Scarlet Robe Creations

"Is it perfect?" Marcy said as they stopped along the short path. It was quiet on the edge of the woods, walking through the tree farm.  She loved the sound of snow crunching under her feet.  The three inches that had fallen three days ago was crusty underfoot.  The sun was trying its best to melt winter's dressing.  Marcy could feel the glowing warmth on her face, despite the cold temperatures. "Better than perfect," Robert replied. This would be their first Christmas as husband and wife.  They had come out to tag the tree.  It would later be cut down and Robert would pick it up with his Ford F-150 next weekend. "Will the star fit on top?  It is my Grandmother's star.  It has to fit on the top." "It will," Robert assured her. She wrapped her arm around the crook of his elbow. "If I listen," she said. "I can almost hear the sap running through the bark." "You're thinking of Maple Trees." "Nope.  I am...

In the novel 'Afternoons With Mister D', there is a story, or chapter if you will,  titled 'Youth'.   Mister D tells Charlee about his wife Tess,  and how they spent Christmas at a children's hospital  with a little girl named Ronnie. This, like other blog entries titled 'Purity' and 'Foolish' are extensions of the original stories making up 'Afternoons With Mister D'. I hope you enjoy this very special Christmas story, and maybe consider following the link at the bottom of the page  and picking up a copy of 'Afternoons With Mister D' Thank you for reading... God Bless and Merry Christmas. Ronnie was glad to see her friend show up bright and early on Christmas morning.  The young woman, who seemed old to the nine year old Ronnie, brought a young man who, as the recent girl-to-girl confession had revealed, was a boyfriend.  Maybe he was even more than that, her friend had said.  Ronnie's friend was in love.  That was obvious.  Ronn...

It was a maintenance shop, like any other.  There was grease, dirt and tools.  There were men who worked with their hands.  Sometimes their words were coarse.  Usually they didn't care. It was the twenty-third day of the month.  The holiday was two days away.  One of the men was single and would spend the holiday at home with his parents.  Two would be with their spouses.  One would visit his brother and sister-in-law, and their two young children. Rob had brought two unfinished gifts, for his niece and nephew, into the shop.  The other three came and gathered around, cups of coffee in hand, to offer their opinions and suggestions.   "Gonna take some cleaning up," Rick said. "And I have paint," Rob added. "You plan to paint them in here?" Rick queried. "The paint smell will go right up the hallway.  Pete will have a fit." The verbal response to Rick's words was colorful.  All four decided they would deal with Pete's wrath ...

Edward Stott - There was no room at the inn (c. 1910) It is but a stable. There is hay, there is dirt, there are animals. The only music to calm a weary soul are the calls of a cow and a donkey and the bleating of sheep. Shepherds watch, guided by a song heard on high. They come in their tattered clothing to honor a king donned in rags. There in so fanfare. This king has come for those who are born in stables. This king has come for those who labor in fields tending their sheep. This king has come for any who feel undeserving of Him. copyright 2023 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Such fascination  with the story of a child. Why Bethlehem? Why a donkey? Why a stable and feeding troth. A child sees a manger and a carol comes to mind. She sees a shepherd and takes note of the sheep. To a child the animals are important, and the angels. She watches the kings, and wants to know their names and what gifts they bring. Even to an adult, Jesus is accessible in the hay. He has yet to teach words we don't want to hear. He has yet to embrace a repentant tax collector, or prostitute. He has yet to tell those near him that he will die. But for now, Advent is upon us. We can gaze like children at a manger scene and quietly hum, 'What Child is This'. copyright 2023 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

This is who we are, who we become, children once ourselves, with joy abundant. We are now adults, who think we understand truths and have cast out falsehoods and fantasy. We are parents, we are grandparents, who seek the presence of a tiny stable among the glitter of decorated trees, ornaments and toys. There is a special gift to this season, a gift of innocence. A child born of love, to love. A child who directs focus on humility. He does not ask you to stand beneath His cross, just yet. Today He asks you to kneel beside a manger with shepherds, sheep and donkeys, and be filled with joy. copyright 2019 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Come Lord, as the infant you were in Bethlehem, as the teacher you were in Galilee. Speak to the veils before my heart, to the dirt on my soul.  ~ Come Lord, as the friend at table, in Bethany or the Upper Room. Speak to my hatred and fears that I might understand Your love. ~ Come Lord, risen after long days of darkness. Step out from the tomb of my sin. Speak to me with the voice of my shepherd. ~ Come Lord, into a world that sleeps, a world unprepared, a world unbelieving.  ~ Come Lord, to the meek, to the impoverished, to the lonely.  ~ Come Lord, into a feeding troth, with filthy rags and straw. Come into my heart, at times as cold and desolate as the manger and claim me as Yours. copyright 2017 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Adoration of the Shepherds by Philippe de Champaigne To us there is hope. The old is made new. One who has been longed for has come to this earth. He is weakness, when we were looking for strength. He is not a warrior or a great politician. In our hearts we cry out for vindication. He brings us grace to find peace in our trials. To us is born a tiny babe without wealth or status. He is the promise of voices past. The king our hearts have sought. copyright 2017 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

And so we wait with great anticipation. God from God, Light from Light. We wait to hear a crying child in a stable, a mother singing sweet melodies to her infant. We wait to see shepherds kneel before the glories in the sky and wise men bow in homage. And then we wait again, to see the stone rolled from the entrance of an empty tomb, to hear Mary's wonderful news brought to the apostles. We long to feel the joy spreading through the upper room when their Lord, Master and Friend stands before them, Alive. Yet we who are witnesses today, need not wait. The child, given by the Father, is here to be in your hearts everyday. He has grown to become a man. He died for every blemish on every soul and He longs to stand beside you in every room and every place. How fortunate are we! copyright 2017 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author