Living Large in a Small House

by   December 24, 2025 with No Comments

By Lynna Clark

Did you have a good Thanksgiving? I sure hope so. For me it was bittersweet without my Beloved. David was always the main cook and the rest of us just contributed a side dish or dessert. This year all three of our daughters were able to be here with their husbands, plus three of our grandkids. To say the house was full is surely an understatement. Apparently everyone thought there wouldn’t be enough to eat, so each cook prepared extra. The guys fried two turkeys, because why not? When we surveyed the crowd ahead of time, pumpkin pie was named as the favorite dessert. So of course I made four. Then Stephanie and Shane tried out new dessert recipes so we’d have a little variety. She made a fabulous black bottom coconut pie while Shane concocted an apple cake with a cheesecake topping. Oh! And Sweetie Marie, granddaughter number three made brownies with a fudge icing. The problem was finding a place to put everything. Did I mention I have a very small house? Not tiny like the trendy kind. But the kind where the laundry room was the only place left to put desserts. The washer and dryer never looked so good! Of course the other daughters filled in with potatoes and dressing and veggies oh my! Black Friday was spent seeing my oldest daughter and her husband off on their fourteen hour journey back to Illinois; then emptying the dishwasher and well… finding things. Considering the house was packed a day earlier with so many people it was hard to find a place to land half a butt cheek, things were surprisingly tidy afterwards. I did have to take out a search for an oven rack. I have no idea how it got there but hey. Who cares! The back deck worked just fine for an oven rack with no where else to go. Family gathered, food was enjoyed, and a good time was had by all. I’m sure David would be proud. I know I am. Nothing says love like the rallying of a bunch of kids taking care of their mama. And that they did. As we look forward to Christmas, let’s hold tightly to the most important things. Which as you know, are not things at all.

Photo by Sweetie Marie with her Poppy’s camera.

When the Ornament Shattered

by   December 21, 2025 with No Comments

By Ashlie Miller

I remember when our first Christmas ornament broke. Literally, the first ornament my husband and I received. It was either for our wedding or at Christmas, and I think my mom purchased it from a lady who was just beginning a business with painting doodle characters on ornaments and personalizing them. It was cute, and many families in our area had them. You may even have a very similar adornment on your tree today.

During the early years of our marriage, we had survived a stage 3 cancer, rocky finances (thanks in part to bills for experimental treatment not covered by insurance but effective nonetheless), and learning to communicate as a couple. We were fragile. Things felt unsteady at times. And then, the ornament – a symbol of our covenant – was broken. It hit me like, well, a ton of bricks on a glass ornament! I was certainly more emotional over evergreen decor than seemed normal, but we did not replace the shattered bauble. I learned to move on with life and realize that our marriage was much more secure than a temporal symbol.

Since then, we have had many broken ornaments. So many that we have an annual ornament hospital bin that gets attention either by me or my go-to fixer (my middle son). Usually, the ornament is salvageable with a bit of super glue or E-6000 glue. We no longer buy glass ornaments that shatter.

Many other broken things come to the surface during the holidays. No doubt, you have your own sense of woe and sadness. Cherished loved ones who have passed. Estranged relationships. Boundaries of time and distance that create difficulty in connecting with family relationships; one cannot be two places at once, and has to make a choice. Loss in other ways – jobs, health, stability in some way.

In another week, those who do not know the joy and stillness of the 12 days of Christmas leading to Epiphany will begin to experience longing, sadness, and depression as things come to an end. The gifts are given, the gatherings cease for another year, and a bleak and weary winter seems to loom (despite the sunshine on Christmas Day). Even my youngest children talk of post-Christmas blues.

Christmas is a season of hope, long after the joy has passed. Jesus appeared in a broken-down stable in a manger to one day restore the broken relationships each of us has with God. O Holy Night is a song worth revisiting, with stars (special for this momentous occasion) shining brightly amidst a world riddled with a history of “sin and error pining” since Adam and Eve’s exodus from Eden. But then, Jesus “appeared and the soul felt its worth.” Wow, “felt its worth” – do we really? The Glory of heaven left that perfect place to come redeem and restore our relationship with God. He loves us that deeply. This should do something for our identity and sense of worth. The “thrill of hope” that we no longer have to live in our brokenness can lead to our own “weary world rejoicing!”

This week, you may have more gatherings that remind you of loss and brokenness. It can take one’s breath away and even make us unable to speak or fully engage as we may have done at one time. You may have to celebrate in solitude, where once there was a houseful of celebration. But one thing has not changed: there is still a “thrill of hope” within our grasp if we can see it. Embrace that, even if quietly, amidst the broken ornaments.

Christmas Movies

by   December 20, 2025 with No Comments

By Doug Creamer

Christmas Movies

            I enjoy watching Christmas movies. I like to start early so I can fit in all my favorites before Christmas. I have some old favorites that I want to see every year or two. My wife and I really like some of the old black and white films. We try to watch a new one each year, but we both really like the old classics.

            There is one movie we watch every year and that is “Miracle on 34th Street,” the 1947 original in black and white. We have the colorized version and we will watch that some years, but we both prefer the black and white version. We also have the remake that was done a few years back, but give us the classic anytime.

            Two other old classics that we love are “Christmas in Connecticut” and “It Happened on 5th Avenue.” I think they might be labeled as romantic screwball comedies because they are both so funny and yet tender in their own way. These two movies tell great stories that will warm your heart at this time of year and I want to see at least one of them every year.  

            Our new movie for this year was “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.” It actually came out last year and is produced by Dallas Jenkins, who produces “The Chosen.” I strongly encourage you to watch “The Chosen.” It is a great series depicting the life of Jesus in a very realistic way.

            In “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” you meet the Herdmans, six siblings who are rowdy, undisciplined bullies. They decide to come to church and be a part of the church’s traditional Christmas pageant…a disaster in the making. I won’t spoil the movie for you, but it is a great story and Dallas Jenkins brings a special touch to this film based on the classic children’s book. I highly recommend it.

            Most of us don’t want families like the Herdmans to come and ruin our churches. We want polite and respectful children who are obedient. We want our children to be dressed nicely. We want our churches to be neat and tidy and our people to be the same. We don’t want anyone who is dirty or who have sinful lives. What could THOSE kind of people add to our church?

            When we believe our sins are less bad than other people’s sins, we are in trouble. If our sins were listed for all to see at the front of the church, most of us would be ducking out. Jesus taught us that He came for the sick, for those who need a Savior. Jesus highly criticized the religious leaders of His day because they were shutting the doors on those who were seeking a relationship with God. Jesus wants to save the lost, fill them with His love, and give them a God- centered purpose in their lives.

            Jesus’ coming is not like a movie. It actually happened to real people who were treated badly. People thought Mary and Joseph had committed sin. But they endured the shame and disgrace in order to bring the Savior into the world. Life was hard for them living on the run. Knowing they were raising the Savior came with challenges. Mary, Joseph, and Jesus chose obedience and did the hard thing to give everyone the chance at a relationship with God.

            Most of us have family or friends who are not saved. Christmas reminds us that everyone is welcome in God’s house. Jesus wants to be found and comfort the broken hearted. Jesus was born in a manger so that ALL could approach Him. Jesus made Himself accessible so all could receive Him. Jesus loves every person, especially those who are far from Him…and our family and friends who need Him.

            If you are looking for love and acceptance then I encourage you to open your heart to Jesus this Christmas season. You don’t have to clean yourself up, just come as you are. There is forgiveness, peace, and joy available for you. God has saved you a place at His Christmas table. There is always room for one more. Jesus loves you and accepts you with all your problems and hang-ups. He has a plan to help you turn your life around. Come home this Christmas season to the family of God. Jesus came for ALL of us, sinner and saint, no matter what our lives look like. Jesus is born! He came for YOU!   Merry Christmas from my heart to yours.

Contact Doug Creamer at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041or doug@dougcreamer.com

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