Monday, December 31, 2012

December's Joy Dare

Friends, here is my last 2012 Joy Dare post... I did it... counted an extra 1,000 Gifts in 2012!!! It has truly been fun, life-changing, JOY-inducing!

#1006 - #1098... December's grace-gifts... from the Giver of good gifts, the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

3 gifts white:
:: My new iPad mini... it's simplifying my life! Loving it.
:: White ribbons and bows on the Christmas wreaths on the front of our house.
:: A glass of yummy farm-fresh organic milk!

3 gifts bright:
:: The lights on our Christmas tree.
:: This smile! ♥
:: Neighbourhood streets brightly lit with Christmas lights!

3 gifts shining:
:: My boy's trombone... so proud of him teaching himself how to play this instrument.
:: The Light of the world!
:: The star on top of our Christmas tree.

a gift circling, crowning, crafted:
:: Silver ribbon circling our Christmas tree.
:: The star crowning our Christmas tree.
:: Beautifully crafted ornaments adorning our Christmas tree.

3 gifts silver:
:: Silver twirling ribbons on gift packages.
:: Huge silver Christmas balls hanging by our living room window.
:: Silvery, glittering raindrops... a December that feels more like Spring!

3 gifts sweet:
:: Cheesecake!
:: Banana bread!
:: Eggnog!

3 gifts from your Saviour:
:: Peace.
:: Joy.
:: Love.

a gift hung, held, heard:
:: Christmas stockings on the mantle.
:: Reading the Bible on the iPad.
:: Great music... ushering us into a time of worship each Sunday morning!

3 gifts ugly beautiful:
:: Serving a meal to the homeless... it will always feel ugly-beautiful.
:: A teacher being mean to my boy and him learning not to be the same.
:: Ugly = our broken world. Beautiful = Jesus being born into our broken world.

3 gifts unframed art:
:: This quote...
:: The art of giving... that extra touch to make gifts even more beautiful!
:: The art of grace... painted by the Master Artist! ♥

3 gifts ice cold:
:: A glass of ice cold Coke.
:: Ice cream!
:: A tall glass of fresh cold milk.

3 gifts berry red:
:: This Christmas plate.
:: Red Christmas Kisses chocolate!
:: The reds on our front-door wreath!

3 gifts striped:
:: Candy canes!
:: Gift packages wrapped in striped papers for our friends at UrbanPromise!
:: Striped cookies baked for Christmas hampers... to bless those in need.

3 gifts stamped:
:: Christmas letters, ready to be mailed.
:: Family Christmas photos turning out well, a stamp of approval!
:: Christmas crafts from kids at church, stamped and sticker-ed!

a gift gold, scented, bent low:
:: Gold tinsel, to decorate tables at a dinner for families in need.
:: Nice scent from greenery in Christmas urn by the front door.
:: Bent low in prayer... for families in Newton, Connecticut.

3 gifts Bethlehem-unlikely:
:: A young, unmarried, virgin girl chosen to bring the Messiah into our world!
:: Lowly shepherds chosen to be the first people to hear of His birth!
:: Today, God still chooses the unqualified... to join Him in doing Kingdom work!

3 gifts frosted:
:: Cookies!
:: Cupcakes!
:: Cakes!

3 gifts miraculous:
:: Joy to the word, the Lord is come!
:: Away in a manger... no crib for a bed...
:: Hark! The herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King."

3 gifts manger-small:
:: A random act of kindness.
:: A spontaneous gesture of compassion.
:: A small expression of love.

3 gifts angelic song:
:: "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
:: "Do not be afraid."
:: "I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people."

3 gifts lit:
:: Christmas lights...
:: Christmas lights...
:: And more Christmas lights! Everywhere. So beautiful.

a gift rejoicing, wonder, praising:
:: Rejoicing that Jesus is the Gift!
:: In wonder and in awe of God's great love for us!
:: Praising Him for giving us the greatest Gift of all.

3 gifts starry:
:: Dark night sky.
:: Starry eyes of little niece and nephews anticipating their Christmas gifts.
:: The star that led the wise men to the Saviour! ♥

3 gifts humble:
:: Jesus' humble birth.
:: Jesus' humble life on earth.
:: An example for us to follow...

3 gifts in Luke 2:
:: Joseph's obedience and dedication.
:: The angels' singing!
:: Mary treasuring up all these things in her heart.

3 gifts in Christ:
:: Freedom.
:: Abundant life.
:: Eternal hope.

a gift found, shared, saved:
:: Time for some Christmas baking!
:: Christmas goodies and treats for our neighbours!
:: And some for ourselves! :-)

3 gifts lingering:
:: The aroma of Christmas baking filling the house.
:: The spirit of Christmas...
:: The awe of Christmas' true meaning, lingers on year-round.

3 gifts of hope:
:: Hope in times of despair.
:: Hope in times of waiting.
:: Hope in times of joy.

3 gifts remembered:
:: A year of grace-gifts!
:: Blessings received, in abundance.
:: His faithfulness, through every generation.

3 gifts anticipated:
:: A new year.
:: New mercies.
:: His enduring faithfulness.


Click on the banners below to learn more about counting to 1,000 Gifts...
Jump in... I promise you will be blessed!




Compassion is a command, an act of worship, a song of thanks to Him.
Do justice. Love mercy. Walk humbly with God!

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