Christmas Movies Our Family Loves

'Tis the season! I wanted to share some Christmas movies that have been a blessing to me and my family in my growing-up years. These are family-friendly, encouraging, fun, and edifying. I'm looking forward to enjoying these in the future with my children. I pray that these suggestions are a blessing to you and your family! Please share with me what movies have been a part of your family's lives; I would love to check them out! 

The images below are clickable links to Amazon. 

The Nativity Story

A beautiful re-telling of the birth of Jesus Christ and the events that led up to it. Very Biblically accurate and carefully done. I love the depiction of Joseph as a gentle protector throughout this film and the depiction of Mary as a very ordinary young woman who embraced God's calling upon her to be the mother of Jesus even in the face of adversity. Every family would benefit from watching this film year after year. It brings the story of Jesus' birth alive. I cannot recommend it highly enough. 




Christmas At Plum Creek & A Christmas They Never Forgot

For those of you who loved the Little House on the Prairie television series, these are wonderful "Christmas" editions of the show. Simple, sweet, and extremely family-friendly, these are a "must-watch" during the Christmas season :-). 




A Christmas Carol

One of the "older" versions of the classic story. Alistair Sim's characterization of Scrooge is excellent. We would usually watch this version of A Christmas Carol on Christmas Eve (accompanied by sugar cookies and hot chocolate, of course! :-)) after attending the Christmas Eve service at church.




The Ghosts of Dickens' Past

One of my sister's favorite films. This is an excellently-done fictitious retelling of the events in Charles' Dickens life that led to his writing of A Christmas Carol (based on real events). It is a wonderful, heartwarming  family movie that you will want to watch over and over again.



It's A Wonderful Life

Jimmy Stewart is tremendous as always in this heartwarming Christmas film. We usually watched this movie after decorating our Christmas tree, having our traditional meal of my mom's beef stew, and making sugar cookies together. After turning on the lights of the Christmas tree, "oohing" and "aahing," we would settle down with a hot cup of cocoa and a thick cookie (or two . . . or three ;-).)




The Small One

This Disney film is so very, very sweet. The heartwarming story of a little boy and his quest to find a home for his beloved donkey, Small One. The ending will bring tears to your eyes and a smile to your face. 




Love's Christmas Journey

This film comes highly recommended to me. I am looking forward to enjoying it in the near future, the Lord willing!



I pray that these films will be an encouragement and a blessing as you draw near to the Lord Jesus as a family and individually this Christmas season! Joy to each one of you! 



You might find me on these link-ups:

Strangers and Pilgrims on Earth, Inspire Me Monday, Literacy Musing Mondays, The Modest Mom, What Joy is Mine, SDG Gathering, A Mama's Story, Mom's the Word, Rich Faith Rising, Time Warp Wife, Cornerstone Confessions, Mom's Morning Coffee, Motivate and Rejuvenate Mondays, So Much at Home, Raising Homemakers, Hope in Every Season, A Wise Woman Builds Her Home, Woman to Woman Ministries, Whole-Hearted Home, Testimony Tuesday, Tell His Story, A Soft Gentle Voice, My Daily Walk in His Grace, Women With Intention Wednesdays, Messy Marriage, The Charm of Home, Graced Simplicity, Theology Thursdays, Children Are A Blessing, Mittenstate Sheep and Wool, Imparting Grace, Preparedness Mama, A Look at the Book, Essential Thing Devotions, Thought Provoking Thursday, Every Day Jesus, Count My Blessings, Christian Mommy Blogger, Renewed Daily, Soul Survival, Good Morning Mondays, The Weekend Brew, Blessing Counters Link Party, The HomeAcre Hop, Mommy Moments Link Up, Grace and Truth Linkup, Faith Filled Friday, Saturday Soiree Blog Party, Tell It To Me Tuesdays, SHINE Blog Hop, Faith and  Fellowship Blog Hop, Motivate and Rejuvenate Monday Link-Up, A Little R&R Wednesdays. TGI Saturdays Blog Hop. Totally Terrific Tuesday, RaRaLinkup

Heartwarming Christmas Children's Books

As I've been reading with my children in this and in past Christmas seasons, these books have warmed my heart.  I  highly recommend them for children and families:

Mortimer's Christmas Manger

by Karma Wilson

This is the sweet, sweet story of a little mouse who "makes room" for the Lord Jesus. Little Mortimer lives in a "cold, cramped, creepy (though I omit the last word for very young children) hole." One night, after the family whose house he lives in goes to bed, he discovers something "wonderful" --a nativity with a little statue of baby Jesus that Mortimer promptly removes to make room for himself in the cozy, straw-filled manger. One evening when he happens to hear the family reading the Christmas story and realizes Who the manger belongs to, the little mouse is shaken up. Mortimer painstakingly pulls the nativity statues back into their rightful places, resolved to return to his "cold, cramped, creepy" hole. But on the way, he asks the Lord Jesus to provide him with a home. The answer to little Mortimer's prayer is simply delightful. :-)

The Small One 

by Alex Walsh

I remember watching the animated Disney movie of this story as a child. It made a tremendous impression upon me then, as it still does. This endearing tale of a little boy's love for his donkey and his subsequent quest to find another owner for his beloved pet after his father requires him to sell the animal, is deeply touching. The story still brings tears to my eyes when I read it! The little boy, unable to find a suitable owner, faces having to sell his aged pet to a tanner. Unwilling to do this, the boy sits head down, contemplating how to fulfill his father's command. I don't want to give the entire story away, but the donkey ends up playing a key fictitious role in the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem. This is a beautiful story of love, devotion, gentleness, and mercy.

The Stable Where Jesus Was Born

by Rhonda Gowler Greene

This is a relatively new one to me. I love the rich pictures in this book and the lyrical, rhythmic telling of Jesus' birth in a stable. This is a wonderful one for little children in introducing them to the Christmas story or to read as a family on Christmas Eve.


Another recommendation for family reading, though not a Christmas book, is a sweet, creative children's book recently written by my sister. You can read my blog post about Mr. Portly Finds His Purpose HERE. This book would make a wonderful Christmas present and is great for families. 

Some Other Christmas/Winter-themed Books We've Been Enjoying:

• I Like Winter, by Lois Lenski
• The Jacket I Wear in the Snow, by Shirley Neitzel
• The Twelve Days of Christmas, by Hilary Knight
• The Mitten, by Jan Brett
• The Little Drummer Boy, by Ezra Keats
• The Legend of the First Christmas Tree, by Linda Staten
• Peterkin Meets a Star, by Emilie Boon
• An Angel Came to Nazareth, by Maggie Kneen

These wonderful books have made our Christmas reading more enjoyable. May the Lord bless you and your family as you prepare your hearts for Christmas. He is the greatest Gift. 








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Mr. Portly Finds His Purpose--New Children's Fiction Release!

A wonderful read-aloud picture book for children, dog-lovers, and the child-like at heart . . . 

This delightful story, written by my sister, Alicia, and illustrated by her husband, is a sweet, endearing tale of one pug's quest to find out what his "purpose" is in life. Creative and suitable for all ages, this story would make the perfect gift for a child for Christmas, a family, or any animal-lover! Delve into the world of Mr. Portly and be richly entertained by his amusing journey and final discovery! 

Description from the back of the book: "When Miss Cat-Next-Door informs Mr. Portly the Pug that he is Useless, Mr. Portly is heartbroken. He decides to find out for himself whether or not the Cat is telling the truth...and discovers that everyone - even the most seemingly-useless among us - has worth. A sweet and encouraging read-aloud story for children, the childlike, and all pug-lovers!"

Alicia writes: This book is available in paperback only, and it is currently available exclusively through Amazon. My hope is that sharing and reading it with your children or grandchildren will bless you with sarcasm-free, humorous enjoyment that also encourages each of us to be thankful for the worth God with which our Creator has endowed us. :-) 

The Ruggieris and their emotionally-troubled second-hand pug live on the New England coast. They dream of having their very own "grumble" of pugs someday.

Find it on Amazon (clickable link)

Other books written by Alicia:

The House of Mercy (read my review HERE), 

A Time of Grace Trilogy:

Book One: The Fragrance of Geraniums (Read my review HERE)

Book Two: All Our Empty Places (Read my Review HERE)

The Mystery of the Missing Cufflinks (middle-grade fiction) 

Find Alicia on Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

Google +


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Three Devotional Recommendations

The Lord has used the following devotionals to greatly bless me. I pray that they may be a blessing to you or to someone you know who is seeking a deeper walk with Christ! 

If someone were to ask me what devotional has had the greatest impact upon my life, I would immediately answer My Utmost for His Highest, by Oswald Chambers. This book spoke to me profoundly in my early years of following the Lord and beginning to learn the sweetness of surrender and obedience. The Lord was peeling away the crusty outer layers of my heart and pouring His truth into my soul. The fullness and richness of Chambers' devotional was daily nourishment to me. My early years as a Christian were years of sweetness and of sensing the Lord's presence and experiencing His nearness in a way that is indescribable. It was the spring of my life with the Lord, and I treasure those years and this devotional which the Lord used so powerfully to grow my heart in obedience and love for Him. 

My mother's copy of Chamber's devotional that she gave to me. 

As I began to grow in my faith, the Lord led me to another devotional which is equally precious to me, Charles Haddon Spurgeon's Morning and Evening. There is so much to glean from Spurgeon, and I have used this book for years and continue to return to it. Spurgeon's wisdom and insights as well as his deep and intimate relationship to the Lord spoke to me--this devotional has been like water to my thirsty soul over and over again. 

A third devotional that the Lord has used in my life is Streams in the Desert. This book, compiled by Mrs. Charles Cowman, was recommended to me by several people, and I finally ordered a copy. I have been enjoying this one immensely. The "old-time" writers' words have been ministering to my heart, and I have been enjoying selections from Pastors and authors like George Matheson (who wrote the hymn "O Love that Wilt Not Let me Go"), Frederick Faber, and others.  If you are seeking a deeper, more intimate walk with the Lord, this is a wonderful devotional to slowly read through. 

I pray that these recommendations would be helpful! The Lord bless you as you seek His face daily . . . 




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Bi-Weekly Hymn Spotlight: O Thou in Whose Presence

For more information about Bi-Weekly Hymn spotlights, click HERE. 

O Thou in Whose Presence
by

Joseph Swain

O Thou in whose presence my soul takes delight,

On whom in affliction I call,

My comfort by day, and my song in the night,

My hope, my salvation, my all.

Where dost Thou at noontide resort with Thy sheep,

To feed on the pastures of love?

Say, why in the valley of death should I weep,

Or alone in the wilderness rove?

O, why should I wander an alien from Thee,

And cry in the desert for bread?

Thy foes will rejoice when my sorrows they see,

And smile at the tears I have shed.

He looks, and ten thousands of angels rejoice,

And myriads wait for His word;

He speaks, and eternity, filled with His voice,

Re-echoes the praise of her Lord.

Dear Shepherd, I hear and will follow Thy call;

I know the sweet sound of Thy voice.

Restore and defend me, for Thou art my All,

And in Thee I will ever rejoice.

Brief Synopsis: 

This hymn, written by British pastor Joseph Swain, came to my attention while I was listening to a Fernando Ortega recording of the song. The simple, heartfelt, yet deeply Scriptural lyrics ministered to me at the time, and the almost-hauntingly beautiful poetic melody hushed my spirit and spoke quiet and grace to me. Joseph Swain lived only a short while, dying at age 35 after a brief period of ministry. Swain, an orphan, became converted under the ministry of the preacher John Rippon, and subsequently began to preach the Gospel. Swain died on April 16th, 1796, but his rich, heartfelt and Spirit-led words of truth and encouragement continue to go forward through this beautiful hymn, among other lesser-known hymns and poetry that he wrote during his brief life. Interestingly, his grave stands beside the graves of William Blake and Daniel DeFoe... but his soul rests with the Eternal Father of his heart. 

How is this hymn meaningful to believers, past and present?

The Lord ministered to me through this hymn during a very difficult time that my family experienced in the years just before I was married. My father abandoned our family, leaving us in a very precarious financial situation. The Lord mercifully sustained us during that time, providing for us in unexpected ways and enabling my sister and me to work together to help support the family.  It was a time of darkness and of sorrow, but also a time of light -- light through the darkness, light that whispered to us of hope. 

My sister and I sang this hymn a-cappella for a church service and our voices joined together as we held onto the Lord's promises by faith in the darkness. 

The Lord brings us through times of intense darkness, persecution and pain, so that we will see Him and cling to Him. I look back now at that time, and I am grateful for it. He taught me things in the dark that I could never have learned in the light. He taught me to be sensitive to the pain of those around me. He taught me to trust Him in the darkness, trust Him Who is the Light, and our "song in the night." 

Fernando Ortega's recording of this hymn from his CD, This Bright Hour:

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Swain_(poet)

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Monthly Book Giveaway--Keep A Quiet Heart, by Elisabeth Elliot

For more information about Monthly Book Giveaways, click HERE.

I opened a book tonight on my bookshelf and looked at the haphazardly-stamped message inside its back cover: "This book no longer the property of ______________Library. 

It was a copy of John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress. The book was in good condition; I was glad to have it in my possession, but mourned the knowledge that the library possibly never replaced Bunyan's powerful spiritual allegory. 

Another incident came to my mind today. Some time ago, I was looking for a book written by Elisabeth Elliot. Entering a well-stocked, popular Christian bookstore, I approached an employee after having no success in locating the book. 

I asked her if they carried the particular book that I had in mind, and she somewhat-too-glibly answered that, "No; we don't really carry Elisabeth Elliot anymore..."

The old preacher Vance Havner used to warn of forgetting the ancient paths. Many of the older Christian authors have so much to offer to the church as a whole today, truths that must not be forgotten but rather pressed upon the heart like leaves between the pages of a book. It is my hope (in part) in continuing these Monthly Book Giveaways that some of the older authors and the deep truths that their words conveyed may be remembered. There are some wonderful modern authors, but I pray that we may never lose the influence of those who have gone before us and have been found faithful. 

So this month's book giveaway is for a copy of Elisabeth Elliot's beautiful devotional-like book Keep a Quiet Heart. I have been tremendously blessed by this book and so deeply appreciate Elisabeth Elliot's insights and spirit-filled wisdom and perspective. I pray that it may be a blessing to someone this month. 

Description of the book (from CBD):

When you long for a quiet refuge away from the noisy, frenetic circumstances of day-to-day commitments--where do you turn? If you're Elisabeth Elliot, acclaimed speaker and author of many best-selling books, you look to one place alone: to the embracing arms of our omnipotent and infinitely loving Heavenly Father. This book is a unique collection culled from the lead articles featured in Mrs. Elliot's newsletter over the past several years. "Mostly they are about learning to know God," the author says. "Nothing else comes close to being as important as that. It's what we are here for." Join Elisabeth as she points the way to a deeper, more fulfilling--and restful--walk with God.

Author Biography (from CBD):

Elisabeth Elliot (1926-2015) was one of the most perceptive and popular Christian writers of the last century. The author of more than twenty books, including Passion and Purity, The Journals of Jim Elliot, and These Strange Ashes, Elliot offered guidance and encouragement to millions of readers worldwide.

And now for the giveaway! :-)

a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Flying to a Summer Land

The owner of the tenement which I have occupied for many years has given notice that he will furnish but little or nothing more for repairs. I am advised to be ready to move.

At first this was not a very welcome notice. The surroundings here are in many respects very pleasant, and were it not for the evidence of decay, I should consider the house good enough. But even a light wind causes it to tremble and totter, and all the braces are not sufficient to make it secure. So I am getting ready to move.

--Streams in the Desert

So I am getting ready to move. And though the pain of being separated from those we love seems unbearable, though the uncertainty and anxiety and fear and apprehension threaten to choke His joy from us, we know that to obey means to follow the One who leads.

So I am getting ready to move. And we become attached to people, to places, to memories, to countries to cities, to cherished things.

It is good that we cherish. Do not be fooled into thinking that it isn't. That because this life is temporal we should treat people, memories, traditions as less than what God created them to be -- cherished. The key is not to hold onto things so lightly that they fall into the cracks and become inconsequential. The key is to hand the cherished things back to God in surrender.

And that is when we truly receive them: a gift. A gift of life that will echo eternally.

So I am getting ready to move.   

This life is temporal. The places that we call home will not be forever. This truth hit me like a brick over the past several months. I am the kind of person who becomes attached to a certain way of doing things, to a particular chair, to a certain kind of food or exercise program and will stick to it for years and years and years.

But an event in my life, a prompting of obedience from the Lord pressed this truth into my heart in a deeply personal way.

It was painful. It was lonely. I knew His presence through the pain that I thought that I could not face.

And I understood the truth of Elisabeth Elliot's words--

Sometimes... fear does not subside and... one must choose to do it afraid.

Obedience involves the pain of letting go of things that a person thought that they could not let go of. It involves clinging to the One who requires it. Obedience is the child of surrender, and the two walk hand-in-hand.

But in order to obey, we must realize that this life is not what we live for -- We live for another world, another home that will never be destroyed or worn down or taken from us.

We live for a home whose Builder and Maker is God.

And He is our home. 

It is strange how quickly one's interest is transferred to the prospective home. I have been consulting maps of the new country and reading descriptions of its inhabitants. One who visited it has returned, and from him I learn that it is beautiful beyond description; language breaks down in attempting to tell of what he heard while there. He says that, in order to make an investment there, he has suffered the loss of all things that he owned here, and even rejoices in what others would call making a sacrifice. Another, whose love to me has been proven by the greatest possible test, is now there. He has sent me several clusters of the most delicious fruits. After tasting them, all food here seems insipid.

Two or three times I have been down by the border of the river that forms the boundary, and have wished myself among the company of those who were singing praises to the King on the other side. Many of my friends have moved there. Before leaving they spoke of my coming later. I have seen the smile upon their faces as they passed out of sight. Often I am asked to make some new investments here, but my answer in every case is, "I am getting ready to move."

--Streams in the Desert

A painful act of obedience to the One who leads will produce the fruits of righteousness. The fruit that clings to its hard casing will never be free to ripen in the sun of His love. We let go so that we may receive. We go, as the missionary David Livingstone spoke and lived, in the confidence that His Presence goes before us.

And if His Presence goes before us, fear is swallowed up in joy.

We leave homes, lands, possessions

For the possession of Him, Himself.

He is our home.

Our home is with Him. In that beautiful Summer-land of glory. Where every tear will be wiped away from our eyes and all the promises in Him are Yes.

So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life. Mark 10:29-30 NKJV

Possessing all that we truly loved. Possessing Him. Our eternal Home. 

The little birds trust God, for they go singing

From northern woods where autumn winds have blown,

With joyous faith their unmarked pathway winging

To summer-lands of song, afar, unknown.

Let us go singing, then, and not go crying:

Since we are sure our times are in His hand,

Why should we weep, and fear, and call it dying?

It's merely flying to a Summer Land.

--Streams in the Desert

You might find me on these link-ups:

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