Friday Features: December 23rd Edition

I hope that you all have finished up your holiday preparations and are ready to center your heart.  Center it to reflect on Christmas (not the Jingle Bell one, which has its place).  But rather focus on the one with the Baby, who is God come down, in the manger. 
"The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us..." 
He came to us to save us, as we are a people in desperate need of salvation.  He came to take the scourging and nails that were and are rightly ours.  He came to conquer death and Hades.  He came to obey His Father, that we might be His brothers.  He came to be glorified. 
I pray that you might glorify Him this Christmas.  And, glorifying, rejoice.


The Professor, The Mama, and their Littles are here with us now.  Tonight after dinner, we're going to walk around Naples Island to see the Christmas lights.  And get lost.  We always get lost.  It's part of the tradition.  We had to use a GPS one year to get out. 

And, now for your Friday Features:

•  It's only two days before Christmas and you're out of wrapping paper!  Oh, no!  What to do?  You certainly don't want to fight the crowds at the mall, so how about making your own?  With your photographs!!!  Brilliant!

• And, then how about a few gift tags  made with your photos to go with your lovely new wrapping paper?

• Why you need to go look at the stars.

• I am obsessed with bokeh.  We did this last year and it still amazes me!

• Hints and tips for Christmas pictures.

• I needed to read this today, as I have been exceedingly grumpy about one particular area of gift-giving in my life...