{"id":20884,"date":"2018-12-08T09:34:09","date_gmt":"2018-12-08T14:34:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/?p=20884"},"modified":"2018-12-08T14:08:43","modified_gmt":"2018-12-08T19:08:43","slug":"5-friday-faves-red-dead-redemption-2-national-day-of-mourning-more-christmas-adverts-holiday-musical-evenings-and-family-gatherings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/?p=20884","title":{"rendered":"5 Friday Faves &#8211; Red Dead Redemption 2, National Day of Mourning, More Christmas Adverts, Holiday Musical Evenings, and Family Gatherings"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"http:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/Blog-Friday-Faves.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-15038\" src=\"http:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/Blog-Friday-Faves.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"4225\" height=\"2671\" srcset=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/Blog-Friday-Faves.jpg 4225w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/Blog-Friday-Faves-300x190.jpg 300w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/Blog-Friday-Faves-768x486.jpg 768w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/Blog-Friday-Faves-1024x647.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 4225px) 100vw, 4225px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Here we go! My 5 favorite finds of this week:<\/p>\n<p><strong>1) Red Dead Redemption 2<\/strong> &#8211; A Western-themed video game, <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Red_Dead_Redemption_2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Red Dead Redemption 2<\/a>, debuted this Fall. The score written by <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Woody_Jackson\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Woody Jackson<\/a> has a classic feel to it &#8211; reminiscent of old western films some of us grew up with. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.patreon.com\/beyondtheguitar\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Beyond the Guitar<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/beyondtheguitar\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Nathan Mills<\/a>&#8216; classical guitar arrangement of the video game themes does justice to the romance of the Old West featured in the score. Have a listen:<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Red Dead Redemption 2 Medley - Classical Guitar Cover (Beyond The Guitar)\" width=\"474\" height=\"267\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/erlnW9IeB48?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>2) National Day of Mourning<\/strong> &#8211; For one day, the ugly partisanship in our country fell silent in the shadow of a gracious leader&#8217;s life. The 41st US president, <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/George_H._W._Bush\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">George H. W. Bush<\/a>, died this week. On Wednesday, December 5, 2018, a national day of mourning was called for us to remember him. A two-time vice-president under <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Ronald_Reagan\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ronald Reagan<\/a>, George H. W. Bush would only serve one term as President himself. How he will be remembered in history, only time will tell. I remember him as gracious, always gracious. The eulogy for him by his son, 43rd US President <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/George_W._Bush\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">George W. Bush<\/a>, was beautiful and gave the reflection we all needed of a &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thedailybeast.com\/george-hw-bush-modelled-the-kinder-gentler-and-more-colorful-gop-that-could-have-been\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">kinder gentler<\/a>&#8221; man and time in America. May it be so again&#8230;Thank you, President Bush.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"George W. Bush cries delivering eulogy for his father, George H.W. Bush (Full Eulogy)\" width=\"474\" height=\"267\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/RrRzED2vOHA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=FlQkMmICxAA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">YouTube Video &#8211; <em>Alan Simpson\u00a0 Eulogy for Preside George H. W. Bush<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/opinion\/bret-baier-george-h-w-bush-and-a-letter-to-live-by\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Bret Baier &#8211; George H. W. Bush &#8211; a Letter to Live By<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>3) More Christmas Adverts<\/strong> &#8211; I couldn&#8217;t resist pointing to a few more <a href=\"http:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/?p=20797\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Christmas adverts<\/a>. So sweet and fun. Take time to watch. They will lift your day if you&#8217;re having a hard one.<\/p>\n<p>This <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hallmark.com\/ornaments\/keepsake-ornaments\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Hallmark Crown keepsake ornament<\/a> commercial made me cry:<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"When You Care Enough to Be Her Hero | 2018 Keepsake Ornaments\" width=\"474\" height=\"267\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/wA2qbcNutz4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Official Heathrow 2018 Christmas Advert - The Heathrow Bears Return | #HeathrowBears\" width=\"474\" height=\"267\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/s5TkTj7Lqec?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Boots Christmas TV Advert 2018 #GiftsThatGetThem | Boots UK\" width=\"474\" height=\"267\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/9z6KIlJaACw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"474\" height=\"267\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/fxVxPLFtoNA?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>4) Holiday Musical Evenings <\/strong>&#8211; There is nothing like little children, in angel or shepherd garb, singing Christmas songs. We are all proud of them, whether they belong to us or not.<a href=\"http:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Blog-Christmas-pageant-South-City-Theater.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-20917\" src=\"http:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Blog-Christmas-pageant-South-City-Theater.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"901\" height=\"597\" srcset=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Blog-Christmas-pageant-South-City-Theater.jpg 901w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Blog-Christmas-pageant-South-City-Theater-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Blog-Christmas-pageant-South-City-Theater-768x509.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 901px) 100vw, 901px\" \/><\/a>Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/weldbham.com\/blog\/2015\/12\/04\/south-city-theatre-presents-the-best-christmas-pageant-ever\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Weldbham, South City Theater<\/a><\/p>\n<p>This week marked an annual musical tradition for our family &#8211; the <a href=\"http:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/?p=6687\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">VCU Holiday Gala<\/a>. This evening of rich sacred and secular Christmas songs performed by most all of the current musical groups at VCU is a feast for the ears&#8230;and eyes. The students and faculty fancy up nicely. <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Blog-VCU-Holiday-Gala-John-Patykula-2.jpg\" alt=\"http:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Blog-VCU-Holiday-Gala-John-Patykula-2.jpg\" \/><a href=\"http:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_7182.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-20918\" src=\"http:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_7182.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"4032\" height=\"3024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_7182.jpg 4032w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_7182-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_7182-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_7182-1024x768.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 4032px) 100vw, 4032px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>I would love to share video of the VCU Symphony Orchestra\u2019s rendition of Leroy Anderson\u2019s Sleigh Ride, under the direction of\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/arts.vcu.edu\/music\/faculty_type\/terry-austin\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Dr. Terry Austin<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 best performance ever. Since that\u2019s not possible, you just have to come. For the moment enjoy the versions by the\u00a0United States Marine Corps Orchestra and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.andrerieu.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Andr\u00e9 Rieu<\/a> \u2018s Johann Strauss Orchestra. Mark it on your calendar, if you&#8217;re local, for next year!<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Sleigh Ride By The President&#039;s Own United States Marine Chamber Orchestra\" width=\"474\" height=\"267\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/0fcVW3UI2jE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Also if you&#8217;re local&#8230;there&#8217;s still time for more. Here&#8217;s one not to miss:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/richmondcathedral.org\/music\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Annual Advent Lessons and Carols &#8211; Cathedral of the Sacred Heart<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Any of your favorites? Please give a shout-out in the Comments.<\/p>\n<p><strong>5) Family Gatherings &#8211; <\/strong>My growing-up family had its times &#8211; good and not so good. We have always had strong beliefs, and sometimes even stronger opinions&#8230;and we were not shy about them. As the years have gone by, we have gentled the opinions for the sake of relationship. We have lost some precious family members, too, which has made us more conscious of the fragile nature of life and the gracious gift of family. We&#8217;re none perfect but we belong together. That&#8217;s why we block out time on the calendar, buy the plane tickets, and soak up family in all its craziness. The young adults we&#8217;re so proud of, the sweet new babies, the siblings and spouses.<strong><a href=\"http:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_6854.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-20920\" src=\"http:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_6854.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"462\" height=\"347\" srcset=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_6854.jpg 4032w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_6854-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_6854-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_6854-1024x768.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 462px) 100vw, 462px\" \/><\/a><\/strong><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_6827.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-20922\" src=\"http:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_6827.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"465\" height=\"349\" srcset=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_6827.jpg 4032w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_6827-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_6827-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_6827-1024x768.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 465px) 100vw, 465px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_6831-e1544277238867.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-20921\" src=\"http:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_6831-e1544277238867.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"243\" height=\"324\" srcset=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_6831-e1544277238867.jpg 3024w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_6831-e1544277238867-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_6831-e1544277238867-768x1024.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 243px) 100vw, 243px\" \/><\/a><\/strong><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_E6969-1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-20919\" src=\"http:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_E6969-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"220\" height=\"325\" srcset=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_E6969-1.jpg 2044w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_E6969-1-204x300.jpg 204w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_E6969-1-768x1132.jpg 768w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_E6969-1-695x1024.jpg 695w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 220px) 100vw, 220px\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>We don&#8217;t always get to see everyone (so we will buy more plane tickets)&#8230;nor do we get to see all the friends&#8230;<strong>but <\/strong>the hope of &#8220;next time&#8221; is something we build on.<\/p>\n<p>Along with the family time is the Christmas festiveness alongside. My sister-in-law goes all out for us, and we welcome her welcome.<strong><a href=\"http:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_6751-e1544277528442.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-20923\" src=\"http:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_6751-e1544277528442.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"230\" height=\"306\" srcset=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_6751-e1544277528442.jpg 3024w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_6751-e1544277528442-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_6751-e1544277528442-768x1024.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 230px) 100vw, 230px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_6754-e1544277578976.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-20924\" src=\"http:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_6754-e1544277578976.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"231\" height=\"308\" srcset=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_6754-e1544277578976.jpg 3024w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_6754-e1544277578976-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_6754-e1544277578976-768x1024.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 231px) 100vw, 231px\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>How about you? Home for the holidays?<\/p>\n<p>_________________________________________________________________________<\/p>\n<p>That&#8217;s my five (plus the quick bonuses below). Any of your own you want to share? My hope for you this month is you savor the good in your life and let go of what are lesser things. We can&#8217;t get it all done. So&#8230;no matter. We can be gentle with ourselves&#8230;and each other.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Bonuses:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/?p=6969\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Henrico Christmas Mother<\/a> &#8211; my favorite local community outreach:<a href=\"http:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_7163.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-20927\" src=\"http:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_7163.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"4032\" height=\"3024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_7163.jpg 4032w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_7163-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_7163-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_7163-1024x768.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 4032px) 100vw, 4032px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_7165.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-20928\" src=\"http:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_7165.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"4032\" height=\"3024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_7165.jpg 4032w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_7165-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_7165-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_7165-1024x768.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 4032px) 100vw, 4032px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_7169-e1544278734395.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-20929\" src=\"http:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_7169-e1544278734395.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"238\" height=\"317\" srcset=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_7169-e1544278734395.jpg 3024w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_7169-e1544278734395-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_7169-e1544278734395-768x1024.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 238px) 100vw, 238px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_7167-e1544278779562.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-20930\" src=\"http:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_7167-e1544278779562.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"235\" height=\"314\" srcset=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_7167-e1544278779562.jpg 3024w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_7167-e1544278779562-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_7167-e1544278779562-768x1024.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 235px) 100vw, 235px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.cbn.com\/special\/thenativitymovie\/articles\/bekker_birth_of_jesus.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>The Birth of Jesus in the New Testament &#8211; One Event, Four Narratives<\/em> &#8211; Dr. Corne J. Bekker<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.newsweek.com\/eating-cheese-and-butter-every-day-linked-living-longer-1115213?fbclid=IwAR2f7bLxPIB1Mlz7nCErKGFFZZeMXSWmsnZ0MzbeUo9oor6pEb8PuTsg_Ow\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Eating Cheese and Butter Every Day Linked to Living Longer &#8211; <\/em>Kashmira Gander<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/opinion\/this-holiday-season-16b-will-be-wasted-on-unwanted-gifts-its-time-for-a-new-approach\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>This Holiday Season, $16 Billion Will Be Wasted on Unwanted Gifts &#8211; It&#8217;s Time for a New Approach<\/em> &#8211; Joshua Becker<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/us.wakeupyourmind.net\/life\/raising-children-near-their-grandparents-is-one-of-the-most-valuable-gifts-you-could-ever-give-them\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Raising Children Near Their Grandparents Is One of the Most Valuable Gifts You Could Ever Give Them<\/em><\/a> &#8211; [We didn&#8217;t raise our children near their grandparents; so thankful for siblings &amp; siblings-in-law who did. What a blessing for both grandparents and the kids\/grandkids.]<a href=\"http:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Blog-Grandmothers-Elisabeth-Elliot.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-20934\" src=\"http:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Blog-Grandmothers-Elisabeth-Elliot.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"736\" height=\"414\" srcset=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Blog-Grandmothers-Elisabeth-Elliot.jpg 736w, https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Blog-Grandmothers-Elisabeth-Elliot-300x169.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 736px) 100vw, 736px\" \/><\/a>Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/elisabethelliotquotes\/photos\/a.696364740406172\/2546382522071042\/?type=3&amp;theater\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Elisabeth Elliot, Facebook<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/theheartysoul.com\/minimalism-beginners-reduce-anxiety\/?fbclid=IwAR1zRqBaMderlLLUOIar0xKPrD_RLHHZIDvjBv-yr04_iJ_ocYq4dhPEe7o\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>How to Declutter Your Home to Reduce Stress and Anxiety<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Jimmy Stewart&#8217;s Beautiful Short Film on the Nativity<\/strong> (a comment on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=oK85O6FgRC0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">YouTube video<\/a>: &#8220;From IMDB: James Stewart approached the scene where Mr. Kreuger talks to the infant Jesus very seriously. Before filming this scene, he told the producer Michael McLean, <strong>&#8220;I&#8217;ve got only one of these in me. Everyone who doesn&#8217;t need to be here, get them out. Tell them I want this to go well. I can do other takes, but this will be the right one. There will only be one.&#8221;<\/strong> After the scene was finished, McLean asked the cameraman, &#8220;Did you get it?&#8221; &#8220;I hope so,&#8221; was the reply, &#8220;because I was crying.&#8221;&#8221;)<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"474\" height=\"267\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/oK85O6FgRC0?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Here we go! My 5 favorite finds of this week: 1) Red Dead Redemption 2 &#8211; A Western-themed video game, Red Dead Redemption 2, debuted this Fall. The score written by Woody Jackson has a classic feel to it &#8211; reminiscent of old western films some of us grew up with. Beyond the Guitar, Nathan &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/?p=20884\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">5 Friday Faves &#8211; Red Dead Redemption 2, National Day of Mourning, More Christmas Adverts, Holiday Musical Evenings, and Family Gatherings<\/span> <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_s2mail":"yes","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[810,3396,5628,2986,1628,813,2126,1705,1618,183,1567,147,808,3208,1801,440,2556,1435,2547,825,2776,33,18,2819,1732,5130,795,2611,432,870,789,537],"tags":[2548,6704,4463,6691,573,1578,6707,418,7,6712,6711,1802,5951,6714,959,137,2252,6710,6708,3989,6705,6706,6713,1136,6715,6716,6709,2399,1603],"class_list":["post-20884","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-all-good-gifts","category-america","category-anxiety","category-attitude","category-character","category-christmas","category-community","category-conversations","category-courage","category-culture-religion","category-decluttering","category-family-2","category-film","category-finishing-strong","category-friday-faves","category-give","category-grief-and-loss","category-growing-up","category-guitar","category-holidays","category-hospitality","category-inspired","category-jesus","category-kindness","category-leadership","category-legacy","category-love-2","category-love-your-neighbor","category-music","category-neighbors","category-relationships","category-volunteeringserving","tag-beyond-the-guitar","tag-butter","tag-cheese","tag-christmas-adverts","tag-classical-guitar","tag-decluttering","tag-dorne-j-bekker","tag-elisabeth-elliot","tag-family","tag-family-gatherings","tag-family-time","tag-friday-faves","tag-george-h-w-bush","tag-george-w-bush","tag-grandchildren","tag-grandparents","tag-henrico-christmas-mother","tag-holiday-season","tag-jesus-birth","tag-jimmy-stewart","tag-joshua-becker","tag-kashmira-gander","tag-lessons-and-carols","tag-nathan-mills","tag-national-day-of-mourning","tag-red-dead-redemption-2","tag-unwanted-gifts","tag-vcu-holiday-gala","tag-volunteering"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pauPAB-5qQ","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20884","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=20884"}],"version-history":[{"count":24,"href":"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20884\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20937,"href":"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20884\/revisions\/20937"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=20884"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=20884"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=20884"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}