This Christmas......

 “This Christmas seek out a forgotten friend.  Write a letter. Give a soft answer. Encourage youth.  Keep a promise.  Forgive an enemy. Apologize. Try to understand.Think first of someone else. Be kind. Be gentle. Laugh a little more. Express your gratitude. Welcome a stranger. Gladden the heart of a child. Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth. Speak your love, and then speak it again.” 
― Howard W. Hunter

 “I don't want Christmas season to end, because it's the only time I can legitimately indulge in on particular addiction: glitter.” ― Eloisa James, Paris in Love

 “Advent creates people, new people.” 
― Dietrich Bonhoeffer, God Is in the Manger: Reflections on Advent and Christmas
 “Christmas is like candy; it slowly melts in your mouth sweetening every taste bud, making you wish it could last forever.” ― Richelle E. Goodrich, Smile Anyway

 “A new star, the Christ child, God's gift to mankind; these are what Christmas is made of.” 
― Richelle E. Goodrich, Smile Anyway
 “The Christmas tree is a symbol of love, not money. There's a kind of glory to them when they're all lit up that exceeds anything all the money in the world could buy.” 
― Andy Rooney, Andy Rooney: 60 Years of Wisdom and Wit

 “The real Santa Claus is at the mall.” ― Lemony Snicket, The Lump of Coal

 “Christmas is a whisper of peace and a sigh of hope on the lips of love.” ― Richelle E. Goodrich, Making Wishes

 “Later in the winter I'd tire of the snow, but Christmas snow was different.” 
― Marie Landry, The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

 “At Christmas, all roads lead home.” ― Marjorie Holmes

 “Christmas, so joyfully celebrated within our hearts and within the hearts of countless others.” 
― Eleesha, The Soulful Pathway To Christmas: Soulfully Inspiring You in the Days Leading Up to Christmas and Beyond!
 “At this Christmas when Christ comes, will He find a warm heart? Mark the season of Advent by loving and serving the others with God's own love and concern.” 
― Mother Teresa, Love: A Fruit Always in Season
 "If everybody wanted everybody else to be happy all the time, then would it be Christmas all the time?" Laura asked, and Ma said, "Yes, Laura.” ― Laura Ingalls Wilder

 Photographs 2017