GIRL FINDS CHRISTMAS JOY AS SNOW STARTS TO FALL.. (soo old fashioned and awesome) ENJOY

Girl Finds Christmas Joy as Snow Starts to Fall

Like this red barn in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, Marcia's barn held a festive spirit,

By Marcia Dahlinghaus Golden Valley, Arizona

Snow fell as I ran toward our red barn, telling two terriers, “Santa’s coming, Santa’s coming!” The dogs sensed my excitement and circled around me. I was 7 years old that Christmas Eve in 1952, and as I did my chores on our Ohio farm I wondered if Santa would fix my sister Betty’s old doll crib and buggy for me. Dad had sent them to Santa at the beginning of Advent. I hope, I hope, I told myself as I rushed to the barn and plowed into Betty, who was carrying a straw bale for the calves. “Watch where you’re going!” she protested. “Why are you in such a hurry?” Then she smiled knowingly. “You know we can’t go into the house until Santa turns on the Christmas tree lights and all the milking and feeding are done.” After I fed the calves, I cracked open the door of the barn and saw that night had come. A 40-watt bulb in the corner of the barn shed a faint light on the falling snow. The flakes drifted gently down, forming a misty curtain in front of the house. My breathing slowed as I watched the snow fall. I wondered: Jesus was born in a stable. Did He have snow on His birthday? Did the animals keep Him warm with their breath and body heat? Jesus got gifts from the wise men. Did Santa do what Dad asked? Would I get my gifts? The barn seemed to breathe a response to my questions with the sounds of the calves rustling the straw, the rabbits thumping their hind legs and the cows lowing. All the ordinary sounds I heard every day became charged with the presence of something I couldn’t name. I felt a sense of peace settling all around. At that moment, the Christmas tree lights came on, the colors hazy through the falling snow. I stood entranced. I wanted to stay with that feeling of being part of it all. Presents? I would be happy with whatever I got. My brother Dave looked out the door. “Hey, the lights are on! Jim and Betty have only four more cows to milk. Won’t be long now. Come on!” “Isn’t everything beautiful, Dave? The snow, the lights, the barn?” Dave had already walked away and didn’t hear me. “Yes, it is,” I said softly. Anticipation mounted as all four of us kids ran to the house. The Christmas tree’s soft lights bathed the living room in a warm glow. Then I saw my gifts. The repainted doll crib and buggy; the new sheets in a flower design like the one on the sack our flour came in; matching pillowcases finished off with a crocheted edging that Mom put on all her fancy work; my favorite doll with a new nightgown made of the same flannel as mine; and a dress and cap made of the same material as my school dress. As I played with my doll and put her in her new bed, I saw my parents sitting on the couch, watching. They looked content. Again I felt the same presence as in the barn, only then I knew its name: love.

Barn photo by Arina P. Habich

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THANKS LILY FOR POSTING THE POEM BELOW.. I THOUGHT I WOULD SHARE IT SO EVEN OTHERS CAN SEE IT ALSO.. HOPE YOU DON'T MIND.... LOVE AND BIG HUGS

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 Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

Robert Frost

Whose woods these are I think I know. 
His house is in the village, though; 
He will not see me stopping here 
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer 
To stop without a farmhouse near 
Between the woods and frozen lake 
The darkest evening of the year.

 He gives his harness bells a shake 
To ask if there's some mistake. 
The only other sound's the sweep 
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep, 
But I have promises to keep, 
And miles to go before I sleep, 
And miles to go before I sleep.

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Father, we are grateful beyond words that all through our lives you are right beside us. From the darkest walk we might take to even right out in the snow, There You are with us! Thank You heavenly Father! We love You , and give You the honor, praise and glory in all things. We put our trust in You and thank You for understanding our human nature that sometimes tries to doubt, and question.. Forgive us please and show us the way. Praying for you and yours tonight and nightly that God will bless you spiritually, physically, emotionally, mentally, and financially.. and that He will wrap His loving arms around each and ever one of you and grant you His unconditional love, grace, forgiveness, guidance, patience, mercies, and a special blessing that only He knows that you need. Praying for the sick, the hurting and the grieving.. Please Lord, grant them health, ease their problems and give them some comfort and inner peace. Praying for our soldiers that they will quickly return home safely and to loving families and abundant jobs, and respect. Giving HIM our love, thanks, praise, honor, and glory in all things in Jesus holy name, amen.