Inspiration

I bought this fabric probably about three years ago with the plan of making a tree skirt. Other projects took priority, however, and here it is, still just the way I bought it--minus a few square inches that I cut out to use on my daughter's stocking.

So now I find myself the week after Christmas, and the inspiration has come! I am ready to work on all the unfinished projects that are waiting on my tables and shelves and stored away in boxes. The first project for completion is this tree skirt...the stars are just calling to me! It will be so satisfying to pull it out next year.

Here is my goal--finish all incomplete projects, hopefully one a week, before beginning any new ones. I'm also thinking that I should start early on things I'd like to do for Christmas next year--like plan out one project each month to accomplish for my holiday preparations. It will be the Twelve Months of Christmas, instead of the twelve days of Christmas. What do you think? Too ambitious? These are just two of the many (probably too many) goals I am setting for the new year. What are some of yours?

Stars Were Gleaming

Stars were gleaming, Shepard's dreaming; And the night was dark and chill.
Angels' story rang with glory; Shepard's heard it on the hill.
Ah that singing! Hear it ringing, earthward winging, Christmas bringing!
Hearken! We can hear it still.

See the clearness and the nearness, of the blessed Christmas star,
Leading, guiding; Wise Men riding, through the desert dark and far.
Lovely showing, shining, glowing, inward going, gleaming, glowing,
Leading still our Christmas star.

Nancy Byrd Turner (b. 1880)
Polish Carrol

My three year old girl has been singing this song for the last month. She seems to have a love for songs with stars. She loves Twinkle Twinkle. This song though has been her choice. What a great reminder of the real reason of Christmas.

This week, we celebrate the birth of a little baby boy. A boy who would one day give up his life for us. In a nation where people are trying to erase any mention of Christ, it is this season when it is extremely evident, that he can not be erased. He is real. He was born for us. What a wonderful gift we have been given.