Life Esssentials - A few noteworthy wordings for the new year

Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height.
Don't worry to much about them. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay them :) 

Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down. ( Keep this In mind if you are one of those grouches ;))

Keep learning: Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain get idle. "An idle mind is the devil's workshop." And the devil's name is Alzheimer's!

Enjoy the simple things in life. Smile or wave at a child you pass by, or notice the sweet sound of a bird in the morning, the clear blue sky, the lush green leaves...

Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath. And if you have a friend who makes you laugh, spend lots and lots of time with HIM/HER.

The tears happen: Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person who is with you in your entire life, is yourself. LIVE while you are alive and remember you are ultimately in His care and a child of God.

Surround yourself with what you love: Whether it's your favorite songs, your family, pets, keepsakes, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.

 Cheerish your health. If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the park or a mall, to a nearby city or state, or to a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is ..

Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity. You can multiply your joys or share your sorrows with someone who really cares. Build friendships with old friends and always be ready to have a few new friends.

This Note was received by Sennen Pinto, as a forward. A few editions  have been made before publishing it on the torch bearers website.

Christmas - love was born in a stable - By Lynn Baber

Christmas is a miracle of spirit and love generated by our relationship with God. Outward holiday trappings of food, gifts, and décor are meant to convey that spirit and love to others. Sometimes it seems the greater the extravagance of such displays, the poorer our tokens of love and spirit become.

Christmas Wishes from Bo and Lynn

 Christmas can be a time of great stress, exacting tolls on goodwill, waistlines, and available lines of credit. By embracing simplicity, holiday distress can melt away by returning to the first Christmas message - “Love was born in a stable.” 

Joy in the Barn

My husband and I live in Weatherford, Texas. We share our home with six horses, three dogs, and three cats. My office is a quick 14-second stroll from the horse stalls, as is our bed. 

 

The Horse Side of Our Barn

 

Oyster Stew is our traditional dinner on the night before Christmas, made from a recipe perfected on Christmas Eve many years ago when the pot of soup scalded while we were out in the dark rescuing a horse caught in a fence. After knocking down some rails and posts we finally tucked the mare in safe and sound for the night. We expected to return to a pan of burnt stew on the stove. 
                                

Not only was Christmas Eve dinner not ruined, the Oyster Stew was more delicious than ever and a new tradition was born. Every year we scald the oyster stew and remember times past.

     The Center of Christmas Dinner - Mincemeat Pie

Homemade Mincemeat Pie, made from a shredded beef roast, apricots, raisins, apples, and spices, is the centerpiece of our Christmas Day menu. My husband and I enjoy special favorites of gingerbread and pumpkin, and there will be carrots for the horses, baked bones for the dogs, and the delicacy of canned food for the cats.

Love was born in a stable. A cherished Nativity sculpture is the centerpiece of our Christmas décor. Jesus Christ was born in a barn among the animals depicted in that sculpture; the donkey, sheep and cattle. My husband and I are blessed beyond our dreams to share our lives with our beloved animals.

Less is More

Nothing is special if everything is special. No tasty dish is memorable if overpowered by a mountain of food on the holiday table. No gift inspires true delight if it must compete with innumerable others.

Precious memories are created by singular events.

“When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things - not the great occasions - give off the greatest glow of happiness.”  ~Bob Hope

 

                                                                 Simple Christmas Decorations

 Gifts of Christmas

The best gifts of Christmas were given on a star-lit night over two thousand years ago and are still as fresh as our hearts will allow.

 

• The Herald Angels still call to those who will listen.
• Silver Bells still peal loud and true.
• All ye faithful are still called to Come, Joyful and Triumphant.
• I still look forward to the coming Holy Night with its brightly shining star.
• Of that Silent Night and Holy Night, we may still read of yon Virgin and Child.
• I still hear Angels on High, sweetly singing their joyous song.
• There is still Joy to the World.

Lynn Baber with her horse. Photo credit Hoofprints Photography, Tucson, AZ

The Gift of Christ was delivered in a simple stable, of a simple mother, and for a simple purpose. The birth of a Savior made peace between sinful man and a holy God possible.

Simply put, “ Love was born in a stable.”

Article written by Lynn Baber, a retired Equestrian professional who raises and grooms her own horses and has her own stables. She is a writer, an animal lover and also has dogs and other pets at her home in Weatherford, Texas.  The above article has been sent to us and was chosen  as a guest written article for our website for this year's Christmas Season.

 We wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to come. 

Please visit Distinguished and nature healing experiences while grooming, training and riding horses - By Lynn Baber, a retired equestrian professional.

The Spirit of Christmas (The Star of David)

Christmas! A season of joy, peace and harmony,

A reason for celebration in the hearts of many,

The trees and homes adorned with lights glowing,

When Carols rhyme in times of goodwill flowing.

A season with moments of fun and cheer to the people younger,

and fond memories in a holiday spirit that appear to the elder,

A very merry occasion for families near and memories dear,

As they come in union, in the most festive time of the year.

As the season commences they hang up a bright shining star,

That recalls a tale when it was seen by both men, near and far.

When long ago and far away through the darkness, shone a ray,

In the city of Bethlehem that knew no night as bright as day.

In a silent night, the star was seen by shepherds afar,

A light from the heavens, brighter than any other star,

As an indication by an angel, that appeared in their sight,

Of a child that lay in a manger, as it shone so bright.

The Shepherds saw angels sing praises to God most high,

Departed to seek a little babe, following the light in the sky,

Their sought hidden treasure, as foretold in the psalms,

A joy of no measure, as He lay peacefully in Mary's arms.

Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar also followed the call

With treasures of Gold, frankincense, myrrh and all,

Whose wisdom knew it was a prophecy of a king’s birth,

Worshipped Him, as He became a king of heaven and earth.

The star that gently moved until its kindled light,

Shone down and made a manger cradle so bright,

Has become a ray of hope after two thousand years,

And has brought many smiles and wiped many tears,

As Christmas season's blessings and greetings are spread,

In coloured ribbons and adornments of green and red.

                                                                                                              

Poem written by Sennen Chris Pinto, a member of Torch bearer website. The poem has been previewed and edited prior to publishing by torch bearer members and our friends. We wish all our viewers and their families a season's greetings filled with hope, love and peace.