Find the joy this holiday even in the tiniest of miracles; a snowflake, a star, a smile.  Finding joy is as simple as looking for it.  The more you pay attention to finding it, the more you will discover.

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Mahalia Jackson
O Holy Night
audio recording
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKILk4k3xvk

O holy night, the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of the dear Savior's birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees; oh, hear the angel voices
O night divine, O night when Christ was born
O night divine
O night
O night divine
Night divine

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I don’t know if any of you have noticed, but the Christmas blizzard of 2017 has blown in.  It has blown in EVERYWHERE.  Instead of piles of snow surrounding us however, we are surrounded by piles of projects and items on our must do/need to do/ought to do/should do/could do next year list.  Examples of the piles are:  the shopping pile,  presents to wrap pile,  Christmas presents to finish, the writing the Christmas family newsletter pile, mailing out Christmas cards, decorating the tree pile  (going to the post office to buy the stamps so you can mail the cards pile) and reading Marilee’s blog pile – to name just a few.   Avalanches are probable unless you live by the KSMIF rule.  Keep Serving and Make It Fun.  Your children will remember Christmas, not by the gifts they receive, but by the Spirit in your home, the memories you make.  Have a “Random Act of Kindness” Advent calendar – make it for 5 days or 2 days or 24 days.  Carry an emergency treat bag with you and when you see someone who needs a smile, hand them a treat and say “thank you” or “have a good day.”  Put service first.  The rest is just fluff.  My family tried to tell me that for YEARS, but I was a slow learner. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.  Feed His sheep and you will have joy this year.  Serving others is the plow that will clear away your seasonal piles. ~~ Marilee

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Chocolate Log Cookies
1 lb. powdered sugar
1 stick melted butter
2 c. crunchy peanut butter (I used extra crunchy)
4 c. Rice Krispies

Use a large mixing bowl. Put the powdered sugar together with the melted butter and stir with a spoon. I then use my hands to mix the peanut butter and Rice Krispies in with the powdered sugar and butter mixture. Pinch off enough of the mixture to make logs about the size of your thumb. Sort of roll them in your hand. Put them into the refrigerate for about an hour. Remove and frost with chocolate frosting.

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This is the story of how the fir tree became the official Christmas tree.

At the time when the Christ Child was born all the people, the animals, and the trees, and plants were very happy.  The Child was born to bring peace and happiness to the whole world.  People came daily to see the little One, and they always brought gifts for them.

There were three trees, standing near the crypt, which saw the people and they wished that they, too might give presents to the Christ Child.

The Palm said: “I will choose my most beautiful leaf, and place it as a fan over the Child.”

“And I,” said the Olive, “will sprinkle sweet smelling oil upon His head.”

“What can I give to the child?” asked the fir who stood near.

“You!” cried the others.  “You have nothing to offer Him.  Your needles would prick Him, and your tears are sticky.”

So the poor little Fir tree was very unhappy, and it said: “Yes, you are right.  I have nothing to offer the Christ Child.”

Now quite near the trees stod the Christmas angel, who had heard all that the trees had said.  The angel was very sorry for the Fir tree who was so lowly and without envy of the other trees.  So, when it was dark, and the stars came out, he begged a few of the little stars to come down and rest upon the branches of the fir tree.  They did as the Christmas Angel asked, and the Fir tree shone suddenly with a beautiful light.

And at that very moment, the Christ child opened His eyes – for he had been asleep – and as the lovely light fell upon Him, He smiled.

Every year people keep the dear Christmas Child’s birthday by giving gifts to each other, and every year, in remembrance of His first birthday, the Christmas Angel places in every house a fir tree also.  Covered with starry candles, it shines for the children as the stars shone for the Christ Child.  The fir tree was rewarded for his meekness, for to no other tree is it given to shine upon so many happy faces.

* I cannot find the source for this today, but will include it in a message later this week.