Category Archives: Inspirations

Inspirational art, photo and writing collection relating to lifestyle themes.

A Christmas Memory: Go Tell It on the Mountain

Go Tell It on the Mountain

Photograph of my mom, Ethelda…she really puts her heart and soul into singing this special song!

Go Tell It on the Mountain

“Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere; go tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born.” (excerpt taken from the lyrics of the song, “Go Tell It on the Mountain, by John Wesley Work, Jr.)

I am a firm believer that the holidays should be spent with family and friends.  It is then, more than any other time of the year that many traditions are started and shared.  When we can “let our hair down,” be ourselves and celebrate the glory of the season with those that we hold dear to our hearts.  This is certainly true of my family, and although we can’t always be together to celebrate Christmas, our long-standing family traditions and our memories of them, seem to bring us together no matter how far the distance is between us.

One of my family’s Christmas traditions that we started and enjoyed during my childhood, and that I truly love still, is when we would gather together on Christmas Eve night.  Long after dinner was finished, probably around 9:00 pm or so, I got to help prepare a tray full of savory snacks and sweet treats, including my Grandmother’s Italian Christmas cookies that I’d helped to bake, (see my earlier post “A Christmas Memory:  At Grandmother’s House”). Grandmother was right, the cookies did look like little works of art adorning the tray.  Being an artist, this was probably my favorite task every Christmas Eve, because I got to arrange the goodies, the colorful napkins and other accoutrements in a festive display for all to enjoy!

Go Tell It on the Mountain 2

“Shout To All the Earth,” photograph by Felecia R. Weber, OntheWingofaDove.com

My dad would select scripture verses for each of us to read aloud.  Hearing the words spoken from the Bible, telling the story of the birth of Jesus always sent chills through my body. Continue reading →

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A Quote to Carry You – December 16, 2013

A quote to carry youA Quote to Carry You 

December 16, 2013

“Come they told me…A new born King to see…I have no gift to bring…That’s fit to give the King…” (excerpt taken from the lyrics of “Little Drummer Boy,” by Katherine K.  Davis)

The story of “The Little Drummer Boy” has always been so meaningful to me.  Hearing the words to the song always humbles me.  It reminds me that no gift that I can ever give can match the gift that God gave to mankind when He gave to us His only begotten Son.

Through all of the business of the wonderful season, it is my wish to you that you will never lose sight of the magnitude of that gift…and realize that it is for you, you need only to receive it.

Peace and love,

Felecia

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A Christmas Memory: At Grandmother’s House

At Grandmother's House

“Grandmother’s Cookies,” photograph by Felecia R. Weber, OntheWingofaDove.com

At Grandmother’s House

There are many childhood memories that I recall and revisit every year as I prepare for the holidays.  I’ve always had a sweet tooth, and thanks to my Grandmother, I have enjoyed baking throughout the years.  So, it is no surprise that one of my favorite holiday memories, is going to my Grandmother’s house to bake her Italian Christmas Cookies.

As I’ve mentioned in past writings, it was always a special treat for me when my parents, sisters, and I would load into the car and drive the half hour or so distance to my Grandmother’s house.  Visiting Grandmother was special any time of the year, but especially during the holiday season.  Grandmother would have been up hours before we’d arrived.  She’d likely have had a few cups of her Red Rose tea, and the mixer, cookie sheets, rolling pin, bowls and other baking paraphernalia set out and ready to use. Continue reading →

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A Quote to Carry You – December 9, 2013

A quote to carry youA Quote to Carry You

December 9, 2013

“Please sir, I want some more.” (excerpt taken from “Oliver Twist,” by Charles Dickens)

It seems that these days, we are always wanting more; always on the look out for the next best thing.  A little of this becomes a bit more of that, and so on.  As I reflect on the little baby lying in the manger in the wee hours of that first Christmas morning, it makes me realize that the things that are seemingly less, insignificant and small, are often times the biggest, the best and the most precious of all.

May your little things become the more things that you’ve been searching for.

Peace,

Felecia

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A Christmas Memory: Have a Holly Jolly Christmas

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas

“The Girls at Christmas,” a photograph of my sister Marjorie (left) and me (right) during one of our childhood Christmases

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas

If you are like me, you’ve already begun your trek towards celebrating Christmas…putting up the decorations, baking your favorite cookies and sweet treats, making your lists so you are ready to tackle the stores.  No doubt, your ears have heard a few Christmas carols subtly spreading the holiday cheer even when you’ve gone to pick up a few grocery items.  The song, “Have a Holly Jolly Christmas,” that is featured in one of my favorite childhood Christmas shows, “Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” is one that I have been humming for the past several days…and my mind has filled up with holly jolly memories.

I can’t help but wear a huge smile as I think of how excited my sisters and I would get during the weeks before Christmas when we were little girls.  My older sister Marjorie and I would rehearse the hymns and carols we’d learned for our Christmas programs at church and school, while scrubbing away at the evening dishes.  We’d spend hours outside leaving our impressions in the snow, hoping that they’d resemble snow angels as much as possible.  Our mom would encourage our creativity by having some sort of project for us to do, like hand painting little wooden ornaments to hang on our Christmas tree.  Many of those ornaments adorn my parents’ tree every Christmas still, and I swear I can pick out at least a few of the ones I’d painted!

Oh, how I loved all of the special activities that surrounded my childhood Christmas holidays.  I especially enjoyed helping to wrap the gifts and make bows for the packages.  What a delight it was sipping eggnog and how my mouth watered at the sight of the colorful ribbon candy and pretty foil-wrapped chocolates that were scattered around our home.  I would seemingly fall into a trance when in the evenings, I’d sit and take in the peaceful glow of the lights that my dad had carefully strung around the tree; each one silently flickering, like tiny flames…little lights of Christmas.

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas 2

“All Snuggled in His Bed,” graphite & colored pencil drawing by Felecia R. Weber, OntheWingofaDove.com

Whatever your favorite childhood Christmas memories are, (I’d love it if you’d care to share them), may they warm your heart and create a glow that brings a smile to your face and radiates to those around you…a Holly Jolly Christmas to you!

Peace and love,

Felecia

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A Quote to Carry You – December 2, 2013

A quote to carry youA Quote to Carry You

December 2, 2013

“Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.” (excerpt taken from “Twas the Night Before Christmas,” by Clement Clarke Moore)

The words of this familiar story remind me of the quiet stillness that seems to settle in right before all of the hustle and bustle of our Christmas preparations begin.  A house at night, veiled in slumber, not awakening until the life of the morning comes.  The season of Advent is such a time where we await with great anticipation, the coming of Christ our Lord and Savior into the world.

May the peace and the joy of this glorious season fill your heart, as you await the coming of Christmas Day.

Peace and love,

Felecia

 

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Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving

“Summer Flowers,” 1880, Henri Fantin-Latour. Image from a page of the 2012 Desk Calendar, courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art Store

Giving Thanks…a special thanks for all of the blessings of this life.

Giving Thanks

Giving thanks for so many things,

for the beauty that surrounds us,

for the work that satisfies us,

for the rest that restores us.

Giving thanks for all that we are,

and for all that we can become,

for the love and caring that is shared

between family and friends.

Giving thanks for the things that are from above,

for all that we can see and experience,

and for what we may never understand.

This tribute, this expression of gratitude,

can never compare to all that I have received,

but it is sincere, and full of love.

Giving thanks from deep within my heart.

Felecia R. Weber, OntheWingofaDove.com

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  I Thessalonians 5:16-18

May blessings from above abound this day…Happy Thanksgiving!

Peace and love,

Felecia

 

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A Quote to Carry You – November 25, 2013

A quote to carry youA Quote to Carry You

November 25, 2013

“If I attempted to list everything that I am grateful for, I think that I would be writing until the day I die.  Not a bad idea, for I am thankful for so very much, except I can never express in words what I feel in my heart.  So, I shall simply say, thank you, thank you with all of my heart.” Felecia R. Weber, OntheWingofaDove.com.

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