MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE . . .

Posted on December 24, 2025 by atimetoshare.me

ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

Waiting can be so hard. We plan, we ponder, we wonder, we seek, we anticipate with longing the coming of the Savior, the Messiah, the King of Kings. He came many years ago to redeem the world from sin – to fulfill the covenant God, His heavenly Father made at the start – to show His unconditional love. The KIng of creation and Lord of Lords has paid the price we should’ve paid. No longer does death hold hopelessness. He came on that first Christmas in the humblest of conditions. He left the earth, covered in blood, bludgeoned and bruised for our iniquities. He conquered death by rising back to life in pure glory. The waiting is over. The time has come. Now we wait for His second coming – knowing that He always keeps His promises. Then we will see Him face to face. Christ, the Savior is born.

You could have come in glory, in purple robes and crown,

You chose a life of poverty instead,

Your bed was once a feeding trough, your palace now a barn,

A perfect place for you to lay your head,

You came to be my brother – to bear my every pain

So I could share your glory. New life will be my gain.

THANK YOU, JESUS, FOR THIS DAY OF CELEBRATION AND ANTICIPATION OF YOUR CHRISTMAS GIFT – THE BEST GIFT EVER!

Posted in Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, Christmas, Jesus, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

THE ROAD TO BETHLEHEM . . .

Posted on December 23, 2025 by atimetoshare.me

ORIGINAL WOOD SCULPTURE BY PAUL & POETRY BY KATHY BOECHER© 

The events leading up to the birth of Jesus of Nazareth have taken us on an amazing journey which only God could have designed. The angel’s announcement to Mary and Joseph. The faith they both exhibited. The tongue wagging and finger pointing they endured. The treacherous journey they were about to take. They would travel almost 100 miles to Bethlehem (the birthplace of King David) over extremely rough terrain. It would take them 5 to 7 days to reach their destination on foot. The journey was not only dangerous, but Mary was about to give birth to her firstborn. She carried the Son of God within her womb as she sat on the back of a pack animal. They were required to go to Bethlehem, not only to register for the census, but also to fulfill the prophesy that the Messiah would be born there. The Old Testament is filled with prophesy regarding His coming. They were becoming true every day. It’s hard to imagine what they encountered on the way. There was the possibility of meeting wild animals. The rocky terrain rambled back and forth over a rugged trail. Thieves and vagrants were known to make their home there. They were under God’s protection for the entire trip. They would find no room for her to give birth. The town was filled to overflowing with those who had come to be registered. They settled on a shelter where newborn lambs were kept. How appropriate that the Lamb of God would be born there. It was all part of God’s plan.

Through the cobwebs of existence – through the darkness of our strife,

Through the dankness of our sinning and the wickedness of life,

Through the darkest pits of hell and the helplessness we feel,

Comes a single beam of light from heaven our sinful hearts to heal,

The light grows stronger as we move to get a closer glance,

But as we reach to touch it, we’re enveloped in a trance.

It’s just within our reach we think, but no matter how we try,

We can’t escape the darkness that consumes us from all sides,

Just when we think that all is lost and relinquish every hope,

The light erases darkness and through it we can cope,

This little light from Bethlehem became a brilliant Star,

That came to earth to save the world from sin’s most deadly scar.

He came in darkness of the night, but His brilliance cannot hide,

We are redeemed by His great might.  He’s always by our side.

THANK YOU, JESUS, FOR ANOTHER DAY TO SHARE YOUR LOVE!

Posted in Advent, Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, Chistmas, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

LIVE TO DIE AND DYING TO LIVE . . .

Posted on December 22, 2025 by atimetoshare.me

ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER

This is the beginning of a new day, a new week, a new celebration – as our hearts turn to a tiny baby boy, who was the true Son of God, born into human flesh. This miraculous event brings us joy, tears, sadness, comfort, peace and hope for the beginning of a new year. My heart weeps for my sister and her family as they come to the first anniversary of the loss of their husband, father, grandfather, brother and son. Bruce passed away and left an empty spot during this amazing season of hope. One week later on January 1st of this year, my Paul found His home in paradise. This wonderful time of mixed emotions will be difficult for those who are left behind but imagine what joy to be in the presence of their Savior this year. It’s never an easy time for those of us who have lost someone to death, especially during specific times of the year. Tears fall unexpectedly. Memories pop up at the most unusual times. I keep expecting to see him walking through the door and all the things I have to tell him. This entire year, I’ve been thinking about this journey we’re all on. We’re born into this world as helpless little children. We are completely dependent on others to watch out for us. By the time we reach our eventual destiny, we are much the same. In effect we are living to die. What we do in between those times is really the reason we we were born. God placed each individual on this earth for a purpose. Every morning that we rise from a night of rest, we have work to do. Our mission as followers of Christ, is to tell others about this God/man who changed the course of history forever. When we die, our work continues in a place that we will never end. God’s home is ours. We will be with our Savior forever. We’ll see His face and be able to talk directly to Him. We will never feel the pains of life. Never again will we have to worry about Cancer, heart problems, Alzheimer’s or dementia. Our days and nights will be spent in perfection, all because of a baby. To those of us who remain on earth, we are guaranteed the same outcome, and we can be assured that our sins have already been forgiven.

It was part of a bigger plan than anyone could imagine,

It had to come from God alone, for pure hearts to be examined,

He sent His Son to pay the price, that no other life could provide,

A perfect, pure and holy life, whom with God alone did reside.

He came as a lowly baby, to be born of true God and man,

He lived a life of poverty, but was there when the world began,

What greater price could He lay down, than the treasure of His own life,

The greatest gift we’ll ever know, is the release from sin’s great strife.

He was there when the world made, He remains with us every day,

He sits upon His throne above, where we’ll meet Him and He will say,

“Well done, good and faithful servant, come enter my kingdom and live,”

“Salvation is yours without cost, eternity I freely give.”

THANK YOU, JESUS, FOR ANOTHER DAY OF LIFE & DEATH WITH A PURPOSE!

Posted in Advent, Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, Christmas | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

THE WAITING IS ALMOST DONE . . .

Posted on December 21, 2025 by atimetoshare.me

ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

An early morning ride up into the mountains,

Releases every ounce of tension in your soul and body,

The light caresses each tree and bounces across the hills,

The wind gently breathes upon the waters,

Causing small ripples upon the surface,

The sounds, the sights, the smell of pine trees,

The touch of the morning mist resting on your face,

The taste of dew drops as they tantalize your lips,

God is there,

He whispers in your ear,

He touches your heart,

He has painted a magnificent canvas for your enjoyment,

He excites all your senses with the majesty of it all,

Thank Him for His wonderful creation.

THANK YOU, JESUS, FOR ANOTHER DAY TO CELEBRATE YOUR BIRTH – AGAIN!

Posted in Advent, Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, Jesus | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on THE WAITING IS ALMOST DONE . . .

CAN WE BECOME STUCK IN TRADITION?

Posted on December 20, 2025 by atimetoshare.me

ORIGINAL ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

When an artist does a sketch, it’s usually a forerunner of a future painting. The painter sometimes needs to take a photograph without using a camera. These sketches aren’t finished art, but in some cases, they cause us to think and prepare for the final result. When I found this sketch, it reminded me of what my life was before I knew the truth of Jesus’ mission. Like this bird, possibly stuck in the clutches of an icy pond, I was floundering. Trying to find ways to free myself of sins that continued to haunt. That observation made me realize that I couldn’t free myself. I needed someone to do it for me.

In the season of Advent, we are focused on the coming Messiah, but through the ages we’ve added many traditions to go along with it. The Christmas tree – the songs and carols – the elaborate feasts – the decorations – the over-spending – the fruitcake – potential time for engagements – gifts and so on. We place a nativity set to remind us of the first Christmas, but do we really see the significance of this humble birth? We look ahead to the reason for this event, but do we see the final result. Advent is meant to prepare ourselves for the birth of Jesus, the Son of God and Son of man. The greatest gift of God, snuggled in swaddling clothes – would grow up to become the final atonement for all of our sins.

Like ships that pass upon the open waters,
We sail through life effortlessly, or so it seems,
Under the surface there are tangles and weeds that strangle,
Above, prevailing winds determine the journey,
There are perils at sea as in all parts of living,
Storms that take our breath away,
Dangers that surround and drown us,
No matter the breadth or depth,
No matter the willingness or weakness,
No matter our desire or passion,
There is still only one way to reach home,
By taking His hand and following Him,
By living life with Him at the helm,
By putting complete trust in the pilot,
The Captain of the ship, Jesus, will lead us to our eternal home.

Posted in Advent, Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, Jesus, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

TIME STANDS STILL . . .

Posted on December 19, 2025 by atimetoshare.me

ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

When winter actually sets in, our bones begin to ache. The coldness and speed of the wind, make it seem like you abide in the arctic. The waters are frozen while still in motion and remain that way until a January thaw occurs or more likely April. We can turn up the thermostat, add another quilt and add more clothing, but we’re still physically cold. The season of Christmas is upon us. In just a few days, our hearts and minds will melt and turn to joy. The promise of this time of year is eternal life. No more sadness, no pain, no worries. God first made this promise in the Garden of Eden. He sent the Messiah in the form of a human – a tiny baby – a child of poverty and want. This child was born of a virgin. He grew -skinned His knees – like little boys do – He played games with friends and worked beside his stepfather, Joseph. At the age of 30, He began His earthly mission – teaching, healing, performing miracles, baptizing, restoring life, walking on water. In three years, He would be betrayed by one of His disciples, denounced by another, and the rest of His band fled so they wouldn’t become victims too. Jesus paid the price for our wrongdoing. He was the perfect sacrifice, the unblemished lamb who took away the sins of the world. How do we thank God for this unconditional love? By thanking Him, believing in Him, serving Him and returning our love to Him.

Stalactites of ice hang from barren branches,

Frigid winds spin through a forest of cedar,

Tall sentries, guarding the enchantment of beauty,

A place where dreams seem to be made,

Yet are far too distant to achieve,

A parent and child trudge through knee deep snow,

Children scrunch within the warmth off a blanketed sled,

We follow a similar path in life,

We plow through the pain and suffering,

We get stuck along the way,

Sometimes we skim right over it,

Other times, the ruts and pitfalls require guidance,

We cannot make this journey alone,

We need a beacon to guide us,

To lead the way,

To lift us out of the darkness,

To keep us on track,

To help us reach our final destination,

One who will place diamonds in the sky,

Brighter than streetlights,

One who shovels a clear path of gold,

Which shimmers in the cold wind,

One who loves us with no conditions.

THE ONE TRUE GOD!

Posted in Advent, Art & inspiration from Kathy Boecher, Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, Christmas, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on TIME STANDS STILL . . .

WILL IT BE A BLUE CHRISTMAS?

Posted on December 18, 2025 by atimetoshare.me

ORIGINAL ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

There is something about this time of the year that stirs our emotions to the hilt. I know everyone grieves differently. Sometimes we’d prefer not to talk about our sadness or the loved one who has gone to heaven. We may feel sorry for ourselves. We might feel depressed or like our own life has changed so much that it’s unbearable. Let’s try to put those past Christmas memories away, but not forever. God has this. He will get you through the difficult times. He will provide. He will proceed with His original plan for your life. He will encourage, inspire and comfort you. He will never ever leave you. This painting made me think of the Elvis song, “Blue Christmas.” It will be a time of sadness and joy, but I know that Jesus is the best Christmas gift ever. He gives us eternity in paradise when we believe in Him.

I once in poverty did lay, my heart was full of need,

You came and took my sins away and now I’m rich indeed,

You gave your richest treasure – your one and only Son.

You are my greatest pleasure. With you I now am one.

You came to earth on Christmas Eve, a tiny, little child,

A manger would become your bed, a cradle undefiled,

Your tiny hands reached up to God, Your Father had a plan,

To save the world from all their sins, when you’d become a man.

You didn’t have to do a thing, the blame was ours to bear,

But still you took on human form, Your love for us to share,

You left your royal throne above, became a lowly child,

The perfect, sinless Son of God, we now are reconciled.

Posted in aging, Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, Jesus | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

DECEMBER IN MY WORLD . . .

Posted on December 18, 2025 by atimetoshare.me

December is always an extra special time of the year. This family of mine has had a long history of December special days besides Christmas. My photograph shows my parents on their wedding day. Dad was 20 and mom was 18. They were married on December 18th. I’m not sure how long they were married, but they remained together until my dad turned 62. Here is a list of special events that we also celebrate:

  • Granddaughter, Kaeli, graduated from Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, MN on December 5th.
  • My mother, Louise, spent her last few years in heaven. She would’ve celebrated her 103rd birthday on December 8th.
  • Daughter, Joy, (our third child) celebrated her 53rd birthday on December 12th.
  • My parents were married on December 18th.
  • Granddaughter, Kaeli was born December 23 in time for Christmas.
  • We honor the birth of our LORD with our songs of praise. The prophesies were beginning to be fulfilled. Traditionally we celebrate this birth on December 24 & 25.
  • My brother-in-law, Bruce passed away on December 25, 2024, so thoughts are with his family. The following week, on New Years Day. my husband passed away. My sister and I spent Christmas & New Years day grieving. The healing continues, but we are confident of where they reside now.
  • On December 29, My mother-in-law was born. She lived to be 86 years old.

As I look back over December and forward to the future year, I feel a variety of emotions. Life is full of them – some happy, some sad, some filled with hope and others when you simply need to be alone with God. Amongst all the celebrations, festivities, highs and lows, sickness and health, is our Father, God. He has laid out the days of our lives, peppered them with an assortment of ups and downs and promised to be with us even after death.

UNTETHERED YOUTH, by Kathy Boecher

What happened to days of untethered youth

When what was required depended on truth?

When worries were few and troubles unknown,

What happened from then to the life we have sown?

Our days filled with moments carefree and fun,

Quickly we find nothing under the sun,

Will satisfy fully or give us peace,

We watch as our hope and joy now decrease.

Time passes in torrents. In storms it flies.

Our laughter is mourned, replaced by our cries, 

Our tears flow like rivers, our moans scorch the air,

Hearts might give up and give way to despair.

We come to our God with bruises and scars,

Of bludgeoning wounds which surpass the stars.

It’s then God completes the work that He’s done.

Our youth will return and the victory is won.

We come to Him broken, clinging to life,

We come when we falter and can’t bear the strife.

We surrender to God who knows what is best.

With Him in our place, we pass every test.

He gives us new life as we grow old,

Our time weathered bodies to Him unfold,

To perfectly formed and beautifully made,

He bathed me with blood the ransom is paid.

New life will come quickly. The old passes by,

We become brand new on the day that we die,

Breath comes from heaven and God’s only Son,

Old bodies renewed, His work is now done.

Posted in Advent, Poetry by Kathy Boecher, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

ONLY ONE WEEK TO GO . . .

Posted on December 17, 2025 by atimetoshare.me

ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

Do you have all your Christmas shopping done? Are your travel arrangements made? How about cookies, fruitcake and other special goodies? Are you in charge of hosting the celebration this year? Is your house spic and span? Will there be enough room? It’s only a week away. Advent seemed to fly by and here we are. In just the blink of an eye it’s time for Christmas. Making preparations for that most special event can be filled with many stressors. Emotions are running high and anxiety and depression seem to build at a rapid rate. There will be an empty chair at the table this year. Tears will fall as we remember the one who sat there. The farm fields are filled with tightly bound bales of hay glistening in the moonlight. City lights glow as a gentle dusting of snow makes them appear to be priceless gems. This is the most wonderful time of the year. Instead of feeling self-pity, worrying needlessly, fretting about the material things – focus on the anticipation of the first Christmas. Make room for Jesus. Rejoice that God loved us so much that He gave His only Son to be the final sacrifice for our sins. The ransom has been paid. The angels sing their glorious songs. True peace on earth is nestled on a bed of hay, He has promised to come again to judge the living and the dead. The thought of that promise could make us shudder or be glad. Again, we wait for the second coming of Jesus. Are we ready?

The inn was filled with travelers,

Skies grew dark and stars began to glisten across the desolate fields,

Weary wanderers looking for rest from a difficult journey,

Sheep  snuggled together to rest,

Shepherds watched, listened and waited,

Like any other day,

Still, something was different,

Silence filled the air,

A brilliant light appeared in the sky,

The stillness was broken by the sound of an angelic choir,

Singing praises to God,

A stable small,

With only a feeding trough to serve as a cradle,

A child was born,

Jesus, Christ, Messiah, Mighty God, Redeemer,

In that most unlikely place,

Christmas was born. Now is the time to make room for this tiny child,

For the Son of God,

As the shepherds stood in awe, the angels said to them,

Do not be afraid,

Promises from God, fulfilled in a most miraculous way, in lowliness, humility and poverty,

THE KING OF KINGS COMES TO US

THANK YOU, JESUS FOR ANOTHER DAY!

THANK YOU, JESUS, FOR ANOTHER DAY!

Posted in Advent, Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, Christmas, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

THE YOUNG & RESTLESS SHEPHERDS . . .

Posted on December 16, 2025 by atimetoshare.me

I had the opportunity to write and direct parts of the Christmas story with a few additional characters several years ago. The play was rehearsed for six one hour after-school drama classes. The group consisted of five rambunctious young shepherds, two sheep named Bob and Joe and two very sweet angels. The girls were outnumbered by the boys, which doesn’t happen often. As you can see from this photo, the boys had just put in a full day of school, it was about a week before Christmas vacation, and they were definitely restless.

Behind the scenes brought some interesting behavior issues. The only way smother some of their exuberance was to improvise. We sat in a circle, much like the shepherds would sit around a campfire and tell stories from their ancestors. The sheep in this endeavor were not your usual sheep. Instead of bleating, they could actually talk. We talked about the story of the coming Messiah. This was told for many years before the event occurred. The longer they waited, the more impatient they became. The sheep weren’t about to go to sleep. Even counting sheep didn’t help. Some Bible passages were inserted into the dialogue to give it a little accuracy. These kids were used to memorizing for their religion classes. They managed to accomplish learning those verses without a hitch.

Bob and Joe, the sheep, were bored, but this story had been passed on by their ancestors too. They had a few comments to add and bring a chuckle or two from the audience. At last, it was time for the angels to show up. I knew they were excited to sing their alleluias and point the shepherds to the star which would direct them to the newborn king. They repeated the promise of the coming Messiah. Some of the shepherds didn’t believe the angels. Some believed the angels were a figment of their imagination. The angels had difficulty saying the word “Alleluia” and one of them was molting, leaving a trail of feathers behind her.

As most parents and teachers will tell you, students are pretty useless during the month of December. Their focus is on the material side of Christmas and all the sugar they consume during that time. Choosing this scenario was the perfect chance for us to talk about patience and being restless. Our conversation continued around the “campfire.” When I brought up the subject of superheroes, I got their attention. They began to talk about Jesus being the superhero who came to wipe away all our sins. There was some talk about John, the baptizer and what led to his death, but I’ll leave that your imagination.

A lot was learned in that discussion. Not only by these young Thespians but myself as well. Sometimes it takes a long, long time to have something we want. If we patiently wait, when it does happen, it will be worth it. Maybe that’s what we all need – especially at this time of the year.

Posted in acting, Advent, Christmas, Jesus, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 12 Comments

A LETTER FROM JESUS TO MARY . . .

Posted on December 16, 2025 by atimetoshare.me

ART & POETRY BY KATHY BOECHER©

Today’s painting was actually done at the end of autumn, when trees were almost completely empty of foliage. It’s a peek through a barren forest. The focal point is a distant, not yet frozen waterfall crashing over rocks. The trees in the foreground act as a framework for the art. The centerpiece during the Advent season is the yet unborn baby, Jesus. The days are winding down to that event. Soon, this child would make His way into the world to begin His work of saving that same world. This post is a piece of my imagination which might have been said to His mother.

Did you know on that first day?
Was it apparent to you, just how much I needed you?
For nine months I rested snuggly inside of you,
Hearing the ever-present beating of your heart,
Soon it grew fainter, but still, I had you close to me,
Did you know on that first day?
That I would now become dependent on you,
For shelter,
For comfort,
For love,
For guidance, and yet,
In those early months you were also teaching me to be independent,
You gave me the gift of life,
As time went by, did you know?
That with each step, each adventure, each new beginning,
I held you close within,
You were my motivator, my caregiver, my provider and my mother in all that I did,
I wanted so hard to please you, yet I didn’t have to try,
You loved with the same unconditional love of my Heavenly Father,
Undeserved at times,
Unrequited often,
Unselfish always,
Did you know that I couldn’t have gotten through most of my early life without you?
Did you know that I was testing your love each time I challenged you?
I wanted boundaries,
I wanted guidelines,
I wanted rules,
Yet I also wanted to break them,
Did you know how proud I was of everything you did?
You were so beautiful, so kind, so compassionate,
Did you know that I cheered for you when things didn’t go your way?
Did you know that even in my last hours, as I surrendered to death, I felt the sting of each one of your tears. My ransom payment was for you and the entire world, but I would rise again,
I could still feel the beating of your breaking heart as part of mine? Did you know that all this would happen as part of the plan for your redemption? For the salvation of all mankind? I will return again. I will judge the world. I will separate the sheep from the goats. I will destroy the old and bring a new heaven and earth.
Did you know, I will always love you?

Posted in Advent, Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, Jesus, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

TO SANTA OR NOT TO SANTA . . .

Posted on December 15, 2025 by atimetoshare.me

WOOD SCULPTURED SANTAS BY PAUL BOECHER

I am not taking a stand on whether or not we should talk about Santa, but I do love this collection which Paul carved for me several years ago. He hand crafted each one. They’re similar to carvings which you might see in Germany. Must be because of German heritage.

I also have a story to share that includes a visit my granddaughter and I took to the Mall of America when she was about five. It was my first trip to this gigantic assortment of shops and restaurants. Since I’m not a frequent highway driver, that was the first stress of this adventure. When we finally arrived, I had to peel my fingers off the steering wheel. Granddaughter was in a hurry to get there so I tried to keep up with her. Needless to say, that was the second stressor. I was on a mission to visit the American Girl shop to discover which of the dolls she would like for Christmas. That would be our first stop. She was happy to oblige. When we arrived, we saw a sign on the door indicating the store was closed for a private party. Stressor number three. She wasn’t as disappointed as I was. It was getting near time for supper, so I suggested we stop at one of the restaurants. Shopping and having a meal have become part of our times together and she carries that tradition on with her own child. There was a half an hour wait to get in. Stressor number four.

It was beginning to get late, and I hoped we’d make that visit to Santa’s village. There were clerks all along the way, tempting with scents of chocolate or perfume or whatever the store offered. They made a point of stopping us all way to Santa’s place. When we arrived there was only one child who was already sitting on his lap. I was so happy we didn’t miss him. One of the elves approached us and said it was time for Santa to go home. Stressor five. By that time, I was full to the brim with a hefty meal – my feet were killing me – my temperament was seething. I wasn’t going to go home until we met with the fat fellow. My granddaughter could’ve cared less about seeing him, but for me it was different story. I’ve never scolded an elf before. I half expected her to start crying as I demanded that Santa talk with and take a picture of my granddaughter. Here I was, chewing out an elf and eventually Santa for not taking one more child for the day. Big time stressor number six. The final child left. I almost got arrested for disturbing the peace, but the photo was taken and the guy in the red suit listened to her for five minutes.

My recommendations for talking about Santa Claus with your little ones is up to you, but it sure might create a lot of stressful situations. You might be better off if you just did your shopping online and staying home.

Posted in Christmas, tradition, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments

WINTER WARMTH . . .

Posted on December 15, 2025 by atimetoshare.me

ORIGINAL ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

Living in a house built in the late 1800s creates special attention when the temperatures dip into single digits. There are three sources of heat in this sweet little farmhouse. A furnace that’s supposed to keep the entire house and two gas room heaters. The house doesn’t have a basement so that also contributes to the lack of heat. We knew this when we bought the house. We didn’t realize that the insulation wasn’t sufficient keep our pipes from freezing. When the temperatures go below freezing. the cupboard doors need to be kept open to expose the pipes. In other words, we must remain vigilant about taking precautions when the thermostat moves down. Staying warm is a necessity. Warmth not only helps us stay healthy but comfortable during the winter. Sitting in front of a fireplace can help too. Warmth can also be a state of mind; a feeling we get when our hearts are warmed by those we love. It can come from other sources which are spiritual, emotional and natural. God has placed the sun in the sky to give us warmth. We feel warm when we receive good news, love someone, experience a miracle. Winter warmth is vital to our physical and spiritual health. We celebrate that coming as those who waited over 2000 years ago. Advent reminds us of the time before Jesus came in human form. He promised to return again and He will. You can count on it.

Majestic pines, remain fresh and green,

A light dusting of snow tickles their branches,

Glistening like diamonds across the once lush landscape,

Within that icy mass, brilliance pours forth,

Color still remains alive in the frigid temperatures,

Our souls can be cold and close to death,

But the Son of God will warm them once again,

The message of His coming burns within us.

Posted in Advent, Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, Jesus | Tagged , , , , , | 9 Comments

WINTER’S MONOTONES . . .

Posted on December 14, 2025 by atimetoshare.me

ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER

With the coming of Christmas, we imagine brilliantly colored lights adorning a Christmas tree. We picture decorations in a variety of jewel tones and bright reds and greens. Those fabulous hues are intended to brighten the darkness of winter evening skies; the simple purity of snow and ice; the frosty explosion from open mouths singing Christmas carols in the chilly air. Generally, we dress winter up in December for the celebration of Jesus birth. When Mary was ready to give birth, it was anything but a royal party. Mary was an unwed mother. She gave birth in holding place for baby animals. She would place her newborn in a feeding trough filled with straw. It was an unclean place, filthy with animal dung and the sound of those same animals as they sang their own lullaby. This baby was like none other. He was the Only Son of God. He should have been praised as a king, yet this lowly, humiliating birth would fulfill the prophesy written centuries before His birth.

The world has turned to black and white, enveloped in ice and snow,

Birds longing to sing their arias. feel temperatures soar below,

Some people say it should be spring, but heaven has other plans,

A drop of fresh snow will fall again sent by the Father’s hands,

Deceivingly warming climate is nothing more than fake words,

The thought of a global warming, seems absolutely absurd,

Looking on the wintry landscape, it makes me just wonder why,

We don’t have spring ’til summer and Christmas should be in July.

Posted in Advent, Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

THROUGH THE DARKNESS . . .

Posted on December 13, 2025 by atimetoshare.me

ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER

Snow has become the norm in our area. Now we’re experiencing below zero temperatures. This part of winter is one that I don’t really prefer but living in the Midwest all my life, I’ve learned to adapt. One of the ways is to stay inside for the next few months. As we get older, we avoid the outdoors because we could easily slip and fall. We hibernate like the bears. We have someone do our shopping for us. We pick up germs easily. Most of mine have died of old age. We watch church services online. Breaking a hip, knee or other body parts isn’t an option. We become hermits. We watch a lot of old television shows. We eat more. Since we aren’t moving much, we add extra pounds to our girth. Even with all those obstacles, we can look out the window and see the beauty of a white landscape – the skeletal fingers of ice clinging to the edge of our homes – the empty trees which resemble silhouettes against an early morning sky. Knowing that we are safe is a bonus. God is always with us. He takes care of all our needs. He blesses us with all the seasons. He brings light into darkness.

Through the darkness and the shadows, God is with me all the way,

Even when the road is cluttered, with the cares of every day,

When I’m lonely or downhearted, fears surround on every side,

When the path is filled with danger, He will always be my guide.

The world attacks and arrows pierce, death will overtake and win

Still the breath of life will conquer, Jesus washed away my sin,

Here on earth there will be trouble, but in heaven no more fear,

Still He watches and protects me, grace He adds to every year.

Every day is such a blessing, when we walk with God’s own Son,

He brought peace to all the living, and in death our souls are won,

Thank you, Jesus for your passion, for your grace and love so true,

The gates of heaven now open, when we just believe in You.

Posted in Advent, Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, Jesus, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

OUR GREATEST TREASURE . . .

Posted on December 12, 2025 by atimetoshare.me

ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER

Here’s another painting of one of God’s amazing creatures. The hawk has been found to be one of the most intelligent birds. They have great strength in their wings. They are considered to be predator birds. Their long tail feathers contribute to the speed of their flight and ability to capture their prey easily. These birds became popular in the sport of falconry during medieval times, but also were used as early as 400 BC. Speed and intelligence are essential, God has built those traits into humanity as well. As we prepare for the birth of Jesus, let us always remember that Jesus has always been with us. His short life of 33 years included the wisdom of God, the knowledge of the universe and the ability to remove our sins. He is fully God and fully man. It’s one of those things that remains difficult to understand, but it is true and we accept it by faith, which is provided by the Holy Spirit.

He didn’t come in glory on that first Christmas Day.
His palace was a lowly place. His bed was made of hay.
His servants were the angels, the shepherds came to pray.
The Magi came from far away their richest gifts for to lay.
He will return to judge the world, in glory beyond measure,
His promises will be fulfilled. He is our greatest treasure.

Posted in Advent, Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, Faith, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

A REPRIEVE FOR A MOUSE . . .

Posted on December 12, 2025 by atimetoshare.me

This is my second rendition of “Twas the Night Before Christmas.” Maybe I should do a new one each year. I haven’t seen any mice running around the house so far this year. Even the trap has gone untouched. I recently read that they’re probably living in the walls of this old house and have found a safe place to reproduce. I prefer to think they are all outside of the house.

POETRY BY KATHY BOECHER

‘Twas right before Christmas and in our simple old house,
Not a creature was stirring except one small mouse,
He wasn’t too big, but the sight made me cringe,
A mouse in the house meant he’d surely infringe,

So off to the hardware store, money in hand,
We picked up a mouse trap, we thought it was grand,
Guaranteed to trap mice with no trace of the dead,
We hoped it would work then we went off to bed.

That night I heard nothing, just the sound of my breath,
It saddened my heart to put someone to death,
After all he had siblings, a mom and a dad,
And it was so close to Christmas, it made me feel sad.

There must’ve been mice in that stable of old,
They went there for refuge from danger and cold,
When they looked at the Christ child, a sight to behold,
A Savior had come as once had been foretold.

I smiled and I thought of that sweet little child,
And the animals watching so meek and so mild,
The trap is still empty, no sight of the mouse,
A timely reprieve for the guest in our house.

Posted in Humor, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

OH, CHRISTMAS TREE . . .

Posted on December 11, 2025 by atimetoshare.me

The Christmas tree has taken on many different forms over the years. When I was a child, dad would wait until the day before Christmas to buy the last one on the lot to save a few bucks. As he entered the house with the less than bountiful, scraggly looking evergreen, it was up to my sister and I to make it look good. All the money saved on that tree was used to purchase a ton of tinsel, which filled in the empty spaces. In the 70s there were the first artificial trees, including flocked trees – aluminum trees – and the traditional standby. We’d did aways with the tinsel because it was so messy. When we started our family and Christmas traditions were being formed, we made a trip to a tree farm and cut a tree to take home and decorate. Eventually that tradition wore out. The children would string popcorn or construction paper chain links to add to the beauty. As our family grew, we even had more than one tree.

The tradition of a Christmas tree came into being in central Europe – mostly in Germany. Christian Protestants were the first to take part in this event. It is said that Martin Luther added the practice of placing lit candles on the tree. This was way back in the 16th century when electricity had not yet been figured out. Some food items such as apples and confectionaries were added for extra appeal. Those goodies were intended for the critters outside, when the tree would be disposed of. When Queen Victoria married her cousin, Albert, the tradition of the Christmas tree had become most popular to the upper class and royalty. The Christmas tree became the centerpiece of the holiday season. The practice of placing candles on the tree was eliminated after many accidents occurred because of them. In today’s world you can buy an artificial tree for up to $800 which seems a bit extreme. I guess having a tree has again been allocated to the wealthy.

The tree pictured in my post today is what I’ve used for the past few years. It’s easy to decorate and doesn’t take up a lot of space. I also have a collection of hand carved Santas, which Paul created over the years. They are on display every day because they are true works of art. So, whether you opt for a real tree or an $800 artificial one, enjoy this season of traditions and family joy. Don’t forget what the real reason for the season represents. It started many, many years ago and it all began with a tree.

Posted in Advent, Family, tradition | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

AND A CHILD WILL LEAD THEM . . .

Posted on December 11, 2025 by atimetoshare.me

Original art & Poetry by Paul T. Boecher & Kathy Boecher©

This pencil sketch was done in 2010 by Paul somewhere in the mountains. As I look at the detail in this drawing not only do I see Paul’s craftsmanship and attention to the little things, but also God’s creation and how He provides for it. The gigantic mountains in the background are home to many varieties of birds and animals. The soaring egret and the one nestled in the majestic pine have an amazing view of what lies below. The smaller cardinals stand out like rays of red light. The trees act as shelter, comfort and places to rest for a while. Some of the trees in the foreground have seen better days, but even they can be a thing of beauty. The depth and dimension replicate the development of the mountains from bottom to top, starting with the lush tree line, the cliffs and the outgrowing of ascending mountains. The sky is God’s dwelling place, but it spills over into His creation. There was no room for Mary, Joseph and the soon to be born Jesus. Can you find a place in your heart for them?

“In my Father’s house there are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?” John 142

Do you know how precious you are to me?
Do you not feel my presence every second of every hour?
Do you know that I want to take your problems, your worries, your fears and place them all on my own back?
Can you see my hand working in your life – helping you to make hard decisions – leading you from temptation and pulling you closer to me every day?
Do you know I want you to prosper?  I have a plan designed just for your life.  It may not be what you want or expect, but it will be abundant.
Do you know that I am the only one who really loves you with an everlasting and divine love?

Do you know that I paid the ransom for the sins that have held you captive for so long? There is no need for guilt, I cover you with my protective wings.  The price was paid once for all.

Do you know that I was not afraid to lay down my life for you, because I have conquered death?

Do you know that I am waiting for you in heaven?  There will be no tears, no sadness, only joy.

Your room is ready!

Do you know?

Posted in Advent, Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, Jesus, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

NOSTALGIC CHRISTMAS MOVIES . . .

Posted on December 10, 2025 by atimetoshare.me

You can tell how old I am by the images I’ve chosen for favorite old Christmas movies. The one thing most of these have in common is a central character who has issues. In “A Christmas Carol,” Scrooge is a stingy, old man who has made his career the most important thing in his life. In “Home Alone,” we see a kid left behind on the family Christmas vacation. “It’s a Wonderful Life,” shows a fellow who can’t seem to make his goals come to fruition. He gives up and thinks about suicide. “A Christmas Story,” hits close to home for me, because many of the situations are so familiar. “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” we find Charlie Brown, depressed as usual, by the materialism of Christmas. His friend, Linus, reminds him why we celebrate the birth of Jesus.

All of these movies have a lot in common. We can relate to the central characters and their personal needs. We see that we don’t deserve to have the gifts we receive. We realize that we need someone other than ourselves to make things right. We find the truth that the greatest gift of all is the gift of a Messiah who would assure our heavenly destination.

Christmas can be an emotional time. We can feel lonely if a loved one has recently passed away. We miss those who can’t be with us for the holidays. We long for the good old days. We are inspired by the Christmas message. We sing songs praising a newborn baby who is truly the Son of God. We search for just the right gift and discover it isn’t. Some will become engaged to the one they want to spend the rest of their lives with. We decorate our homes only to remove the trimmings shortly after the holiday is over. We sometimes become so focused on the material things of Christmas that we miss the true joy that we should feel thinking of a tiny baby in a manger – true God and true man – conceived by the Holy Spirit – born to a virgin. The seemingly insignificant little boy was born in poverty, yet He was there when the earth was formed.

These old movies might jerk a tear or two from our eyes because they touch a personal nerve. The true joy of this entire season is caused by God’s unconditional love for mankind. He promised to send a Savior to redeem us from the sting of death. He promised to give eternal life to those who believe in Him. He promised to clean the slate of sin. He promised to return to us on the last day of this world’s existence. God never fails to keep His promises. That’s something to rejoice about!

Posted in Advent, Christmas, nostalgia, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments