12 Weeks of Christmas Inspirational Sunday Post

We are well into my series of Inspirational Sunday Posts with a Christmas theme.  I hope you are enjoying them!  I am:)  I love sharing some of the reasons behind the many traditions of this important holiday.  Sometimes, Christmas images and symbols are used and not explained for the generations that are coming up.  And some of us never understood them from our own childhood.  But the Christmas season and celebrations are rich in symbolic images, words, messages, songs, people, lands, colors and more.  Added to that are the many individual family traditions and cultural distinctions that surround this special time.  Although Christmas is an actual holiday (derived from holy day), there is too much to fit into a single day--we now have an entire season!  I don't believe that this is due to unnecessary commercialization of this special time.  I believe it is so that we can savor, enjoy, and prolong--for as long as possible--the magic of Christmas.

For today's Inspirational Sunday Post, I want to focus on the candy cane.  This very cute card was designed by my very talented daughter Tiffany.  It uses the Holiday Mini Catalog stamp set A Cute Christmas and puts the candy canes at front and center.  Everything else on the card supports the candy canes.

Candy canes have an interesting history and association with Christmas dating back to Germany in 1670.  According to legend, the choirmaster of Cologne Cathedral handed out sugar sticks bent into the shape of a shepherd's staff to children during the rather lengthy living creche (nativity) services. The children loved them!  The shepherd's staff totally tied in to the pageant and was a great reminder to the children of the shepherds who first heard the good news of Christmas, the "good tidings of great joy."  They were also a powerful reminder of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Great Shepherd.  The sugar canes became very popular, and the practice of handing them out at creche services spread throughout Europe.

Candy canes made their way to American Christmas trees by the 1800s, but they were plain white.  It was not until the early 20th century that the sugar canes received their now-familiar red stripes.  Many additional meanings have been ascribed to the candy cane going well beyond the original shepherd's staff.  Many say that the candy is hard as a rock, symbolizing the rock of Christ (I Corinthians 10:4) as well as the rock solid foundation of the Church.  The peppermint flavor is similar to that of hyssop, another plant of the same family, used in the Old Testament for purification and sacrifice.  The white is thought by some to symbolize the purity of Jesus Christ, who knew no sin.  The bold red stripe is said to symbolize God the Father's bold love for His children.  Traditional candy canes also have three small stripes, said to symbolize the trinity:  Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  Some ascribe the symbolism of the beatings of Jesus to the same stripes:
 He Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that dying to sins, we might live to righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed.
(1Pe 2:24 MKJV) emphasis mine

As you can see, candy canes are rich in history and symbolism in addition to being a wonderful Christmas sweet.  The next time you have a candy cane and a child nearby, bring the child to your lap and tell him/her the wonders of the candy cane.  You can share much of the true story of Christmas with this simple treat as your visual aid.  Then show him/her how to hang one on the tree to add beauty as well as bringing a powerful reminder of what the Christmas season is all about.

Inspirational Sunday Post

We are on Week 4 of my 12 Weeks of Inspirational Sunday Posts, my 12-week series of inspirational Sunday posts with a Christmas theme.  For this post, I'm sharing a card that I remade several times, intending to use it for a Christmas card class.  In the end, I had lots of other designs and never used it.   The card is all about texture with the use two different embossing folders and the double stitched grosgrain ribbon contrasting with the smooth Brushed Silver Card Stock, bringing several different textures to this card .  But all the texture is background to the wonderful greeting:  "Tidings of Comfort & Joy" (from the Perfect Punches stamp set).  "Tidings of comfort and joy" is the very heart of Christmas.

As the Christmas story unfolds, there are shepherds, simple, humble people who love God and are going about their daily work when...

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
(Luk 2:9-14 KJV)

Good tidings means good news.  The Christmas story, the coming of Christ Jesus, is all about good news!  The eagerly-anticipated, long-awaited event of the ages arrived!  The Savior is come.  The One who will save us, heal us, reconcile us to God, deliver us, befriend us, bring us peace and joy and give us victory:  Jesus.  Good tidings of great joy, indeed!

Peace on Earth

I'm continuing my 12 Weeks of Inspirational Sunday Posts, looking at some of the symbols, songs, and images of Christmas.  It's a collection of inspirational Sunday posts that highlight the upcoming season, and I'm so glad you joined me!

The card here, one we made in  my Christmas Card Class yesterday, features the Peaceful Season (hostess) stamp set.  Front and center on this card is the message "Peace on Earth,"  one of the oft-repeated phrases of Christmas

It's repeated again and again during the Christmas season in song after song, poems, sermons,Christmas cards, and even lights because it is the message the angel proclaimed upon the birth of Christ Jesus. 

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
(Luk 2:11-14 KJV)

The peace that God offers through faith in Jesus Christ is not a peace that depends on government or economies or circumstances or significant relationships or any such thing.  In fact, all those things can be just the way you want them, and yet you can lack true peace.  Jesus said it best when He said:

Joh 14:27  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

When we come into relationship with God through Jesus Christ, He washes our sins away and pronounces "Peace" over our heart.  That is the beginning of a peace that eludes people through their entire life until that point.  But it's not the end.  As with any peace, it must be maintained and supported.  As we grow in relationship with the Lord, as we walk through life with its many challenges, we can be free from a troubled heart; we can truly be at peace.  It doesn't mean you don't feel pain or disappointment or sorrow.  But peace in the depths of our soul is an incredible work of the Holy Spirit that cannot be produced by pills or substances or food or counseling or shopping or having everything we want (or think we want).  It is a work of God that transcends circumstances, and it is priceless.

Jesus was proclaimed by God to be the Prince of Peace.  My hope for you during the approaching Christmas season is that He becomes your Prince of Peace.  Whether you have not yet trusted Him as your savior, or whether you are walking on the road of life with Him and have lost your peace, my prayer for you is that you will know "Peace on earth, good will toward men" in your own soul.

Christmas Trees

This is the 2nd of my 12 Weeks of Christmas Inspirational Post which I hope to make an annual feature of my regular, weekly Inspirational Sunday Posts.  This may seem to be an odd choice for a card to be featured in my Inspirational Sunday Post.  But trees trimmed with lights and ornaments are one of the many wonders of Christmas and are, at their heart, a spiritual symbol.  Christmas trees are, most often, fir or pine trees-evergreens.  The evergreen tree speaks of the eternal nature of Christ Jesus, the birthday child of Christmas.  The lights on the tree speak again of Christ Jesus, the Light of the World.  Even the ornaments, the added beauty, speak of Christ bringing beauty to the life of all those who trust in Him.

Jesus spoke to the Pharisees again. "I am the light of the world," he said. "Whoever follows me will have the light of life and will never walk in darkness."
(Joh 8:12 GNB)

It is a widely held belief that Martin Luther, the 16th-century Protestant reformer, first added lighted candles to a tree. Walking toward his home one winter evening, composing a sermon, he was awed by the brilliance of stars twinkling amidst evergreens. To recapture the scene for his family, he erected a tree in the main room and wired its branches with lighted candles.  This became popular in Germany by the 16th century and caught on as a tradition when devout Christians brought decorated trees into their homes.  Some built Christmas pyramids of wood and decorated them with evergreens and candles if trees were scarce.

Most 19th-century Americans found Christmas trees an oddity. The first record of one being on display was in the 1830s by the German settlers of Pennsylvania.  They had community trees as early as 1747. Today, the Christmas tree is one of the most recognizable symbols of Christmas.

The card above, featuring the raccoons of the Merry Crittermas stamp set from the Holiday Mini Catalog, perfectly captures one of the great joys of Christmas:  trimming a tree.  I urge you to trim a tree this year during the holiday season.  If you are single or in a small space, trim a small tree.  If you are able-bodied and know someone without the ability to put up a tree and trim it, give of yourself and take a small, trimmed tree to them.  Whatever your circumstances, put up a tree and decorate it!  And help others have a tree.  Whether artificial or real, small or large, simple or opulent, humble or snazzy, a Christmas tree carries the message of the Light of Christ, the eternal Son of God, the hope and help for all mankind.  Let its message speak to you, again and again, this Christmas season.

Inspirational Sunday Posts-12 Weeks of Christmas

For the next 12 weeks, I will be sharing my take on the 12 Weeks of Inspirational Christmas.  Each week, from now through December 19th (the last Sunday before Christmas), I'll be sharing inspirational Sunday posts with a decidedly Christmas theme.  I hope you will enjoy them, and be inspired by them, to "Remember the reason for the season."  There would be no Christmas without Christ!

Today, I'd like to share with you a little trivia about the poinsettia, the beloved flower of Christmas here in the United States. 


Bright, flaming red, star-shaped Poinsettias are known as 'Flower of the Holy Night' or 'Flame Leaf' in the United States. One of the most popular flowers in Central America, it was brought here by Dr. Joel Poinsett, the first US ambassador to Mexico, over a hundred years ago. Still most of the supply of this famous beloved Christmas flower in American cities is said to come from California and the folklore attached to it comes from Mexico. Like Christmas Rose, this flower also represents the deep love for Christ and great devotion of a pure innocent human being to baby Jesus. However, in this instance, the devotees were two beautiful, naïve children who were not so fortunate as their friends to have enough money to do what their heart yearns for.

These poor children from Mexico were known as Maria, the sister and Pablo, her dear little brother. Just like all the other children in the village, they were looking forward to the Christmas festival and the annual Nativity play in which a large manger scene was set up in the village church. The season was full of parades and parties that were mainly centered around this church and all the people, especially children, used to gift presents to the baby child on Christmas Eve. Now, these two children loved Christ and the season of His birth very much but did not have any money to buy something for the baby Jesus. They ardently wished to buy something special for the Christ Child but couldn't even buy the simplest of things for Him.

They were sad at heart and were quite disheartened by their poverty and misery when they set out for church to attend the service. They took the longer route in a vague hope to find some blossoms to give the child but couldn't find any. Finally, they picked up some wild weeds growing along the roadside as a gift for the Baby, squared their shoulders and approached the Church door. But how cruel little children can be, when they start teasing their fellow mates. Yet, Maria and Pablo braved their way to the manger and placed the greenery carefully around the manger. What happened next was the biggest surprise for all that were present! Bright red star-shaped flowers burst forth from the weeds and looked most sparkling of all gifts that the Christ child had received that day.

(written by Christmas World) 

A legend was born and another Christmas tradition was added to our celebrations and festivities.   All over the United States, we enjoy the beauty of this lovely red flower at Christmas.  

Card:

Stamps:  A Flower for All Seasons, All Holidays

Ink:  Real Red, Old Olive, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel

Paper:  Watercolor Paper, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White Card Stocks, Merry Moments Designer Series Paper

Accessories:  Real Red 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Aquapainters 

Wordplay

For today's Inspirational Sunday Post, I'm sharing an inspirational card I made for the recent marriage of my daughter-in-law's brother.  David and Katelyn are young, very much in love, finishing up their last year of college, and just got married.  They are a sweet Christian couple and followed the "old-fashioned", time-honored teaching of the Bible to wait until they were married to consummate the marriage.  That's a novel idea!  Actually, it's a very old idea that is a wonderful way to enter marriage: with no regrets and no shadows of former lovers.  In this age of typically having the honeymoon long before the actual marriage takes place, I think this stamp (in the Wordplay set) is a fabulous way to convey our congratulations to a couple for not only their marriage, but for their commitment to walk the "road less traveled"  before the marriage.

For David and Katelyn, they are now living the "So worth the wait" life.  They had a fabulous time during their eagerly anticipated honeymoon and are now settling into married life as a couple.  Although there will be many challenges as well as joys that await them in the years ahead, they will always look back recognizing that it was "so worth the wait."

Stamps:  Wordplay

Ink:  VersaMark Pad

Paper:  Concord Crush, Perfect Plum Card Stocks, Bride Specialty Designer Series Paper (retired)

Accessories:  Big Shot, Hearts and Brackets Die, Scallop Rectangle Clearlit, Clear Rhinestone Brads, Silver Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Boho Blossoms Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals

For today's inspirational Sunday post, I'm sharing a very simple card (made by another stamper) with a simple yet meaningful message and a very simple layout.  The stamp set used is Crosses of Hope, and this card can be made in just minutes.  Although it takes only minutes to make, it conveys a timeless message.  This is truly an all-occasion card.

When we ask for God to "bless" someone, we are asking Him to empower them to prosper.  We truly need God to help us live a life that is worth living, need Him to "prosper" us.

Beloved, in regard to all things I pray that you prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers.
(3Jn 1:2 MKJV)

One of the meanings of the word "prosper" in this verse is "to help on the road."  I like that.  I need help on the road of life; I think we all do.  My prayer for you, my blog readers, is that God will bless YOU, that He will empower you to prosper, that He will help you on the road of life.  And as you are blessed, may you pray for others to be blessed. 

Inspirational Sunday Post-Give Thanks

For today's Inspirational Sunday Post, I'm sharing another beautiful card (made by Cathy Somody using the Day of Gratitude stamp set) with the theme of gratitude.  Did you know that the word gratitude comes from the same root word for the word grace?  As a believer, the word grace is so loaded with meaning. 

There is the grace of God.  My husband (also my pastor!) often gives this definition of grace:  God's provision taking the shape of my need.  God's grace is truly amazing!

"But God's mercy is so abundant, and his love for us is so great, that while we were spiritually dead in our disobedience he brought us to life with Christ. It is by God's grace that you have been saved. "
(Eph 2:4-5 GNB)

His saving grace is just the beginning.  As the grace of God works in the life of the believer, our life should reflect that amazing grace.  We receive God's mercy and forgiveness, His grace, and that changes us.  We are then able to walk in mercy and forgiveness with those around us.  Is this automatic?  Absolutely not!  Is it easy?  Most often, not.  We must rely on the Holy Spirit to truly walk in grace.  But when we live a life of constant gratitude, grace flows.  The roots are the same, not only in word, but also in deed.  Let today be a Day of Gratitude.  It will transform a common day into a Thanksgiving.

Inspirational Post

Better late than never!  That is one of my life mottos (much to my husband's chagrin when we are leaving to go someplace:).  I've been getting my posts out later in the day than usual.  But I am posting!  I'll get back on track this week with early morning posts. 

Anyway, for today's inspirational Sunday post, I'm sharing a card (made by the very talented Cathy Somody) using the lovely new stamp set Days of Gratitude and other items from the new Holiday Mini Catalog.

I just love the greeting, "Gratitude can transform common days into Thanksgivings."  Gratitude is about being grateful, thankful.  When we adopt the attitude of gratitude, transformation truly occurs!  It is amazing how much the atmosphere of our life changes when gratitude arises...and is expressed.  The ordinary becomes so much more because we dare to see much more. 




So how about you?  Are you grateful?  Are you living with gratitude in your life?  Did you know that you can choose to be grateful?  Our attitudes are truly our own choice.  Choose gratitude today, and watch your common days become Thanksgivings!

Possibilities

For today's Inspirational Sunday Post, I'm sharing an inspirational card we made in my card clubs this week.  I love several things about this card.  I love the sunshiny Daffodil Delight color, so aptly named.  I love the Greenhouse Gala Designer Series Paper, featured here front and center in all its lovely boldness.  And I love the greeting, "Imagine the Possibilities" from the new stamp set Wordplay.  It's a bold statement that is perfectly underscored with bold colors and bold designs in this card.

Jesus makes a very bold statement in the book of Luke in the New Testament.  I'll give it here in several versions (translations):

But he said, Things which are not possible with man are possible with God.
(Luke 18:27 BBE)
And He said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.
(Luke 18:27 MKJV)
Jesus answered, "What is humanly impossible is possible for God."
(Luke 18:27 GNB)
Jesus replied, "There are some things that people cannot do, but God can do anything."
(Luke 18:27 CEV)



Anyway you look at this verse, in whichever translation, the meaning is unmistakable.  With God, all things are possible!  So go ahead.  Meditate on the words of Jesus today.  Think about them.  Ponder them.  And do what the above card boldly encourages, "Imagine the possibilities!"

Inspiration with My Digital Studio

For today's Inspirational Sunday Post, I'm sharing an inspirational card I made using My Digital Studio.  Yes, you can make cards and many other projects with My Digital Studio and your mouse!

I wanted to make a card conveying that I am praying for the person to whom I am sending this.  Sometimes, it's just not enough to tell someone you are praying for them.  A handstamped, heartfelt card, sent by mail, received in a mailbox, and opened by someone in need is a very special thing.  This clean and simple card  could easily be used for a man.  I wish my daddy were still alive so I could send this card to him.  He would have loved receiving something so special.  Once I have created this lovely card, I only need a few simple, comforting words to finish my message that I am here, I am lifting them up in prayer, and they are cared about.

In the Bible, James 5:16 says, "So admit your sins to each other, and pray for each other so that you will be healed. Prayers offered by those who have God's approval are effective."


Knowing that someone is praying for you brings comfort as well as a certain knowledge that you are cared for.  This week, send a handstamped card to someone you know, standing in the need of prayer, to let them know you are praying for them.  Then lift them up in prayer to the throne of grace, "casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you." (I Peter 5:17)

O, Tidings of Comfort and Joy

For my weekly Sunday Inspirational Post, I'm sharing an inspirational card we will be making in next month's Christmas Card Class.  Yes, Christmas is coming!  It's my favorite holiday, and I absolutely love making Christmas cards, Christmas cookies, Christmas decorations, Christmas dinner...you get the picture:)

The words on this card are taken from a very old and famous Christmas carol, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.   Wikipedia tells us "It is referred to in Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, 1843: "...at the first sound of — "God bless you merry, gentlemen! May nothing you dismay!"— Scrooge seized the ruler with such energy of action, that the singer fled in terror, leaving the keyhole to the fog and even more congenial frost." 

So on this card, we have words from one of my favorite carols in one of my all-time favorite stories by one of my favorite authors.  That is a lot of personal favorites, all wrapped up in just a few words!  But those few words capture the magic of Christmas and why it is such a festive and joyful celebration.  God sent His son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to save sinners, to reconcile fallen mankind to Himself, to bring people back into relationship with Him.  From the beginning of the coming of Christ, there were "tidings of comfort and joy" being expressed by angels and then told by shepherds and wise men and common folk and important folk.  The message was for all who had an ear to hear.  And it is still the same today.  The message is for all who have an ear to hear.  Tidings of comfort and joy, not of hostility and judgment, not of anger and separation.  It is well stated in the 3rd verse of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (there are 7 verses!): 

 

"Fear not, then," said the angel, "Let nothing you afright
This day is born a Savior of a pure Virgin bright,
To free all those who trust in Him from Satan's power and might."  

O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy;
O tidings of comfort and joy.

 

Now, I'm going to give you a little history lesson because I love the history of the carols and I enjoy sharing what I love!  So if you wish to know a bit more about God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, read on! 

 

Like most of the earliest Christmas songs, this was written as direct reaction to the music of the church. During this period the songs of the church were usually written in Latin and put to melodies that were somber and dark. This type of music offered singers and listeners little joy and happiness. So while the people continued to go to organized worship services, they created their own church music outside the walls of the cathedrals and chapels that were light, lively and penned in common language. Their Christmas folk songs became the foundation of what are now knows as Christmas carols.

"God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" was sung for hundreds of years before finally being published in the 1800s. Queen Victoria loved Christmas carols and during her time this song began to find favor in the Anglican Church. Soon the protestant English clergy of that era were even enthusiastically teaching "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" to their congregations. Moving to both Europe and America, the carol became a favorite throughout the Christian world. It is still sung in much the same way as it was five hundred years ago.

The problem is that few of today’s singers fully understand the beginning of the carol. This is because language is dynamic and words change over time. Today, when people say Merry Christmas, they mean “happy.” Five hundred years ago, when "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" was written, “merry” had a very different meaning.

Today we hear of Robin Hood’s "Merry Men." Now, they may have been happy, but in the time of Robin Hood the word “merry” that described them meant “great and mighty.” Thus, in the middle ages a strong army was a merry army, a great singer was a merry singer, and a mighty ruler was a merry ruler.

So when the English carolers of the Victorian era sang, "merry gentlemen," they meant great or mighty men. Even when translated to "God rest you mighty gentlemen," the song still makes very little sense.

This is due to another word that has a much different meaning in today’s world and a punctuation mark that has been lost. The word "rest" in "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" simply means “keep or make.” Yet to completely uncover the final key understanding the meaning, a comma needs to placed after the word “merry.” Therefore, in modern English, the first line of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" should read "God make you mighty, gentlemen." Using this translation the old carol suddenly makes perfect sense, as does the most common saying of the holidays, "Merry Christmas." You just have to know how to translate the words into the language of the day to have a very Mighty Christmas!

from the online source, The Fellowship.

God rest ye merry, gentlemen, let nothing you dismay,
Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day;
To save us all from Satan's power when we were gone astray.

O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy;
O tidings of comfort and joy.

Inspirational Sunday Post

Today I'm sharing a sympathy card for my inspirational Sunday post.  This card features the very recently retired stamp set Close as a Memory and its previously retired, coordinating wheel, Watercolor Vine.

I love hand-stamped sympathy cards.  That may sound strange, but death happens every day and will affect each and every one of us numerous times during our own lifetimes.  During a time of someone's grief, I think a hand-stamped card is one of the most appropriate expressions of love, care, and hope that can be offered.

Whether it's for a loved one or someone you know only casually yet wish to express your heartfelt condolences, a hand-stamped card is just right.   Write a few sentences inside the card offering your deepest sympathies, and add a Bible verse.  You may have a favorite one for this purpose or one that is especially meaningful to the person receiving the card.  Psalm 23 is a favorite during times of loss, and its familiarity brings comfort while its timeless words of truth soothe a grieving soul.  The words on this card, (one of two beautiful verses in the stamp set Close as a Memory), are so true.  Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal.

Happy 4th of July!

This is my normal  inspirational Sunday post.  You may ask why I don't have a typical inspirational project in my post.  But today is a doubly special Sunday since it's the Lord's Day as well as our national Independence Day.  Since God is the author and originator of freedom, I thought that anything highlighting freedom was worthy of being placed in my inspirational spot this week. 

Stand fast therefore in the liberty with which Christ has made us free, and do not again be held with the yoke of bondage.
(Gal 5:1 MKJV)



Every person on the planet longs for freedom and liberty.  It's the way God made us to be.  On this Independence Day, Fourth of July, holiday, I'm counting my blessings of freedom and liberty.  I live in a free country where I am free to worship as I desire, free to work where I want, free to raise my family according to my values, free to disagree with my government and so much more.  So many people around the world do not enjoy these precious freedoms.  I purpose to not take these things for granted.  They cannot be purchased with money as they exceed monetary value.  In addition to national freedom, I have spiritual freedom.  Christ Jesus has set my spirit free, no longer under the hard taskmaster of sin.

Now the Lord is the Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there the heart is free.
(2Co 3:17 BBE)

All freedom is "bought" with blood.  For our nation, our brave men and women in uniform serve us sacrificially, all too often laying down their lives, quite literally, for us to maintain our precious freedoms.  For our souls, the Lord Jesus Christ shed his blood, laying down His own life, that all who desire His freedom, may freely receive it and thereby be truly free.  Free:  the way we are meant to be.

Inspirational Sunday Post

Welcome to my inspirational Sunday post where I post a faith-based project each and every Sunday.  Although it's nowhere near Christmas, there are so many beautiful Christmas projects that I can't squeeze them all into December!  So here's a little Christmas peace, love, and joy to brighten this June day!

I've been featuring a number of projects using retiring stamp sets and colors.  I will truly miss Sage Shadow.  Here, it clothes the angel in a soft, ethereal beauty.  The angel is one of 4 beautiful stamps in the Holy Triptych stamp set.  I have really loved using this set.  You might ask, "What is a triptych?"  A triptych is a work of art, usually a panel painting, divided into three sections.  Hence the tri in triptych.  Often the middle section is larger and is flanked by two smaller sections of the same size.  The Holy Triptych stamp set has 3 images that can be used to make a lovely 3-panel card with the angel, pictured above, the nativity, and the wise men.  Here's a photo of the 4 stamps in the Holy Triptych set.  You can easily make a Z-fold card, giving you three panels for these three lovely images. 

Triptychs are a form of Christian art and were popular from the Middle Ages onward.  They were most frequently used as altar paintings.  The three panels offered an excellent way of depicting entire scenes in progression.  The triptych was also easier to transport than other large paintings since it is three panels, held together with hinges.  The works of art were not only beautiful, but served to tell Bible stories visually to an often illiterate population.

The fourth image in the Holy Triptych stamp set is a tag that can be used in a number of ways.  I will show you a card later this week that my daughter designed (Tiffany is also a Stampin' Up! demonstrator.  Check out her blog , ladybugstamps.com here.) and that we made in our clubs this month.  It's totally non-Christmas and beautifully showcases the versatility of the Holy Triptych stamp set.