Cream-colored ponies and crisp apple strudels
Doorbells and sleigh bells
And schnitzel with noodles
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings
These are a few of my favorite things.

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes
Silver-white winters that melt into springs
These are a few of my favorite things.

When the dog bites, When the bee stings

When I’m feeling sad

I simply remember my favorite things

And then I don’t feel so bad.

The Christmas season rings with the chords of this uplifting song. Although it’s not really a Christmas themed song, we regularly hear it each December. Perhaps it’s because of an old habit TV stations had back in the day of airing The Sound of Music each Christmas Eve. Or maybe it’s because at this season we make out our Christmas wish lists like little children and we think of all the things we wish we had. Or it could be just a carry over from the Thanksgiving holiday of thinking about our blessings. Whatever the reason I love it! It reminds me to focus on the beautiful things, the small things, the ordinary overlooked blessings in our lives.

As I sat at breakfast today in a beautiful hotel restaurant while accompanying my husband on a business trip, my mind flooded with thoughts. The Eggs Benedict, that I got to enjoy in a leisurely manner, is something that I only eat once a year when I’m on this business trip with him and have a chef to prepare it for me. It propelled me into thoughts of my favorite things:

• Eggs Benedict for breakfast (of course)
• Christmas – celebrating the Christ child’s birth with family.
• My oldest grandchild’s first snowy, peaceful Christmas with us.
• High school football games.
• Twinkling lights.
• Coffee conversations with friends.
• The Pinesol and candle scent of my clean house.
• A walk in the autumn leaves.
• Snow.
• Any book that grabs me so that I can’t put it down.

Those are a few of my favorite things.

What about you? Why don’t you make a list and check it twice of all your favorite things.

There’s something about that exercise that makes a heart light and joyful rather than gloomy. This time of year with its lack of sunlight many folks find themselves depressed or discouraged. So a thorough examination of the blessings and beauty and love that God has put in our lives is like a dose of good medicine. In fact Proverbs reminds us that “a joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.” (17:22)

So think of the song above. Examine the pictures or the suggestion list. Or just let your emotions roll with the beauty, wonder, joy, delight, excitement, love, relationships, blessings, and every positive thing you can dwell on today! Remember, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17)

Things of Beauty and Wonder…

…music that stirs the soul

…artwork that speaks to you

…kisses on the cheek

…holding the fragile hand of a frail mother or father who has lived a long life

…the lisping wisdom of a 4-year-old

…the smell of a baby

…floating on gentle waves

…gazing into the innocent eyes of a child

…snuggling with your grown children reminiscing times past

…hot cocoa with marshmallows on a frigid day

…a crackling fire in the fireplace

…jumping in piles of leaves

…swimming in the lake on a hot summer’s day

…hearing the words “I Love You”

…climbing to the top of a lighthouse or mountain and soaking in the view as your reward

…dancing in the rain

…kissing tender baby feet

…making cookies with a friend

…decorating the Christmas tree

…a sweet breeze scattering the white blossoms of a cherry tree in the spring

…strolling down a tree-lined lane

…candlelit evenings

…dipping your toes in a cool, babbling brook

…the crash of waves

…that sudden insight from the Word of God.

At this season of celebrating the Savior’s birth, take time to follow the example of Mary the mother of Jesus. Ponder your treasured things and be blessed!

“But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” Luke 2:19

The Sound of Music – “My Favorite Things”