Holiday
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Valentine’s Day Baking
Do you have any special treats you like to make on Valentine’s Day? When my children were small, we’d make heart-shaped cakes and cookies, and even heart-shaped pancakes and sandwiches on that day. Janice Thompson, an author and baker, says baking brings people together. Whether it’s the scent of vanilla, the aroma of melting chocolate,…
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Valentine’s Day – Feb. 14
The iconic holiday in February is Valentine’s Day. One tradition says the day’s name may be from a Christian priest named Valentine. Legend says the priest signed a letter “from your Valentine” to the jailer’s daughter, whom he’d befriended. Another legend says St. Valentine secretly married couples so the husbands wouldn’t have to go to…
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Nativity Scenes
When I was a child, my favorite Bible verse, and the first I memorized, was Luke 2:11— “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” (KJV). As you might imagine, my favorite Christmas decorations are manger scenes. The first nativity scene was set up…
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How do I thank Thee?
How do I thank Thee? Let me count the ways. I thank Thee to the depth and breadth and height my soul can reach. With apologies to Elizabeth Barrett Browning, while we should be thankful every day, it is only fitting that we pause at Thanksgiving to thank our Creator and Redeemer for all His…
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Celebrating Reformation Day
Whether you’re adding to a Halloween celebration or celebrating Reformation Day in place of Halloween, begin with telling the story of Martin Luther. An internet search will bring up several websites from which to gather information. Martin Luther stated that we should stand on Scripture, faith, and grace alone. Talk about what the Bible says…
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Reformation Day
Want a focus for October 31 that’s not Halloween? Celebrate Reformation Day. In 1517 on that date, the German monk and theology professor Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the church in Wittenburg. He did not know this would start the Reformation. After reading the Bible, Martin Luther learned that God’s…
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Celebrating the 4th of July
As you celebrate the 4th of July, remind your children of the history of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. You might focus then on the flag as a symbol of our country. Tell them that the 50 stars represent our 50 states, that the red and white stripes represent the 13 original states,…
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Independence Day
The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America was adopted on July 4, 1776. A year later at the first organized celebration of Independence Day in Philadelphia, a ship’s cannon fired a 13-gun salute in honor of the 13 colonies. That night, there was a fireworks display that began and ended with 13…
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A Mother’s Love
From the time I was little, I wanted to be a mother when I grew up. I am blessed that God allowed that dream to come true. Part of the reason I treasured that role was because of the wonderful mother God gave me. Mom didn’t have an easy life growing up; there were lots…
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Easter is Late
This year we celebrate Easter on April 20. That’s near the last date Easter could fall on, April 25. The date is based on the Jewish calendar which uses lunar cycles. Easter is the first Sunday after the full moon on or after the spring equinox, which means it could be any date between March…