And when we find Him, will we be prepared as were the wise men of old to provide gifts from our many treasures? They presented gold, frankincense and myrrh. These are not the gifts Jesus asks of us. From the treasure of our hearts Jesus asks that we give of ourselves. Thomas S. Monson

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A Soldier’s King
written by John Barlow Jarvis and Kenny Horton
performed by Donny Osmond
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ja-7nRKLrsM

No one seemed to notice
The man beside the road
He was just a ragged soldier
Out there in the cold
But he seemed to have a purpose
Only known to him
As he walked along the streets that night
Through the town of Bethlehem

In his head he held a memory
Of all the wars he'd known
In his hand he clutched a medal
For the bravery he'd shown
And the weight of every battle
He carried in his heart
But his eyes were clear and searching
For a manger in the dark

Chorus:
Some are born to greatness
Some are born to fall
Some are bound to be forgotten
Like they never lived at all
But we're all born to know Him
And stand before His light
Like the soldier who found his king tonight

He had marched for politicians
Served under their command
And he fought for all the causes
That he did not understand
But it was something deep inside him now
That led him on his way
With a single star to guide him
To where the baby lay

(Chorus)

He stood before the Son of God
Come to pay our debt
He smiled up at the soldier
That the world would soon forget
So he held out his medal
And said this for you I bring
There he swore allegiance
To the newborn baby king

~*~*~*~

Games

Candy Cane Relay

extracted from 10 Fun Candy Cane Game Ideas {Candy Cane Olympics} - Play Party Plan

The basic idea of this game is a team relay where you’ll be walking and passing candy canes (like a relay baton) to see who can finish first.

Give each player a candy cane and give the first person (Player 1) on each team a second candy cane. That person should hook the candy cane on the bottom of the candy cane they’re already holding.

When you say go, the first person should walk across the room to their teammates on the other side. When they get there, they need to transfer the hooked candy cane from their candy cane to the other person’s candy cane, without touching it with their other hand.

That person then go to the other side again, transfers their candy cane to the next person. Continue until all teammates have completed their legs. Teams with four people will have each person walk one leg of the relay, teams with three people will have player 1 walk two (they’ll walk the final leg).

*

Pass The Antlers

Buy an antlers head band from the store.

Played like the traditional game of Hot Potato, pass the antlers have guests gather in a circle and pass a pair of antlers around as music plays.

When each player receives the antlers, she must put them on her head, then take them back off and pass them to the next player. Any player caught wearing the antlers when the music stops is out of the game. Play continues until one player remains.

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Pretzel Bars

2 cups finely crushed pretzels
2/3 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup sugar
2 pkg. (3.9 oz. each) Chocolate Instant Pudding
2 cups cold milk
1 cup Creamy Peanut Butter, divided
1-3/4 cups thawed Cool whip, divided
2 bananas, sliced
24 miniature pretzel twists

Heat oven to 350°F. Mix pretzel crumbs, 1/4 cup sugar and butter; press onto bottom of 13x9-inch pan. Bake 10 min.; cool completely. Meanwhile, beat dry pudding mixes, milk and 3/4 cup peanut butter in medium bowl with whisk until well blended. Stir in 3/4 cup whipped topping. Spread 3/4 cup peanut butter mixture over crust; top with bananas and remaining pudding mixture. Whisk remaining peanut butter and half of the remaining whipped topping in separate medium bowl until well blended. Stir in remaining topping; spread over dessert. Refrigerate 2 hours. Top with whole pretzels just before serving.

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I saw a meme recently which said, “Loving a military man is not hard. The distance is hard, the worry is hard, the sacrifices are hard. But loving him … that’s the easiest thing I’ve ever done.” Every year, I do a blog honoring those serving in the military and their families.

Nineteen years of fighting this war against terrorism has left our military forces and their families accustomed to being apart on days that are supposed to make us feel together. Christmas is a big one. In 2019, a study was done that showed 15% of military families struggle to feed their families.

There are “Adopt a Military Family” programs across the country.

There are Angel trees for military members.

The Full Circle Home program gives deployed servicemen a chance to send a gift box to their wives back home. Gift boxes contain pampering items, such as lotions, bubble baths and spa socks. They also feature a handwritten note from the serviceman.

Donate to the ASYMCA Operation Holiday Joy program and 100% of your donation goes to food and toys this holiday season and you can designate your donation to a specific program.

Trees for Troops

Every family needs a Christmas tree and Tree for Troops, sponsored by the Christmas Spirit Foundation, offers free Christmas trees for military families. Trees are available at 62 bases throughout the United States.
Read more: https://militarybenefits.info/christmas-programs-for-military-families-in-need/#ixzz6gnUBuFzw Another excellent site for ideas is Christmas 2020 (militarybenefits.info)
WE owe our military families SO much. Tell them thank you. Let them know that we appreciate their sacrifice. Their job is not easy, and their choice to join is heroic. Let them know we care.

My walk yesterday was to develop more Christlike patience with others. I do not know if the Christmas dolls I’m making exactly qualify, but they required more patience than I had. After 4 hours of trying unsuccessfully to attach backpacks, I dumped them into a corner and watched a Christmas Special with my husband. This is something I need to continue to work on every day! Today I’m walking the gratitude path. I am going to find the opportunity to thank our soldiers in some way, to thank those who protect liberty and freedom of religion, as well as so many other liberties. If you are aware of any opportunities to serve, please add them in a comment ~~ Marilee

~*~*~*~

Christmas At Sea

Author unknown

The sea is cold, the night is dark... the blowing wind is crisp,
I stare across the ship's huge deck... I did not get my wish.
I wanted so, to be at home... this year on Christmas Eve,
But this will be the year that I... did not get Christmas leave.

I stand and think about my family... gathered by the tree,
I know that one will say my name... and then they'll think of me.
I am not there to share their joy... my country needs me here,
But I am not the only one... who won't get home this year.

I miss my family but I am... on guard for my country,
Protecting those who can have Christmas... is my first duty.
Many men have given all... for us to have that right,
And I feel honored just to sacrifice... a Christmas night.

But still I'm feeling so alone... as many of us are,
As I just stand here on the deck... and watch a Christmas star.
I guess it is a Christmas star... it shines for all it's worth,
And I think back to when a star... foretold His peace on earth.

If only people felt this calm... as on this Christmas Eve,
And not create hostilities... that make their brothers grieve.
Then we could have a peaceful world... as it was meant to be,
But until then we must stand guard... and this night it is me.

Once again my thoughts turn home... my family safe and sound,
Because this ship and other men... are ready to stand ground.
The Navy and the other branches... keep us safe and strong,
So those at home can celebrate... and sing their Christmas song.

But knowing that I must do this... I can't hold back a tear,
Wishing I was home this Christmas... sharing in the cheer.
Seeing all my families faces... lights and Christmas trim,
Now the night is getting darker... as I think of them.

Trying now to fight this feeling... of such loneliness,
Softly speaking to myself... a lonely Christmas wish.
Actually my Christmas wish... is now a Christmas prayer,
Thank you for the men who serve... our country everywhere.

Thank you for our families... who enjoy this Christmas free,
Thank you for the other men... who serve this ship with me.
Thank you for allowing me... to make this sacrifice,
A joyous Christmas for our families... makes it worth the price.

May there be peace within you today.
May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
I believe that friends are quiet angels who lift us to our feet when our
Wings have trouble remembering how to fly.

Extracted from: Sailor's Christmas (goatlocker.org)