Category Archives: My World

My writing and art collection relating to lifetime experiences.

Into the Woods

Into the Woods

“Fontainebleau Forest, CA,” 1860, Eugene Cuvelier. Image from a page of the 2012 Desk Calendar, courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art Store

Into the woods…a new year is here!

Into the Woods

A new year is dawning; like stepping into the woods.

Is it bright and fragrant, the sun’s rays pouring through?

As tree branches stretch high, to touch the sky’s brilliant blue.

A new year is dawning; like stepping into the woods.

Is it dark, cold and damp, a scary place to be?

With twists and turns that won’t let you free. Continue reading →

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In the Beginning

In the Beginning

“Let There Be Light,” photograph by Felecia R. Weber, OntheWingofaDove.com

In the Beginning…Christmas…creation…really?

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning.  Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:1-5)

I am always amazed at the splendor of God’s creation.  This seems a strange topic to write about during the Christmas season, in the beginning?…creation?…really?  But, oh how relevant it is, and the scripture verse referenced above says it all.

Most often when we think of Jesus Christ at Christmastime, we think of the little baby lying in a manger surrounded by his earthly parents, the angels, the shepherds, the sheep and other animals.  It is interesting that both earthly and heavenly “created beings” were present at His birth.  Who else in the history of mankind was welcomed into the world in such a way? Continue reading →

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And Christ, The Lord is born!

And Christ, The Lord is born!

“Flight Into Egypt,” (Detail), 1923, Henry Ossawa Tanner. Image from a page of the 2013 Desk Calendar, courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art Store

And Christ, The Lord is born!

“And there were in the same country shepherds watching, and keeping in the night watches over their flock.  And, behold an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the brightness of God shone round about them; and they feared with a great fear.  And the angel said to them; Fear not; for behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, that shall be to all the people: For there is born to you this day in the City of David a Savior, who is Christ The Lord.” (Luke 2:8-11)

I am listening to the grandeur and beauty of the music and lyrics of Handel’s Messiah this very moment as I write these words.  Oh how it makes my heart swell with gratitude and thanksgiving for God’s greatest gift, which He bestowed upon all of mankind! Continue reading →

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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!

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“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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What Child Is This?

What Child is This?

“Two Angels” (One of two fragments), 1300-1324, Northern Italian Painter, First Quarter 14th Century. Image taken from a page of the 2013 Desk Calendar, courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art Store

What Child Is This?

What child is this?

They spoke of him long ago,

his life, his purpose, his death all foretold.

The wise men journeyed to worship him,

even still, to this day, he cannot be ignored.

What child is this?

A babe lying in a manger, Continue reading →

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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 Humble Gift

A Humble Gift

“A Humble Gift,” photograph by Lew Eliacopoulos, Festibrate.com

A Humble Gift

A humble gift was given to us,

on that night so quiet and still.

No grandeur, no frills, no hype,

just the sheep grazing on a far off hill.

A humble gift was given to us,

there was something different about that birth.

The angel appeared, the shepherds gathered round,

ever since then, nothing has been the same on the earth.

A humble gift was given to us,

It’s not visible, we can’t touch it with our hand,

but it surrounds us in the air, the sea and the land.

This gift that was given, indeed it is real, and its promise is sure,

won’t you reach out, won’t you and receive it; and forever be secure.

Felecia R. Weber, OntheWingofaDove.com

Peace and love,

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.

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“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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