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Merry Christmas

Letting Go of Christmas Expectations and the Stress

December 25, 2015 by info@3QuartersToday.com

Merry Christmas to everyone, I hope you are having a wonderful holiday season.

As you eat prime rib, turkey, and open gifts from your family and friends are you thinking this Christmas is not meeting expectations? Is it different, are your traditions changing? Our Christmas traditions are definitely changing and it’s not a bad thing.  It’s an adjustment.

Merry Christmas church candles

Due to outside family obligations, we have “our” Christmas on Christmas Eve-Eve on December 23rd and open presents at 12:01 am on Christmas Eve.

Long story, but it’s become a tradition. Normally I get the 23rd and or the 24th off, but this year I had to work and it really put my Christmas season out of whack.

We had the dinner, which was AMAZING, but then can prime rib roast NOT be amazing. My husband was wonderful in getting dinner prepared while I was at work and Christmas program practice.

I basically showed up and ate, which wonderful and odd at the same time.

It’s now Christmas Day, it is just the two of us, and the house is quiet. This gives me time to reflect on the year and where I’ve been and where I’m going.

This year I “let go” during the Holidays.

    • I didn’t get every Christmas cookie made.
    • I didn’t get cards mailed, ok that’s several years in a row.
    • I didn’t stress about all the presents under the tree being adorned with bows, ribbons and looking fancy.,,,in fact
    • ALL the presents were with the SAME wrapping paper, and not a bow to be seen (OMG!)
    • Not all the Christmas decorations were put up this year.
    • I shrugged off the fact my “extra” presents for people didn’t happen this year.
    • I didn’t cry when all the kids couldn’t be home during dinner. (traveling from out of state isn’t predictable)
    • I didn’t stress about the “yearly” family Christmas photo in front of the tree where everyone is dressed up for church service. (didn’t happen this year)
    • I didn’t freak out that everyone couldn’t make it to Christmas Eve service. (my daughter had to work late)
    • I didn’t go into a panic trying to find that present (ornament) that got “lost” this year. It will show up this week I’m sure.

What I did do this year.

  • I was thankful for the present, now and today.
  • I sat on the couch, watched the Christmas tree lights and listened to Christmas carols on Pandora.
  • I hugged my adult kids when I could, much to their dismay.
  • I snuggled on the couch with my husband watching Christmas movies.

and…

Baby Jesus in the cradle at a Church Christmas program

    • I played the piano during the church Christmas Eve program and listened to the pure sound of the kids singing Away in the Manger.
    • I teared up singing Silent Night at the Candlelight portion of the service.
    • I am grateful to be alive and have all my grown kids healthy, happy and all together today. No matter where they are spending the day.

Holy Gifts: The True Meaning of Gold, Frankincense, and MyrrhHoly Gifts: The True Meaning of Gold, Frankincense, and MyrrhC Is for Christmas: The History, Personalities, and Meaning of Christ's BirthC Is for Christmas: The History, Personalities, and Meaning of Christ’s Birth

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True meaning of Christmas

Does it feel different? Yes, and it feels odd. But,…Christmas is not about the commercialism, the wrappings, or the gifts.

It starts with Christ, a baby born a humble birth, in a time of turmoil, who was sent by God to save His people and world. The Peace of God, the everlasting forgiveness who washes away our sins, cleanse us and makes us new.

To think over two thousand years ago a simple baby, a child, a man, was able to change the world. All of this without social media, just word of mouth from one person to another.

Merry Christmas Everyone and Remember the Reason for the Season!

The First Christmas NightThe First Christmas NightThe Christmas Miracle of Jonathan ToomeyThe Christmas Miracle of Jonathan ToomeyThe Christmas Story: From The King James BibleThe Christmas Story: From The King James BibleAway in a Manger: The Christmas Story from a Nativity Scene Lamb's Point of ViewAway in a Manger: The Christmas Story from a Nativity Scene Lamb’s Point of View

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Filed Under: Christmas Tagged With: church, Holidays, Merry Christmas, Religion & Spirituality, religious, xmas

Cohen Christmas Version of Hallelujah

December 1, 2014 by info@3QuartersToday.com

Cloverton Hallelujah video, music and sheet music, Leonard Cohens versionLeonard Cohen Christmas Hallelujah

Welcome to my 25-day countdown to Christmas. I kick it off with Leonard Cohen Christmas version of Hallelujah and I hope I will be able to post every day during the month of December and throughout the holiday. I even downloaded the Cloverton version of the Christmas Leonard Cohen mp3 classic.

As you can see, I’m very addicted to Christmas songs and carols and love this version of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah. It is similar to the Easter version I posted earlier this year. I absolutely love this melody and I’m so glad Christ is playing a central role in the song during cover versions.

Pretty Floral Piano Music Tote Bags
Pretty Floral Piano Music Tote Bags
by Music4LifeLLC

Hallelujah Christmas [Accompaniment/Performance Track]Hal Leonard Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen arranged for piano, vocal and guitar

I do have a rule for Christmas music, it can’t be played until December 1st, I don’t like going into a store around Halloween and hearing Holiday music, I want to enjoy the fall holidays, celebrate Thanksgiving and then jump into December with gusto. My Pandora list is set on Classic Christmas music and I take out my piano sheet music to get ready for Advent services on Wednesday night.

Piano Music Tote Bags for Piano Players
Piano Music Tote Bags for Piano Players
by Music4LifeLLC

With that being said, I kick off the Christmas season today, December 1st with this version of Hallelujah for Christmas. Enjoy

Cloverton Christmas Christmas Hallelujah

If you want to play or sing the Cloverton Christmas Christmas Hallelujah song here are some options. I’m sure it’s going to be a very popular Christmas choral piece with many choirs.

Hallelujah Christmas [Accompaniment/Performance Track]Hallelujah Christmas [Accompaniment/Performance Track]A Hallelujah Christmas (Cloverton Inspired) for solo and band. Leonard Cohen ParadyA Hallelujah Christmas (Cloverton Inspired) for solo and band. Leonard Cohen ParadyA Hallelujah Christmas (Cloverton Inspired) for solo FULL ORCHESTRA. Leonard CohenA Hallelujah Christmas (Cloverton Inspired) for solo FULL ORCHESTRA. Leonard CohenA Leonard Cohen ChristmasA Leonard Cohen Christmas

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Filed Under: Christmas, Family Tagged With: Christian, christmas, cohen christmas, Holidays, Merry Christmas, Music video, YouTube

8th Day of Christmas

January 1, 2013 by info@3QuartersToday.com

Vintage Christmas Santa Claus

Santa Claus has his busy night on December 25th, but it doesn’t mean he goes away for another year. In many homes, he lives in the hearts and minds of those that keep the spirit of giving in their hearts.

I love to relive childhood memories and although my kids have grown beyond Santa it brings a smile to my face to remember those days when I did believe. My Godmother gave me a vintage Christmas Santa Claus (the same one pictured below) and it is over 50 years old.

Vintage Santa
Vintage Santa

Ironically my husband received the same Santa. His sister though this was a scary Santa and was afraid of him sitting on the couch. My husband thinks he looks mean, but I loved his real feel Santa beard and always had him propped

This is just one more thing we have in common.

I won’t say how old my husband is, but he just had a milestone birthday and I did call the Santa vintage. Better term than “old” I think don’t you? All I will say is sometime in the 1960’s “Vintage Santa” graced our households and Christmas trees.

Christmas Family Traditions

What are some of your favorite holiday Christmas traditions?

Do you cook special food on Christmas Eve?

Are Christmas cookies part of your families holiday tradition?

How about when you open presents? Do you wear Santa Hats like we do?

Maybe you have an Elf on the Shelf tradition?

Tell me your Holiday Christmas Traditions, I’ll include them in a list.

Elf on The Shelf Plush Dolls, One Set (Boy and Girl)Elf on The Shelf Plush Dolls, One Set (Boy and Girl)Elf on the Shelf:A Christmas Tradition (blue-eyed boy scout elf)Elf on the Shelf:A Christmas Tradition (blue-eyed boy scout elf)

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Fun Christmas Family Games

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Our traditions include the children’s’ program at the children’s’ Christmas Eve service, cinnamon rolls, and opening presents ONE at a TIME with the Santa hat. Stayed tuned for more of our Christmas traditions as we expand our family.

Filed Under: Christmas, Family Tagged With: antique, childhood, childhood memories, christmas, December 25th, Holiday, Home, memories, Merry Christmas, Santa, Santa Claus, vintage

Prince of Peace

December 25, 2012 by info@3QuartersToday.com

Merry Christmas to all my blog friends and readers. Preparations for the Christmas and holiday celebrations seem to overtake our lives, yet today is the day to reflect what it’s all about. And his name shall be called  Wonderful Counselor,         Mighty God,  Everlasting Father,      Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Took this photo when driving to a friends for dinner. The farmstead was elaborately decorated, yet this nativity scene spelled it all out. I added the text in Photoshop.

Filed Under: Small Town Living Tagged With: bible passage, christmas, decorations, fonts, God, Holiday, holiday celebrations, Jesu, Jesus, Merry Christmas, Nativity scene, photo, Photoshop, Prince of Peace, text, winter

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