It is the personal thoughtfulness, the warm human awareness, the reaching out of the self to one's fellow man that makes giving worthy of the Christmas spirit. Isabel Currier
~*~~*~~~*~~*~
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
~*~~*~~~*~~*~
What Child Is This?
Video clip of performance
Instrumental
Annie Moses Band
Annie Moses Band: What Child Is This?
Video clip of performance
Instrumental
Annie Moses Band
Annie Moses Band: What Child Is This?
|
~*~~*~~~*~~*~
CHRISTMAS SNOWBALLS COOKIES
2 c. flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1. Mix and set aside above ingredients. Blend:
3/4 c. butter
1/2 c. sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
Beat in 1 egg. Stir in dry ingredients. Add:
1 (8 oz.) pkg. semi sweet chocolate bits
1 c. chopped nuts
Shape in 1" balls. Bake 15 to 20 minutes at 350 degrees on an ungreased cookie sheet. Cool and roll in powdered sugar. Freeze well.
2 c. flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1. Mix and set aside above ingredients. Blend:
3/4 c. butter
1/2 c. sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
Beat in 1 egg. Stir in dry ingredients. Add:
1 (8 oz.) pkg. semi sweet chocolate bits
1 c. chopped nuts
Shape in 1" balls. Bake 15 to 20 minutes at 350 degrees on an ungreased cookie sheet. Cool and roll in powdered sugar. Freeze well.
~*~~*~~~*~~*~
I watched a show earlier this week which talked about how much money the “average” American family will spend this Christmas. They had a guest on the show who talked about how to cut down spending and still have nice gifts. They said that most people spend about $50 on gifts to each of their friends, and they gave suggestions on how to cut that down to about $30 and still have nice gifts. I wish that I could give gifts to all of my friends, but I would run out of Christmas money LONG before I ran out of friends. Over the years, I have come up with gift ideas that say “I remember you”. I have also gleaned ideas from articles, other friends, family. Here are some of my favorite. They are all tied in to service.
1) Save the phony credit cards you get in the mail, spray paint them gold, then in your best calligraphy, write the recipients name, such as “James Smith” and on the back write what the card is good for, such as “a bedtime story and hug,” an “afternoon with grandma,” a “trip to the park to feed the ducks.” It’s a gift they can use all year long – priceless
2) Pick up a carload of friends and go look at the Christmas lights. Scout out your route first so you know where the best ones are. Make up ribbon awards that say such things as “best use of lights,” “most original roof decor,” “tallest inflatable Santa,” “the sweetest display,” “the most religious ...” you get the idea. Vote on them in the car, and then stick the ribbons to the front doors. (Be sure and write thank you on the ribbon also.) Have goodies to munch on, and hot chocolate or wassail to drink. You’ll have a great time, make fun memories and let others know their efforts are appreciated.
3). Give a bag of unpopped popcorn to a friend and a coupon good for a movie night with you.
4). Make a favorite casserole, freeze it and give it to your friend or family member for a night when they are too busy to cook.
5). Christmas can be a difficult time for some people. Perhaps they have lost a family member, or are ill and unable to get around. Perhaps their memories are not those of Christmas joy, but rather of pain, neglect or abuse. Christmas is for them also, for those that mourn. Our Savior, Jesus Christ, was born into a world of grief, pain and sorrow. As the Messiah he “has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows.” (Isaiah 53:4). When our family was young, Santa Claus could be seen everywhere in our home. The story of the Savior’s birth was always included so the kids understood what Christmas was all about, but Santa was everywhere. As our family got older, we added a baby Jesus room, so we had a Santa house and a baby Jesus room. Candlelight, warm fireplaces, and beautiful music filled our home. Then came the Christmas of tears – the year when pain was all I saw. I realized at that time that there was more to Christmas than Santa, or candlelight and beautiful music, even more than just the baby Jesus. I needed more – I needed the Adult Jesus, I needed to follow His path, to walk in His shoes, to feel His atoning sacrifice and the promise of life it gave. I needed to know that He loved me. Everyone goes through that kind of Christmas at one time or another. Reach out and let them know they are not alone. As the poem says, Christ has no body but yours, No hands, no feet on earth but yours, Yours are the eyes with which he looks compassion on this world, Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good, Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world. (St. Teresa of Avila) Serve them as Jesus would have them served. Open your heart and your arms to them. Help them feel the love of Christ in their lives, let them know they are not alone. Make a difference. ~~ Marilee
~*~~*~~~*~~*~
The Story of the Christmas Guest
Adapted by Helen Steiner Rice from an old German Legend
It happened one day at the year's white end;
Two neighbors called on an old-time friend.
They found his shop, so meager and mean,
Made bright with a thousand boughs of green.
And Conrad was sitting with face a-shine,
Adapted by Helen Steiner Rice from an old German Legend
It happened one day at the year's white end;
Two neighbors called on an old-time friend.
They found his shop, so meager and mean,
Made bright with a thousand boughs of green.
And Conrad was sitting with face a-shine,
When he suddenly stopped as he stitched a twine,
And said, "Old friends, at dawn today,
When the cock was crowing the night away,
"The Lord appeared in a dream to me,
And said, `I'm coming your guest to be.'
So I've been busy with feet astir,
Strewing my shop with branches of fir.
"The table is spread and the kettle is shined
And over the rafters, the holly is twined.
And now I will wait for my Lord to appear,
And listen closely so I will hear
His step as He nears my humble place,
And I open the door and look in His face."
So his friends went home and left Conrad alone,
For this was the happiest day he had known.
For long since, his family had passed away,
And Conrad had spent a sad Christmas Day.
But he knew with his Lord as his Christmas Guest,
This Christmas would be the dearest and best.
He listened with only joy in his heart,
And with every sound, he would rise with a start.
And look for the Lord to be standing there,
In answer to his earnest prayer.
So he ran to the window after hearing a sound,
But all that he saw on the snow-covered ground…
Was a shabby beggar whose shoes were torn,
And all of his clothes were ragged and worn.
So Conrad was touched and went to the door,
And he said , "Your feet must be frozen and sore.
I have some shoes in my shop for you,
And a coat that will keep you warmer, too."
So with grateful heart, the man went away,
But as Conrad noticed the time of day,
He wondered what made his dear Lord so late,
And how much longer he'd have to wait.
When he heard a knock, he ran to the door,
But it was only a stranger once more;
A bent old crone with a shawl of black,
A bundle of branches piled on her back.
She asked for only a place to rest,
And said, "Old friends, at dawn today,
When the cock was crowing the night away,
"The Lord appeared in a dream to me,
And said, `I'm coming your guest to be.'
So I've been busy with feet astir,
Strewing my shop with branches of fir.
"The table is spread and the kettle is shined
And over the rafters, the holly is twined.
And now I will wait for my Lord to appear,
And listen closely so I will hear
His step as He nears my humble place,
And I open the door and look in His face."
So his friends went home and left Conrad alone,
For this was the happiest day he had known.
For long since, his family had passed away,
And Conrad had spent a sad Christmas Day.
But he knew with his Lord as his Christmas Guest,
This Christmas would be the dearest and best.
He listened with only joy in his heart,
And with every sound, he would rise with a start.
And look for the Lord to be standing there,
In answer to his earnest prayer.
So he ran to the window after hearing a sound,
But all that he saw on the snow-covered ground…
Was a shabby beggar whose shoes were torn,
And all of his clothes were ragged and worn.
So Conrad was touched and went to the door,
And he said , "Your feet must be frozen and sore.
I have some shoes in my shop for you,
And a coat that will keep you warmer, too."
So with grateful heart, the man went away,
But as Conrad noticed the time of day,
He wondered what made his dear Lord so late,
And how much longer he'd have to wait.
When he heard a knock, he ran to the door,
But it was only a stranger once more;
A bent old crone with a shawl of black,
A bundle of branches piled on her back.
She asked for only a place to rest,
But that was reserved for Conrad's Great Guest.
But her voice seemed to plead, "Don't send me away,
Let me rest for a while on Christmas Day."
So Conrad brewed her a steaming cup,
And told her to sit at the table and sup.
But after she left, he was filled with dismay,
For he saw that the hours were passing away.
The Lord had not come, as He said He would,
And Conrad felt sure he had misunderstood.
Out of the stillness, he heard a cry,
"Please help me and tell me where am I?"
He stood disappointed, as twice before,
But shook off his sadness and went to the door.
It was only a child who had wandered away,
And was lost from her family on Christmas Day.
Again Conrad's heart was heavy and sad
But he knew he should make this little girl glad.
So he called her in and wiped her tears,
And quieted all her childish fears.
Then he led her back to her home once more.
But as he entered his darkened door,
He knew that the Lord was not coming today
For the hours of Christmas had passed away.
So he went to his room and knelt down to pray,
And he said, "Dear Lord, why did You delay?
"What kept You from coming to call on me?
For I wanted so much Your face to see."
When soft in the silence, a voice he heard:
"Lift up your head, for I kept My Word.
"Three times My shadow crossed your floor,
Three times I came to your lonely door.
For I was the beggar with bruised, cold feet.
I was the woman you gave to eat.
And I was the child on the homeless street."
But her voice seemed to plead, "Don't send me away,
Let me rest for a while on Christmas Day."
So Conrad brewed her a steaming cup,
And told her to sit at the table and sup.
But after she left, he was filled with dismay,
For he saw that the hours were passing away.
The Lord had not come, as He said He would,
And Conrad felt sure he had misunderstood.
Out of the stillness, he heard a cry,
"Please help me and tell me where am I?"
He stood disappointed, as twice before,
But shook off his sadness and went to the door.
It was only a child who had wandered away,
And was lost from her family on Christmas Day.
Again Conrad's heart was heavy and sad
But he knew he should make this little girl glad.
So he called her in and wiped her tears,
And quieted all her childish fears.
Then he led her back to her home once more.
But as he entered his darkened door,
He knew that the Lord was not coming today
For the hours of Christmas had passed away.
So he went to his room and knelt down to pray,
And he said, "Dear Lord, why did You delay?
"What kept You from coming to call on me?
For I wanted so much Your face to see."
When soft in the silence, a voice he heard:
"Lift up your head, for I kept My Word.
"Three times My shadow crossed your floor,
Three times I came to your lonely door.
For I was the beggar with bruised, cold feet.
I was the woman you gave to eat.
And I was the child on the homeless street."
Extracted from https://www.thefamilyinternational.org/christmas/articledd6e.html
0 comments:
Post a Comment