Read each of the ten verses and then figure out which piece of the nativity scene would fit with each of those verses. To make it a little easier for you, here are the ten answers: Joseph, Star, Stable, Jesus, Mary, Manger, Wisemen, Gold, Frankincensce, and Myrrh (all one answer), Angel, and Shepherds. Now all you have to do is figure out which reference they each belong to.

1. Luke 1:30-31
2. Matthew 1:18-21
3. Luke 2:7
4. Luke 2:12
5. Luke 2:21
6. Luke 2:8
7. Luke 2:9-11
8. Matthew 2:1-2
9. Matthew 2:7-10
10. Matthew 2:11

Today's Bible Reading is Luke 1:31-38. For an extra entry into the contest, answer the following question: What is impossible with God?

Have A Wonderful Day!!!