- Isaiah 9:1-
Warmest Wishes for a Wonderful Christmas and Prayers and Love for a Beautiful New Year! May you be abundantly blessed by His love, joy, comfort, and most of all His peace this season and in the new year to come!
With Lots of Love,
"I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old familiar carols play
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.
And in despair I bowed my head;
'There is no peace on earth,' I said,
For hate is strong and mocks the song
of peace on earth, good will to men.
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep;
God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men."
I have shared the story of the beautiful Christmas Carol, I heard the Bells on Christmas Day, in my book, When Light Dawns, and today I wanted to share a bit more of it here on the blog. This beautiful Christmas Carol was written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in 1863, and came after a series of personal tragedies occurred in his life.
First, in the early 1860s, an unusual heat wave had struck Massachusetts, which affected Longfellow’s family. This prompted Fanny, his wife, to trim the hair of their 7-year-old daughter to help her feel cooler. Sentimentally, Fanny decided to seal the locks of hair with wax, but tragically, hot wax spilled onto her dress and caught on fire. Henry unsuccessfully tried to extinguish the fire with a blanket, and then tried stopping the fire by throwing himself on his wife, which resulted in his face, arms, and hands being burned. Heart-breakingly, Fanny Longfellow died the following morning from her injuries and was buried 3 days later on their 18th wedding anniversary. Due to his own severe burns, Henry wasn’t able to attend her funeral, but later was recorded as saying a line from his famous hymn, The wrong shall fail, the right prevail.
Shortly after this in 1863, Henry was informed (by letter) that his oldest son joined the Union soldiers during the fight of the American Civil War. In November of 1863, Charles was severely wounded in the Battle of New Hope Church. These two events together, proved to be the foundation for Henry’s famous poem Christmas Bells, which was later put to music and became a famous Christmas carol.
I am so thumbled that this post was originally shared over at Mundane Faithfulness in 2016. You can find the original guest post HERE!
First, in the early 1860s, an unusual heat wave had struck Massachusetts, which affected Longfellow’s family. This prompted Fanny, his wife, to trim the hair of their 7-year-old daughter to help her feel cooler. Sentimentally, Fanny decided to seal the locks of hair with wax, but tragically, hot wax spilled onto her dress and caught on fire. Henry unsuccessfully tried to extinguish the fire with a blanket, and then tried stopping the fire by throwing himself on his wife, which resulted in his face, arms, and hands being burned. Heart-breakingly, Fanny Longfellow died the following morning from her injuries and was buried 3 days later on their 18th wedding anniversary. Due to his own severe burns, Henry wasn’t able to attend her funeral, but later was recorded as saying a line from his famous hymn, The wrong shall fail, the right prevail.
Shortly after this in 1863, Henry was informed (by letter) that his oldest son joined the Union soldiers during the fight of the American Civil War. In November of 1863, Charles was severely wounded in the Battle of New Hope Church. These two events together, proved to be the foundation for Henry’s famous poem Christmas Bells, which was later put to music and became a famous Christmas carol.
The tragedy that Henry Longfellow endured—and so many others walk through—astounds and humbles me. It is a great reminder that a year can be filled with incredible losses and pain as well as joys and triumphs. Unfortunately, the holiday season takes no exception and can sometimes compound the grief that we have experienced.
Sometimes in the midst of pain, I have questioned what I really have to celebrate. Sometimes the pain can make it difficult to get into the holiday mood. Sometimes real life doesn’t allow us to have a Pinterest-worthy Christmas, yet what I am finding in the cracks and crevices of this Christmas season is that there is simple joy and peace to be found at Christmas.
In focusing on Christ and those whom God has placed in my path to embrace with grace and love, I see the hope of what Christmas is all about. In the midst of the incredible divisions in our country, I bow my head and think, as Henry did back in the Civil War era, that there is no peace on earth; yet the bells that echo throughout this season remind me there is much to rejoice in celebrating the birth of Jesus.
My prayer and dream this Christmas is that I will be preparing my heart as much as my home for this holiday season.
My prayer is that I will take the time to stop and love those who are hurting before me, as much as I take the time to decorate my tree.
My dream is that I will be challenged to give gifts not only to those whom I know well, but also to the hurting person who may need the physical reminder of Christ’s tangible love in more ways that I can imagine.
My hope is that the best gift I can give this year is more of God’s love and more of His grace each and everyday.
My wish is to remind those whom I love that the bells are still ringing with God’s grace and truth.
1. Offer monetary help if possible.
(I know, I know... I mention this in every single post related to gift ideas for friends and family but it is because it is so important.) Even with insurance those with Chronic Illness spend thousands and thousands of dollars trying to get healthy every single month. Many people with Chronic Illness have already gone through all available resources. These types of gifts do not have to be large. Truly money and gift cards are wonderful if that is an option for you to give!
(I know, I know... I mention this in every single post related to gift ideas for friends and family but it is because it is so important.) Even with insurance those with Chronic Illness spend thousands and thousands of dollars trying to get healthy every single month. Many people with Chronic Illness have already gone through all available resources. These types of gifts do not have to be large. Truly money and gift cards are wonderful if that is an option for you to give!
2. Purchase Pet Items.
Does your friend have a pet? Consider purchasing a gift card to their vet, paying for a pet "check up" (or grooming), or giving them a gift basket of necessary food and litter, treats, or toys. Even a Removable Pet Door Panel Insert can be worth buying for them.
Does your friend have a pet? Consider purchasing a gift card to their vet, paying for a pet "check up" (or grooming), or giving them a gift basket of necessary food and litter, treats, or toys. Even a Removable Pet Door Panel Insert can be worth buying for them.
3. Purchase (or create) holiday cards to send out (and give them a book of stamps).
Consider blessing your friend in this way. (Concerned that the extra stamps will go to waste? Don't be. Almost all medical bills still have to be sent out the old fashioned way - your friend will use those stamps one way or another!)
4. Help your friend address Christmas Card Envelopes.
Sometimes the energy to address the cards can be an issue. Offer to address the cards (and mail them!) for your friend!
Consider blessing your friend in this way. (Concerned that the extra stamps will go to waste? Don't be. Almost all medical bills still have to be sent out the old fashioned way - your friend will use those stamps one way or another!)
4. Help your friend address Christmas Card Envelopes.
Sometimes the energy to address the cards can be an issue. Offer to address the cards (and mail them!) for your friend!
5. Give the gift of not asking, "have you tried..." at the family/friends get together.
When you offer unsolicited advice, it can come across as a lecture- even if that is not your intent. Someone once said: "Assume that we have heard all of the tips on living healthier and leave it at that." I couldn't have said it any better.
When you offer unsolicited advice, it can come across as a lecture- even if that is not your intent. Someone once said: "Assume that we have heard all of the tips on living healthier and leave it at that." I couldn't have said it any better.
6. Give a gift card for "unmentionables".
If your friend hasn't had the money (or the energy) to buy new clothes in a while consider giving them a gift card to purchase the necessities that they probably need.
If your friend hasn't had the money (or the energy) to buy new clothes in a while consider giving them a gift card to purchase the necessities that they probably need.
7. Support your friends current "money making endeavor".
Those with Chronic Illnesses often have had to leave a job that they loved and have tried to find a way to make money in a new capacity. Support their endeavor. Do they have an Etsy shop? Purchase gifts from that shop and spread the news about their shop via social media. Do they make things and sell them on the side? Help spread the word!
8. Pay for a Doctors Visit.
Lots of Chronic Illnesses have specialized doctors and not all are covered by insurance! Consider paying for one of your friends doctors visits. This will be an incredible blessing!
Those with Chronic Illnesses often have had to leave a job that they loved and have tried to find a way to make money in a new capacity. Support their endeavor. Do they have an Etsy shop? Purchase gifts from that shop and spread the news about their shop via social media. Do they make things and sell them on the side? Help spread the word!
8. Pay for a Doctors Visit.
Lots of Chronic Illnesses have specialized doctors and not all are covered by insurance! Consider paying for one of your friends doctors visits. This will be an incredible blessing!
9. Pay for the Co-pays.
Is your friends doctor covered by insurance? Their co-pays aren't! Most people pay an average of $15-$50 for their co-pays. This might not seem like a big deal unless you regularly see your doctor. Statistically a chronically ill person sees their doctor 15 times a year. That means that they will spend an average of $225- $750 for Co-pays. Consider covering their co-pays for a year. What a blessing that would be!
Is your friends doctor covered by insurance? Their co-pays aren't! Most people pay an average of $15-$50 for their co-pays. This might not seem like a big deal unless you regularly see your doctor. Statistically a chronically ill person sees their doctor 15 times a year. That means that they will spend an average of $225- $750 for Co-pays. Consider covering their co-pays for a year. What a blessing that would be!
10. Give a gift card to their "alternative" treatments.
Most people with Chronic Illness use alternative treatments and these can be an expensive but necessary "addition" to their cost. Consider giving a gift card to their reflexologist, acupuncturist, massage therapist, chiropractor, etc. (Side note- this is not the time to give them a gift card to some place that you feel they should go - simply a time to come along side of them. (Unfortunately that is a true story...)*smiles*)
11. Give them the gift of becoming an advocate of their disease.
I suggested a couple of weeks ago to ask your loved one what books that they would recommend on their disease and to read about it. Do this. Become an advocate on what ails them. Isn't it wonderful that there are so many walks and "government supported" funding for certain illnesses? That came about in part because of friends and family rallied to bring awareness. What about your loved ones disease? Do you know how to spell it? Do you know what is happening in Congress or at the state level in regards to it? Become an advocate for your loved one and for the thousands of others that might not have loved ones who care.
12. Give them the gift of a day at a salon.
You know how you spend a lot of money on having your hair cut, nails done, etc. for the holiday season? Your loved one who is suffering from illness would love that to but would never dream of spending the money on something like that anymore. If this is something you can give to a friend- it would be an incredibly blessing.
Most people with Chronic Illness use alternative treatments and these can be an expensive but necessary "addition" to their cost. Consider giving a gift card to their reflexologist, acupuncturist, massage therapist, chiropractor, etc. (Side note- this is not the time to give them a gift card to some place that you feel they should go - simply a time to come along side of them. (Unfortunately that is a true story...)*smiles*)
11. Give them the gift of becoming an advocate of their disease.
I suggested a couple of weeks ago to ask your loved one what books that they would recommend on their disease and to read about it. Do this. Become an advocate on what ails them. Isn't it wonderful that there are so many walks and "government supported" funding for certain illnesses? That came about in part because of friends and family rallied to bring awareness. What about your loved ones disease? Do you know how to spell it? Do you know what is happening in Congress or at the state level in regards to it? Become an advocate for your loved one and for the thousands of others that might not have loved ones who care.
12. Give them the gift of a day at a salon.
You know how you spend a lot of money on having your hair cut, nails done, etc. for the holiday season? Your loved one who is suffering from illness would love that to but would never dream of spending the money on something like that anymore. If this is something you can give to a friend- it would be an incredibly blessing.
13. Create a relaxing atmosphere.
Do you have a loved one coming to visit for the holidays? Consider setting them up somewhere that they can retreat to rest and relax when they are feeling sick. This will give them an incredible blessing amidst the "hustle and bustle".
Do you have a loved one coming to visit for the holidays? Consider setting them up somewhere that they can retreat to rest and relax when they are feeling sick. This will give them an incredible blessing amidst the "hustle and bustle".
14. Remember the caregiver(s).
I have often said this but me being ill is often harder on my parents then myself. To see people that are constantly hurting and suffering and not be able to do anything about it is excruciating. Reach out to the caregivers and you will touch the heart of the person who is ill too.
As I have said countless times here on the blog, realize that your friend or family member with a Chronic Illness is the best gift this season. Their illness is forcing them to set limitations but the gift to you is remembering what is truly important in the holiday season. Celebrate people. Not things or activities. At the end of the day people are the most important thing not whether or not you were able to buy every single gift in the world, decorate your house the best, or have the cutest pinterest worthy decorations. People are what matter friends!
Looking for other posts on how to help friends with an illness during the holiday season?
Check out these other posts:
Happy Thursday friends! I hope you are having a wonderful week!
I have often said this but me being ill is often harder on my parents then myself. To see people that are constantly hurting and suffering and not be able to do anything about it is excruciating. Reach out to the caregivers and you will touch the heart of the person who is ill too.
As I have said countless times here on the blog, realize that your friend or family member with a Chronic Illness is the best gift this season. Their illness is forcing them to set limitations but the gift to you is remembering what is truly important in the holiday season. Celebrate people. Not things or activities. At the end of the day people are the most important thing not whether or not you were able to buy every single gift in the world, decorate your house the best, or have the cutest pinterest worthy decorations. People are what matter friends!
Looking for other posts on how to help friends with an illness during the holiday season?
Check out these other posts:
Happy Thursday friends! I hope you are having a wonderful week!
Back in 2016, when the first edition of December Caravan was released I was truly overwhelmed with the amazing response that it garnered. I was so humbled and honored to have signed my first traditional route publishing company contract and it was overwhelming to look back on these stories and see all that God had done. That first edition will always have a special place in my heart.
But similar to the stories shared in the first edition this little book has had its own twists and turns as last February I found out that the publishing company was going bankrupt. Over the last 10 months it has been a journey to official separate with the publishing company and transfer the rights to a new publishing company. Today I am SO excited to share that after so much work and prayer the the 2nd edition went public!!
This 2nd edition has been expanded (adding in several new chapters), revised, and updated and I am so excited to share it with y'all! My hope and prayer is that these collection of short stories will encourage and inspire you to find hope in the ordinary moments of life.
You can purchase December Caravan where books are sold or on Amazon (also available in Kindle form) and you can click HERE to purchase it!
Thank you to each of you that have already purchased it!! If you have a chance will you take a moment and leave a review? Thank you!!
"The Lord is there..."
-Ezekiel 48:35-
With Love,
Dear friend, first, thank you so much for stopping by to read these weekly devotional posts that have been inspired by "When Calls the Heart" TV show from the Hallmark Channel. Over the past year it has been so delightful to share with y'all 40 devotional posts on Wednesdays that I hope have been an encouragement to you! Second, thank you so much to each of you that have taken the time to comment here on the blog or in the Hearties Facebook group, or have taken the time to send me an email sharing your own stories of hope and struggle. I have been so encouraged and blessed by each one of you that I have had the joy to connect with. It is a wonderful blessing to connect with others and realize that each of our stories are so unique and yet so similar. As today is the last devotional in this series, I want to say a special word of thanks for exploring with me not only the topics that have been highlighted in Janette Oke's books but in the television series. Thank you for taking the time to read and to bless me so much. Each of you are a blessing and I pray that as we enter into this holiday season you are blessed with the tender reminder of hope most of all. Thank you again!
In our world that is in the midst of so much strife and grief this prayer is like a beacon of hope for all of us who are wanting to encourage and love well the people around us. There are so many people who are living out of hatred and I can't even imagine the way that love could change the course of their history if they encountered it. Love has the power to restore a lost voice and perhaps it can paint over the voice of hatred in this world.
As we pardon those who have caused us hurt we spread the beautiful blessing of forgiveness into our lives and into theirs. In the midst of those who are doubting this season we can gently remind them of the hope that is just beyond the lines.
For those who are despairing this holiday season we can sow seeds of hope, tenderly reminding them that there is always a little bit of hope to be found. In the darkness we can help spread light and in the sadness that many experience we can pray to help spread joy.
This prayer actually continues and says,
"O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen."
Isn't the ending of the prayer so beautiful? As I was doing more research on this prayer of peace for this devotional chapter I found out that actually although the prayer has been attributed to St. Francis, the original author is unknown. The prayer was first found in World War I, written on the back of a card of St. Francis that a soldier had been carrying on him throughout the war.
Knowing this history and understanding that this prayer was written or was at least prayed during the season of war put an entirely different spin on this for me. Many times in life we feel that we are facing our own battlefields and wars. Many of you may even have (like myself) loved ones who are serving in the military right now. Understanding the depth of this prayer in light of these circumstance gently challenges me to not seek to be comforted or understood or loved as much as to spread these things this Christmas. For in doing so we truly have the power to change our worlds.
At the same time though I well understand that in the hustle and bustle of our lives, especially during this holiday season, it can be hard to remember to stop and take a few moments to make the effort to extend out our energy to promote peace and love. In the long to-do lists and the things that demand our attention, it is sometimes difficult to even think about sowing love, faith, hope, or joy. Just the other day a dear friend told me that she was struggling due to her own grief in her life to do the basic necessities of life including laundry without trying to add "holiday cheer and spreading of peace and love" to the list.
I know that many of you are struggling through this season burdened, limited in what you hope to do but can't and are living in one more reminder that you are not living in the dream that you hoped for at this time. If this is you than I am praying that during this season you are refreshed and encouraged as Christmas is for you, my hurting friend.
Here in the north the darkness comes early at this time of year. One of my friends recently commented how it is a reflection of her life as she is struggling through these days. She told me that as the sun goes down early she feels that this time of year yells and screams at her that her life is nowhere near where she imagined it to be. I can relate to her sentiments.
This season does seem to bring out what we long to have come and yet are still waiting on... and yet, that is the beautiful hope of this advent season and Christmas time. Our hopes and longings are yet to be fulfilled and yet, we have a gentle reminder that the light has come. Against the darkness a light shines.
One of my favorite verses in scripture is from Isaiah which states, "Nevertheless, the time of of darkness and despair will not go on forever..." I love this gentle reminder that scripture acknowledges that darkness and despair do happen, but they will not last forever.
Today, dear friends, let us draw inspiration from the prayer that is attributed to St. Francis, remembering when it was written- during a time of war and darkness. Let us pray to be a beautiful blessing- whether that is to others or to ourselves today. Sometimes we need to preach and treat ourselves to the things that matter the most.
So today friends, let us hold onto what we know to be true. Let us hold onto the fact that no matter what comes we have hope. Let us hold onto courage no matter what the day or the future holds. And most of all friends, let us hold onto faith that daylight will always follow the dark.
"Nevertheless, the time of of darkness and despair will not go on forever...The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine."
-Isaiah 9: 1-2-
-Isaiah 9: 1-2-
Looking for all of the past From Hope Valley Devotionals? You can click HERE to find a complete listing!
I receive several emails a week asking where you can watch older episodes of "When Calls the Heart". If you have a Netflix account you can find seasons 1-4 there or you can purchase them on Amazon. You can purchase and watch all of the seasons and episodes by clicking on the links below:
*Please note that the quotes used in these weekly devotionals are the sole intellectual property of Hallmark Channel, WCTH, & Crown Media, LLC. These on-line posts are in no way supported, endorsed or affiliated with WCTH, Hallmark Channel, or Crown Media. They are simply encouragement inspired by Janette Oke and this precious show.*
"The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned."
-Isaiah 9:2-
The month of December has always been one of my favorites. There are so many beautiful things to ponder: days filled with family and friends, delightful sunsets and sunrises, precious quiet, laughter, and beautiful snow. In the midst of the hard and messy and broken, this month gently reminds us that despite walking in the dark times, the beautiful light has dawned.
Praying that you have a wonderful December dear friends, gently reminded each day in tender ways that the beautiful light that has dawned and the hope that has come!
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