"Thankfulness is the soil in which joy thrives."
December 1st: Three Gifts White
345. Sheep, fluffy white, gentle
346. Marshmallows
347. Sink full of dish soap bubbles, foaming white
December 2nd: Three Gifts Bright
348. Flashlights, casting away the darkness
349. Sunshine after several days of rain, a smile from above
350. Candlelight, shadows flickering
December 3rd: Three Gifts Shining
351. Happy, uncontainable smiles of people when they are kind to each other
352. Water at night, moon reflecting
353. The Milky Way, shining bright when viewed from the mountains in Montana, no man-made light
December 4th: A Gift Circling, Crowning, Crafted
354. Group hug with friends, arms circling in love and support
355. Playing dress-up as a child, a crowned princess, or anything my imagination created
356. Handcrafted furniture, withstanding the test of time
December 5th: Three Gifts Silver
357. Gray hair of grandparents, a sign of years lived and wisdom acquired
358. Dolphins, silver gliding through the ocean
359. Ice skate blades, gliding happy
December 6th: Three Gifts Sweet
360. Honey-cinnamon roasted pecans
361. Kind words
362. Reuniting with friends and family after time apart
December 7th: Three Gifts from Your Savior
363. Being raised in a home where God was sought, studied, and loved
364. Discipline, proof of God's love, Hebrews 12:5-11
365. A home in heaven someday
"And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” -Revelation 21:3-5
December 8th: A Gift Hung, Held, Heard
366. Chimes swaying in the wind, hung from tree branches
367. Sitting on the floor at the orphanage, holding four kids at once, heart overflowing
368. Sound of geese calling overhead, seeking refuge from winter's chill
December 9th: Three Gifts Ugly-Beautiful
369. Sudden change for the good, bittersweet, thankful to be moving on, yet sad to be leaving others behind
370. Christ's death on the cross--mankind's ugly sin on full display, resulting in beautiful, life-giving salvation through sacrifice
371. New life and deeper compassion coming from tragedy
December 10th: Three Gifts Unframed Art
372. The view from the top of a mountain
373. People, differences, similarities, created in God's image
374. Earth view from the sky
December 11th: Three Gifts Ice Cold
375. Ice skating rinks
376. Jumping into the ocean on a sweltering day
377. Rocky Road ice cream in a waffle cone
December 12th: Three Gifts Berry Red
378. Cranberry bogs
379. Glass Christmas balls, sparkly red
380. Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer :)
December 13th: Three Gifts Striped
381. Candy canes
382. Zebras
383. Tigers
December 14th: Three Gifts Stamped
384. Christmas cards from family and friends
385. Letters to the troops overseas, making sure they know they are remembered and appreciated
386. Passport stamps, reminders of faraway places
December 15th: A Gift Gold, Scented, Bent Low
387. Wedding rings, gold, a sign of commitment, promise to God, promise to another person
388. Tea roses, fragrant scent, refreshing
389. Ice-covered tree branches, bent low, glistening
December 16th: Three Gifts Bethlehem-Unlikely
390. Walking into an unknown situation, doubting it will turn out, but eventually realizing, to quote a song, "Isn't it remarkable that things just turn out after all? It's just another ordinary miracle today."
391. Living on an income that seems impossible to survive; God providing in countless ways, evident and unseen
392. A situation when I was a social worker that had no good ending in sight; God redeeming, repairing, and healing, bringing beauty from ashes
December 17th: Three Gifts Frosted
393. Homemade sugar cookies with cream cheese frosting and sprinkles
394. The ground after a light dusting of snow
395. Birthday cakes made by Mom
December 18th: Three Gifts Miraculous
396. The accounts within God's Word of Jesus' work, walking on water, healing the blind, feeding thousands, making plenty out of not enough
397. The time everything went wrong on a road trip--flat tire, wrong roads, frustrating--yet sparing my family and me from being in the direct path of a tornado
398. God sparing me of bad situations of which I would have walked right into the middle had He not intervened; situations where the outcomes are so improbable, there is no other explanation than God at work
December 19th: Three Gifts Manger-Small
399. My yellow dufflebag from L.L. Bean, just the right size for adventures around the world
400. Laundry hamper, providing order amid the chaos of dirty clothes, towels, and mismatched socks
401. Wheelbarrows, the workhorses of country life, hauling, easing the burden
December 20th: Three Gifts Angelic Song
402. Singing and signing, hearing with hands
Five-year-old Claire Koch was born to two deaf parents, and American Sign Language was her first language. So while 60 of her peers used generic hand motions, Claire chose to use ASL, much to her parents’ surprise.
403. Christmas carols, joyful voices
404. The voices of children raised in song
December 21st: Three Gifts Lit
405. Multicolored Christmas lights on houses and trees
406. Candles providing soft light when the electricity goes out during a storm
407. Front porch light left on, welcoming, a sign of family waiting on the other side of the door for my return
December 22nd: A Gift with Rejoicing, Wonder, Praising
408. A soul restored, rejoicing, a gift for eternity
409. Standing at the edge of the ocean, waves crashing, in wonder at the power of God who created the seas and calmed them
410. Taking a carriage ride with friends on New Year's Eve, singing Christmas carols and hymns, praising God for His goodness and the beauty of life
December 23rd: Three Gifts Starry
411. Sleeping outside on a clear night, lulled to sleep by counting the stars
412. Making a wish on a shooting star
413. Looking up at night to regain perspective
December 24th: Three Gifts Humble
414. Potatoes, an unassuming vegetable, feeding the world
415. Giving generously out of poverty, not holding back, trusting in the Lord to restore, provide, and make whole
416. The offer of a listening ear and a gentle hug when life crumbles and darkness settles
December 25th: Three Gifts in Luke 2
417. The story of our Savior's birth and the faith of His earthly parents
418. Recognition by certain people in the temple that the Messiah had arrived
419. A reminder that Jesus entered the world as a tiny baby, innocent, dependent on His mother for nourishment
December 26th: Three Gifts in Christ
420. Always having a traveling companion when I explore the world He created
421. Working for Him, not mankind, knowing He will never disappoint, abandon, or deceive
422. Not feeling the need to prove myself to anyone, resting in Christ alone
December 27th: A Gift Found, Shared, Saved
423. A tiny puppy abandoned in a snowy field, found one day on my way home from work , receiving love, warmth, and a new home
424. Courage, shared, strengthening, providing hope
425. A bracelet that belonged to my great-grandmother, saved, a reminder of her fun sense of style
December 28th: Three Gifts Lingering
426. The scent of Christmas--pine needles, apples & cinnamon, hot chocolate, wood smoke, lingering on into the new year
427. Walking along the shoreline, nowhere in particular to be, no schedule, just me and the sea
428. Good, peaceful memories
December 29th: Three Gifts of Hope
429. Advice, kind words, and encouragement from a stranger
430. Reading God's promises over and over; a battle cry against satan's lies and deception
431. Coming through a bad storm, sunlight streaming down, evidence that even the worst storms have an ending
December 30th: Three Gifts Remembered
432. The love and support of family and friends who have left this life, asleep, awaiting God's appearing
433. Hard times, remembered to recount God's goodness and faithful provision
434. Kindness shown and laughter heard
December 31st: Three Gifts Anticipated
435. Beginning of the new year, fresh, excited, eager to see what is around the corner
436. Meeting Jesus face-to-face in heaven
437. New adventures in far away places
As we enter the new year, let us embrace gratitude.
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." -I Thessalonians 5:16-18
December 1st: Three Gifts White
345. Sheep, fluffy white, gentle
346. Marshmallows
347. Sink full of dish soap bubbles, foaming white
December 2nd: Three Gifts Bright
348. Flashlights, casting away the darkness
349. Sunshine after several days of rain, a smile from above
350. Candlelight, shadows flickering
December 3rd: Three Gifts Shining
351. Happy, uncontainable smiles of people when they are kind to each other
352. Water at night, moon reflecting
353. The Milky Way, shining bright when viewed from the mountains in Montana, no man-made light
December 4th: A Gift Circling, Crowning, Crafted
354. Group hug with friends, arms circling in love and support
355. Playing dress-up as a child, a crowned princess, or anything my imagination created
356. Handcrafted furniture, withstanding the test of time
December 5th: Three Gifts Silver
357. Gray hair of grandparents, a sign of years lived and wisdom acquired
358. Dolphins, silver gliding through the ocean
359. Ice skate blades, gliding happy
December 6th: Three Gifts Sweet
360. Honey-cinnamon roasted pecans
361. Kind words
362. Reuniting with friends and family after time apart
December 7th: Three Gifts from Your Savior
363. Being raised in a home where God was sought, studied, and loved
364. Discipline, proof of God's love, Hebrews 12:5-11
365. A home in heaven someday
"And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” -Revelation 21:3-5
December 8th: A Gift Hung, Held, Heard
366. Chimes swaying in the wind, hung from tree branches
367. Sitting on the floor at the orphanage, holding four kids at once, heart overflowing
368. Sound of geese calling overhead, seeking refuge from winter's chill
December 9th: Three Gifts Ugly-Beautiful
369. Sudden change for the good, bittersweet, thankful to be moving on, yet sad to be leaving others behind
370. Christ's death on the cross--mankind's ugly sin on full display, resulting in beautiful, life-giving salvation through sacrifice
371. New life and deeper compassion coming from tragedy
December 10th: Three Gifts Unframed Art
372. The view from the top of a mountain
373. People, differences, similarities, created in God's image
374. Earth view from the sky
December 11th: Three Gifts Ice Cold
375. Ice skating rinks
376. Jumping into the ocean on a sweltering day
377. Rocky Road ice cream in a waffle cone
December 12th: Three Gifts Berry Red
378. Cranberry bogs
379. Glass Christmas balls, sparkly red
380. Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer :)
December 13th: Three Gifts Striped
381. Candy canes
382. Zebras
383. Tigers
December 14th: Three Gifts Stamped
384. Christmas cards from family and friends
385. Letters to the troops overseas, making sure they know they are remembered and appreciated
386. Passport stamps, reminders of faraway places
December 15th: A Gift Gold, Scented, Bent Low
387. Wedding rings, gold, a sign of commitment, promise to God, promise to another person
388. Tea roses, fragrant scent, refreshing
389. Ice-covered tree branches, bent low, glistening
December 16th: Three Gifts Bethlehem-Unlikely
390. Walking into an unknown situation, doubting it will turn out, but eventually realizing, to quote a song, "Isn't it remarkable that things just turn out after all? It's just another ordinary miracle today."
391. Living on an income that seems impossible to survive; God providing in countless ways, evident and unseen
392. A situation when I was a social worker that had no good ending in sight; God redeeming, repairing, and healing, bringing beauty from ashes
December 17th: Three Gifts Frosted
393. Homemade sugar cookies with cream cheese frosting and sprinkles
394. The ground after a light dusting of snow
395. Birthday cakes made by Mom
December 18th: Three Gifts Miraculous
396. The accounts within God's Word of Jesus' work, walking on water, healing the blind, feeding thousands, making plenty out of not enough
397. The time everything went wrong on a road trip--flat tire, wrong roads, frustrating--yet sparing my family and me from being in the direct path of a tornado
398. God sparing me of bad situations of which I would have walked right into the middle had He not intervened; situations where the outcomes are so improbable, there is no other explanation than God at work
December 19th: Three Gifts Manger-Small
399. My yellow dufflebag from L.L. Bean, just the right size for adventures around the world
400. Laundry hamper, providing order amid the chaos of dirty clothes, towels, and mismatched socks
401. Wheelbarrows, the workhorses of country life, hauling, easing the burden
December 20th: Three Gifts Angelic Song
402. Singing and signing, hearing with hands
Five-year-old Claire Koch was born to two deaf parents, and American Sign Language was her first language. So while 60 of her peers used generic hand motions, Claire chose to use ASL, much to her parents’ surprise.
403. Christmas carols, joyful voices
404. The voices of children raised in song
December 21st: Three Gifts Lit
405. Multicolored Christmas lights on houses and trees
406. Candles providing soft light when the electricity goes out during a storm
407. Front porch light left on, welcoming, a sign of family waiting on the other side of the door for my return
December 22nd: A Gift with Rejoicing, Wonder, Praising
408. A soul restored, rejoicing, a gift for eternity
409. Standing at the edge of the ocean, waves crashing, in wonder at the power of God who created the seas and calmed them
410. Taking a carriage ride with friends on New Year's Eve, singing Christmas carols and hymns, praising God for His goodness and the beauty of life
December 23rd: Three Gifts Starry
411. Sleeping outside on a clear night, lulled to sleep by counting the stars
412. Making a wish on a shooting star
413. Looking up at night to regain perspective
December 24th: Three Gifts Humble
414. Potatoes, an unassuming vegetable, feeding the world
415. Giving generously out of poverty, not holding back, trusting in the Lord to restore, provide, and make whole
416. The offer of a listening ear and a gentle hug when life crumbles and darkness settles
December 25th: Three Gifts in Luke 2
417. The story of our Savior's birth and the faith of His earthly parents
418. Recognition by certain people in the temple that the Messiah had arrived
419. A reminder that Jesus entered the world as a tiny baby, innocent, dependent on His mother for nourishment
December 26th: Three Gifts in Christ
420. Always having a traveling companion when I explore the world He created
421. Working for Him, not mankind, knowing He will never disappoint, abandon, or deceive
422. Not feeling the need to prove myself to anyone, resting in Christ alone
December 27th: A Gift Found, Shared, Saved
423. A tiny puppy abandoned in a snowy field, found one day on my way home from work , receiving love, warmth, and a new home
424. Courage, shared, strengthening, providing hope
425. A bracelet that belonged to my great-grandmother, saved, a reminder of her fun sense of style
December 28th: Three Gifts Lingering
426. The scent of Christmas--pine needles, apples & cinnamon, hot chocolate, wood smoke, lingering on into the new year
427. Walking along the shoreline, nowhere in particular to be, no schedule, just me and the sea
428. Good, peaceful memories
December 29th: Three Gifts of Hope
429. Advice, kind words, and encouragement from a stranger
430. Reading God's promises over and over; a battle cry against satan's lies and deception
431. Coming through a bad storm, sunlight streaming down, evidence that even the worst storms have an ending
December 30th: Three Gifts Remembered
432. The love and support of family and friends who have left this life, asleep, awaiting God's appearing
433. Hard times, remembered to recount God's goodness and faithful provision
434. Kindness shown and laughter heard
December 31st: Three Gifts Anticipated
435. Beginning of the new year, fresh, excited, eager to see what is around the corner
436. Meeting Jesus face-to-face in heaven
437. New adventures in far away places
As we enter the new year, let us embrace gratitude.
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." -I Thessalonians 5:16-18
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