Christmas Memories

Dec 25

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I feel sorry for adults who don’t have good childhood memories of Christmastime. For good or bad, I think we view our adult Christmases through the eyes of the little girl or boy living inside of us. 

I’m thankful that I have good childhood memories of Christmas. Mary and I tried to make good Christmas memories for our daughters. Now that our girls are grown up, we try to make good Christmas memories for our three grandchildren. That little boy inside of me is excited that our three grandchildren will be with us this Christmas. With having ALS for the last twenty-three years, the adult me is thankful for being alive this Christmas.

I used to enjoy putting up the Christmas tree and other decorations with my siblings when we were kids. I especially liked setting up the nativity. We were not very careful decorating the tree; ornaments were broken, and tinsel was thrown randomly in clumps. But, even when we were little, we were always careful setting up the nativity. Before we understood the Bible’s depiction of the first Christmas, we seemed to know that the nativity set represented something special, something sacred. I think about that old nativity set when I read the following passage every Christmas:

“…(Mary) gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:7-11).

Christmas is all about hope. The day Jesus was born, hope was born. 

Without grace, there is no hope. Apart from Christ, there is no grace.

“For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” (John 1:17).

Merry Christmas, family and friends!

About Bill Sweeney

In 1996, at the age of 36, I was diagnosed with ALS. The neurologist gave me 3-5 years to live. 24 years later... :-) I'm completely paralyzed and unable to speak. By God's grace and the great care of my wife, I'm still here. I live to encourage and give hope to others going through difficult times.

Posted on December 25, 2019, in Uncategorized and tagged , , , . Bookmark the permalink. 73 Comments.

  1. Joy in the Eye | January 25, 2020 at 9:49 am

    Hi Bill. I follow your blog and write one myself. Recently I restarted writing after a couple years of writers block. It would be such a blessing if you would take a look and share your thoughts with me. Thank you so much and God bless!

    Liked by 1 person

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  2. Daily Dose | December 30, 2019 at 12:49 pm

    I hope you had a truly blessed Christmas! People seem taken aback sometimes by the outward display of joy people have at this time of year. But how can you contain it? Christ was born to redeem us all, a selfless gift available to anyone who simply say, “I believe.”

    Liked by 1 person

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  3. mitchteemley | December 29, 2019 at 4:21 pm

    Wishing you and your family a (belated) Merry Christmas, Bill, and a (reasonably on-time) Happy New Year!!

    Liked by 1 person

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  4. Anna Waldherr | December 27, 2019 at 8:32 pm

    Christ is the gift. If we lose sight of that, Christmas has lost all meaning. May God bless and uphold, at this season and throughout the New Year, Bill. ❤

    Liked by 3 people

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  5. Allan Halton | December 27, 2019 at 5:47 pm

    Thanks Bill, I’m a bit late at extending warm greetings as well to you and your family. We had some of our family with us; it was a very nice time. Now that they’ve left I’m glad for the quiet once again. I was quite worn out.
    Here (below) is the little message I put on Facebook a couple of days ago.
    Love, Allan

    Today is the day Christians celebrate the birth of a priceless gift from God. As with all gifts, this one as well must be received to be appreciated. And when we do receive Him, what can we say, but… “Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift.”

    How silently, how silently
    The wondrous gift is given!
    So God imparts to human hearts
    The blessings of His heaven.
    No ear may hear His coming,
    But in this world of sin,
    Where meek souls will receive him still,
    The dear Christ enters in.

    O holy Child of Bethlehem
    Descend to us, we pray;
    Cast out our sin and enter in
    Be born to us today.
    We hear the holy angels
    The great glad tidings tell
    O come to us, abide with us
    Our Lord Emmanuel.

    Liked by 2 people

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  6. Terri Nida | December 27, 2019 at 4:25 pm

    We have so much hope, even in our various life circumstances. Thank you for your post.

    Liked by 2 people

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  7. meghanewhite | December 27, 2019 at 2:03 pm

    Merry Christmas to you Bill, and your lovely family!! I’m always glad to read your posts.

    Liked by 1 person

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  8. heavensreef | December 27, 2019 at 1:13 pm

    MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL AND YOUR FAMILY……..Blessings on your New Year too!!

    Liked by 1 person

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  9. gpavants | December 27, 2019 at 12:31 pm

    Bill,

    Merry Christmas to you all and have a great start to the new year.

    In Christ,

    Gary

    Liked by 1 person

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  10. Michael Israel | December 26, 2019 at 3:46 pm

    Amen brother Bill! Enjoy the your family time! May God our Father bless all of you with His heavenly blessings in Christ Jesus and fill each of you with His Holy Spirit! God be with you all, I am praying for you 🙏

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  11. seekingdivineperspective | December 26, 2019 at 11:30 am

    God’s blessings to you and your family, Bill, now and all through the coming year.

    Liked by 1 person

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  12. Kathie at HisGlory SM | December 26, 2019 at 4:18 am

    Giving thanks with you Bill, for another opportunity to celebrate the Hope that is ours in Jesus. May His Presence in your life continue to enrich the lives of those He touches through your writing into the new year. ❤️

    Liked by 1 person

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  13. Sally | December 25, 2019 at 8:53 pm

    Merry Christmas Bill, Mary and family!

    Liked by 1 person

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  14. Wendy L. Macdonald | December 25, 2019 at 8:09 pm

    Merry Christmas, dear Mary and Bill.
    🙂 Blessings for 2020 ~ Wendy Mac

    Liked by 1 person

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  15. granonine | December 25, 2019 at 5:33 pm

    Warmest wishes for you and your family 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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  16. Anonymous | December 25, 2019 at 3:31 pm

    Thank you so much! May that same hope of Our Lord, fill your heart and home with His love and mercy, for a miracle this Christmas season😇Love from Karen♥️

    Liked by 1 person

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  17. bobnjanaJana | December 25, 2019 at 2:49 pm

    You live life with such grace and truth! Thank you and Merry
    Christmas !

    Liked by 1 person

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  18. daylerogers | December 25, 2019 at 1:05 pm

    May this Christmas, with the least amount of energy and strength to “do” what you once did, be the best Christmas ever because he has done for you, Mary, your daughters, and grandkids. And the whole world. The gift of grace and mercy we can’t live without. Thank you for your persevering spirit, my friend.

    Liked by 1 person

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  19. jacquie10 | December 25, 2019 at 12:45 pm

    Thank you, Bill. Our Father, Daddy, is holding you close, you can feel his heart with your mind. Love you, Jacquie.

    Liked by 1 person

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  20. DONNA SCRUGGS | December 25, 2019 at 12:27 pm

    Merry Christmas, Bill and Mary!
    Thank you.

    Liked by 1 person

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  21. Ryan Callahan | December 25, 2019 at 12:06 pm

    Amen Bill! Merry Christmas to you and your family!

    Liked by 1 person

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  22. Ron Whited | December 25, 2019 at 11:00 am

    Just a wonderful post Bill. Christmas time surely does cause me to reflect upon my happy childhood Christmases. I am so glad that you too have those happy memories. As a child it doesn’t sink in that it won’t always be like that, but those memories sustain us through those times as an adult when we wish we could travel back in time and relive those happy days. Take care my friend, and from our family to yours we wish you a very Merry Christmas.

    Liked by 1 person

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  23. Anonymous | December 25, 2019 at 10:55 am

    Merry Christmas Texas Sweeney’s . So many memories with you guys I hope you make many more today. Love you

    Liked by 1 person

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  24. Lady Quixote | December 25, 2019 at 10:54 am

    The light of our Lord Jesus shines through you in your posts, Bill. Thank you for sharing Christ’s love and grace with the world. Your posts inspire and encourage me.

    Merry Christmas to you and your precious family.

    Liked by 2 people

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  25. Sealed in Christ | December 25, 2019 at 10:47 am

    Merry Christmas to you all!

    Liked by 1 person

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  26. Liz Gauffreau | December 25, 2019 at 10:34 am

    Merry Christmas to you and yours, Bill!

    Liked by 1 person

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  27. Heidi Viars | December 25, 2019 at 10:30 am

    Merry Christmas to you and Mary! Praying for you and for the making of more beautiful Christmas memories!

    Liked by 2 people

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  28. Anonymous | December 25, 2019 at 10:09 am

    A very Merry Christmas to you both! Enjoy your family and may God pour his blessings on each and every one. Love and Hugs.

    Liked by 1 person

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  29. Bruce | December 25, 2019 at 10:06 am

    Wishing you and yours a blessed Christmas Bill and Mary!

    Liked by 2 people

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  30. everydaywiththeking | December 25, 2019 at 9:58 am

    Merry Christmas 🎄

    Liked by 1 person

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  31. bcparkison | December 25, 2019 at 9:43 am

    Gods grace is the best gift . Thank you for being such ablessing to blog land.

    Liked by 2 people

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  32. ekurie | December 25, 2019 at 9:27 am

    Merry Christmas 🎄 y’all 🙏

    Liked by 1 person

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  33. Janet | December 25, 2019 at 9:27 am

    Merry Christmas Bill, Mary, Lauren, James, Leah, Jude, Peyton, Claire & Rose. Hope you have a wonderful day, full of love & laughs. XOXOXO

    Liked by 1 person

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  34. Don Schrock | December 25, 2019 at 9:24 am

    Merry Christmas!

    Liked by 1 person

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  35. Anonymous | December 25, 2019 at 9:17 am

    Bill,

    Merry Christmas to both you and Mary. Enjoy your day with the family. You are such an inspiration to us all.

    Tim Mulvey

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