Posted on 12/09/2005 7:36:02 AM PST by Billie
One of the most fun things of Christmas Open Houses and parties is reading character in the rites and decorations that people choose. Christmas is the time of year to let yourself go, tie ribbons on everything, smother pies with whipped cream, eat too many goodies, stay up too late ....
This weekend, you are invited to the Finest Open House, and we ask that you share some of *your* traditions and decorations with us. Let's go!
| December 9, 2005
Door Of Humility
Read:
|
Over the centuries, the entrance to Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity has twice been made smaller. The purpose in the last case was to keep marauders from entering the basilica on horseback. It's now referred to as the "Door of Humility," because visitors must bend down to enter.
As we age, bending our knees becomes more and more difficult and painful. In the physical realm, some people courageously undergo knee replacement surgery. To avoid years of increasingly painful joint damage, they endure several weeks of agony.
Like physical knees, spiritual knees can grow stiff over time. Years of stubborn pride and selfishness make us inflexible, and it becomes increasingly difficult and painful for us to humble ourselves. Seduced by false feelings of importance when others submit to us, we never learn that true importance comes from submitting ourselves to God and to others (Ephesians 5:21; 1 Peter 5:5).
As we celebrate Jesus' birth, it's good to remember the Door of Humility, for it reminds us that we all need new knees—knees that will bend. Humbly is the only way to enter the presence of God.
What better way to honor the One who bent so low to be with us. —Julie Ackerman Link
The road to victory is paved with humble submission to God.
bump
I'm wearing my red today. :)
051207-N-8157C-140 Pearl Harbor, Hawaii (Dec. 7, 2005) – People gather to watch the 64th commemoration of the Dec. 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The ceremony, which included remarks by keynote speaker Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Mullen, is held annually to honor those who served during the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Dennis C. Cantrell (RELEASED)
Remember Pappy Boyington and his Black Sheep squadron? Here's what his squadron is flying now:
051203-N-9866B-072 Pacific Ocean (Dec. 3, 2005) - Aviation Boatswain's Mate 1st Class Roberto Gonzales directs an AV-8B Harrier, assigned to Marine Attack Squadron Two One Four (VMA-214) "Black Sheep", as it lands on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5). Peleliu and ESG-3 are underway off the coast of Southern California conducting Composite Unit Training Exercise (COMPTUEX) in preparation for an upcoming scheduled deployment. U.S. Navy photo by Journalist 2nd Class Zack Baddorf (RELEASED)
051203-N-4154B-013 Persian Gulf (Dec. 3, 2005) – The guided missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) sails through the waters of the Persian Gulf. Donald Cook is part of Carrier Strike Group Two (CSG-2), currently conducting maritime security operations. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Matthew Bash (RELEASED)
TheMom,
If you let Peanut stroll through your lighted Christmas Village again I'll take some pictures!
One of Squantos' Christmas traditions is punting puppies over the tree!
051203-N-3541A-001 Norfolk, Va. (Dec. 3, 2005) - Actress Kelly Preston talks with Navy family members at the United Service Organization (USO) holiday party at Rockwell Hall Gym on board Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Va. The USO's annual holiday party gives service members and their families from throughout the mid-Atlantic region a chance to celebrate the holidays together. The party originally started in a partnership with Cox Communications as a way for families of deployed service members to record and send messages to their loved ones. U.S. Navy photo by Journalist 3rd Class Davis J. Anderson (RELEASED)
BTW, I tried to play "Mary Did You Know" from that site you linked, but my media player won't play it. Don't know why.
Absolutely. LOL! :)
great Pix EMB.. thanks.. love the one of Kelly preston.. pretty lady! and I like her hubby too!
Our decorating is a work in progress. Photos will be posted a little later. Meanwhile, thanks for "Mary Did You Know."
I don't have one but wish I did this morning! It was supposed to be -2 last night, it wasn't too far from that this morning when I left for work.
Kelly Preston and John Travolta
Hmmmm. Now I'm getting an error msg. I musta broke it.
I keep saying, if we have to have an early winter, then please may there be an early Spring! :)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.