“Are you willing to stoop down and consider the needs and desires of little children; to remember the weaknesses and loneliness of people who are growing old; to stop asking how much your friends love you, and to ask yourself if you love them enough; to bear in mind the things that other people have to bear on their hearts; to trim your lamp so that it will give more light and less smoke, and to carry it in front so that your shadow will fall behind you; to make a grave for your ugly thoughts and a garden for your kindly feelings, with the gate open? Are you willing to do these things for a day? Then you are ready to keep Christmas!”
~Henry van Dyke
*****
“God is here. This truth should fill our lives, and every Christmas should be for us a new and special meeting with God, when we allow his light and grace to enter deep into our soul.”
~Josemaria Escriva
Encourage one another,
p.s. I took the photo in Paris at the Musee d'Orsay but I can't remember the artist.
that is a lovely sentiment by van Dyke. I think I will teach it to my kids this year. thank you for sharing
ReplyDeleteWonderful. Going in the journal.
ReplyDelete{your blog is so dear}
Beautiful! I so want to be ready to keep Christmas.
ReplyDeleteThose words! What an inspiration for me this morning, today, this week. Thank you for sharing. "to make a grave for your ugly thoughts and a garden for your kindly feelings..."
ReplyDeleteI am with Susan, these quotes are going in my journal. I will note that they came from you and the date, if not I might forget and try to send them to you in future....that seems to be the way of things now. ;-) She is a red-head and made me think immediately of your mom, so beautiful. love and prayers, jep
ReplyDeleteI think of my mom too
Delete{{HUG}} jep
DeleteWow. I have never read that van Dyke quote. Printing it out right now. THANKS, Donna.
ReplyDeleteHappy Tuesday,
Di
Beautiful quote by Van Dyke. I am adding it to my quote journal.
ReplyDeleteThat quote is so perfect. I just love it! I am putting it up on my bulletin board at work. You are the best.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. Thank you. I will also be sharing! I trust you and your family have a beautiful Christmas!
ReplyDeleteDoes this picture remind you of Shelby? A little?
ReplyDelete