Love Came Down

On By K.L. HaleIn Essay

 

Love came down at Christmas,
love all lovely, love divine;
Love was born at Christmas;
star and angels gave the sign.

Worship we the Godhead,
Love incarnate, love divine;
worship we our Jesus,
but wherewith for sacred sign?

Love shall be our token;
love be yours and love be mine;
love to God and others,
love for plea and gift and sign.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love_Came_Down_at_Christmas

Written by a beautiful poet, Christina Rossetti (1830-1894), this piece is evidence of a heart devoted to what truly mattered the most. At a young age, health became an issue for Christina. Educated by her parents, and with artist siblings, Christina allowed her words to speak the deepest parts of her. In her later decades, Rossetti suffered from a type of Grave’s disease diagnosed in 1872, suffering a near-fatal attack in the early 1870s. In 1893, she developed breast cancer. The tumour was removed, but there was a recurrence in September 1894. She died on December 29th, 1894 and was buried on New Year’s Day, 1895 in the family grave. (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christina_Rossetti)

When it’s all up in the air ~health, wealth, attitudes, belongings, uncertainties, misunderstandings, doubts, worries, and unknowns ~love comes down. It’s the true Spirit of the season that gives all year. 💚
Finley and I wish you and yours a Merry Christmas and a happy new year from our home to yours! 🎄💚
Humor, Holidays, & Health
A missing mailbox (only to be discovered “stuck” on an Amazon driver’s lift gate), wrong pronunciation at a procedure, a tasty and interesting side sauce only to be called, “gravy”…perhaps I need to get out more? Holiday seasons, health, mishaps, and circumstances might drain the spirit, wallet, and humor. I’m so thankful for laughter and reasons to smile. Being human is the easiest thing to do. Doing the hard things~loving and laughing in the worst of it~requires a much greater power than me.
An update to my newsletter ~Last week I had the opportunity to meet a fellow NET patient by phone. For the first time I talked with someone who speaks the same “language” and had a similar health path. She was diagnosed at 54, 6 years ago. She was shocked at how many tumors I have and where they are (distant metastasis). She was fortunate to have surgery for removal of the tumor, but sadly, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She has many battles. Unfortunately she could only complete one radiation like the one I’m receiving (many blood transfusions were required and she was sick from February to summer). Will you pray for my new friend, Ingrid? Thank you, Jane, for introducing us.

Have faith💚

My December Newsletter sent last week! 💚🎄
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103 thoughts on “Love Came Down”

    1. That’s so awesome, Julie! Thank you so much! I really loved learning all about her today. Artists, of any kind, have such trying lives at times~they find ways to use the deepest gifts in them to overcome. I relate to this so much and I know you do. 💚

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  3. Heritage Hall

    Precious one ~ I am adding Ingrid’s name to yours in my daily prayers for healing and full recovery….. in the meantime. ease of treatment, peace and restoration….rest and have a blessed Christmastide. Blessings + Mary

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  4. wonderful thoughts, Karla; I wish some heads of government — no names, no pack drill — would heed this message, and we’d all have a safer, saner world. Stay safe, Karla, keep posting and have a joyful Xmas, Will think of you on that day — and have a Xmas drink to your health 🙂

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  5. Karla I will take Ingrid to the prayer warriors to add to our list of people in need of God’s comfort and grace (and yes we pray for healing too)! The traditions continue here that include the “elf” gift. From the time the boys were old enough to understand we bought underwear that was from Santa’s Elves – because you know those elves were plain sick of making toys! I tried to end the tradition 2 yeas ago (when my sons were 33 & 32) and you’d have thought the world was coming to an end! So there are elf gifts under the tree this year…hehe! I can’t wait for the new girlfriend to see these (and there is one for her too – though I played it safe with socks!)

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  6. Thank you beautiful lady…and puppy dog (love his outfit 😀❤️). His love is indeed inside us all, that smile within us as we discover that love in all we do. Blessings gratefully received Karla and returned in kind with many hugs, pats and lots of love. May His blessings hold you both too. Merry Christmas dear lady 😀❤️🙏🏽🦋🎅🏽🦌🕊🎄🎁⛄️

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      1. Always in very warm weather (usually around the mid 30C but we’ve had this freaky high pressure system that has kept us at 20C for a week, I had to put warm clothes on…but they are predicting 28C for the big day 😀🎅🏽). So somewhere cool or by a pool and family everywhere. But this year is a quiet one for me. My brother, where we usually have Christmas lunch, runs a holiday place with hundreds of people zooming around so with the covid taking off here I chose to have a chat with God (well, Spirit…which is God anyway 🤣), by myself. It is amazing what He has to say sometimes, and most definitely a gift. As you know, going through such fun stuff as we are gives us a much, much wider view of what truth means…so we let go, let live and let love. I’ll give them a call after lunch and chat to one and all. As always happens, anyone that can’t make it for some reason is then put on speaker or the phone is handed around the place for the next hour while catch ups, well wishes, and told delightfully in how good the food is that I missed 🤣. I hope you guys get to do family and be close to one and all, nothing like a few hugs to lighten a heart and chats to feel that love. But don’t overdo yourself…but then again, what’s too much love 🤣 Have a great day Karla&Finn, and much love and light from ‘Down Under’ xoxo 😀❤️🙏🏽🦋🎅🏽🦌🕊🎄🎁⛄️

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      2. Oh, wow, Mark! 82 Fahrenheit would be perfect here for me (or too hot really~I like 60’s-low 70’s, lol)! I understand fully the “answer” to chat and hear about the good food. We have to do what we must to take care of ourselves ~ultimately helping others around us, too. I hear you about not over doing it! The weather here will have a day or two of minus 20 F windchills, high of 7 degrees. Hopefully the snow and ice will stay gone for traveling family members. We’ll make the most of it no matter! We’re having a good and busy day and you keep winning, too! Love and light our friend! 🐾💚🎄🙏🏻🤗

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      3. Wow, we don’t even get those temps in winter here. The average in winter where I live sits at about 12C (54F), get the odd 4 or 5C and tops out at about 18C. No snow unless I take a trip and since I’m on the coast I haven’t even seen a frost on my car window for years 🤣 But maybe that’s a good thing. All I suffer is seeing dolphins go past my balcony often, pelicans cruising by and the odd Black Cockatoo to delight the eyes. And yes, I’ve been asked for some shots of them and I’ve tried and tried but the camera on my mobile phone just won’t do the distances involved. Mind you, each time I see them I race in to grab my phone and by the time I come back out they are gone 😂 Bear with me, I’m determined to get one or two, I’ve decided if I get there quick enough I’ll take a movie then grab a shot from that 😀. Lots of love my friend, enjoy the love, cheer, family and friends and have a great time dear lady 😀❤️🙏🏽🦋🎅🏽🎄🎁⛄️

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      5. I’ll ask Santa to send you some over, just a few degrees in the up direction and maybe I can whisper in a couple of dolphins ears about a little detour. They’ll look great coming up your driveway in a snowmobile 🤣😂❤️🙏🏽🎅🏽⛄️

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  8. Ginger Salvatore

    Karla, when love comes down, I hope it shines brightly on you. I pray that you and your family continue to have the strength to stay on this journey for as long as you want to. Not an easy path you’ve chosen, but the path to doing nothing wouldn’t be easy either.

    Love the holiday pictures of Miss Finley! She is love and sweetness and fun all wrapped up in fur.

    By the way, in case you’re wondering, and I know you are, the Fat Lady has come down with an incurable case of laryngitis and won’t be singing….EVER!!!

    Wishing you and your family and your faithful friends a joyous Christmas filled with love, happy memories, good food and laughter….lots of laughter. May 2023 find you gaining ground over cancer and feeling better and better as time goes on. There is always hope…a light at the end of the tunnel…a miracle around the corner.

    I will pray for your friend Ingrid.

    Ginger

    Sent from my iPad

    >

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    1. Ginger, I always look forward to your thoughts and messages. I’m holding it in my heart (Finn is too~she told me 🙃). I always used to laugh thinking about outfits on dogs! Really?!? But truthfully, this one is a solid win on Finn for she has been my steady “Santa” for 5 years and I pray for many more. Of course she is not NEAR as cute and lovable as my grands, but I try very hard to honor their privacy!! I loved your wish for my 2023. I want to gain ground. There’s so much research going on for this cancer. I watched a YouTube video of Ingrid’s Dr from Mayo in Rochester. It’s encouraging; although not a study on very distant metastasis ~I’m raising my hand to volunteer for studies,…I’m trying hard to be a voice. But it’s just little Ol’ me in SW MO. May your Christmas be filled with love, laughter, great food, weather, and many memories. I’m so sorry about the laryngitis!! Finn and I send love and snuggly smooches from her itty bitty self! Take care, Ginger! Stay safe and blessed. 💚🎄🙏🏻🥰💕🤗

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  9. Susan Gillen

    Fantastically, Dynamic & Dreamy December Publication! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and inspiration! God be with you and help you feel and see the blessings as they’re bestowed up

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    1. Sue, thank you my sweet friend! It really brings out the teacher in me and keeps my skills “sharpened” (or my brain!). God be with you, Dave, and sons and families, Sue. Merry Christmas and happy new year. I love you!💚🎄

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  10. Thank you for gracing my inbox with this post, Karla. I appreciate hearing about your journey with NET, but most of all about the ongoing deepening of your faith that is part of it. Blessings to you and your family as this holiday season unfolds. I pray for relief of your pain and for a complete, 100% recovery. It is so good you got to talk with someone else who can relate to your journey.

    Russell B.

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    1. Russell, your words mean so much! Thank you for your prayers and encouragement, always. My faith is truly deepening through this journey. I’m glad it’s showing, because it’s hard to explain when you just feel a peace. God bless you and Joan this Christmas and each day of the new year!

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  13. Karla, I am adding Ingrid to my prayer list. You are always prayed for dear friend. I loved reading about Christina Rossetti, thank you for sharing her story. I love all of your beautiful Christmas vignettes, so perfect. Wishing you a week of rest, renewed energy, healing from pain, time spent with your children, grandchildren, parents, and all of your family. Your journey of cancer has shown your faith in the One who holds yours and our future in His loving hands. Sending our love and hugs to you and darling Finley ♥️🎄🙏🏻🎶🌟

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    1. Pam, I want to thank you and Butch for all your love and support~in every way. I’m so glad you enjoyed reading this. It is so interesting to me to learn more when I have time. I truly believe in the power of prayer and that’s why I’m here. God is truly in control and when I let go my faith just grows! Finn and I send our love and hugs, too! 💚🎄🙏🏻🥰🤗🎁🎶🐾

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  14. atimetoshare.me

    I love you so much, Karla. Your faith is a tribute to God alone. I know He has great plans for you and Finley. What a sweet pooch. I’m happy to add him to my list f grand dogs. You are such an inspiration to so many. Especially to Paul and me. When we think things are getting overwhelming, all I have to do is read one of your posts. Blessings to you on the good days as well as the not so good ones. Mama Kathy

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    1. Mama K, I love you so much too. Just as you and Paul find me an inspiration, I look to you two the same! Your words of faith, beautiful poetry, and Paul’s exquisite art always lift my spirits! I’m so happy to be here and know you both. Finley says thank you for adopting her! She’s quirky, loyal, snuggly, fun,…she makes me giggle. And she never wants to leave my side. I understand why pets become such an integral part of our lives~particularly to those of us whose kids have grown or grandkids aren’t close,…well, even to those who are just alone due to being alone! Pets are so amazing! I pray to continue to show and display my faith~through the ups and the downs. The minute it seems like I’m not I’ll expect a parent to step in! Lol! I love you and wish you a blessed and healthy Christmas and new year! 💚🙏🏻❤️🥰🎄💕🤗🐾

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  15. You did it! I’m SO happy to see this post and very impressed by Finley’s stoicism under the Santa hat and the love for you shining in her eyes. This sets me free from my morning spent reading entries to a writing contest. I will now fulfill my dogs’ constant wish that I would take them for a walk. They won’t even come inside thinking, “then we won’t go” which they SHOULD know by now is NOT the case. Many hugs from we three who think you and Finn are brave and good. ❤️🐾💕

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    1. MAK, thank you so much! I was thinking of you as I was researching. Although I could go “deeper” than what I hoped, I enjoyed the learning. I feel such a connection to these “old” writers! I’m so happy you enjoyed my post and feel the love that Finn holds. Did I tell you I have roof damage from a storm? I have an adjuster and another estimate coming tomorrow. As always, Finn, family, and most importantly, my faith, are carrying me through and keeping me warm! I REALLY can’t wait to feel the energy to go walk! It’s going to return…I know it! Thank you for supporting us always. When I read brave and good my heart just melts. Sending you our love and have fun taking a much-deserved walk break! 🐾🥰❄️💙☕️🙏🏻🤗🤗

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    1. Thank you, Betty! I just bought the white set this year. As you know RV life, I didn’t have one for quite a while! The wooden one was handmade by a dear friend! I can’t wait to see more of your collection! Merry Christmas 🎄!

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  18. Thank you, Karla, for posting the C. Rossetti poem. Her poetry, especially her devotional writings, are great reminders of the response due to our Savior and King. The humorous report of the missing mailbox and the inadvertent Amazon absconder made me laugh. What a gift that theft turned out to be!

    Too bad about that “gravy” designation. Likewise, too bad about Finley not being adorable. Goodness, that dog is cute!

    This is the week in which many celebrate many tings, and a few celebrate Christ. I hope your celebration of Christ is a grand one, filled with family, fun, food, and feelings of gratitude for what we have all been given.

    God bless you richly, Karla.

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    1. Tim, I appreciate your thoughtful response and wise words! I’m glad you enjoyed the post. I giggled reading the Finley line…she’s a cute mess! I feel fortunate to live in an area that emphasizes the birth of Christ (for the most part). I’ve enjoyed learning of others’ traditions and celebrations (Advent, Hanukah 🕎). It’s fun buying loved ones gifts. I suppose there are many of us that tire of the commercialization and hold right to the true meaning and simplicity of that celebration. It’s my prayer, every year, that the kindness and love can be spread each day! We’ve received such a gift from God and I’ll forever be grateful! I hope your celebration is just as you staged for mine. You and Jackson stay safe! God bless you richly, Tim!

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  19. What beautiful decorations you have Karla! Of coarse I don’t expect any less! In fact I was wondering,
    if you would have a chance to give us a hand with ours. No. I guess the distance the makes it a little
    difficult. I totally understand. Really I do. You still get big hugs anyway! love, Eddie

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    1. Tee hee. I love it, Eddie! I love how my phone makes small things look grandiose in my space! After the RV life it’s been so fun to pull out things, some new, some old, that sit in a perfect spot. I try hard to make use of each space. Of course if I lived closer I’d definitely come decorate with you and your family! With tomorrow’s weather forecast now would be a perfect time! 🙃 but of course, I’d never want to leave and miss my kids so I must head your way much earlier next year! I’m glad for the big hugs anyway! I’ll take them! I hope you and your family have a blessed Christmas. Thank you for your kindness and support!

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  24. Dear Karla, I’m praying with faith for your comfort and healing, peace of mind and holiday cheer, for your friend Ingrid and for your family and for the hard things…wrapping you with love and hugs…and wishing you a very Merry Christmas! 💖

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    1. Good morning, Crystal. Thank you for stopping by with your precious words. I appreciate all your love, support, and prayers! May your Christmas, and each day, be filled with peace and joy (enjoy your much-deserved break, too). Love and hugs! 💚🎄🤗

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  25. Dear Karla, I saved your recent newsletter so I read during one of my early mornings. Today was the day when I couldn’t sleep. The house is quiet, and I read slowly your newsletter. I wanted to reach out but I couldn’t find an email, just the comment page. The last two years have been lots of surgeries for me, different from transplants. Maybe longer than two years but the last two years have been the most aggressive. My cancers are skin related, and surgeries mostly on my scalp and chest caused by over three decades of immunosuppresant drugs. When they hollowed out my left thumb to the bone and then I had a month of radiation I hoped that would be it. But nope. 200 stitches on my scalp in September really wore down after 6.5 surgery I was awake for. Surgeons and everyone are really nice but I am tired inside. This week two more and I felt like saying forget it. I won’t do any more surgeries. My wife helped me revive my strength, she’s awesome. I hope you’ll email me when you feel tired and I will happy to listen. Merry Christmas, and thank you for your newsletter and inspiring faith. I John 4:7,8 is a favourite and I still remember singing it at summer camp as a counselor many many moons ago. Bless you, please enjoy the hugs and virtual christmas baking I am virtually sending you. – David

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    1. David, I’m crying tears of understanding. God bless you my friend. I’ve always said and heard that “others may have it worse.” When I doubt and ask “why?” I’m quickly reminded of WHO’S ultimately in charge. My friend, I can’t fathom what you’ve endured~ONLY the tiredness you must feel. 30 years, David! That hurts my heart and I understand why you are sharing. You’re giving me comfort and helping me know I’m not alone. You understand. I can’t imagine how tired you must be. I’m so thankful for your beloved wife for her love and support! I’m so blessed with family and friends! I STILL sing that verse too. I grew up attending church camps and I was so blessed to be a counselor a couple of summers. I loved my childhood and reflect on it so much. My faith has only grown and grown. I feel your hugs and smell the wonderful scents of Christmas and the reason we celebrate! On another note, I don’t always understand WP and the tricky parts,…my email is finleyriverpublishing@gmail.com
      Thank you and God bless you and yours my friend! I pray for RELIEF and no more surgeries for a while!
      🙏🏻🙏🏻😭💚🎄🎄

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  27. Love shall be our token;
    love be yours and love be mine;
    love to God and others,
    love for plea and gift and sign.

    No words could be more perfect.
    And so I re-gift them back to you, all wrapped up with a bow…from me to you. 🎄

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  32. I’m up at the lake, sitting by the back door, trying to find inspiration for a new post when suddenly, my thoughts land on you. I slide over to your site and reread your recent post. I read it earlier but didn’t have time to respond. Now I’m wondering what you’re doing right now. If you’re snuggled on the couch, watching an old movie, your feet warmed by a cozy pair of socks and a roaring fire. After speaking to God for a moment, asking for your protection and comfort, I leaned back in my chair and tried to picture your beautiful smile. I’m here, at this moment, thinking only of you, and hoping wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, that you feel my love. Hugs, C

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    1. C, I love you. I’m sitting down with sun shining in my patio door in my little living room. I’m purely exhausted. I’ve been able to spend time with family these last two weeks. My youngest son and family left last night. I’ve had a follow up appt and blood counts still low, but I’m hanging in there. I’m excited about a new year…new possibilities, miraculous healing, and lots of laughter. I want to write more on my blog (and read more!). SO much has happened in the last 9 months. I have many ideas floating around my head, but for now, I’m going to recoup and rest as I slowly allow the new year to wrap its arms around me like you have. And God’s strong arms keep holding me. I’ve thought of you so much, C. I can’t thank you enough for your love and support. I want to reciprocate. I hope you feel my love and hugs. Happy New Year my friend. 🎊🥳❤️💕🙏🏻🥰

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    1. Thank you, Mark. I appreciate it so much. It was a wonderful Christmas. Unfortunately there has been very little rest and things a bit crazy right now. BUT I hope to have some sort of normalcy soon and get back to writing and reading. I’m very thankful for my blessings. Just ready for things to slow down a bit. I pray all is well with your family, too! I’m sorry I haven’t stopped in lately to read! Thank you for your understanding and support!

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    1. No worries my friend! This is my first day back on WP! I’ve moved towns…and much closer to family, hospital, and drs! Yay! We’ve had major ice and snow weather. I’m so thankful to be in. Last night I finally received internet again. Now, a desk to be bought and I’ll soon be in the writing mood again. Please take care and I pray your precious Dad is doing well. ❤️💚💕🙏🏻 much love!!!

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  39. A reminder of the most blessed news we can receive, and continue to receive as we move in through it lives. Thank you for sharing all you have in this post. God bless you and your family. 🧡

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