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-EVA SANTIAGO copyright 2012
Tag Archives: Opinions
15 Days of Christmas Songs: 15th Song
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Here it is! My last song, I dedicate it to YOU, my dear readers whom I appreciate so very much. We just opened up our loot under the tree and I hope wherever you are, you are cozy and blessed. Spread the warmth, share the love, it’s CHRISTmas!
15 Days of Christmas Songs: 14th Song
Today’s song makes me shiver and shed a few tears every single time I hear it. So I have to post 2 versions of “Oh Come All Ye Faithful“. One for contemporary folks by Casting Crowns. Nat King Cole‘s version for the more tradition oriented. I enjoyed listening to both so I had to do them both. I also want to share a Christmas poem I wrote and I hope you enjoy it. Sit in front of a fire and ponder on how much you are loved today. If you happen to find yourself alone, let me remind you, none of us are really ever alone because there is One who promised never to leave us or forsake us.
CHRISTMAS PRESENT
Christmas presents all wrapped in bright festive colors;
awating their big day,
holding secrets and they can’t wait.
Fashionably attired in dazzling bows and ribbons that sparkle and glitter.
The days dwindle,anticipation mounts.
The boxes under the tree; pregnant with good news,
they alone know the treaures they hold.
LIVE each day as a Christmas gift!
You never know when your time comes.
Wake up every morning, face your day
with the same child like joy
of a kid on Christmas morn’.
Stop looking back on your past gifts,
you’ve been there, done that.
Time to move on…live today in the present…
it truly is your one and only present.
The gifts of the future remain under the tree of life,
to be opened at a later date;
tomorrrow’s presents bring hope for today.
So wise up and get to steppin’!
Don’t live your now fretting over your past because it’s been opened;
nor about your future because you’ve yet to unwrap it.
Live this very day: Go! Tear up the paper, don’t save the bow,
it’s what’s inside that matters,
that’s what’s yours to hold.
“Merry Christmas!”
Eva Santiago Copyright 2010
15 Days of Christmas Songs:13th Song
It’s down to 2 days my dear readers! Today’s song pick had to reflect the post I wrote for today. As you watch this video and listen to this beautiful version of “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” may The TRUE Spirit of Christmas come to find a resting place in your heart. Rejoice in the season but more importantly, rejoice in HIS love!
I wrote this a couple of years ago and I’m posting it here for you in the hopes that you too may know the One, the TRUE Spirit of Christmas
I thought I did not know what The Christmas Spirit was. For years I had gone through the motions and wondered what the big fuss was all about. On the first week of December (2009), I could not sleep,tossing and turning about in my bed much like the main character of the movie “Castaway”
when he was on the vast ocean on a tiny raft he created by himself. I am not an insomniac so my sleeplessness was beyond my understanding.
After a while, my daughter Elena came to my bedside and she asked me if I wanted to talk. By now it was around 1 am and I didn’t want to keep her up because school would be rough for her the next day. Finally I consented after she reassured me that I she would be fine. Then we began to talk about Christmas and what it signifies to different people. She pointed out that she noticed that I love celebrating other holidays but that at Christmas, “Your spark goes out, Mama.” Well,here I had to stop for a second and realize my 15-year-old was reading my mail. UGH. So then I decided to face it head on and I admitted to both of us that she was perceiving correctly.
Elena proceeded to tell me that as she had read my book,
As Clear As Claire Gets,she noticed that Christmas for me as a child was never about me but about everyone else. I winced as I let the full impact of her words penetrate through to that wounded part of my heart. I cried a while as she held me and then I felt the burden lift. I thanked her for being there for me and we both went to sleep.
The next morning that precious girl had left me a beautiful note written on an index card for me. She was pledging to make it her goal this season to help me feel the Christmas Spirit. She informed me that she would employ the help of her dad and her siblings to help her achieve this goal. I wept as I hugged her close to me.
Then I realized, I DO know The Christmas Spirit; I live with Him everyday of my life. You see, God‘s Spirit IS The Christmas Spirit and He dwells in my home and in the hearts of all my family members 365 days a year. What I find sad is that most people only allow God’s Spirit to touch them once a year at Christmas time.
Come on folks! This year when you pack away all of your Christmas ornaments
and store them in your garage ,attic or basement, don’t put God’s Spirit in there and forget about Him until next December. That Spirit of Christmas is the same yesterday,today and forever and his name is Jesus Christ and He is alive and well! He wants to dwell in your heart all through the year. Are you going to invite Him in all year round or just dust Him off and put Him on display for one month out of the year?
-EVA
15 Days of Christmas Songs: 13th Song
My pick for today is “Adoration” by Newsboys. This band is one of my top 5 favorite groups because they tell a message that goes straight to the heart. This video is amazing, I hope you take the time to watch it. As time flies and you get ready for your holiday celebrations, I want yo to know how much I appreciate everyone that stops by to read my blog. Thank you to all of my readers from every place on the globe that drop in. May you feel love and great comfort today and through out the rest of the year. I look forward to posting more for your benefit and enjoyment. I wish you all my best in 2012!
This year let your gift giving not be out of mere obligation. When all the pretending stops,it gives way to real love. When we feign anything it is like eating imitation food.Think of it ,imitation vanilla is terrible.
The taste may resemble vanilla but it lacks the depth of flavor.
Same goes for imitation love; you are just going through the motions and you remain unsatisfied. Living in reality is the flavor,the zest of life because then and only then is love intensified and magnified and everyone around you,including yourself is nurtured and fed by it. Stay real!!
“Merry Christmas…Feliz Navidad to all of my family and friends!”
-Eva
” Stop buying things for people you can’t stand and that can’t stand you. Stop living your life trying to impress people “
-Joyce Meyer
15 Days of Christmas Songs:12th Song
This song I dedicate to all of my friends and family whom I wish I could see for the holidays. Bon Jovi does a nice job with “” Please Come Home for Christmas“. I’m just reminded to hold those who are near a little bit closer. This season hug and kiss those who are close by. And for those who can’t be there with you, say a prayer and send them angels to comfort and protect them 
Paul said to the Corinthians ” You are an epistle known and read of all men.” You are always sending a message, so how do you read? That means the closest people will get to the real meaning of Christmas is what they encounter when they meet a Christ carrier. So at Christmas consider that you carry a gift inside of you. Let the wrapping be removed and let the gift you carry shine. Think about that. Your gifts, properly matured and put on display will create an exhibition of Christ for all the world to see. Your gifts when unveiled are God’s gift to the world through you. Let your good deeds speak for you and let your unique gifts shine like a light before men during this Jewish feast of lights – because you are a unique exhibition of the invisible God, and through you, darkness is displaced.
15 Days of Christmas Songs: Song 3
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Today’s song of choice I first heard when I was a kid. That was my last Christmas living in Europe. My uncle decided to spend it in Italy and it was wonderful. The tour guide played this song for the entire trip and it’s been since then, one of my favorite Christmas songs. “Feliz Navidad!”
15 Days of Christmas Songs: 1st Song
There are 15 days left until Christmas Day! Relax, I’m not here trying to remind you that your shopping time is running short. Instead, since people get so stressed out during this time, I want you to enjoy yourself and listen to some Christmas music. For each day that is left until the big day I’ll post up a video of a Christmas song just for YOUR enjoyment. So get off your tired feet that have been running like crazy at the overcrowded malls in search of the “perfect” gift. Give yourself a pat on the back for what you’ve accomplished so far. Remember, the stores are always open so there’s no need to rush. Ok, I understand if you have to mail boxes there is a deadline there to ensure they get your gifts by the 25th. But, if they don’t get there exactly on time, they’ll still get there right? ENJOY the moments of the season and forget about the rest, it’ll get done
30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 28
Day 28 Question 28: What do you remember most about your first Christmas as a mom or dad?
Answer: Looking back now that we have 4 kids and our oldest is 17, I had to really pause and think on this question. At that time I chose to be a full time stay at home mom and our finances were cut in half. When Christmas came around all I cared about was that I had a family of my own. We put up a tree and decorated our home as usual. My husband kept apologizing because he felt bad since he couldn’t buy us any presents. I really didn’t care, I had a 4 month old baby girl in my arms and that’s all that mattered.
God sends people to bless us and when He does, we can’t act foolish or proud and not receive their blessing. Did you know that when someone is trying to bless you and you refuse them; you are robbing that person of their blessing? I learned about that in those days. Sometimes you have to humble yourself and receive.
That same year we had some friends who were struggling financially too. They had a baby girl who was a few months older than mine and 2 older boys. When Martin called my husband a couple of days before Christmas and told him they had no food we moved to help. I looked in my pantry and fridge and thanked God that they were full.
My husband had a collection of vinyl records back then. It was his dream to open a store and he had amassed enough to do so. Whenever we were short on cash, he would sell his records to tie us over until his next pay check. He took some records and sold them. When he returned he was so happy because he was able to give some of his earning to our friends in need. When we showed up at their home with a check in hand, our friends were so happy. That made OUR Christmas.
On Christmas Day we went to church. Our friends Jan & Alan were asking us about our Christmas. We both joked that we were so broke, we had passed on giving ourselves any presents this year. Then My husband shared about how we had helped our other friends the day before. After church we were driving away and Jan & Alan were right behind us. They motioned us to pull over and we did. Jan told me to open my hand and when I did, she pressed a fresh new $100 bill into my gloved hand and wished us both a Merry Christmas. Before I could even say thanks, they had sped away. I cried that morning and I think I saw a couple of tears on my husband’s face too. Ok, I just had to stop and wipe my eyes just now too :,)
When you are good to others, God never overlooks it. When you give out of the little that you have, it makes God smile. God’s goodness never gets old. I would love to hear some of your stories, so please feel free to comment and share. I hope you are enjoying this season!
