Last week in the warm thoughts column I shared thoughts about the Old Fashioned Thanksgiving. As Christmas rapidly approaches, I will share some warm thoughts about an Old Fashioned Christmas, written by a dear old friend from Lincoln Nebraska. It was written by Darlene M. Miltner and published in Life Lines. 

Old Fashioned Christmas

I fondly recall Christmas on the old homeplace 

Treasured memories to always embrace 

Father would read and mother would sew

While we nibbled on apples and sweet pastry dough.

Snowbound days, the chilling, wintry breeze

And ice-jewels sparkling on skeleton like trees. 

Vast open fields garnished with snow 

And haymows of grain with livestock below. 

An angel reigned atop the pasture-cut tree

Paper chains and snowflakes were fashioned in glee,

Garlands of popcorn trailed branches grace

Cranberry ribbons swung gently in place. 

Spice-scented fragrance permeated the air 

From pies, breads, and cookies all baked with great care,

The warmth of the fire from a pot bellied stove 

Carols and Christmas-morn gifts, interwove. 

Now, time is passing, and as I grow old 

Memories of school friends and neighbors unfold,

We prayed together for peace from above

In the little white church we grew to love. 

We were told of this star, and the Christ child's birth

The Wiseman's journey and heaven on earth, 

The manger scene and heavens aglow. 

Yes, I remember Christmas of long, long ago. 

Christmas memories. Sweet memories are precious gift. The holidays are a time for families to get together to strengthen family ties and affections. Traditions can help preserve memories. Sometimes traditions change, leaving only the memories. As we prepare for the Christmas holidays may we have many happy memories! 

Warm Thought: “Children of Christmas are givers. That's what the day is for. They give thanks love gratitude, joy, and themselves to one another.” Erma Bombeck. 

May we have many warm thoughts this Christmas season! 

Warm Thoughts from the Little Home on the Prairie Over a Cup of Tea by Luetta G. Werner December 4th, 1997

Published by the Marion Record 

Download the Found Photo Freebie and cherish your memories of the past.

Enjoy flipping through the Vintage Photo Book on your coffee table.

I hope you enjoyed this podcast episode! Please follow along on this journey by going to visualbenedictions.com or following me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, and Overcast. And don’t forget to rate and review so more people can tune in! I’d greatly appreciate it.

Till next time,

Trina