What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace. ~Agnes M. Pahro

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RAOK: Offer to return a shopping cart to the store for someone loading groceries in their car

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Who Would Imagine a King
Whitney Houston
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obnoj51kHUQ
audio only

Mommies and daddies always believe
That their little angels are special indeed
And you could grow up to be anything
But who would imagine a king
A shepherd or teacher is what you could be
Or maybe a fisherman out on the sea
Or maybe a carpenter building things
But who would imagine a king
It was so clear when the wise men arrived
And the angels were singing your name
That the world would be different 'cause you were alive
That's what heaven stood still to proclaim
One day an angel said quietly
That soon he would bring something special to me
And of all those wonderful gifts he could bring
Who would imagine, who could imagine
Who would imagine a king
Mmm
Mommy

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Christmas Reindeer Jar
https://www.countryliving.com/diy-crafts/tips/g2132/mason-jar-christmas-crafts/?slide=14

*~**~***~**~*Crock Pot Wassail from Cheryl
1 gallon Apple cider
4 c. orange juice
4 hibiscus tea bags
10 cinnamon sticks
1 t. whole cloves
1 T juniper berries
1 ½ piece of fresh ginger, cut into slices
1 apple, sliced into rounds
1 orange, sliced into rounds
Place all ingredients in crock pot on high heat and cook for 3-4 hours, until color has darkened and fruit is soft.  Remove the tea bag and serve hot.

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When our son, Keith, was just a little boy, he loved to pray.  We never knew exactly what he would pray about when we called on him because he was somewhat unpredictable.  One evening, he said the blessing on the food.  During the prayer,  he thanked God for “mommy and daddy, Shannon, Rachel, Nathan, me and Gina.”  He thanked Heavenly Father for his primary teachers and his friends, his dog, his bed and so on and so on.  Giggles started escaping from his siblings.  I gave the older kids the “look” (even though our eyes were supposed to be closed and our heads bowed, I still visually chastised them ) to keep them quiet.  We all know what those looks are like, don’t we?  Keith finally reached the end of the prayer.  He once again thanked God for everything, but most of all for sugar!  The table itself  erupted in laughter after that and he got mad because no one was taking him seriously.  Keith is grown now, happily married and a father of 2 precocious little boys.  His life is full of sugar, full of the sweet things which he thanked God for that day.  I’ve thought often about that prayer and about how grateful I am for the sweet things in my life–my husbands eyes, and those same beautiful eyes which look out at me from our children’s faces.  Our grandchildren, sunshine, rainbows, flowers, music, laughter - so many sweet things.  I asked my son once to tell me what Christmas was about and he shouted “Santa Claus!”  Anything else?  “Reindeer!”  Anything else?  “Presents!”  Do you remember when we talked about Jesus, and how it is his birthday? “Yes”  The next day I asked him to tell me what Christmas was about and he said, “Santa Claus!”  Anything else?  “Ice Cream!”  What?  "Birthday parties!"  Whose birthday?  “Ummmm ummm Jesus!”  Yes, right.  Good job!  Sometime later (it might have been a few days, I don't remember exactly) I asked him again what Christmas was about and he said “Jesus!” for the very first time.  He was so sweet.  We need to make sure that our children understand who Jesus is and recognize all of the incredible sweetness which fills our lives because of him ~~Marilee

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I extracted this from a lesson found at https://www.sunday-school-center.com/support-files/lg2-lesson-1-what-is-christmas-to-you.pdf
Sunday School Center  Christmas Series – Lesson #1   www.SundaySchoolCenter.com
©2010 Sharon Kay Chatwell

Today I want to tell you the reason we have Christmas.
The reason we have Christmas is to celebrate Jesus’ birth!
Jesus is the Son of God. 
A long time ago Jesus was born here, and that is why we celebrate Christmas.  It is Jesus’ birthday!!
Mary was Jesus’ mother.
Mary was the name of the woman who had baby Jesus.
She was Jesus’ mommy.
One day an angel came to see Mary.
The angel told her that she was going to have a baby.
The baby was going to be God’s Son.
The angel told her that she was to name the baby, Jesus.
God is Jesus’ Father. • God the Father called Jesus His “One and Only Son.” • God is Jesus’ daddy. • God loved us very much to send His Son here. • We celebrate this by having Christmas each year!

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Jesus Once Was a Little Child,

— Jesus once was a little child,

A little child like me;

And he was pure and meek and mild,

As a little child should be.

So, little children,

Let’s you and I

Try to be like him,

Try, try, try.

He played as little children play

The pleasant games of youth;

But he never got vexed if the game went wrong,

And he always spoke the truth.

So, little children,

Let’s you and I

Try to be like him,

Try, try, try.

Words: James R. Murray, 1841–1905

Music: Joseph Ballantyne, 1868–1944