Christmas is forever, not for just one day,

for loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away

like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf.

The good you do for others is good you do yourself...

~Norman Wesley Brooks (1923–2002), “Let Every Day Be Christmas,” 1976 — 

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RAOK: When you go somewhere to get or do something, ask the people around you if you can pick up anything they need.

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Afterglow - "The Holy Child"
music + slideshow
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGQvI7QmSH4

Holy child, this Christmas, is yours
May we give our hearts
Holy child, forever, we’ll celebrate your birth

Help me remember that there’s a reason
Why I give on Christmas morning
Because of you, you gave my life to me
You gave it all for free
I’ll give your love for Christmas, and feel my heart receive
Give to those around me, like you gave to me
(Chorus 3X)

Holy child, Holy child, Holy child

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Family Activity
There’s nothing like music at Christmas time. For a fun evening, make yourself a game kit. Place the following items in a box. Have someone reach into the box and pull one out and guess what song they represent. Give them three points if they get it right. If they don’t, then hum the first few stanzas of the song. Give them 1 point if they get it right then. These are a few we’ve put together. Have fun making up your own.

band-aid ~~~ O Holy Night (Fall on your knees..)
hershey’s kiss ~~~~~ I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
paper and pen ~~~~~ Santa Claus is coming to town
map ~~~~~ Where Are you, Christmas?
Chestnuts ~~~~~ The Christmas Song (chestnuts roasting on an open fire)
drumstick ~~~~~ The Little Drummer Boy
popcorn ~~~~~ Let It Snow
Jingle bell ~~~~~ Jingle Bells
whistle ~~~~~ All I want for Christmas is my two Front Teeth
birthday candles ~~~~~ The Birthday of a King
flashlight ~~~~~ Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella
toy boat ~~~~~ I Saw Three ships
candy canes ~~~~~ The Christmas Waltz
sprig of holly ~~~~~ Deck the Halls
silk rose ~~~~~ Gesu Bambino
ear plugs ~~~~~ Silent Night
small stone ~~~~~ Rockin Around the Christmas Tree
Christmas stocking ~~~~~ Here Comes Santa Claus
mistletoe ~~~~~ A Holly Jolly Christmas
Canned pears ~~~~~ 12 Days of Christmas

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Bacon Dip

8 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 cups sour cream
1/2 c bacon bits
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 c. chopped green onion
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees..  I n a bowl, combine all ingredients.  Place in 1 quart baking dish.  Cover.  Heat for 25-30 minutes or until hot.  Serve with fresh veggies, chips or crackers

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John 13: 34-35
34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

I read a story once about a little 4 year old girl named Julie who overheard her parents talking about an upcoming blood drive.  She didn’t understand what that referred to and so she asked her parents about it and they explained that sometimes people need more blood to live – after an accident, or an operation for example.  Several days later Julie came to her mom and said, “If you ever need blood, Mom, you can have mine.  You can count on me.”  Touched, her mother said, “Thanks Julie.”  About a month or so later, she discovered that Julie thought she would have to give her Mom all of her blood, and that she would die because of it.  She was a very relieved little girl to find out that was not the case.  They would only take one pint if they ever needed her blood.   Julie told her mother that she would have given her everything she needed.  As a mother, this story brought a tear to my eye as I thought of such a loving, caring little girl.  At this time of year it strikes a special chord in my heart.  I have a brother, a very special brother who willingly spilt every drop of His blood for me and for you – for all of us.  In our homes this Christmas, let us remember to teach our little ones of the Savior’s love and of our responsibility to share that love with the world.  I found instructions for origami hearts which can be made easily.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnV262Egucw 
Have a heart party.  It sounds fun to me and as we make these hearts with our children or grandchildren, have them write on the unseen side (so that’s it is folded inside) a gift of love or a service they would be willing to perform for someone.  They can make as many as they want, and have them share these hearts with each other, with friends, neighbors or anyone who needs the Savior’s love in their lives. ~~ Marilee

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ONE LITTLE LIGHT

There once was a shining Christmas tree
Standing out where all could see.
Its brilliance captured every eye
And seemed to cheer each passer-by.
"The lights are beautiful," they'd say,
and hesitate to walk away.
The tree stood proud, ablaze with light,
For each small bulb kept burning bright.

Then one globe was heard to say,"I'm tired of burning night and day.
I think I'll just go out and rest,
For I'm too tired to do my best.
Besides, I know I am so small,
I doubt I would be missed at all."

Then one child lovingly touched the light.
"Look, mother! This one shines so bright.
Of all the lights upon the tree,
This one looks the best to me."

"Oh, my goodness!" said the little light.
I almost dimmed right out of sight.
I thought perhaps no one would care
If I failed to shine my share."
With that, a glowing brilliance came,
For all the lights had felt the same.

We are like this Christmas tree,
The shining lights are you and me.
Each of us has a space to fill
With love and lessons and good will.
Let's keep our tree ablaze with lights,
With testimonies burning bright.
For we are a living tree
That lights the way to eternity.