Somehow, not only for Christmas but all the year through, the joy that you give to others is the joy that comes back to you.  And the more you spend in blessing the poor and lonely and sad, the more of your heart’s possessing returns to you glad.  John Greenleaf Whittier

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Isaiah 9:7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

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APPLE CINNAMON PANCAKE MIX

3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup dried apples (more if desired)**
3 TBSP sugar
2 TBSP baking powder
4-1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1-1/4 tsp. salt

In 1 quart jar, combine all ingredients; seal jar.

**Variations: Try substituting the apples for other dried fruits if desired, OR leave out fruit altogether.

GIFT CARD INSTRUCTIONS:

To make Apple Cinnamon Pancakes:
In medium bowl, combine 3/4 cup milk, 1 egg, and 2 TBSP salad oil. With fork, blend in 1-1/3 c. pancake mix until moistened but still lumpy. Cook on lightly greased griddle or skillet. Makes about 10 5" pancakes.

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This morning, I turned the radio on and listened to Christmas music as I prepared this blog.  I heard one of my favorite Christmas love songs, “What Can I Give You this Christmas?”  by the Lettermen.  The last verse says “What can I give you this Christmas? Not a thing that I've seen will do So I'll give you my heart and my own true love That will last the whole year through.”  I imagined applying this song to Jesus.  What could I give Him for Christmas, what would He want?  We find the answer in John 21:17,   “He said, "LORD, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.  The Savior’s admonition was simple: “Feed my sheep, feed my sheep, feed my sheep.”  He meant in all ways, spiritually as well as temporally.  We have a responsibility to take care of those in need around us.  Look for opportunities in your community.  Find ways to involve your children.  Is there an angel tree in your community?  Let them pick a tag, and help.  Is there a Marine Corps Toys for Tots drive? Let them pick out a toy and donate.  Pack a shoebox for Samaritan’s Purse.  https://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/    Are there food drives you can donate to?  Many Salvation Army units allow people to ring bells for them, so be a bell ringer.  Give your children discretionary money to donate to those buckets.  After ringing a bell for an hour (sometimes with little luck) it will bring them joy to put something in those buckets.  My daughter Shannon, is literally going to feed His sheep this year.  She is going to Ethiopia this month with an organization called Ordinary Hero.   OrdinaryHero.org    They will literally provide food (chickens) to families who otherwise might have nothing to eat for Christmas.  They will wrap and deliver presents to children in need.  They will serve however they can, and they will make a difference.  I can’t even imagine the joy she will feel.  Serving Christ, feeding His sheep brings joy unmeasurable -- this Christmas, and all year long ~~ Marilee

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The Christmas Angels
 Susan Fahncke
extracted from https://people.howstuffworks.com/culture-traditions/holidays-christmas/inspirational-christmas-stories12.htm

It was December 23, 1993. For a single mom who was going to college and supporting my children completely alone, Christmas was looking bleak. I looked around my little home, realization dawning like a slow, twisting pain. We were poor.

Our tiny house had two bedrooms, both off the living room. They were so small that my baby daughter's crib barely fit into one room, and my son's twin bed and dresser were squeezed into the other. There was no way they could share a room, so I made my bed every night on the living room floor.
The three of us shared the only closet in the house. We were snug, always only a few feet from each other, day and night. With no doors on the children's rooms, I could see and hear them at all times. It made them feel secure, and it made me feel close to them -- a blessing I wouldn't have had in other circumstances.
It was early evening, about eight o'clock. The snow was falling softly, silently, and my children were both asleep. I was wrapped in a blanket, sitting at the window, watching the powdery flakes flutter in the dimming light, when my front door vibrated with a pounding fist.
Alarmed, I wondered who would stop by unannounced on such a snowy winter night. I opened the door to find a group of strangers grinning from ear to ear, their arms laden with boxes and bags.
Confused, but finding their joyous spirit contagious, I grinned right back at them.
"Are you Susan?" The man stepped forward as he held out a box for me.
Nodding stupidly, unable to find my voice, I was sure they thought I was mentally deficient.
"These are for you." The woman thrust another box at me with a huge, beaming smile. The porch light and the snow falling behind her cast a glow over her dark hair, lending her an angelic appearance.
I looked down into her box. It was filled to the top with delicious treats, a fat turkey, and all the makings of a traditional Christmas dinner. My eyes filled with tears as the realization of why they were there washed over me.
Finally coming to my senses, I found my voice and invited them in. Following the husband were two children, staggering with the weight of their packages. The family introduced themselves and told me their packages were all gifts for my little family. This wonderful, beautiful family, who were total strangers to me, somehow knew exactly what we needed. They brought wrapped gifts for each of us, a full buffet for me to make on Christmas Day, and many "extras" that I could never afford. Visions of a beautiful, "normal" Christmas literally danced in my head. Somehow my secret wish for Christmas was materializing right in front of me. The desperate prayers of a single mom had been heard, and I knew right then that God had sent his angels my way.
My mysterious angels then handed me a white envelope, gave me another round of grins, and took turns hugging me. They wished me a Merry Christmas and disappeared into the night as suddenly as they had appeared.
Amazed and deeply touched, I looked around me at the boxes and gifts strewn at my feet and felt the ache of depression suddenly being transformed into a childlike joy. I began to cry. I cried hard, sobbing tears of the deepest gratitude. A great sense of peace filled me. The knowledge of God's love reaching into my tiny corner of the world enveloped me like a warm quilt. My heart was full. I fell to my knees amid all the boxes and offered a heartfelt prayer of thanks.
Getting to my feet, I wrapped myself in my blankets and sat once again to gaze out the window at the gently falling snow. Suddenly, I remembered the envelope. Like a child, I ripped it open and gasped at what I saw. A shower of bills flitted to the floor. Gathering them up, I began to count the five, ten, and twenty-dollar bills. As my vision blurred with tears, I counted the money, then recounted it to make sure I had it right. Sobbing again, I said it out loud: "One hundred dollars."
I looked at my children sleeping soundly, and through my tears I smiled my first happy, free-of-worry smile in a long, long time. My smile turned into a grin as I thought about tomorrow: Christmas Eve. One visit from complete strangers had magically turned a painful day into a special one that we would always remember...with happiness.
It is now several years since our Christmas angels visited. I have remarried, and our household is happy and richly blessed. Every year since that Christmas in 1993, we have chosen a family less blessed than we are. We bring them carefully selected gifts, food and treats, and as much money as we can spare. It's our way of passing on what was given to us. It's the "ripple effect" in motion. We hope that the cycle continues and that, someday, the families we share with will be able to pass it on, too. --