Amy's Place ... Poetry and Potpourri ... December, 2008

To: JustAmy; MEG33; La Enchiladita; Kitty Mittens; Billie; Mama_Bear; Lady Jag; OESY; Cardhu; ...

HEARTPRINTS

Whatever our hands touch-—
We leave fingerprints!
On walls, on furniture,
On doorknobs, dishes, books,
As we touch we leave our identity.

Oh please where ever I go today,
Help me leave heartprints!
Heartprints of compassion
Of understanding and love.
Heartprints of kindness
and genuine concern.

May my heart touch a lonely neighbor
Or a runaway daughter,
Or an anxious mother,
Or, perhaps, a dear friend!

I shall go out today
To leave heartprints,
And if someone should say
“I felt your touch,”
May that one sense be...YOUR LOVE
Touching through ME.

Author Unknown

I found this little poem several months ago and I ran across it this morning, “Christmas Day”, and I just wanted to post it and to tell all of FRiends at Amy’s Place, that each of you have left “Heartprints” on me. Beautiful graphics, poetry, words of comfort and joy is as great a gift as anyone can receive. I just wanted to thank each one of you for touching my life in someway each and every day. I feel my life is better for knowing each of you so that is one of the things I am thankful for this Christmas Morning.

Happy Birthday to Jesus!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

2,801 posted on 12/25/2008 6:11:05 AM PST by jaycee ("God's love still stands when all else has fallen.")

I’m no longer fighting exhaustion.

Was that caused by congestion, anemia or just trying to do too much?

2,802 posted on 12/25/2008 6:16:13 AM PST by fewz (Since the government is spending money like there is no tomorrow, maybe they know something.)

To: JustAmy; Billie; dutchess; GodBlessUSA; deadhead; jaycee; LUV W; mathluv; DollyCali; Dubya; Gabz; ..

Freep mail me to be on or off the Daily Bread ping list

December 25, 2008

A Gift Most Lavish

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READ: Micah 5:2-6

Though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich. —2 Corinthians 8:9

I have a piece of old plaster on my desk that comes from the ancient site of the Herodium in the land of Israel. It reminds me of the humility of our Lord Jesus.

Herodium was a lavish residence that served as King Herod’s summer palace, a sumptuous villa with opulent apartments furnished for the royal family and their guests. It boasted a Roman bath with hot and cold pools, surrounded by colonnaded gardens.

It’s said that Herod built his palace to commemorate a victory in battle, but knowing Herod’s selfish ambition it’s possible he had another purpose in mind. Some have conjectured that Herod, despite inquiring of the scribes (Matt. 2:4-6), knew about Micah’s prediction that Israel’s Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. He may have wanted Israel’s King to be born in his palace.

The Father’s plan, however, was for our Lord to be born not in a castle but in a cave. It was in a lowly manger that the little Lord Jesus was born.

This is the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, “Though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich” (2 Cor. 8:9). This is the gift of lavish salvation—of all gifts, the greatest gift that you and I will ever receive.

He did not use a silvery box
Or paper green and red;
God laid His Christmas gift to me
Within a manger bed. —Prentice

The goodness and love of God became incarnate at Bethlehem.

Bible in One Year: LUKE 2

2,803 posted on 12/25/2008 7:12:47 AM PST by The Mayor ( In Gods works we see His hand; in His Word we hear His heart)

I think it was caused by the congestion and trying to do to much. This old body was demanding that I take at least 2 naps for a couple of days.

Thanks for asking, Fewz. Merry Christmas.

2,804 posted on 12/25/2008 7:26:54 AM PST by JustAmy (I wear red every Friday, but I support our Military everyday!!)

To: ST.LOUIE1; Mama_Bear; Billie; DollyCali; dutchess; Aquamarine; GodBlessUSA; OESY; NicknamedBob; ...

Merry Christmas from Amy's Place, Everyone.

2,805 posted on 12/25/2008 7:33:53 AM PST by JustAmy (I wear red every Friday, but I support our Military everyday!!)

To: Mama_Bear; MEG33; jaycee; gardengirl; yorkie; OESY; Kitty Mittens; The Mayor; GodBlessUSA; ...

December 25, 2008

Merry Christmas

Carol Day

Christmas Around The World DAy

2,806 posted on 12/25/2008 7:37:14 AM PST by JustAmy (I wear red every Friday, but I support our Military everyday!!)

A Blessed, Merry, Merry Christmas Just Amy and Family and all and their families, also a Happy New Year too!!!!! Good tidings to all and their families for the upcoming new year./From Just Asking - seoul62 and Family......

2,807 posted on 12/25/2008 8:10:17 AM PST by seoul62

To: JustAmy; All

Merry Christmas to everyone at Amy’s Place.

2,808 posted on 12/25/2008 8:38:13 AM PST by PGalt

To: silent_jonny; All; snugs; Mama_Bear; jkphoto; GodBlessUSA; Kitty Mittens; ST.LOUIE1; Billie; ...

2,809 posted on 12/25/2008 9:14:05 AM PST by Majie Purple (Have a CHRISTmas wrapped in the Sweetness and Love of JESUS! : ) <3 HE is the best Gift!)

To: JustAmy; Billie; dutchess; DollyCali; ST.LOUIE1; snugs; WVNan; deadhead; Diver Dave; Temple Owl; ...

2,810 posted on 12/25/2008 9:47:21 AM PST by luvie (Now....on to 2012........Palin/Jindal)

To: JustAmy; ST.LOUIE1; Mama_Bear; Billie; DollyCali; La Enchiladita; dutchess; Aquamarine; ...

~Wishing You The Joy Of Christmas~

Glory to God in the highest
and on earth
peace, good will toward men.

2,811 posted on 12/25/2008 9:49:39 AM PST by MEG33 (God Bless Our Military)

To: LUV W; Aquamarine; beachn4fun; Billie; Diver Dave; DollyCali; dutchess; GodBlessUSA; jaycee; ...

Madonna and Child - Sandro Botticelli

A Blessed Christmas to you and yours!

Lamh Foistenach Abu!

2,812 posted on 12/25/2008 10:21:06 AM PST by ConorMacNessa (HM/2 USN, 3/5 Marines, RVN 1969. St. Michael the Archangel defend us in battle!)

To: JustAmy; All; FRiends

A Blessed Christmas to you, Dear Amy, and to Everyone at Amy's Place! Thank you for All the Awesome and Beautiful Pings and Posts. Loving Hugs of Christian Fellowship to Everyone!

2,813 posted on 12/25/2008 11:56:41 AM PST by Kitty Mittens (To God Be All Excellent Praise!!)

To: JustAmy; FRiends; All

Hello Friends, I sure have missed being with you all for a couple of days. I have tried to look at the posts and pictures, etc. and I have seen a lot of beauty and good wishes. Also, saw some really funny stuff...(Pistov Elf) LOL! He/she is hilarious.

Another granddaughter got engaged last night! Oh, no, not another wedding. We had a wonderful Christmas and hope you all did also. I am invited to a little Christmas gathering this evening but I just had to say hi to everyone!

2,814 posted on 12/25/2008 12:54:25 PM PST by jaycee ("God's love still stands when all else has fallen.")

To: Majie Purple; Kathy in Alaska; GodBlessUSA; tomkow6; MEG33; MS.BEHAVIN; AZamericonnie; ...

It's Christmas in America
There's carols in the air
The snow is falling on the ground
There's holly everywhere
The people they're all different too
Their troubles put aside
They smile a little brighter
It seems at Christmas time

It's Christmas in America
Let the angels sing
It's Christmas in America
Let freedom ring
Let peace resound throughout the world
Especially on this day
It's Christmas in America
God bless the USA

The kids get so excited
Preparing for the day
Their letters to Santa have all been sent
The cookies have been baked
The crèche under the Christmas tree
Awaits the baby child
It seems to mean so much more this year
Than it has in a while

Because it's Christmas in America
Let the angels sing
It's Christmas in America
Let freedom ring
Let peace resound throughout the world
Especially on this day
It's Christmas in America
God bless the USA

So keep your babies close tonight
Hug your husband, kiss your wife
Be thankful for this way of life
We're fortunate to share
And not forget the ones we've lost
Their memory lives on in our hearts
They'll be forever in our thoughts
And always in our prayers

Unto this world a child is born
His gift was meant for everyone
The light of peace shines on and on
And never fades away
America, America indivisible we are
One nation under God
And that will never change

It's Christmas in America
GOD BLESS THE USA!

~ Author Unknown ~

2,815 posted on 12/25/2008 1:24:13 PM PST by Lady Jag (DONATE NOW at https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate)

To: JustAmy; FRiends; All

Happy, Happy Christmas dear FRiends!

I hope you day is/ was all you hoped for.....

Big Hugs

Es

2,816 posted on 12/25/2008 1:31:39 PM PST by EsmeraldaA

To: EsmeraldaA; JustAmy; yorkie; OESY; MEG33; jaycee; Mama_Bear; The Mayor; ST.LOUIE1; Billie; ...

Give thanks for Christmas miracles.

The Christmas Tree

In the dark and damp of the alley cold,
Lay the Christmas tree that hadn't been sold;
By a shopman dourly thrown outside;
With the ruck and rubble of Christmas-tide;
Trodden deep in the muck and mire,
Unworthy even to feed a fire...
So I stopped and salvaged that tarnished tree,
And thus is the story it told to me:

"My Mother was Queen of the forest glade,
And proudly I prospered in her shade;
For she said to me: 'When I am dead,
You will be monarch in my stead,
And reign, as I, for a hundred years,
A tower of triumph amid your peers,
When I crash in storm I will yield you space;
Son, you will worthily take my place.'

"So I grew in grace like a happy child,
In the heart of the forest free and wild;
And the moss and the ferns were all about,
And the craintive mice crept in and out;
And a wood-dove swung on my highest twig,
And a chipmunk chattered: 'So big! So big!'
And a shy fawn nibbled a tender shoot,
And a rabbit nibbled under my root...
Oh, I was happy in rain and shine
As I thought of the destiny that was mine!
Then a man with an axe came cruising by
And I knew that my fate was to fall and die.

"With a hundred others he packed me tight,
And we drove to a magic city of light,
To an avenue lined with Christmas trees,
And I thought: may be I'll be one of these,
Tinselled with silver and tricked with gold,
A lovely sight for a child to behold;
A-glitter with lights of every hue,
Ruby and emerald, orange and blue,
And kiddies dancing, with shrieks of glee -
One might fare worse than a Christmas tree.

"So they stood me up with a hundred more
In the blaze of a big department store;
But I thought of the forest dark and still,
And the dew and the snow and the heat and the chill,
And the soft chinook and the summer breeze,
And the dappled deer and the birds and the bees...
I was so homesick I wanted to cry,
But patient I waited for someone to buy.
And some said 'Too big,' and some 'Too small,'
And some passed on saying nothing at all.
Then a little boy cried: Ma, buy that one,'
But she shook her head: 'Too dear, my son."
So the evening came, when they closed the store,
And I was left on the littered floor,
A tree unwanted, despised, unsold,
Thrown out at last in the alley cold."

Then I said: "Don't sorrow; at least you'll be
A bright and beautiful New Year's tree,
All shimmer and glimmer and glow and gleam,
A radiant sight like a fairy dream.
For there is a little child I know,
Who lives in poverty, want and woe;
Who lies abed from morn to night,
And never has known an hour's delight..."

So I stood the tree at the foot of her bed:
"Santa's a little late," I said.
"Poor old chap! Snowbound on the way,
But he's here at last, so let's be gay."
Then she woke from sleep and she saw you there,
And her eyes were love and her lips were prayer.
And her thin little arms were stretched to you
With a yearning joy that they never knew.
She woke from the darkest dark to see
Like a heavenly vision, that Christmas Tree.

Her mother despaired and feared the end,
But from that day she began to mend,
To play, to sing, to laugh with glee...
Bless you, O little Christmas Tree!
You died, but your life was not in vain:
You helped a child to forget her pain,
And let hope live in our hearts again.

Robert W. Service

2,817 posted on 12/25/2008 2:10:53 PM PST by Lady Jag (DONATE NOW at https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate)

That is so beautiful, Lady J.

2,818 posted on 12/25/2008 2:15:27 PM PST by jaycee ("God's love still stands when all else has fallen.")

So sweet, I loved that very much EsmeraldaA!

2,819 posted on 12/25/2008 2:17:00 PM PST by jaycee ("God's love still stands when all else has fallen.")

2,820 posted on 12/25/2008 2:19:27 PM PST by jaycee ("God's love still stands when all else has fallen.")

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