Wishing You the Hope of Christmas

Beth VogtChristmas, encouragement, Faith, grace, holidays, hope, perspective, Quotes 10 Comments

@bethvogt There’s no denying I love quotes. Quotes about Christmas? They’re some of my favorites. So many people have different perspectives about Christmas and, yes, I skip over some of them. But, for the most part, the quotes I read inspire me. Encourage me. Uplift my heart. Guide me through the season with the right attitude – one of gratitude, …

Treasuring an Unexpected Holiday Tradition

Beth VogtChristmas, encouragement, family, Friendship, gratitude, holidays, home, hope, Life, Love, perspective, Quotes, Relationships, time 4 Comments

@bethvogt Some things become treasured family traditions without any planning on our part. In 1988, when my husband was a family physician in the military, Uncle Sam declared, “I want YOU to be stationed in Turkey for two years!” What Uncle Sam decrees, he gets. And off we went, with a newborn, a two-year-old, and a five-year-old. Travel back and …

It’s Not Too Early to be Thinking About 2022

Beth Vogtchange, choices, Christmas, encouragement, expectations, Faith, goals, hope, Life, listen, New Year, One Word, perseverance, perspective, prayer, Quotes 8 Comments

@bethvogt A lot of people are counting down the days until Christmas. There are 73 days until December 25, my friends. But did you know there are 80 days until the start of 2022? If those 80 days race by like the other 285, then January 1, 2022 will show up on our calendars before we’re ready. I’ll admit I’ve …

Here’s Your Chance to Win Some Novels: the Thatcher Sisters Series and Unpacking Christmas: A Thatcher Sisters Christmas Novella

Beth VogtAuthors, Beth K. Vogt, books, Christmas, Giveaway, Quotes, Tyndale House Publishers, Writing 173 Comments

@bethvogt I’m experiencing the joy of writing fiction again this year, after my writing life was disrupted in 2020 by, well, lots of different circumstances. Writing a book is hard work. I have to sit down, ignore the interruptions, and tell the story, one word at a time. And yes, as H. L. Mencken said, along the way there are …

Choosing to Keep Christmas All the Year … or Not

Beth Vogtchange, choices, Christmas, COVID-19, expectations, holidays, hope, Life, perseverance, perspective, Quotes 12 Comments

@bethvogt It’s time to take down our Christmas tree. I know, I know, some of you are thinking, “It’s long past time to take that tree down, Beth!” After Christmas, my husband Rob decided we needed light in our lives. Keeping our Christmas tree up was a perfect way to accomplish that. We also left our Christmas star up outside …

Choosing to Keep the Lights Turned On

Beth VogtBeth K. Vogt, challenges, Christmas, COVID-19, Faith, holidays, hope, Life, New Year, perseverance, perspective, Quotes 16 Comments

@bethvogt My family always packs away our Christmas decorations right after the new year. Only this year, we didn’t. My husband Rob suggested we keep our outside lights up until we no longer have to wear masks because of COVID-19. His recommendation includes the white lights on the evergreen tree in our front yard. It’s grown taller than we ever …

Merry Christmas and I’ll See You in the New Year

Beth VogtBeth K. Vogt, Christmas, contentment, family, holidays 9 Comments

  With only 9 days until Christmas — and 8 days until my youngest daughter’s birthday — it’s time for to step back from social media until the New Year. My first blog of 2021 will be on Wednesday, January 6. The holidays have been disrupted by COVID, but I’m intentionally focusing on my family and friends — and even …

Viewing Christmas Through Others’ Words

Beth VogtBeth K. Vogt, Christmas, Faith, family, gratitude, holidays, hope, In Others' Words, kindness, Life, Love, perspective, Quotes, Relationships 10 Comments

@bethvogt “My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others.” Bob Hope (1903-2003), British-American comedian and actor   My love of quotes prompted today’s post. I decided to step aside this week and let others step front and center stage. I spent last night gathering some of my favorite Christmas quotes for you to enjoy. Let …

Choosing to Balance Our Expectations with Reality During the Holidays

Beth Vogtacceptance, Beth K. Vogt, challenges, choices, Christmas, COVID-19, expectations, family, holidays, hope, Life, perseverance, perspective, Quotes, Reality 8 Comments

@bethvogt Like it or not, the holidays are coming in the midst of a pandemic. I don’t know anyone who likes it. I also acknowledge each of us honor different holiday traditions: Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa. Some of us may have even broken away from our original family customs. And in the midst of all of this, there may be other …

Coronavirus, Christmas, and Choosing Truth to Change Our Attitudes

Beth Vogtanxiety, Beth K. Vogt, challenges, change, Christmas, crisis, expectations, Faith, hope, perseverance, perspective, Quotes, stress 13 Comments

Have you heard about people putting up their Christmas decorations during the coronavirus pandemic? I hadn’t considered hauling out my decorations and decking the halls – until yesterday. I don’t know about you, but I’m still adjusting to life in the midst of COVID-19. It’s a daily tug-of-war between my expectations and reality. Between my emotions and my faith. My …