Prince of Peace

 Whatever else be lost among the years, Let us keep Christmas still a shining thing: Whatever doubts assail us, or what fears, Let us hold close one day, remembering its poignant meaning for the hearts of men. Let us get back our childlike faith again. Grace Noll Crowell

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Love Grows at Christmastime

Love Grows at Christmastime_-_ One Voice Children's Choir (Lyrics) - YouTube

Writer: Jeannine D Lasky

Snow falls, nature slumbers, Winter's flurry stops new growth

December brings the season, filled with laughter and new hopes
Kindness abounds, good deeds seems to thrive,
Hate is put down while true brotherhood comes alive
Love grows at Christmastime,
When best that's within us is willingly given

When seeds of forgiveness are planted within our hearts
Soft words, spoken freely, fill the air with joyful soundssounds
Warm smiles shared with gladness life the spirits of those worn down
Families comes home strangers makes new friends (2×)
Happiness flows when we reach out with open hands

Hearts heals at Christmastime
When seeds of forgiveness are planted within our hearts
Soft words, spoken freely, fill the air with joyful soundssounds
Warm smiles shared with gladness life the spirits of those worn down
Families comes home strangers makes new friends (2×)
Happiness flows when we reach out with open hands  

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Recipe

Marbled Mint Candy

½ cup Semisweet Chocolate Chips

12 oz Vanilla Almond Bark or Candy Coating

2/3 cup Crushed Candy Canes

Hershey’s mint candy bars

Line a baking sheet with foil or a silicone mat and set aside. In a medium, microwave-safe bowl heat the vanilla almond bark at full power in 1-minute intervals. Stirring after each minute until melted and smooth. Be careful not to overheat and burn it. Once the vanilla bark is melted stir in the crushed candy canes and stir well. Line bottom of pan with hershey bars. Spread the vanilla bark mixture onto hershey bars. Place the chocolate chips in a small microwave-safe dish and microwave at 1-minute intervals until melted and smooth. Drizzle the melted chocolate chips over top of the mint bars. Using a butter knife make a few passes the lengthwise and widthwise through the bark to create the marbled effect. Let chill for at least 25 minutes.  

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I printed everything out for the 12 Scriptures of Christmas. The scripture for the 1^st day is “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” I have paired that with this story:

There once was a king who offered a prize to the artist who would paint the best picture of peace. The contest stirred the imagination of artists everywhere. Many artists wanted a chance at winning the prize. Paintings from far and wide began to arrive.

The king looked at all the pictures, uncovering one peaceful scene after another as the on-lookers clapped and cheered. The tensions grew as only two pictures remained veiled. As the king pulled the cover from one, a hush fell over the crowd. 

It was a picture of a calm lake. The lake was a perfect mirror for peaceful towering mountains all around it. Overhead was a beautiful blue sky with fluffy white clouds. Along the grassy shore, a flock of sheep grazed undisturbed. All who saw this picture thought that it was a perfect picture of peace. Surely this was the winner.

The king uncovered the last painting, and the crowd gasped in surprise. Could this be peace? This picture had mountains like the previous painting but these were rugged and bare. Above was an angry sky, from which rain fell and in which lightning played. Down the side of the mountain tumbled a foaming waterfall; the crowd could almost feel its cold, penetrating spray. This did not look peaceful at all.

But when the king looked closely, he saw a little bird had built a nest on a branch of a tree. A tree that reached out in the direction of the tumultuous waterfall. Yet there, in the midst of the rush of angry water, undisturbed in her stormy surroundings, sat the mother bird on her nest – in perfect peace. 

The king chose the last picture.

I am seeking to walk in his ways, and today I am going to Read The Last Straw By Paula MacDonald and set up a manger in your home. Fill it with straw or very good deed you do. You can read this story online or purchase the book. It will add magic to your Christmas. ~~ Marilee

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AWAY IN A MANGER, REVISITED

by Dianna Gilliam <justpeachy@greenhills.net>

Away in a manger our Saviour once lay,

and that is the reason we have Christmas day;

He came down from Heaven to live here below

to suffer and die because He loves us so.

The shepherds first found Him on that starry night;

An angel spoke to them and they saw His light.

They knelt in the hay there so fragrant and warm

and worshipped our Saviour that first Chrustmas morn.

Three kings came to praise Him and gifts to Him gave,

and to all His children He then showed the way

to serve Him and others by day and by night,

and love God, the Father, with heart, mind, and might.

He taught us to know what is wrong and what's right...

to pray without ceasing and seek further light;

To love everybody, the weak and the strong;

and ever remember to Him we belong.

Let us then be worthy in spirit and truth,

to guide others to Him, our lives be the proof;

To bring souls to Jesus that they might be free,

and praise, ever praise Him, where e'er we may be!

Away in a manger, asleep in the hay,

our Saviour's the reason for Christmas today.

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LIGHT UP YOUR HOLIDAY -

1 Corinthians 13, Christmas Version

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir's cantata but do not focus on those I love the most, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child.

Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband/wife

Love is kind, though harried and tired.

Love doesn't envy another's home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.

Love doesn't yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way.

Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can't.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.

Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust.

But the gift of love will endure.