Chosen Vessels

Happy Saturday, readers! Welcome to the Christmas Duet blog tour, featuring His Law is Love by Rebekah A. Morris and O Come All Ye Faithful by Faith Blum. Both of these darling works of fiction feature Christmas song references, which makes them especially fun. :D  Synopsis Will hate and fear drown the song of Christmas love? 
Amelia is eagerly anticipating her first Christmas in the west, but she soon finds that her brother-in-law's worry and her sister's exhaustion reach far deeper than the cares of a ranch and a family. A rash of fires and cattle thefts is plaguing the area, and the three young orphans they've sheltered are under suspicion from their prejudiced neighbors. 
As hostilities mount, Amelia seizes every opportunity to help and encourage, but how much can one girl do? Will Reverend Brown win the community over to the true spirit of love? And will help arrive before everything they hold dear is destroyed? My Review His Law is Love ...

Please pause here to note my beautiful picture...okay, we can move on.  ~ Description ~  One of the most beloved ministers of this century reminds us that Christmas means the birth of Jesus Christ--the gift of God with us. Marshall also celebrates the family customs that make the holiday so special. Wonderfully illustrated, this Christmas keepsake is perfect for traditions and family reading.  ~ My Review ~  This is great little short book, a sermon actually (and one that Dad has read from in his Christmas sermons several times). My family has an old copy (in the above picture) that we bring out every Christmas season and place on the coffee table next to the family Bible and a few other Christmas books.  "So we will not 'spend' Christmas nor 'observe' Christmas. We will 'keep' Christmas – keep as it is... in all the loveliness of its ancient traditions. May we keep it in our hearts, that we may be kept in its hope."  B...

~ Description  Mama needed happiness for Christmas, but Noelle was only eight. What gift could she give? A short story. ~ My Review 5 of 5 stars  This was a beautiful short story, weaving together Christmas, family, the innocence of a child, and music. <3 It reminded me a lot of the classic Christmas story, "Christmas Shoes", with a twang of sadness. I truly enjoyed the story and would recommend it to any age. :) 

Hey everyone! Long time no see, over here, huh? *wink* But I'm back now, with a couple posts for the  12 Days of Christmas linkup going on over at Stories by Firefly ! A book review today, and hopefully some more coming between now and Christmas :)  ~ Description For three years, the widow and her two daughters, Rosetta and Bianca, have lived alone in the cabin on Mr. Heaton's vast estate. But this winter they have a visitor. What would bring a man to their lonely home in the bitterness of sub-zero weather? Is he the only man who is in the forest this winter? And why does he have such a mysterious name?  Loosely based on the old tale of Snow-White & Rose-Red, this is a Christmas story the whole family can enjoy. When good and evil come face to face in the snowy woods, which will prevail? ~ My Rating  4.5 stars ~My Review Intertwined with colorful pictures, Our Christmas Bear is a charming story ...

This song was sang at church during the Christmas play last week (the 13th). And it really got me to thinking. Did  Mary know? I mean, she knew who He was, but how much of what He would go on to do did she know?  Seeing as how this song was written by my favorite comedian, I decided to share the story behind it. :)  //The Song// Mary, did you know, that your Baby Boy Will one day walk on water? Mary, did you know, that your Baby Boy Will save our sons and daughters? Did you know, that your Baby Boy Has come to make you new? This Child that you delivered,  Will soon deliver you.  Mary, did you know, that your Baby Boy Will give sight to a blind man? Mary, did you know, that your Baby Boy Would calm a storm with his hand? Did you know, that your Baby Boy Has walked where angels trod  And when you kiss your little Baby,  You've kissed the face of God?  Oh, Mary, did you know?  Mary, did you know?...

  It's a Wonderful Life *sigh* Just that title is perfectly Christmas, don't ya think? I hadn't seen this movie until...Christmas before last? Anyway, it's quickly became my favorite Christmas movie. :) Instead of including it in the post of  Christmas movies  I did Sunday, I decide to do I separate post just for this. :) Here goes!  (We watched this movie last Saturday night and I made  two whole lists  of notes...so be prepared for this to get lengthy... B-)) - In the drug store.  Mary:  "I' m still thinking."  Violet:  "I like him."  Mary: "You like every boy."  Violet: "What's wrong with that?"   (Tucker says "what is  wrong with that? Especially if I'm one of the boys." LOL.)  Aw....<3 <3  - the strings on Uncle Billy's fingers  - George saving Mr. Gower, the druggist, from accidentally poisoning    "I wish I had a million dollars. Hotd...

If you do not read my other blog, click  HERE  see what this is all about. :)  It has came to my attention that many of my blogger friends are not familiar with one of my favorite Christmas songs, "Beautiful Star of Bethlehem". If you are one of them, this is for you. ;)  When looking up the lyrics to this song online, I realized that they're not  exactly  the same as we sing at church. So below is the words to this song from our church hymnal. ;-)  "Beautiful Star Of Bethlehem" Verse one: Oh beautiful star of Bethlehem Shining afar through shadows dim Giving a light for those who long have gone (have gone)  And guiding the wise men on their way Unto the place where Jesus lay Beautiful star of Bethlehem shine on (shine on)  Chorus:  **Oh beautiful star (beautiful, beautiful star) of Bethlehem (star of Bethlehem) Shine upon us until the glory dawn (glory dawn)  Oh Give us thy light to light t...