NOEL

NOEL....NOEL from the Latin phrase, "natalis dies Domini" is also a biblical name meaning "the Lord's birthday." It's a short form  of Hebrew "NOrad EL" meaning born of EL"" or "born of God." 

"Noel, noel......born is the King of Israel!" Enough said. 

MEET THE SHEEP---ZEB

Zeb is the Christmas drummer in the Really Woolly sheep series. Zeb  sits above the stocking of #3 grand who came into the world just 26 days before Christmas in 2005, the year this sheep appeared in th Collectors' Edition Series 1.

The Hebrew meaning for Zeb is a gift of Jehovah. 

In the Really Woolly story, Zeb plays the drum as a way to remember the little heartbeat of love he heard on that Christmas once so long ago. (Luke 2:17-20, NIV)

Nativi-TEA : a Christmas Cuppa

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:8-10, NIV)

For Christians, there is no greater story than the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We share the story of the birth of baby Jesus with the world this time of year. 

This year I also plan to share with my younger "grands" a Nativity Poem, Who Built the Stable?, written and illustrated by my dear friend, Ashley Bryan. Ashley first got the idea as he was in Kenya with his dear friend Kemie Nix of CLC as they traveled to one of the schools which Ashley sponsors. 
Several years ago, Ashley gave each of my grands' households an autographed copy of the book. But....some were too young at the time to remember it.....so while we're together this Christmas season, I plan to read it to them.

It will be such a sweet way to share both conversation and a cuppa, sweetened with the nativity story and my friend Ashley's bold illustrations.