For this is God,

 Psalms 48:14 For this is God, Our God forever and ever; He will be our guide even to death.

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"I truly believe that if we keep telling the Christmas story, singing the Christmas songs, and living the Christmas spirit, we can bring joy and happiness and peace to this world." -Norman Vincent Peale

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Nothing But A Child

Kathy Mattea - Nothing But A Child - YouTube

Once upon a time
In a far off land
Wise men saw a sign
And set out 'cross the sand
With songs a praise to sing
They traveled day and night
With precious gifts to bring
They were guided by a light

They chased a brand new star
Ever towards the west
Across the mountains far
And when it came to rest
They scarce believed their eyes
They'd come so many miles
The miracle they prized
Was nothing but a child

Nothing but a child
Could wash those tears away
Or guide a weary world
Into the light of day
Nothing but a child
Could help erase those miles
So once again we all
Can be children for a while

Now all around the world
In every little town
Every day is heard
A precious little sound
And every mother kind
And every father proud
Looks down in awe to find
Another chance allowed

Nothing but a child
Could wash those tears away
Or guide a weary world
Into the light of day
And nothing but a child
Could help erase those lines
So once again we all
Can be children for a while

Nothing but a little baby
Nothing but a little baby
Nothing but a child

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My daughter’s father-in-law, Joe Lyman, died today. We have already talked about grief in this year’s blogs, so I won’t dwell on their sorrow, but rather on their happiness and joy. When I think of Joe, I think of the wonderful memories our grandchildren have of him. He loved them. He loved his wife. He loved his family. He loved the out of doors. He loved his community. He loved his church. He loved this world. He was a potter and loved creating beauty. He saw beauty everywhere. There have been many tears shed, and there will be more, but there will also be laughter and moments of joy as they share their good, crazy, funny, uniquely “Joe” moments. He took the time to make memories. This month, let us make memories. I went with friends for lunch today and we ended up playing silly games, laughing and enjoying each other’s company. It will be an afternoon to remember. Take the time to enjoy each other, to make memories your family will cherish. I’ve included some fun activities, or use your imagination and laugh together~ Marilee

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Chicken Tortilla Casserole

Meat from 1 whole chicken
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup green chili salsa
2 tablespoon quick cooking tapioca
1 medium onion, chopped
1 1/2 cup grated cheese (try Monterey Jack)
1 dozen corn tortillas
Black olives

INSTRUCTIONS:

Tear chicken into bite size pieces, mix with soup, chili, salsa and tapioca. Line bottom of crock pot with 3 corn tortillas, torn into bite size pieces. Add 1/3 of the chicken mixture. Sprinkle with 1/3 of the onion and 1/3 of the grated cheese. Repeat layers of tortillas topped with chicken mixture, onions and cheese. Cover and cook on low 6 to 8 hours.

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Santa Limbo

Have participants put a "santa belly" under their shirt using a pillow. Place a limbo stick at a starting height. Then line up, and one by one try to limbo underneath (with the Santa belly) until everyone has tried. Slightly lower the stick and have those who made it through go again. Continually lower the stick until one winner remains!

Stocking Fill up

Form two teams based on how many players there are. Place a Christmas stocking for each team on the other end of the room. The players will then race to their team’s stocking with a spoonful of candy, deposit the candy and return to their team. This relay continues until one team fills up their stocking to win the game.

These are just 2 fun ideas from 30 Christmas Party Games Everyone Will Love

Top 30 Christmas Party Games Everyone Will Love | Shutterfly

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Yarn Christmas Trees
I tried this and it was fun. I pinned it. for those of you having problems with pinterest, it was extracted from

How to Make Yarn Christmas Trees | HGTV

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. . . it is time
to quiet ourselves,
. . . to reflect upon all the gifts
we are . . . and have
. . . and can imagine.

To give thanks

from our deepest selves.
To surrender to the love
that came before us,
lives now among us,
and is,
forever,
before us.
. . . it is time.

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FAR, FAR AWAY ON JUDEA'S PLAINS ~ Jeanne P. Lawler

I was a missionary "Far, Far Away" in Bangalore, India, for Christmas in 1993. On the first week of December, three days after I arrived, I was asked if I would help organize and direct a choir in the Bangalore Branch of our Church. I said, "Happy to."

The members wanted to participate in a choir festival that was an annual event in Bangalore. I selected the above number and sixteen people attended the two enthusiastic rehearsals which were held on a rooftop of a member's home. None of them were familiar with part singing, so we sang in unison without musical accompaniment. Should there be piano, I would play it. We were not aware what this "festival" entailed.

The date of the performance arrived. As we alighted from our harrowing rickshaw ride to the location in downtown Bangalore, we stood gaping before a huge city building, draped with a large banner that read FESTIVAL OF CHOIRS. Stunned, we walked up the broad flight of stairs and into the foyer which was milling with costumed participants. We scrambled to get a printed program. This was a BIG event! Listed were the names of several church, college and university choirs who were participating. We were listed as the "L.D.S. Choir (Mormon's Tabernacle). " We gasped! We didn't know whether to laugh or to cry. We went aside and prayed, pleading for heavenly help. I turned to my companion and said, "You'll have to direct." She said "I've never done that before in my life!" I replied "Just smile, make a figure eight and look confident.”

When the curtain opened for our number, my companion had our Indian "Mormon's Tabernacle Choir" arranged on risers ready to perform. All seven ladies on the front row wore beautiful saris and the nine men behind them wore suits and white shirts. The director was magnificent. She even took a bow! I took a deep breath as I sat down to accompany them on an old upright piano with missing ivories.

The shock from the sound of the first chord nearly threw me off the chair, but when she raised her had and started her figure eight, I could hardly play, and I don't know if I did. It was as if The Choir, whose name we bore on the printed program, were singing. I knew then our prayers were heard and a choir of angels was singing with our little choir. As the last note sounded, there was silence; then, thunderous applause from the packed auditorium. The curtains closed and we wept and jumped for joy.

Guess who won a prize? We did! The fourth verse says Hasten the time when from ev’ry clime, Men shall unite in the strains sublime.” It happened in India!