Message 15: Hanging Remembrance on the Tree

“I’ll Be Home for Christmas”

When the fresh scent of baking wafts through the house as of old; when the shimmer of my tree is as candlelight in the darkened room and I am lost in its glow; when Christmas memories of cherished ones gone on ahead steep like cupped chocolate hot and warming between two hands…the wonder of the Christmases and those who peopled my past lingers lovingly… and mists me with thankfulness for the remembering. Mm… In my dreams, I am home again for Christmas…

 

Remembering the good, the loving. 

It is a gift I place within you for healing, , joy, and hope of one-day reunion.  A gift to keep your story and Mine in and through you, flowing. 

Yet…Do not look back on the past as “all there was,” or  “ever could be” — but as a catalyst to what is now, what is to come. 

If there was sadness in the past… remember, I give you beauty now for ashes! 

Where there was wonder and joy… remember, it was only the beginning! 

Hold close the faces and the hearts of those I gave to you as gifts… for I gave them to you to teach and help bring you to who you are today… and those loved ones now with Me are definitely waiting in your future, standing with and beside Me, cheering you on.   

There is tenderness in remembering that softens your heart.  To Me.  To giving to others.  To loving those who despitefully use you.  

A sweetness to marking the lights of the past, as with shimmery ornaments on a tree.  

But most of all remember… Lo, I am with you today, yesterday and to come.  Only believe and you will see wondrous things you have not yet imagined.    

 

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To Ponder:

How has God used those loved ones of my Christmas past to shape my heart towards Him today?

 

© Pam Depoyan

This is the 15th post in my December Christmas House Calendar theme… similar to an Advent Calendar where you “open a door” to receive a message.  In this case, one born of prayer and whispers from our “not so secret admirer.”  Mark your calendar to come back here often this month for more “secret messages!” 

Missed the introduction to this Christmas House Calendar Theme?  If you’d like to catch up or read any of the posts for this month, you’ll find them here:

Christmas Calendar House Joy

“I’ll Be Home for Christmas” is now on display and available for purchase at my new gallery in  my “Picture It in Pen and Ink” blog  —  Christmas Wonder

(Please do NOT copy without permission. See my copyright info button on the sidebar. 

Message 14: Luminaria

“Lights of Christmas”

I stand and breathe in the brisk December twilight, watching  lights sparkle on one by one, house by house.  Oh, the tenderness I see in this welcoming of the season’s joy!  Something in them mists my eyes,  stars and moistens my lashes.  For a moment, Heaven shimmers a touch of Glory, like luminaria glowing, fluttering brightly in bags of sand… set out by loving Hand to lead us to where the true celebration begins …

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The Glory of the Lord is shining upon you.  Anointing you to proclaim the good news, bind the brokenhearted, set the captives free, bestow a crown of beauty and light on a world hungering for light…as I did.  For you are My followers and you are to move in greater ways than you have allowed…

This is the power of My Spirit in you.  Not anything you work out in and of yourselves.  I simply call you to invite ME to shine more brightly in you.  To make you like a house lit from every corner, as with gold, for celebration!

Invite Me to take your hands so I may ENLIGHTEN every corner of your mind, heart, spirit… for you are the Temple of My Spirit and I want to string My Lights from window to window inside you!  Not just for a week or two, as the world does in this season…but to burn brighter and longer with My eternal Light of Glory.  ENLIGHTEN – with wisdom, yes.  Also, as in ILLUMINATION, with my Glory rising in you to all who see you. Drawing wandering sojourners to find and know they are home only in Me…

As the Northern Lights reveal Mystery and Wonder and Majesty to a watching, wondering world, how much more I long to shine and wave colors of such radiant beauty in and through My People!

Invite Me.  

Daily pray Isaiah 60 and 61 in such a way that you are prophesying those words of truth in and over your life.  Sing over yourself and others – “The Lord is rising His Glory on me, on you… !”  Rejoice in that truth and put it on as your Heavenly raiment even now.

The world awaits festive, merry, hope, joy, light…  Ask Me to open eyes to seeing My Glory over you, and be ready to share the reason for the LIGHT.     

I mist eyes, soften hearts, bring them to the LIGHT. And no one is too hard for me to draw close.

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To Ponder:

What does it mean that His Glory is rising on me today?

 

© Pam Depoyan

This is the 14th post in my December Christmas House Calendar theme… similar to an Advent Calendar where you “open a door” to receive a message.  In this case, one born of prayer and whispers from our “not so secret admirer.”  Mark your calendar to come back here often this month for more “secret messages!” 

Missed the introduction to this Christmas House Calendar Theme?  If you’d like to catch up or read any of the posts for this month, you’ll find them here:

Christmas Calendar House Joy

“Lights of Christmas” is now on display and available for purchase at my new gallery in  my “Picture It in Pen and Ink” blog  —  Christmas Wonder

(Please do NOT copy without permission. See my copyright info button on the sidebar. 

Message 13: True Adventure

“Snow on Snow,” available at my art blog in Christmas Wonder

You can have fun in the predictable.  But most often, adventure is found in the unpredictable…

 As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.

~  John  1 2:27  NIV

 

If you are Mine, My Spirit and anointing are in you and on you.  I have great plans to move in this anointing within you… as long as you abide in Me.  I want to anoint you to move in greater ways than I did on earth, and My anointing is the same dunamis power that brought resurrection.

But there is one who is prowling about, trying to steal and incite and attack this anointing, attempting to leave you powerless.  This can only happen when you play into his plots, listen and accept his insidious thoughts as your own.

Have you been feeling offended by a close friend?  When you give in to receiving offense at the words of another, it causes a fissure in your relationship. 

Are you feeling justifiably angry… feeling like it might be better if you just separated yourself from others?   When you allow anger to fester or worry too much about the position of self … friendships and family connections begin to split.

And… bit by bit, My anointing in you is held back.

Lift your face to Heaven.  Like the falling snow, I am anointing you for adventure in Me.  When offense, anger…anything that tries to break you apart from loved ones in Me…rises up — take note of the red flag.  Take that thought captive and declare you are the redeemed of the Lord.  Ask Me to put My Love in you for those involved.

Make My Anointing within you more important than “being right.”

There is too much at stake… too much My Spirit wants to do in and through you.  To rise My Glory over you and bring nations to My Light through you.  To bring repair and healing and wholeness in every area of your life.  To watch over and protect and provide for you.   As you take the enemy’s wily thoughts captive, you will go forth in Victory and Joy and… Wonder.   Life in Me is meant to be an adventure, hand in hand with My Spirit.  Let your words and thoughts remain in Me.  

 

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To Ponder:

Whose thoughts have I been thinking on recently?

 

© Pam Depoyan

This is the 13th post in my December Christmas House Calendar theme… similar to an Advent Calendar where you “open a door” to receive a message.  In this case, one born of prayer and whispers from our “not so secret admirer.”  Mark your calendar to come back here often this month for more “secret messages!” 

Missed the introduction to this Christmas House Calendar Theme?  If you’d like to catch up or read any of the posts for this month, you’ll find them here:

Christmas Calendar House Joy

“Snow on Snow,” now on display and available for purchase at my new gallery in  my “Picture It in Pen and Ink” blog  —  Christmas Wonder

(Please do NOT copy without permission. See my copyright info button on the sidebar. 

Message 12: The Gift of Blessing

“Mama’s Little Christmas Baker”

Take time to make a wonder-memory.

 

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I have given you the gift of speaking blessing over each other…

Of coming alongside, placing your hand on another’s shoulder, declaring Light and Life and My Glory that was, is and is to come…

Do you ever think about the people – some you know personally, others who may be strangers — who opened your fingers and placed wonder in them?

Maybe they spent hours upon hours with you, sharing laughter, putting their hands over yours and guiding you as you began to learn…

Maybe they wrote a book or sang a song or acted in a play that moved you greatly… stirred hope and light and joy into the mix of your life. 

Maybe they reached out and helped you over a hurdle you never thought you could scale?

To those who somehow made a wonder-memory within you that still rings like bells of joy in you today… 

Even to those in the world you know by name only… communication is more available than ever before…

Might you find a way to bless them with a fresh memory that says, “You are honored.  You changed my life.  Your gift has brought light and life and hope to me in so many ways”?  Perhaps a written note that comes as a hand of blessing on their head?

He who honors, encourages, uplifts, thanks another and lets them know how important they are to them… does so to Me.

 

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To Ponder:

Has someone been in my thoughts lately — even a stranger — who could use a note of my blessing on their life?

 

© Pam Depoyan

This is the 12th post in my December Christmas House Calendar theme… similar to an Advent Calendar where you “open a door” to receive a message.  In this case, one born of prayer and whispers from our “not so secret admirer.”  Mark your calendar to come back here often this month for more “secret messages!” 

Missed the introduction to this Christmas House Calendar Theme?  If you’d like to catch up or read any of the posts for this month, you’ll find them here:

Christmas Calendar House Joy

“Mama’s Little Christmas Baker” now on display and available for purchase at my new gallery in  my “Picture It in Pen and Ink” blog  —  Christmas Wonder

(Please do NOT copy without permission. See my copyright info button on the sidebar. 

Message 11: Be Full of Faith

Believe…Behold…Be Expectant…

For Starry Miracles Are Waiting All Around

 

 

O holy night, the stars are brightly shining…  Only the eyes of the faith-filled will see all that I have prepared for you. 

Believe against all opposition.  Behold… your King is come.  Expect My Word to come to pass in your life and keep it on your lips day and night.  Then you will hear and recognize My Voice leading you…for I will put you in remembrance of just the right Word at the right time.  

I will lead you to encourage and uplift and bring My Honor to others who feel old and forgotten and useless.

I will sing songs of starry hope in and through you.

You will shine brighter than the stars as you lift Me up.

Become a gift to someone this Christmas who isn’t expecting…and you will find miracles falling all around you both.

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To Ponder:

Am I awaiting His Miracles with Child-like Fervor?

 

© Pam Depoyan

This is the 11th post in my December Christmas House Calendar theme… similar to an Advent Calendar where you “open a door” to receive a message.  In this case, one born of prayer and whispers from our “not so secret admirer.”  Mark your calendar to come back here often this month for more “secret messages!” 

Missed the introduction to this Christmas House Calendar Theme?  If you’d like to catch up or read any of the posts for this month, you’ll find them here:

Christmas Calendar House Joy

“Shall We Take A Peek?” now on display and available for purchase at my new gallery in  my “Picture It in Pen and Ink” blog  —  Christmas Wonder

(Please do NOT copy without permission. See my copyright info button on the sidebar. 

In this merry month…of writing

An announcement and a little request…

I just submitted an expanded version of one of my Christmas stories  – “In the Merry Month of Mae” — to a contest and invite you to hop on over to

http://beneaththerainbow.com/christmas-writers-contest

and  read this piece.  Then, if you would like, please leave a comment there at the end of my story….  because…

 

The judging is to take place right after Christmas, and is based on how many hits a story receives.  Comments are credited as two hits!  🙂

 

How to read and comment:

Go to http://beneaththerainbow.com/christmas-writers-contest

Once there, click on “Christmas Stories” on the left side of the screen.

Currently, my story appears there as the first one you see, but should they add more, you simply need to scroll through to “In the Merry Month of Mae.”

You’ll find the comment section at the end of the story following several ads and a place to sign up for the publications newsletters.  To comment,  please keep scrolling past the story end until you see the section that invites you to leave a comment.  Feel free to post this announcement and request on your Facebook as well.  🙂

Thanks so much…

and may this true story bring a bit of merry blessing to your Christmas!

NOTE:  When you leave a comment at the story contest site, several have told me it looks like it doesn’t appear…but I am sure they are to the contest judges…  Thank you for helping me on this!   Please feel free to share this with others on your FB!  🙂  The more the merrier!

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© Pam Depoyan

“Stars in My Crown ,” (portrait shown above) now on display and available for purchase at my new gallery in  my “Picture It in Pen and Ink” blog  —  Christmas Wonder

(Please do NOT copy without permission. See my copyright info button on the sidebar. 

Message Ten: Gifts

This season may never be Christmas Card Perfect in an imperfect world… yet… God calls us to employ His Gift of Holy imagination…

“Skater’s Waltz,” (“By the Light of the Silvery Moon”)

To see and allow the Sacred Joy of His Spirit to link with yours, to skim you across ice as to angel songs, to feel the gentle brush of His fluttering down snowflakes upon your face, to sit with you in the glow of your tree, to restore to you what may never have been but was meant to be yours all the same, to warm you as with cups of marshamallow-y hot chocolate and breathe carols upon carols like a breeze through your soul, to lead you to an array of gifts wrapped in shimmering light just for you…

And to write His waltzing songs of wonder through you.

 

Faith grows the more you picture My Promises as Truth in your life.  This is NOT simply thinking something into being so… No, it is believing My Word above all else. Above what you or someone else has experienced that may tell you otherwise.  Above worry… or fear… or any thing.

The stars and the angels sang at My Birth…and they sing over you now.  You cannot see or hear them with your eyes or your ears…but if you listen with your spirit and heart, you will see and  hear music that will sweep you away with My Majesty and pour as cleansing water over you.

Find a place and time of quiet in these days before Christmas… a place where you can be completely alone with Me.  Then… sing Me your songs.   Unabashedly.  Open-heartedly.  And as you do, I will untether your wings from fear, doubt, loneliness.  Yes, I will write waltzing songs of wonder in and through you…

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To Ponder:

Is something holding or weighing me down?

  Am I willing to let go and give it to Him?

 

© Pam Depoyan

This is the tenth post in my December Christmas House Calendar theme… similar to an Advent Calendar where you “open a door” to receive a message.  In this case, one born of prayer and whispers from our “not so secret admirer.”  Mark your calendar to come back here often this month for more “secret messages!” 

Missed the introduction to this Christmas House Calendar Theme?  If you’d like to catch up or read any of the posts for this month, you’ll find them here:

Christmas Calendar House Joy

“Skater’s Waltz,” (“By the Light of the Silvery Moon”) now on display and available for purchase at my new gallery in  my “Picture It in Pen and Ink” blog  —  Christmas Wonder

(Please do NOT copy without permission. See my copyright info button on the sidebar. 

 

Message 9: A Time for Gathering Wonder

“Basketful of Merry For You”

“For it is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its mighty Founder was a child Himself.” 

Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol

.

When life’s load seems to be deepening,

    when sorrow and fear seem to be mingling,

    when wonder seems far away and almost fantastical,

    when hope is like frosted crystal you can’t quite see through…

…Remember its the thief who wants to isolate and depress…

Today is the time to revisit your remembrance stones of joy and peace, laughter and God’s providing Heart… to rejoice in times and places and prayers where He has met you with open arms of Light and Life and Healing.

It’s time to marvel and receive…

His baskets full of merry,

gathered and bundled and special-delivery sent

for and to you!

In the Old Covenant, My people often placed stones of remembrance at the site of My miracle meetings with them.  Markers to remind them of My Power, Presence, Restoration, Leading… 

There is one who would try to convince you that I do not see you, can’t hear you, won’t answer you…  He is rattling and worrying like the great moaning sound of Scrooge’s ghost partner, Marley, clanging his chains and bemoaning no hope… no hope… no hope. 

Refuse these lying, attacking thoughts in MY NAME!  Brandish the sword of My Word, put on the armor of Righteousness – for you are made righteous in ME — and quench these fiery darts with the Shield of FAITH!  You are the temple of My Holy Spirit, and therein lies the treasure of stones of remembrance within your reach.  Remember the specific moment when I lifted you out of a pit?  Recall the day I set you free?  Remember the way fear fell off you when took refuge in My Love and Embrace?  Think on these things… hold them up to the lies and receive the wonders of My Joy as I ripple them over you.  Christmas is coming… but truly, behold, I have already come!  And I leave you never…  I hear your prayers and the answers are even now in the making behind the scenes.  Only believe, as I told the man whose daughter had died.   Praise Me before you see…  I am writing  stories of your faith in My Book of Remembrance…

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To Ponder:

What remembrance stones of His majesty moving in my life,

  has He shown me this year?

© Pam Depoyan

This is the ninth post in my December Christmas House Calendar theme… similar to an Advent Calendar where you “open a door” to receive a message.  In this case, one born of prayer and whispers from our “not so secret admirer.”  Mark your calendar to come back here often this month for more “secret messages!” 

Missed the introduction to this Christmas House Calendar Theme?  If you’d like to catch up or read any of the posts for this month, you’ll find them here:

  Christmas Calendar House Joy

“Basketful of Merry For You” now on display and available for purchase at my new gallery in  my “Picture It in Pen and Ink” blog  —  Christmas Wonder

(Please do not copy without permission. See my copyright info button on the sidebar. 

Message Eight: Bells are ringing

“Silver Bells Ring in Stockbridge Village, Mass.”

(Hometown of Norman Rockwell)

 

“I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach!”

~ Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol

 

Do you ever have the feeling you want to press the replay button on your remote, rushing hither and yon, only to realize this is real life?  Are you giving full attention to LIFE and to those who are turning your face to theirs?

If the world and all its concerns are too much with us, we may pass His Presence by, unseeing, oblivious to all the wonders of His Joy.

 

 

Once, my disciples remarked to me that someone was using My Name who was not yet a follower and that they had rebuked him.  I answered them…    “Don’t stop him! Anyone who is not against you is for you.” (Luke 9:50)

That is so with the world celebration of My birth.  I do not worry over  commercialism…rather My eyes search for hearts searching for Me.  Their yearning is evident in multitudes of references to the “magic of the season” and ” Christmas is a time for miracles.”   That’s why into this longing, I make universal festivity to catch in the heart, unfold this season in delight and wonder…simply sing into every listening soul…

Today… listen for the silver bells ringing.

Delight in evergreen and scarlet festooned like my banner of Love and Joy over you.

Take note of simple beauties, like rainbow reflections in puddling snow melt or rain on the road.

Sing along to carols piping in the mall… remembering wonders of my Joy.

Purpose to live in the Past, Present and Future and never shut out My Spirit in them each.   There is warmth and light in memory, in today, in a world to come.

As with the stars and rocks and sea, all that reflects beauty and true joy and light REVEALS ME.  Do not discount the festivity of garland strung with color and song…the Christmas Tree bedecked in jewel and memory… for into the world My Birth is sung…to many who would not hear of Me in any other way.  

When you are out and about, milling amongst the crowds, lift them up to Me.  Ask Me to breathe My Spirit of understanding into their spirits. To open ears to Light they are hearing sung all round.  To open eyes to the True Gift that is Christmas.  To soften hearts, to draw all men unto Me.  Ask Me to bring forth conversations of Glory.   Yea… the very rocks… the very accoutrements of the season… call out My Name.  Written in the stars.

 

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To Ponder:

Let this thought ring inside you…

Joy to the World!  Your King has Come! 

Because… you mean everything to Him. 

© Pam Depoyan

This is the eighth post in my December Christmas House Calendar theme… similar to an Advent Calendar where you “open a door” to receive a message.  In this case, one born of prayer and whispers from our “not so secret admirer.”  Mark your calendar to come back here often this month for more “secret messages!” 

Missed the introduction to this Christmas House Calendar Theme?  If you’d like to catch up or read any of the posts for this month, you’ll find them here:

  Christmas Calendar House Joy

“Silver Bells Ring in Stockbridge Village, Mass.” now on display and available for purchase at my new gallery in  my “Picture It in Pen and Ink” blog  —  Christmas Wonder

(Please do not copy without permission. See my copyright info button on the sidebar. 

Message 7: Sing Alleluia!

When worship soars wing upon wing to the very rafters of the church, not every voice is perfect.  But it doesn’t matter.  Its the emotion conveyed, the achingly beautiful, ethereal, stirring of heart, mind and spirit that makes us encounter…the wondering, tender, majesty of Emmanuel, our God with us…

“Join We Now in Adoration,” now available at my art blog in Christmas Wonder

And…always…a yearning for more.  Carols lifted, beauty inexpressible, ringing out like bells that linger notes of merry light as they fade into the the far reaches of the soul, and singing “You are Home.” 

 

Oft-times, when the Father and I are seated in the Throne Room, there comes a moment when all of Heaven is hushed to listen…  

The angels pause in their singing, the Great Hall anticipates…   

And suddenly, like the majestic tuning of Heaven’s orchestra, rise the voices of My People.  Your worship, your intercessory prayers, your petitions, your joy in ME fills this Temple with a tremendous stirring,  winging, floating, soaring as one. 

This is when you are, as St. Paul revealed of My Word to you, already seated in the Heavenlies with Us.  Then the angels and all who are here join with you, and the very air of Heaven is lit with unending Music and Glory and rapture.  If you only understood the fullness of what that means…being seated here already…and My Power wrought in and through your worship and song and prayer.  When you are tempted to say, “but reality says this is the way it is,” remember there is GREATER TRUTH.  You can bring Heaven to earth in ways you have yet not imagined, even as you enter My Gates with your worship and Thanksgiving. 

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To Ponder:

God has already seated me in the Heavens with Him,

calls me to His Throne Room daily,

exults with all of Heaven in my voice raised to Him. 

© Pam Depoyan

This is the seventh post in my December Christmas House Calendar theme… similar to an Advent Calendar where you “open a door” to receive a message.  In this case, one born of prayer and whispers from our “not so secret admirer.”  Mark your calendar to come back here often this month for more “secret messages!” 

Missed the introduction to this Christmas House Calendar Theme?  If you’d like to catch up or read any of the posts for this month, you’ll find them here:

  Christmas Calendar House Joy

“Join We Now in Adoration” now on display and available for purchase at my new gallery in  my “Picture It in Pen and Ink” blog  —  Christmas Wonder

(Please do not copy without permission. See my copyright info button on the sidebar.