This is Christmas: not the tinsel, not the giving and receiving, not even the carols, but the humble heart that receives anew the wondrous gift, the Christ. Frank McKibben
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Matt 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
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When I think upon Christmas
Hillsong
Hillsong is “a youth ministry by name, but by identity we are a people who have found hope, salvation, joy, forgiveness and a future in Jesus Christ. Our songs are the overflow of our hearts and a reflection of life in Jesus.”
Hillsong
Hillsong is “a youth ministry by name, but by identity we are a people who have found hope, salvation, joy, forgiveness and a future in Jesus Christ. Our songs are the overflow of our hearts and a reflection of life in Jesus.”
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When I think upon Christmas words can’t express
How our Father in Heaven has sent us His best
To be born in a manger the King in the hay
And creation will worship His name
How our Father in Heaven has sent us His best
To be born in a manger the King in the hay
And creation will worship His name
For the joy of the world He was born
Bringing peace to us all through the gift of the son
Now the darkest of ages are done for the Savior of heaven has come
Bringing peace to us all through the gift of the son
Now the darkest of ages are done for the Savior of heaven has come
When I think upon Jesus, the king of all days
I can’t help but respond with an offering of praise
Like the wise men and shepherds I’ll follow your light
Like the angels I’ll lift Your Name high
I can’t help but respond with an offering of praise
Like the wise men and shepherds I’ll follow your light
Like the angels I’ll lift Your Name high
For the joy of the world you were born
Bringing peace to us all through the gift of your love
Now the darkest of ages are done For the Savior of heaven has come
Bringing peace to us all through the gift of your love
Now the darkest of ages are done For the Savior of heaven has come
For the joy of the world You were born
Bringing peace to us all through the gift of your love
Now the darkest of ages are done for the Savior of heaven has come
Bringing peace to us all through the gift of your love
Now the darkest of ages are done for the Savior of heaven has come
Now I look back in reverence to that holy night
for the God of the heavens had us on his mind
Let us sing of His glory, rejoice in His Name
Oh Emmanuel with us always and forever His kingdom will reign
for the God of the heavens had us on his mind
Let us sing of His glory, rejoice in His Name
Oh Emmanuel with us always and forever His kingdom will reign
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COBBLER MIX
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. powdered vanilla
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. powdered vanilla
1 tsp. cinnamon
Combine and blend the ingredients in a small bowl. Store in an airtight container.
ATTACH THIS TO THE JAR:
"Berry Cobbler"
4 cups fresh berries (blueberries, raspberries or boysenberries)
1/4 cup orange juice
1/4 cup sugar
1 jar Cobbler Mix
1 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 egg
4 cups fresh berries (blueberries, raspberries or boysenberries)
1/4 cup orange juice
1/4 cup sugar
1 jar Cobbler Mix
1 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 egg
Preheat oven to 375°. In a large bowl mix together 4 cups of assorted fresh berries with 1/4 cup each lemon juice and sugar. Pour this mixture into a 13X9 inch baking dish. In a separate bowl combine Cobbler mix with 1 cup of melted sweet butter, and 1 egg. Mix until everything sticks together. Drop by spoonfuls over the top of the berry mixture. Bake for 35-45 minutes. Allow to cool for 15 minutes before serving. Serves 8-10.
Source: Cindi Madascy Jar Mix Recipes
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Jews, living at the time of Christ, were instructed to give of their wealth to support the poor and needy. One day Jesus walked to the temple and sat nearby, watching people make their donations in the coffers of the temple. Many wealthy people dressed in their finest clothes came and put in a lot of money. Some did it gladly, others complained. A poor widow came and put in 2 mites. Jesus called to His disciples and told them that she had given more than anyone. She had put in everything. We have 2 short stories today which are both about gifts of service. The first is not a Christmas story. It is the story of a little girl named Hattie, who gave her all. The second is a story of service by 3 trees to a small bird. As we serve others, let us remember that what is important is the love in our hearts. ~~ Marilee
One Sunday morning, the pastor of a church went outside to find a group of children who were unable to get in to go to Sunday School because the building was too crowded. One of those children was a six year-old named Hattie. When the pastor saw her, he lifted her up in his arms, put her up on his shoulder, and carried her into the church where he found a place for her to sit in the Sunday School class.
The next morning as he walked to church, the pastor saw Hattie again and stopped to talk to her. He told her that he hoped that some day the church would be able to build a building that was large enough so that there would be room for all the children who wanted to attend.
Two years later, little Hattie died and the pastor was asked to preach the funeral service. After the service, Hattie's mother handed the pastor a small purse containing fifty-seven cents. She told him that Hattie had been saving her pennies to help the church build a new Sunday School building. The pastor took the fifty-seven cents back to his church and told the people about the little girl who had been saving her pennies to help them build a new Sunday School building. The people were so inspired by Hattie's gift, that they gave faithfully until they built a wonderful new building with plenty of room for all of the children who wanted to attend.
I am sure that Jesus would say that Hattie gave more than anyone to build this great church. She gave all that she had.
Note: The story of Hattie Wiatt is taken from on a sermon by Russell H. Conwell delivered December 1, 1912. The sermon is found on the Temple University site.
The next morning as he walked to church, the pastor saw Hattie again and stopped to talk to her. He told her that he hoped that some day the church would be able to build a building that was large enough so that there would be room for all the children who wanted to attend.
Two years later, little Hattie died and the pastor was asked to preach the funeral service. After the service, Hattie's mother handed the pastor a small purse containing fifty-seven cents. She told him that Hattie had been saving her pennies to help the church build a new Sunday School building. The pastor took the fifty-seven cents back to his church and told the people about the little girl who had been saving her pennies to help them build a new Sunday School building. The people were so inspired by Hattie's gift, that they gave faithfully until they built a wonderful new building with plenty of room for all of the children who wanted to attend.
I am sure that Jesus would say that Hattie gave more than anyone to build this great church. She gave all that she had.
Note: The story of Hattie Wiatt is taken from on a sermon by Russell H. Conwell delivered December 1, 1912. The sermon is found on the Temple University site.
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The Legend of The Evergreen Trees
One winter, when the birds were all leaving for southern lands and warmer areas, a little bird broke its wing on the way and was left behind. Soon frost and snow covered the forest and she was cold and hungry. So she asked the trees to help her and let her stay in their branches. However, the trees were not always kind. The birch tree was proud of being beautiful and haughtily replied to the bird's pleas by saying that he could not possibly help him because he had to look after the birds of the forest first. The strong oak tree was reluctant because it was afraid that the bird would have to live there till spring time and would eat up some of its acorns. Even the willow tree that seemed to be gentle otherwise refused to help or even talk to the stranger.
The poor bird was in much distress and tried to fly some more but her wing was still not fit for the purpose. Seeing her struggling like this, the spruce tree asked her why she seemed so downcast. When the bird revealed her miseries, it offered her the thickest, softest and warmest branch to stay on. The bird was really glad to find some help. Inspired by the kindness of the spruce tree, the big and strong pine tree also volunteered to protect the spruce tree and the bird from the North Wind all through the winter. The little juniper tree also piped in to offer its berries to the bird to quench her hunger. So, the bird lived comfortably there and flew away in the springtime, when its wing healed.
The poor bird was in much distress and tried to fly some more but her wing was still not fit for the purpose. Seeing her struggling like this, the spruce tree asked her why she seemed so downcast. When the bird revealed her miseries, it offered her the thickest, softest and warmest branch to stay on. The bird was really glad to find some help. Inspired by the kindness of the spruce tree, the big and strong pine tree also volunteered to protect the spruce tree and the bird from the North Wind all through the winter. The little juniper tree also piped in to offer its berries to the bird to quench her hunger. So, the bird lived comfortably there and flew away in the springtime, when its wing healed.
The Frost King, who kept close note of the behavior of all trees, strictly instructed the North Wind not to touch even a single leaf of the kind spruce, pine and juniper trees; while he was free to play havoc with the leaves of other trees. The North Wind especially enjoyed plucking the shining, green leaves of the willow, oak and birch trees and leaving them bare for the winter, with nothing to protect them from snow, rain and sleet.
It is for this kindness that the leaves of the spruce, the pine, and the juniper are always green. They are known as evergreen trees.
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