The 5th Street Candle Collection
This devotion is the story behind our candle 'Christmas on 5th Street'. It's taken from Shelly Thompson's devotion book 'Heart of a Warrior - A Legacy of Faith'. Devotion below.
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The photo on the Christmas on 5th Street Candle is Shelly and her Dad Christmas 1963 in the comfy chair. It doesn't show in the photo, but beside the doorway is full of Christmas cards hanging up. Christmas on 5th Street was always a wonderful time of year. Shelly's mom, Esther, always baked, you'll find the special family Oatmeal cookie recipe on the candle. A hot chocolate recipe is below (perfect pairing for the cookies). The Christmas on 5th Street Candle can be enjoyed at Christmas, or anytime you want to savor the scent of Christmas.
Christmas on 5th Street
Daily Making Jesus Front and Center - Day 33 from the book 'Heart of a Warrior - A Legacy of Faith'
By Shelly Thompson
By Shelly Thompson
Christmas on 5th Street was always special. Christmas Eve was the highlight. My grandmother wore a faux fur cape with two heart pins to the Christmas Eve church service. We would walk down the squeaky wooden floors to a pew very close to the front. It was beautiful as the snow was falling outside the big church windows, but inside the old church was pure warmth. The organist and pianist would walk up the creaky floors, the click of their shoes echoing throughout the quiet sanctuary as they took their places to begin the music. Then in one swift movement the small congregation was on their feet singing Christmas hymns. Over the years, those lyrics became etched in my heart.
I remember standing next to my Warrior heart grandma as she loudly sang the words from her heart, although sometimes a little off key. As her voice professed belief in every word of the song lyrics...there was a joy that radiated from her. For a few moments...time stood still in that old church...all was bright...there was peace on earth and mercy mild, the night was silent and holy...the manger was no longer awaiting the arrival of a King...the tiny Christ child whose message was shared all year from that pulpit...was finally here, in our waiting Bethlehem. He had arrived in the little church...not in a physical presence, but in the spirit of the hearts of those voices blending together to welcome Him.
The minister would step to the pulpit and read the passage of scripture from Luke 2:11 proclaiming His birth...Today, in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.
In that small church with the creaky wooden floors and slightly off key singing...there He was the baby Jesus...
Front and center...
Receiving all the glory this little congregation of faithful believers could muster from their hearts. They were not affluent, high profile, or well-known citizens, but they welcomed Him. They taught the gospel faithfully about Him. They opened Bibles each week and grew closer to Him. They heard and believed that Jesus Christ was God’s one and only son. They shared weddings and funerals in this sacred place. There had been joy and sorrow in these hallowed walls.
But for one night...all was calm and all was bright...joy filled the space...peace filled each heart...He was...
Immanuel...God with them...
Front and center...
Every Christmas, in my heart I visit that church...I hear the creaky wooden floors...I see my Warrior heart grandmother beside me...I feel a special joy...and I am reminded to make Jesus front and center in my life. The world tells us to fill our manger with other things...
But that little congregation had it right...
Jesus should be front and center...
Each year as I get my grandmother’s faux fur Christmas cape out (the two heart pins are still on it), sometimes accompanied by a few tears...and place it on the dress form in my kitchen...I can see her in that little church she loved so much...knowing that she’s singing in the choir now with the BIG church...joined by heavenly hosts...I am so thankful for her Godly influence and example in my life...showing me how...
…to make Jesus front and center
Putting this into action –You may not be reading this during Christmas…but, what would be in your manger if it were? Is there only room for Jesus in your heart at Christmas? Do you celebrate the birth of the savior, who lived a sinless life, and died on the cross for you each day? Is your heart thankful for the gift’s that Jesus gives you each day? Like the little church…do you make Jesus front and center all year long?
.
Instruction Manual - If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Colossians 3:1-4
I remember standing next to my Warrior heart grandma as she loudly sang the words from her heart, although sometimes a little off key. As her voice professed belief in every word of the song lyrics...there was a joy that radiated from her. For a few moments...time stood still in that old church...all was bright...there was peace on earth and mercy mild, the night was silent and holy...the manger was no longer awaiting the arrival of a King...the tiny Christ child whose message was shared all year from that pulpit...was finally here, in our waiting Bethlehem. He had arrived in the little church...not in a physical presence, but in the spirit of the hearts of those voices blending together to welcome Him.
The minister would step to the pulpit and read the passage of scripture from Luke 2:11 proclaiming His birth...Today, in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.
In that small church with the creaky wooden floors and slightly off key singing...there He was the baby Jesus...
Front and center...
Receiving all the glory this little congregation of faithful believers could muster from their hearts. They were not affluent, high profile, or well-known citizens, but they welcomed Him. They taught the gospel faithfully about Him. They opened Bibles each week and grew closer to Him. They heard and believed that Jesus Christ was God’s one and only son. They shared weddings and funerals in this sacred place. There had been joy and sorrow in these hallowed walls.
But for one night...all was calm and all was bright...joy filled the space...peace filled each heart...He was...
Immanuel...God with them...
Front and center...
Every Christmas, in my heart I visit that church...I hear the creaky wooden floors...I see my Warrior heart grandmother beside me...I feel a special joy...and I am reminded to make Jesus front and center in my life. The world tells us to fill our manger with other things...
But that little congregation had it right...
Jesus should be front and center...
Each year as I get my grandmother’s faux fur Christmas cape out (the two heart pins are still on it), sometimes accompanied by a few tears...and place it on the dress form in my kitchen...I can see her in that little church she loved so much...knowing that she’s singing in the choir now with the BIG church...joined by heavenly hosts...I am so thankful for her Godly influence and example in my life...showing me how...
…to make Jesus front and center
Putting this into action –You may not be reading this during Christmas…but, what would be in your manger if it were? Is there only room for Jesus in your heart at Christmas? Do you celebrate the birth of the savior, who lived a sinless life, and died on the cross for you each day? Is your heart thankful for the gift’s that Jesus gives you each day? Like the little church…do you make Jesus front and center all year long?
.
Instruction Manual - If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Colossians 3:1-4
Christmas Morning Hot Cocoa Recipe
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa
- pinch of salt
- 4 cups milk (1 qt)
- 3/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup water hot
Welcome to 5th Street.
Welcome! If you've purchased a candle from the 5th Street Candle Collection, I personally, hope you are enjoying it. Welcome to something different 'The 5th Street Candle Collection' from our family to yours...tied with apron strings...faith in God’s plan...and love. These candles were created from the book 'Heart of a Warrior - A Legacy of Faith', now in it's 4th printing. 'Heart of a Warrior - A Legacy of Faith' was written after the passing of my mother. It's about my years growing up on 5th Street, a quaint little neighborhood tucked in Highland Park in Des Moines, Iowa. Our neighborhood was like the fictional Mayberry. There's so much of my history, my roots, on the big hill of 5th Street. It's where my story begins. If you can, visualize the tidy well manicured lawns of 5th Street, with small cozy homes lining the big hill...porches where you were always welcome and the neighbors visited over coffee and sweet tea as flags waved in the breeze...you're in the right spot, welcome to my childhood neighborhood.
In my book 'Heart of a Warrior' - A Legacy of Faith, I had the amazing honor to introduce readers to the ‘Warrior’s’ of 5th Street. A special place God planted a group of elderly women, mostly widows, that helped raise two young girls, as my mom was misdiagnosed and finally, even institutionalized. Among these faithful sweet women (I refer to them as the Aunt Bea’s of Mayberry in ‘Heart of a Warrior') was my sweet grandmother (Millie McKeever-Stout) and grandfather, four houses away. As my Dad spent time at the hospital with my mom, my grandparents, and God’s faithful Warrior’s of 5th Street...the Aunt Bea’s, helped raise two young girls. Each devotion in ‘Heart of a Warrior’ - A Legacy of Faith, introduces you to these Aunt Bea’s of 5th Street sharing their story in a tiny version of a real life Mayberry, where God moved mountains...in the ordinary small acts of His Warrior’s
The 5th Street Candle Collection was created to share the stories of the women of 5th Street from the book ‘Heart of a Warrior’ - A Legacy of Faith. These one-of-a-kind unique candles bring the devotions in 'Heart of a Warrior' to life. The simple brown tag on the candles have their favorite recipe (often the very scent the candle was created from) and part of their encouraging story. These candles light the flame of hope and encouragement, passed down from the 5th Street Warriors to you. A flame of love and devotion to God that will not be snuffed out from generation to generation.
The candles are made locally in Walnut, Iowa by a candlemaker. They are hand poured one at a time with pure soy and exceptionally high quality ingredients made only in the USA. These special candles tell a story. They're different. Just like the neighborhood on 5th Street, when you light the flame, you'll remember...a place where your memories and 5th Street intersect and your home is filled with the scent of cherished memories, laughter, and happiness in simpler times.
These candles are special...because they've been created to honor real people, real lives, and real women who had a story to tell. Welcome to 5th Street, relax sweet friend, you've found a place that is warm, welcoming, and filled with hope.
Blessings, Shelly Thompson
Author and Publisher of The Notebook Cafe - Inspired Words for the Journey
Welcome! If you've purchased a candle from the 5th Street Candle Collection, I personally, hope you are enjoying it. Welcome to something different 'The 5th Street Candle Collection' from our family to yours...tied with apron strings...faith in God’s plan...and love. These candles were created from the book 'Heart of a Warrior - A Legacy of Faith', now in it's 4th printing. 'Heart of a Warrior - A Legacy of Faith' was written after the passing of my mother. It's about my years growing up on 5th Street, a quaint little neighborhood tucked in Highland Park in Des Moines, Iowa. Our neighborhood was like the fictional Mayberry. There's so much of my history, my roots, on the big hill of 5th Street. It's where my story begins. If you can, visualize the tidy well manicured lawns of 5th Street, with small cozy homes lining the big hill...porches where you were always welcome and the neighbors visited over coffee and sweet tea as flags waved in the breeze...you're in the right spot, welcome to my childhood neighborhood.
In my book 'Heart of a Warrior' - A Legacy of Faith, I had the amazing honor to introduce readers to the ‘Warrior’s’ of 5th Street. A special place God planted a group of elderly women, mostly widows, that helped raise two young girls, as my mom was misdiagnosed and finally, even institutionalized. Among these faithful sweet women (I refer to them as the Aunt Bea’s of Mayberry in ‘Heart of a Warrior') was my sweet grandmother (Millie McKeever-Stout) and grandfather, four houses away. As my Dad spent time at the hospital with my mom, my grandparents, and God’s faithful Warrior’s of 5th Street...the Aunt Bea’s, helped raise two young girls. Each devotion in ‘Heart of a Warrior’ - A Legacy of Faith, introduces you to these Aunt Bea’s of 5th Street sharing their story in a tiny version of a real life Mayberry, where God moved mountains...in the ordinary small acts of His Warrior’s
The 5th Street Candle Collection was created to share the stories of the women of 5th Street from the book ‘Heart of a Warrior’ - A Legacy of Faith. These one-of-a-kind unique candles bring the devotions in 'Heart of a Warrior' to life. The simple brown tag on the candles have their favorite recipe (often the very scent the candle was created from) and part of their encouraging story. These candles light the flame of hope and encouragement, passed down from the 5th Street Warriors to you. A flame of love and devotion to God that will not be snuffed out from generation to generation.
The candles are made locally in Walnut, Iowa by a candlemaker. They are hand poured one at a time with pure soy and exceptionally high quality ingredients made only in the USA. These special candles tell a story. They're different. Just like the neighborhood on 5th Street, when you light the flame, you'll remember...a place where your memories and 5th Street intersect and your home is filled with the scent of cherished memories, laughter, and happiness in simpler times.
These candles are special...because they've been created to honor real people, real lives, and real women who had a story to tell. Welcome to 5th Street, relax sweet friend, you've found a place that is warm, welcoming, and filled with hope.
Blessings, Shelly Thompson
Author and Publisher of The Notebook Cafe - Inspired Words for the Journey
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‘Heart of a Warrior’ - A Legacy of Faith
Now in its fifth printing, this special book shared so many of those cherished moments from 5th Street. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, buried in between encouraging and inspirational posts on The Notebook Cafe Facebook page, I’ve shared the words God has put on my heart about my family, growing up on 5th Street, a legacy of faith handed down from generation to generation, laughter and joy a family celebrated life with, deep grief and loss including saying goodbye temporarily to my mom until the great reunion in heaven...and so much more. In His beautiful design...God shared the ordinary lives of 5th Street, and expanded the neighborhood to include so many people across the United States...thousands have ventured back to 5th Steet through the pages of ‘Heart of a Warrior’ - A Legacy of Faith, and became part of our story. Seriously, I am so overwhelmed and humbled by all that God has done. So much more than I could have asked or imagined (Ephesians 3:20). Click here to learn more...the book ships free. Heart of a Warrior |