Author Archives: donsimba1

Philip Brooks wrote about his horse­back jour­ney from Je­ru­sa­lem to Beth­le­hem, where he as­sist­ed with the mid­night ser­vice on Christ­mas Eve, 1865: “I re­mem­ber stand­ing in the old church in Beth­le­hem, close to the spot where Je­sus was born, when … Continue reading →

My annual blood work reveals that my corpuscles are down, have been going down for the past few years.  I have an appointment with specialists on January 2 of 2018.  Looks like something is going on in the bone marrow.  … Continue reading →

Our prayers are with our Australian family.  Today we expect them, Jane included, for the holiday season, with little Finn of course.  Jane was there for about a month helping out with Finn as Zel returned to the classroom, and … Continue reading →

This African violet blooms all year, I do believe, but the dazzling blossoms bless the eye on a cold day as winter approaches.  When there are no outdoor blossoms, this lovely flower takes on special meaning.

Approaching Christmas, I turned to the “Methodist Hymnal” for hymns that focus on the birth of Jesus Christ. There are 769 hymns in the book, first published in 1779.  How many nativity hymns did I find?  None, if I am … Continue reading →

Each Christmas season Anna Ruth carefully produces our annual peppernuts.  First rolling the dough, stacking them overnight, then into the oven for roasting.  The product is sweet, crisp and very seasonal.

As Christmas excitement builds, when our culture honors the baby Jesus, I am reminded of the whole story of Jesus saving us by his sacrificial death and surprising resurrection. I was moved by this hymn this morning, translated for us … Continue reading →

Lisa brought home with her from her recent visit with family to Italy a lemon squeezer  made of olive wood.  She asked me to make one for Alan for Christmas.  No olive wood around here. So, made one with a … Continue reading →

The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel (which means “God with us”). Matthew 1:23 Amazing!  God who is far off is with us!   Who can fully grasp the meaning of this … Continue reading →

White pillar candle, maple holder, holly branches, knit mat, on our oak kitchen table!  The holiday season is upon us.   Christ comes among us, close as breathing.