Acceptance

 

Christmas is not just a day, an event to be observed and speedily forgotten. It is a spirit which should permeate every part of our lives.
- William Parks

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I Wonder As I Wander (no video)
performed by Barbra Streisand
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qgxmgVPPgo

I wonder as I wander, out under the sky
How Jesus the Savior, did come for to die
For poor orn'ry people like you and like I
I wonder as I wander, out under the sky

If Jesus had wanted for any wee thing
A star in the sky or a bird on the wing
Or all of God’s angels in heaven for to sing
He surely could've had it, 'cause he was the king

I wonder as I wander, out under the sky
How Jesus the Savior, did come for to die
For poor orn'ry people like you and like I
I wonder as I wander, out under the sky
I wonder as I wander out under the, sky

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Wild Rice Soup

1/3 cup uncooked wild rice

1 T canola oil

1 quart water

1 medium onion, chopped

1 celery rib, finely chopped

1 medium carrot, finely chopped

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

3 cups chicken broth

2 cups half-and-half cream

1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed

1 teaspoon salt

In a medium saucepan, combine the rice, oil and water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven, cook the onion, celery and carrot in butter until vegetables are almost tender. Stir in flour until blended; cook and stir for 2 minutes. Slowly stir in broth and undrained rice. Bring to a boil; cook and stir until slightly thickened, 2 minutes. Reduce heat; stir in the cream, rosemary and salt. Simmer, uncovered, until rice is tender, about 20 minutes.

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Another great gift from Our Savior is the gift of acceptance. During His mortal life, He reached out His hand to the lepers, the poor, the sick, and the woman at the well. In JOHN 15:12, Christ said "This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you." He wants us to reach out to those around us with open hearts and minds, especially our own close family and friends. "The beginning of love is to let those we love be perfectly themselves, and not to twist them to fit our own image. Otherwise we love only the reflection of ourselves we find in them." Thomas Merton. Our place is not to judge or attempt to change people, it is to accept them as they are, “thorns” and all (and hope they will accept our “thorns” as well). ~~ Marilee

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FROM THE HEART
author Unknown

When I was 14 years old (same age as my daughter is today), my mom and I didn't have money for a Christmas dinner, much less gifts.
I knew she was sad about it and I was determined we wouldn't let it get us down. Homemade gifts are nice but I wasn't very imaginative and too broke for supplies. I decided to give my Mom something I treasured myself -- the one nice piece of jewelry I owned, a gold cross necklace.
I cleaned it, made sure there were no knots in the chain and wrapped it in the prettiest paper I could find. I was so excited, I couldn't wait for her to open it.
Single moms have it hard (as I know first hand now) and I really wanted to see her smile. We always opened our gifts on Christmas Eve night and that afternoon, I could wait no longer. I asked if we could "have Christmas" early. I anticipated that Christmas more than when I knew I was getting a lot of nice gifts. I didn't expect to get anything that year. It was about giving.
I handed her the little box, hugged and kissed her and wished her a Merry Christmas. I waited anxiously for her to open it but she just sat there with the box in her hands and looked at it.
I remember the look on Mom's face was a mixture of sadness and serenity. She knew her greatest gift to me was her love. After what seemed a long time, she looked at me and said, "I have something for you too."
She reached into her pocket, pulled out another small box, placed it in my hands, and told me although it was not much, it was filled with love.
I was quite curious and little scared. I knew money was tight and hoped Mom hadn't spent money on something we couldn't afford. There was a little velvet box inside and when I lifted the lid, there was a tiny ring with a diamond chip in the center. In a note, she told me the ring was 23 years old, she hoped it brought me good luck... and "I love you."
I got a huge lump in my throat and looked at her. She smiled and told me it had been her wedding band from my dad. It was now mine. I slipped it on my finger and hugged my Mom.
She opened my gift and when she saw the necklace, big tears filled her eyes. She asked me to put it on her. She held the necklace and told me she thought it was our best Christmas ever. I could only nod my head in agreement.
This Christmas, I give thanks for Mom and treasure every memory we shared. You see, my Mom has advanced Alzheimer's disease and no longer knows me. But I look at "our" ring and remember her gentle, wise spirit and give thanks God blessed me with her.
But that's not the end of the story.
Our home was burglarized four years ago. One of the items stolen was that little ring. I had left all my jewelry at home for safekeeping because it was Memorial Day weekend and I was going to the lake. I was totally heart broken when I found out the ring was gone. Of course, so were my rings, my wedding band, engagement ring, etc., but it was THAT ring I grieved for the most.
I wrote a letter to our local paper and begged whoever stole it to "PLEASE return it by mail anonymously."
A few weeks went by with no response and then one day a police detective showed up at my door. He held out a Kleenex and asked me to identify the item inside.
It was my ring! I have never found out where or how he got it but it remains on my finger to this day.
So as we all go through the holidays, let us remember it's what we give from the heart that holds the most value.