Author Archives: joyocala

How I love the music of Christmas! The carols and hymns bring me joy. Some of my favorites are, unfortunately, rarely sung. Even when I served a church, I couldn’t slip them in without someone grumbling about how their Christmas … Continue reading →

What does itsy bitsy teeny weeny bring to mind? Maybe the childhood rhyme for children about the itsy bitsy spider or perhaps the teen song about the itsy bitsy teeny weeny bikini, the song by Bryan Hyland. ( I stood … Continue reading →

This is a season of ongoing, continuous grace. Unmerited, undeserved. I will add an extra “r” to that last word – underserved. We have been freely given this gift so that it may be re-gifted. Now it has direct application … Continue reading →

On the 3rd day of Christmas my true love gave to me, three French hens . . . We’re all familiar with the “Twelve Days of Christmas.”  I’ve sung it many times, usually struggling to remember exactly which gifts matched … Continue reading →

What just happened yesterday? Christmas Day, the annual commemoration of our Lord’s birth.  If you were at home, or walking through the streets, perhaps even caroling, or at a church service, the song, Silent Night was perhaps on your program. Silent Night, Holy … Continue reading →

Today is Christmas Day and I hope all of you are able to enjoy your day with family and friends and not be stressed about anything.  All the preparation is done.  The hurrying and fussing is completed.  You are done … Continue reading →

I admit to loving Christmas music all year long.  I will play my favorite CD’s when alone in my office or while cooking in the kitchen.  Each year when the radio stations begin to play seasonal music, I tune to … Continue reading →

I confess I’m writing this in June. What do you expect from somebody as compulsive as I am? How can I get in the Christmas frame of mind when it’s almost 90° out?  Easy. This very moment the Thomanerchor of … Continue reading →

A white ceramic nativity set . . . it’s my favorite Christmas decoration. I set it up early in Advent and enjoy it right through Epiphany. You see this lovely set belonged to a favorite aunt. When she died, it … Continue reading →

A brand-new pastor and his wife, newly assigned to reopen a church in suburban Brooklyn, arrived in early October.  They were excited but the church was very run down and needed much work.  They set a goal to have everything … Continue reading →