“There is no better time than now, this very Christmas season, for all of us to rededicate ourselves to the principles taught by Jesus the Christ.” --Thomas S. Monson
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RAOK: Listen intently
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2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
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The Forgotten Carols Three Kings
video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCbrmRmoQ_M
Somewhere beneath the glitter
That comes this time of winter
In many souls there is a cry
They may not clearly say it
But in their hearts they pray it
And you can see it in their eyes
'I cannot find my way
I cannot find my way
I cannot find my way at all
There are so many voices
So many different choices,
I cannot find my way at all.'
There were three kings
Who followed the star
Of Bethlehem
They came from afar
To praise and honor Him
His light
which beckoned them to see
The Lord of Man
It calls to you,
It calls to me
'We cannot find our way
We cannot find our way
We cannot find our way at all
There are so many voices
So many different choices,
We cannot find our way at all.'
We're not alone,
We have a star
And it shines today
The love that He gave
Teaches how
And shows the way
That light,
it's clear to see
If we have faith and believe
Three kings found the Lord
And so can we.
'We cannot find our way
We cannot find our way
We cannot find our way at all'
Three kings found the Lord
And so can we
There are so many voices
So many different choices,
We cannot find our way at all.'
Three kings found the Lord
And so can we
And if you've lost your way,
That light burns bright today
And it will shine eternally
Three kings found the Lord
And so can we
'We cannot find our way
We cannot find our way
We cannot find our way at all'
Three kings found the Lord
And so can we
There are so many choices
So many different voices,
We cannot find our way at all.'
Three kings found the Lord
'Lord help us find the way
We need to find the way
Lord help us find the way back home'
Three kings found the Lord
And so can we
'Lord help us find the way
We need to find the way
Lord help us find the way back home'
Three kings found the Lord
And so can we
'Lord help us find the way
We need to find the way
Lord help us find the way back home
Lord help us find the way
We need to find the way
Lord help us find the way back home'
And so must we!
[repeat to fade]
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My internet has been giving me a terrible time for the past week. Last night, when I was pulling my hair out because I STILL couldn’t publish my BLOG, or even get to all of my files, my husband suggested that I stop doing this because it’s too stressful. Too stressful? What was he talking about, too stressful? It’s not stressful at all! (I was snarling the whole time I said that) Dean was right, I had lost my Christmas spirit. So I started looking for it, and found it in this poem.
This Christmas
From The Editors of McCall's Magazine
This Christmas, mend a quarrel.
Seek out a forgotten friend.
Dismiss suspicion, and replace it with trust.
Write a love letter. Share some treasure.
Give a soft answer. Encourage youth.
Manifest your loyalty in word and deed.
Keep a promise. Find the time.
Forgo a grudge. Forgive an enemy.
Listen. Apologize if you were wrong. Try to understand.
Flout envy. Examine your demands on others.
Think first of someone else. Appreciate.
Be kind; be gentle. Laugh a little. Laugh a little more.
Deserve confidence. Take up arms against malice.
Decry complacency. Express your gratitude.
Go to church. Welcome a stranger.
Gladden the heart of a child.
Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth.
Speak your love. Speak it again. Speak it still once again.
Christmas is celebration, and there is no celebration
that compares with the realization of its true meaning -
with the sudden stirring of the heart that has extended
itself toward the core of life. Then, only then,
is it possible to grasp the significance of the first Christmas -
to savor in the inward ear the wild, sweet music of the angel choir;
to envision the star-struck sky, and glimpse,
behind the eyelids the ray of light that fell athwart
a darkened path and changed the world.
“The core of life” that’s exactly what my Savior is to me, the core of my life. How could I find my center? What did I need to do? I made a list of things to do which I will share with you just in case you temporarily misplace Christmas. Or in case you need to regain the spirit.
1. Whose birthday is it that we are celebrating? What kind of gifts should we give?
A. Presents of the heart.
Gifts of time
1) meals
2) babysitting
3) shopping for a neighbor
4) visit residents at the local nursing home.
a. Find out name of a resident who seldom has visitors, and go back just to spend time with them.
B. Donate to Sub for Santa or buy food bags to go to the food bank
C. Success come in CANS, not in cannots! Put this saying on a can or jar. Put in
your extra change --make some small sacrifices, then use the money to help someone in need
D. Send a thank you card to someone who helped you out or made a difference in your life
E. Make your choices based upon the thought “What would Christ do?"
F. Put out a Christ centered decoration
G. Remember, Marilee, your BLOG is a gift of love, not a chore, and do NOT threaten to unplug your computer permanently. You know you won’t do it.
Thanks, everyone for your patience ~~ Marilee
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Southwest Casserole From Rita
2 cups (8 ounces) uncooked elbow macaroni
2 pounds ground beef
1 large onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (16 ounces) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chilies, drained
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped
Cook macaroni according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, cook beef and onion over medium heat, crumbling beef, until meat is no longer pink. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Drain. Stir in next eight ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Drain macaroni; stir into beef mixture.
Preheat oven to 375°. Transfer macaroni mixture to two greased 2-qt. baking dishes. Top with cheese and jalapenos. Cover and bake at 375° for 30 minutes. Uncover; bake until bubbly and heated through, about 10 minutes longer. Serve one casserole. Cool the second; cover and freeze up to 3 months.
To use frozen casserole: Thaw in refrigerator 8 hours. Preheat oven to 375°. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Cover and bake, increasing time as necessary to heat through and for a thermometer inserted in center to read 165°, 20-25 minutes.
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"Lost on my way to the manger"
By Bob Perks
I was never good at directions.
I'm not a typical man, I actually stop and ask for directions when I'm lost. The problem is I never remember what I'm told.
Mostly it's because I only listen the first time.
Did you ever notice that when you ask someone for directions they tell you in detail and as you turn to walk away, they repeat everything they just said again. Like they are repeating it for their own sake.
That's where they lose me. I need to be told once and while it's fresh in my mind I need to run back to the car and take off.
The second time they tell me, I try to tune out what they are saying and my theory is it's like erasing a tape on playback.
I think that's what happened to me with Christmas.
I'm lost this year. I thought I knew the way, but it turns out all the familiar landmarks are missing.
Most of them are still in the attic. Some are gone for good.
Lights, garland, the big Christmas tree, the clipboard with all of the mailing addresses for Christmas cards, among other things, still remain tucked away in boxes.
That's why I got lost.
I stopped and asked for directions from a few friends. They knew exactly how to get there. Or at least how to find their Christmas.
I listened and then when I got home I forgot everything they told me.
What they described couldn't be found in my house.
I sat in my living room. Through the doorway I could see my tiny tree.
Still, I felt little of what I was looking for. I gazed around the room and it was ordinary. No twinkle, no glitter, no greens or stockings hung along the stairs.
I had no idea where I was. "This is Christmas?" I asked.
So, I called for directions.
"Dear God,
This is Bob. I'm sorry to bother you. I know this is a busy time for you as the world is getting ready to celebrate Your Son's birthday.
But I'm lost.
Yes, again.
I'm on my way to Christmas and I can't find it. All the signs are missing. I get the feeling I'm closing in on it and then...then the feeling is gone.
What God? I'm looking at the wrong signs?
But it's all I ever looked for in Christmas. You know, the lights the decorations, and presents. I've had to stop buying presents this year. So, that has me really lost. I mean there's no wrapping to be done.
There's no placing them under the tree. No real joy in seeing everyone opening them on Christmas day.
I've been looking in the wrong places you say?
But Christmas is all that and more, right God? It's memories of the past. Pictures of family gathered around the tree. Candles glowing in the night.
Parties and big dinners, laughter and carols sung by choirs at church. Music on the radio that brings warm feelings of joy to my heart.
I can't find it. Others have. I see it in their eyes.
You're right. Maybe I have been looking at it all wrong. You didn't move it? I mean, you didn't change it in any way, did you God?
It's always been the same, you say, but we've changed it. I understand, I think.
So, in a sense my Christmas this year, being alone, may very well help me to find Christmas again?
I thought Christmas was all about family.
It is, you say. It's about the Holy Family. Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
The only Christmas lights were the stars. The only directions to it were by following the brightest star.
The only decoration was hay and only three gifts were given.
I remember now.
Forgive me God, but where do I find it, how do I find it on my own?
And God said to me, "And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloth, and lying in a manger."
I sat quietly. There was no reason for those directions to be repeated to me.
I knew them by heart. Somehow though, I had gotten lost along the way.
It just so happens that my all time favorite carol is "Silent Night." It is, in fact, how I will be spending Christmas this year. Quietly. Peacefully...Silently.
Don't feel sorry for me. Don't pity me. This year I may not have the Christmas I always remembered, but I will have the Christmas I should have been looking for...I was just... "Lost on my way to the manger."
Come with me. Even in the hustle of your busy Christmas celebration. Find the Silent Night and look for the manger. There you will find all you've ever needed.
I hope to see you there.
Merry Christmas!
"I believe in you!" Bob Perks
Bob@BobPerks.com
Please don't remove my name and contact info!
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