December 2025 – of windowsills and breezy hills

With the Christmas season upon us, I have been musing about Mary, the Mother of Jesus.

I have long been impressed how she called herself a handmaiden, which is the main focus I’ve been thinking about. Handmaiden particularly means a female servant, who’s essential function is to serve. She lives to accomplish her master’s will. Willing to serve in whatever way or place her master asks. A true servant heart will serve without thought of personal gain.

Luke 1:28 reads, And the angel came in unto her, and said, hail thou that art favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

Long before she realized it, God had planned for her to be the favored, chosen one to carry His Promised Son. I believe she was living her life in a humble, quiet manner. Content to serve in the daily grind where she was called. She was not out soliciting attention to her good deeds or trying to shrug off her responsibilities. She was simply a lowly servant, faithful in the ordinary.

For most of us women today, our lives are similar in the repetitive, obscure places of service. We’re not pastors preaching powerful messages. Or leading massive Bible study or kids clubs. Cleaning the grimy bathroom or washing a child’s face is of no less importance. Can we find contentment in the service God asks of us?

God looked for a woman who would respond willingly. In complete submission. We see Mary’s response in Luke 1:38. …Behold the handmaid of the Lord. Be it unto me according to thy word.

It doesn’t mean she didn’t question or wonder at the astonishing news the angel brought. Verse 29 in this same chapter references her fears and confusion. She was a normal woman with hormones and feelings just like us. Who of us wouldn’t be disturbed by such exotic, yet heavy news?! And yet, she chose to believe! To submit. To release her fears and doubts to complete trust in her Savior God.

No doubt this new charge given her would bring accusations and gossip. Do you think she laid awake at night, playing conversations in her mind of how she would love to set them straight?! Did she wish to prove to them, she had nothing in this of herself? That she had not cheated on Joseph?

Are we humbly submissive in what and where God asks us to serve? Willing and ready, even when it takes us out of our comfort zone? Do we respond in cheerful obedience, even when it means sacrificing our time, or dreams? Can we forgive a misunderstanding or thoughtless comment made about ourslves? I’d dare say the gossip about Mary was much worse than most of us have faced. And yet, being the virtuous woman she was, I don’t think she retaliated. (Incase this is stepping on your toes, please know mine are being firmly squashed.)

What about our willingness to serve in some lowly place? There’s always needy spots in church. Are we happy to help? Especially in ‘behind the scenes’ service. Or do we wish we could serve in a more notable position? Or maybe we like to hide behind the safety of “others can do this job better“. While there’s truth to that, it’s not an excuse to not do our job. Suppose Mary had responded like that?

Some women want to travel, teach or serve in ‘noteworthy’ ways before they settle down and get married. But God’s call for them is to be a young wife. There’s plenty to be learned in marriage, or other noteworthy service so it’s not like you get out of bumpy terrain either way. Plus, I believe in God’s eyes, service is service. I don’t believe He measures it by noticeable or not noticeable.

Some young women would like to get married immediately or sooner. But God calls them to single service for Him for a few (or many) years. Neither is above the other. There’s lessons to be learned in either place.

Some women would love to mother a houseful of children, but find infertility to be their lonely companion. Some women had no thoughts on family size and fight tears and overwhelm at the realization of yet another little gift headed her way.

God calls some to walk the thorny path of cancer or precarious valleys of emotional health. Maybe your call is to walk beside someone precious who battles these things.

We all have dreams and heart longings. And God blesses each of us abundantly with good gifts! But sometimes the things He allows in our lives are way off our radar. Instead of curling clenched fists at the itinerary God asks of us, can we keep our palms open and uplifted to His will? It’s ok to feel that initial fear, confusion, and wondering questions with no answers. God knows. He sees our heart’s desire. Mary too was troubled. But her response then was humble acceptance, trust in her Savior, and eventually, a spirit of praise.

Luke 1:46 & 47 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.

Am I God’s handmaiden?

Not only is the house beginning to look like Christmas, but it’s smelling like that too- I’ve just finished stringing up cinnamon ornaments and dried oranges.

Over Thanksgiving vacation, the children and I made the old fashioned cinnamon applesauce ornaments/cutouts as well as some salt dough ones. I had never made either one, although the salt dough ones are much like play dough except you then bake the shapes. Thanks to my friend Grace for recently sharing a recipe….

We don’t put up Christmas trees so we didn’t make either of these ornaments for that. But I think they’re very cute strung up with dried oranges!

For the salt dough:

Combine 2 cup flour and 1 cup salt, then slowly pour in 1 cup water. Knead 5 minutes. Let the dough rest in the fridge for 20 minutes. Roll out and use any sort of cookie cutters you like. While the dough is still soft, you can also make cute imprints by pressing on leaves, twigs or evergreen sprigs. Use a straw to punch holes in the top of each one. Place on parchment lined baking sheets and bake at 275 for 2 hours. You could also let these air dry but I preferred the baking so they’re done quicker.

Looks like sugar cookies, but the taste will quickly tell you otherwise!

This was a perfect project for the children the next afternoon. They’re always wanting something to paint.

These would look cute strung up with a garland of greenery. Or you can also use these as gift tags. Tie it on with a sprig of greens and gingham ribbon or jute cord for a cute, earthy look!

For the cinnamon applesauce ornaments:

Combine 2 cups cinnamon, 1 ¹/² cups applesauce, 2 T. ground cloves and 4 T. Elmers glue. Knead a few minutes. Sprinkle cinnamon or cloves on your surface to roll out the dough. We had some trouble with the dough cracking apart. We mostly used gingerbread men, stars and bells for the cut outs. Remember to use a straw to punch a hole for stringing. Let air dry for several days. I think these can baked at a low temperature, but we did the air dry method. We were waiting for the dried oranges to arrive anyway.

The cinnamon applesauce ornaments definitely won out in my opinion. Yes they were messier to work with than the salt dough, but the aroma!! It smells exactly like Christmas with no synthetics! And the dark color makes it pop more with the oranges.

I ended up stringing most of these since the jute cord can unravel as you thread the items on and the children quickly tired of it.

It’s best to tie the string and then evenly space them out.

This combo along with greenery also makes a cute centerpiece.

You can always use real greenery and add pinecones or whatever else you wish. I don’t like the mess of fresh greens, so I used some fake glittery greens.

The children also made paper snowflakes to hang by a couple windows. All of these extras hanging around makes things look full and a mite cluttered, but I’m OK with it because it’s temporary. And its cheap, simple fun for children and their mom.

You can dry your own oranges in the oven but I could guess how mine would turn out. (They wouldn’t! 🙂 So I opted to skip that and ordered these off Amazon. I don’t know if Hobby Lobby would have them this time of year or not?? I’m guessing Michael’s crafts would.

Month: December 2025

Handmaiden

Christmas DIY’s