” . . . No heaven can come to us unless our hearts find rest in today. Take heaven! No peace lies in the future which is not hidden in this present little instance. Take peace! The gloom of the world is but a shadow. Behind it, yet within our reach, is joy. Take joy! Life is so full of meaning and purpose, so full of beauty . . . that you will find earth but cloaks your heaven. Courage then to claim it, that is all! . . . And so I greet you, with profound esteem and with the prayer that for you, now and forever, the day breaks and the shadows flee away.”
“Letter to a Friend” by Fra Giovanni, 1513
I bid you peace at this holy time with the warmest of wishes for a Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah and joy today and always.
Penny
Merry Christmas, dear Penny! May you feel tidings of comfort and joy ~ at Christmas and throughout the coming year! Warm hugs! ♡
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Thank you, and to you, as well Dawn. I hope you are having a Merry Christmas and will come over to read your newest post soon. It feels like spring today. 🙂
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Just lovely, Penny! This morning, we took a very long, very windy walk admiring all of the front porch decorations in our neighborhood. Wasn’t it a treat to see green grass again after so many weeks of snow? So grateful for our white Christmas! Warm hugs, Penny! ♥
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That sounds like a perfect way to spent the day after Christmas, Dawn. We took a little walk with the grandchildren as well and there was quite a bit of greenery popping up, as well as leaves that never dropped this past Fall falling. 🙂
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Thank you for sharing these lovely words, thought and picture. It was a lovely day for us. A day of loving friends and family, and fun.
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You are very welcome, Janet. I often come to this ancient quote and it spoke to me once again.
I’m happy to hear that you had a lovely day with all those you love around. Ours was as well. So good to have family in and both my girls together.
You might find it interesting to know that Tom made this manger that the church now has several years ago. It isn’t nice to be boastful, but, I’m proud of him.
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It’s ok to boast about Tom. He has a lot of talent.
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Penny, what a beautiful image and quote. Thank you so much. This is serendipitous, because I’ve been repeating a quote about joy to myself as i drove out to my bach, to gently swish away a sadness that was wanting to cloak me. And now, in the evening, I find reinforcement from your lovely blog. Peace and love to you over this Christmas period, and of course, joy!
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Oh, Juliet, I am sorry for that sadness that hangs heavy and glad to know this quote brought you some measure of peace. I often come to this particular quote, and needed it myself this season. We shall both Take Joy over this season. Thank you.
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A very Merry Christamas and Happy, Healthy New Year!!
Thank you for that wonderful quote, I’m going to put that at the head of my journal for 2017.
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Thank you.
It is a wondrous quote and as I’ve mentioned to others, one that I come to often. I’m pleased that it moves you to head your 2017 journal with it.
I’ve just read your most recent post, Aquila, and do want to say how sorry I am to hear of your troubles right now. I hope that 2017 will find your situation much improved. Here’s hoping for that and a Merry Christmas to you as well.
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Merry Christmas Penny! One of my very favorite quotes.
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Thank you, Melissa. I was hoping you would stop by, knowing we share an appreciation of Tasha Tudor and this quote. Merry Christmas to you as well.
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I did not see this on Christmas Day, Penny, but just as well, I think, that I should see it today. I know your Christmas was Merry and wonderful, with your adorable grands in attendance. You always find such appropriate quotes and photos to mark your words, this is particularly beautiful.
Incidentally, I was not able to locate the subscription link in order to re-subscribe to your posts. Is the problem with me or WordPress? 😉
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It is a quote that always finds me when I need, Karen. I hope it met you when and when you needed it.
The photo is of our church and, as I mentioned to Janet, Tom made the manger some years ago. I always love to see it again come Christmas. Thank you – and thinking of you.
I just added a subscription link. I don’t know where others were getting it in the past, but, here it is. I really should correct the Facebook link as well. Another day. 🙂
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Got it and re-subscribed! Thank you. This is how I remember subscribing the first time ’round. It’s interesting to note, though, that all these online platforms, no, just about everything online period, is constantly ‘upgrading to improve’ — just when I think I’ve learned how to do something, some gracious soul comes along and tinkers with it.
Yes, the quote was just right this morning, and I’ve saved it. When I was reading this morning, I had also noted that the manger was Tom’s handiwork and enlarged the photo specifically to see the details. It is lovely and surely will be in use for many Christmases to come.
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Haha! For my part, I just assumed it was there (and I think it once was) so am glad you brought it to my attention. It is amazing, and often frustrating, how often these things change. Sigh. Glad you are re-subscribed, Karen, and appreciate you always “reading me”.
Thank you, Karen. He will be thrilled to see your words. It was an inspired creation and we were happy to have it sit in the sanctuary at Christmas time as well as how our friend, Dale, staged it with the star and draping.
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A perfect quote and exquisite manger made with loving hands. Knowing you via the blog always makes me feel a better person. I am glad the holidays and visitors are warming your heart.
I also had WordPress problems earlier that seem to be corrected now.
Happy, healthy 2017 to you and yours as well as your bloggers who share their lives.
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Oh, Marilyn, how you have touched me with your words. Thank you. I love these conversations we have here on this little blog and appreciate your thoughts and friendship. We are truly enjoying our visitors and all the activity they stir up – and have had fun baking and reading and doing some fun things.
Sorry for the earlier problems. WordPress must have been doing some internal updating or some such things.
I wish you the same happiness, health and all things good in 2017 and hope that my blogging friends read your good wishes as well.
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That was lovely, Penny. I had a wonderful Christmas. I needed your post today, because I’d just prayed for this very thing. 🙂
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I’m so happy that you found it here today, L. Marie. ‘Tis a good prayer. I’m happy, too, that you had a wonderful Christmas. Now, let’s hope for a Happy New Year – and peace and joy. 🙂
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Late to the party, but thank you for the beautiful post which is really timeless. Happy New Year to you and yours. My hope is that our family and all of our friends find joy and peace in the New Year — and perhaps some of it will spread to the rest of the country and the world.
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It is never too late here on the Cutoff, Sallie and I am so glad you stopped by. Happy New Year to you and yours as well. Yours is a hope that I share. It would be a gift to all to see it spread. Thank you, Sallie.
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I hope you had a wonderful Christmas Penny and that 2017 brings wonderful surprises!
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I wish the same for you, Janet – and many visitors, especially your children.
It was a wonderful Christmas, thank you.
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