To celebrate the heart of Christmas is to forget ourselves in the service of others.  Henry C. Link 

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1 John 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

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COUNTRY SOUP
1/2 c. split green peas
1/2 c. barley
1/2 c. lentils
1/2 c. raw rice
2 tbsp. parsley
2 tbsp. onion flakes
2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. lemon pepper
2 tbsp. beef bouillon
1/4 c. alphabet noodles

Use dried ingredients and seasonings. Layer peas, barley, lentils, and rice in 1 quart jar. Layer the parsley, onion flakes, salt, lemon pepper and beef bouillon just around the edges. Put the alphabet noodles just around the edges. Fill the remaining part of the jar with twist macaroni. Give as a gift with instructions to add 3 quarts of water, 2 stalks of chopped celery, 2 slices carrots, 1 cup shredded cabbage, 2 cups of tomatoes and simmer until vegetables are tender. You can add a nice touch by placing a piece of fabric over the cover and securing it with a ribbon or yarn.

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I am almost to the point where I can think again.  I can’t type, but I CAN think (almost).  It is hard to believe that Christmas is less than a week away.  I did NOT write the following recipe for joy, but if you follow the instructions, you can serve it to others.  I kep saying this, but hopefully tomorrow things will be back to normal ~~ Marilee

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Recipe For Christmas Joy

1/2 cup Hugs
4 tsp. Kisses
4 Cups Love
1 Cup Special Holiday Cheer
1/2 Cup Peace On Earth 3 tsp. Christmas Spirits
2 Cups Goodwill Toward Man
1 Sping Of Mistletoe
1 Medium-Size Bag Of Christmas Snowflakes (The Regular Kind Won't Do !!

Mix hugs, kisses, smiles, and love until consistent. Blend in holiday cheer, peace on earth, Christmas spirits and good will toward men. Use the mixture to fill, warm heart, where it can be stored for a lifetime. (it never goes bad!) Serve as desired under mistletoe, sprinkle liberally with special Christmas snowflakes. It is especially good when accompanied by Christmas Carols and family get-togethers. Serve to one and all.

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Mary’s Dream
I had a dream, Joseph, I don't understand it, not really, but I think it was about a birthday celebration for our Son. I think that was what it was all about. The people had been preparing for it for about six weeks. They had decorated the house and bought new clothes. They'd gone shopping many times and bought elaborate gifts. It was peculiar, though, because the presents weren't for our Son.
They wrapped them in beautiful paper and tied them with lovely bows and stacked them under a tree. Yes, a tree, Joseph, right in their house. They'd decorated the tree also. The branches were full of glowing balls and sparkling ornaments. There was a figure on the top of the tree. It looked like an angel might look. Oh, it was beautiful.
Everyone was laughing and happy. They were all excited about the gifts. They gave the gifts to each other, Joseph, not to our Son. I don't think they even knew Him. They never mentioned His name. Doesn't it seem odd for people to go to all that trouble to celebrate someone's birthday if they don't know Him?
I had the strangest feeling that if our Son had gone to this celebration He would have been intruding. Everything was so beautiful, Joseph, and everyone so full of cheer, but it made me want to cry. How sad for Jesus -not to be wanted at His own birthday celebration.
I'm glad it was only a dream. How terrible, Joseph, if it had been real.

~ Another special Christmas Message from your friends at Bethany Farms Box 311, Carrllton, IL 62016 Copyright © 1986 Bethany Farms.