December Delights: Share Four Somethings

Easing the shock of yet another month all but concluded, I rejoice in a glance back at my December Delights joining Heather Gerwing as she hosts a monthly feature called, Share Four Somethings, where writers share the fourth Saturday of each month something in each of four categories from the previous month.

The four categories remain the same, something loved, something read or heard, something treasured, and something ahead. The premise delights me, falling right in line with my one word 2021 journey with joy; especially my recent joy lesson learned. Looking back over the previous month through these four categories helps me linger with joy, and ignites my gratitude.

something loved

My December Delights Something Loved, reveals a true mosaic of music, lights, tradition and fun. Crowning a winner proved too difficult, resulting in treating you to a quick glimpse of my seasonal favorites!

season of light

Kicking off December, we enjoyed attending the local tree lighting and carol sing by candlelight. The tree is set up in the park’s amphitheater surrounded by luminaries along the lovely canal winding through the park. Fully decked out with gorgeous lights all around, we savored the stroll through the park and decorated downtown on a festive Friday evening.

Another local lighting tradition in a nearby community treated us to an elaborate light display set to music! This private home boasts thousands of lights synchronized by computer with carols of the season!

sights of the season

In addition to enjoying the lights of the season, December Delights met us at a unique Christmas museum! “The National Christmas Center” is an 18,000 square foot display of Christmas nostalgia. Wandering through a 1950’s replication of small Pennsylvania town shops, we enjoyed viewing merchandise from days gone by in the form of toys, clothing, furniture and home decor.

Gayly decorated shop windows boasted the coveted toys of the day, and displays like the 5000 hand painted toy soldiers, Anastasia doll collection, 900 Gurley candles and over 1000 nativity sets from around the world transported us into a Christmas wonderland for an afternoon!

sounds of the season

Music plays a huge role in my December Delights and this year blessed us with two local concerts! One at a local Bible College featured a Messiah Mosaic with full orchestra, choir and ballet. Many selections from Handel’s Messiah as well as traditional sacred music blessed our evening!

While we delighted in the fully polished Bible College performance, perhaps the local high school concert blessed us even more. Likewise including selections from Handel’s Messiah and traditional carols, the students added original dance numbers with a telling of the Christmas story through song. The costumes and stage set seemed magical and who could keep a dry eye at the program close with a full auditorium, orchestra and choir singing the Hallelujah Chorus?

Finally, my husband and I shared our Christmas tradition of viewing the full production of Handel’s Messiah through a virtual performance by a choir and orchestra in San Francisco, performed in Grace Cathedral.

The venue was absolutely stunning and the performance breathtaking. Every time I hear the Messiah peformed I sit in awe of Handel’s absolute genious in putting the exact words of the King James version of scripture to music.

The finale of “Worthy is the Lamb” flooded my heart with unspeakable JOY at the words of Revelation 5:8-14:

Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, and hath redeemed us through the ower of His blood. Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

something read

My Something Read included many December Delights in the form of advent devotionals, but one little book found its way into my heart this Christmas. My husband came across a little gem entitled, “A Heavenly Conversation One Night Before Christmas”, by Jennifer Lynn Heck.

Born with cerebral palsy, Jennifer uses her graphic design and writing skills to spread the gospel message.

A unique gift book, it travels back in time to eternity past, inviting you to listen to a heavenly conversation between God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit on the night before Christmas. Jennifer Heck weaves the story from Creation to Christ’s Second Coming through scripture passages told in conversation between the Godhead.

Appropriate for all ages, it includes beautiful illustrations, an “appendix with snapshots of each person of the Godhead and their roles in Creation, Christmas and Easter. It ends with a few thoughtful questions and a simple presentation of and invitation to the plan of salvation.

My husband and I enjoyed it so much we made the reading of the Heavenly Conversation a part of our Christmas Eve Advent candle lighting devotion. A perfect addition to any family devotion for “the night before Christmas”!

something treasured

Filled with much activity for most people, December also blesses us with my husband’s birthday and our wedding anniversary!

I praise and thank the Lord for the privilege of celebrating my husband’s 70th birthday on December 23rd, the day God chose to gift us with him!

My December Delights Something Treasured also includes celebrating our 36th wedding anniverary on December 12th. Like many couples we certainly experienced many ups and downs in thirty-six years, but by God’s grace we are not only best friends, but possess a love tried by fire.

something ahead

Like everyone else, my Something Ahead greets me in a new year by the name of 2022! Choosing to greet the New Year with Hope, I truly look forward to all God has for me in the coming year.

I praise God for a wonderful new writing opportunity! Starting January 6th and every Thursday in the coming year, join me at Woman2Woman Ministries as I fulfill my role as their new Thursday staff writer!

Founder Jenifer Metzger offered me the position and I am truly grateful for the opportunity of ministry through my writing. Thrilled at the privilege of sharing God’s good Word through the written word, I look forward to all God will teach me through this opportunity in 2022.

december delights: share four somethings

Thank you for taking a walk back through my December Delights with me! I am grateful to Heather for creating such a creative way to review the moments of our days which often slip by so quickly. Sharing Four Somethings is a way to savor one more time those things we love, read, treasure and anticipate!

But you don’t have to be a writer or blogger to enjoy this practice. Why not take a few moments and think back over YOUR December Delights and share four somethings with me in the comments! Meet me back here at the end of January for more joyful somethings!