When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things – not the great occasions – give off the greatest glow of happiness. ~Bob Hope I’ve been having a great time sharing forward some of the stories you’ve shared with me about the best and at times, the worst gifts you’ve given or received when you entered my …
The Best Gift – a Happy Family All Wrapped Up in Each Other
“The best of all Christmas gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.“ ~Burton HillisThe Gift of a Happy Family Christmas is almost here for me since we are celebrating our family Christmas early. Some of my family has to travel a ways to get home and so a weekend celebration …
A Cedar Christmas Tree
December 16, 1964 Jocie Brooke reporting from Holly County, Kentucky. I am excited! We got to go Christmas tree hunting Sunday at Miss Sally’s farm. I couldn’t believe Dad agreed to get the tree ten days before Christmas. He says I have to make sure to keep water in the bucket of rocks so it won’t dry out. And that …
Family – the Perfect Gift
Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas. ~Peg Bracken What makes Christmas such a special time of the year? What stirs up the Christmas spirit in our hearts and makes us want everybody to be happy on Christmas Day? Love is the main reason. God’s love for us that resulted in the …
Good and Perfect Gifts
“We give gifts to remember the best gift we’ll ever receive, Christ. None of the gifts can top that, but we still enjoy being on the look out for something to make our loved ones smile.” ~Kathie When I do a giveaway where I invite you to share stories with me, I’m always so blessed by the comments and stories you …
A Little Snow for a Lot of Christmas Spirit
December 9, 1964. Jocie Brooke here reporting from Holly County. We have snow. Not much, but a little. I took this picture at Mr. Reynolds’ farm down the road. Dad says he might use it in the Banner next week. Maybe that will get everybody in the Christmas spirit – finally. I just don’t understand why grown-ups are always saying Christmas comes …
Gifts that Missed the Mark
Millions of gifts will be exchanged this Christmas and while most of them will be greeted with real delight, others will cause little more than stunned silence. Not because the gift is good, but because it’s so bad, words won’t come. It’s the thought that counts as the saying goes, but it is good to know that somebody was thinking! …
The Best Gifts are from the Heart
“The greatest gift is a portion of yourself.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson I sent out my newsletter last Sunday letting my reading friends know about my Christmas giveaway contest and then I posted it here on Sunday night and the entries are rolling in. For fun, I asked you to share stories of the best or worst gift you have given …
Mistletoe and Kissing
December 2, 1964 Jocie Brooke reporting from Hollyhill. It’s December. That means Christmas isn’t too far away. I love Christmas. I love getting gifts. I like giving gifts, but that giving is harder than the getting. That’s because I don’t have any money or at least not enough to buy something for Dad and Tabitha and Aunt Love. Wes and …
Christmas – a Time for Giving
Christmas is not so much about opening our presents as opening our hearts. ~Janice Maeditere It’s December. Already. How does it get here so quickly? It didn’t used to be that way. Do you remember when you were a kid and Christmas Eve seemed like it was three days long? We always had a Christmas dinner and presents at my …









