As the Christmas season envelops us with all its glory, may we, as did the Wise Men, seek a bright, particular star to guide us to our Christmas opportunity in service to our fellowman. May we all make the journey to Bethlehem in spirit, taking with us a tender, caring heart as our gift to the Savior. And may one and all have a joy-filled Christmas Thomas S. Monson
All Because of Him
All Because of Him (New Christmas Song) #OfficialMV | Shawna Edwards | Christian Music 2022
No other star gave more light before
No lullaby was so sweet
No other corner so plain and poor
Ever sheltered a King
No other night is remembered more
With verses written and sung
No other Babe ever born on earth
Would change everything for us
Now there is light for the darkness
And healing for the pain
Wrongs will be righted
And tears wiped away
There is strength for the battle
And love that never dims
Hope for a better world
All because of Him
He left His throne for a pauper's bed
Traded His crown for a cross
He lived to comfort, to heal and bless
Out of love for us
We'll always have one more song to sing
And stories we tell again
About that night in Bethlehem
And every night since then
Now there is light for the darkness
And healing for the pain
Wrongs will be righted
And tears wiped away
There is strength for the battle
And love that never dims
Hope for a better world
All because of Him
All because of Him
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COUNTRY SOUP
1/2 c. split green peas
1/2 c. barley
1/2 c. lentils
1/2 c. raw rice
2 tbsp. parsley
2 tbsp. onion flakes
2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. lemon pepper
2 tbsp. beef bouillon
1/4 c. alphabet noodles
Use dried ingredients and seasonings. Layer peas, barley, lentils, and rice in 1 quart jar. Layer the parsley, onion flakes, salt, lemon pepper and beef bouillon just around the edges. Put the alphabet noodles just around the edges. Fill the remaining part of the jar with twist macaroni. Give as a gift with instructions to add 3 quarts of water, 2 stalks of chopped celery, 2 slices carrots, 1 cup shredded cabbage, 2 cups of tomatoes and simmer until vegetables are tender. You can add a nice touch by placing a piece of fabric over the cover and securing it with a ribbon or yarn.
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There’s More to Christmas…
Author Unknown
There’s more, much more to Christmas
Than candlelight and cheer;
It’s the spirit of sweet friendship
That brightens all the year;
It’s thoughtfulness and kindness,
It’s hope reborn again,
For peace, for understanding,
For goodwill to men!
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Yesterday we talked about the gift of Self-Esteem the Savior has given us and how we can improve our own perception of ourselves. As adults, our self-esteem is largely based on two sources of self: our perceived self — who we really think we are, and our ideal self — who we really think we ought to be. The wider the gap, the lower our self-esteem. Here are some things we can do to build those around us. Number 1 on my list is to help them get involved with others. Too often people with poor self-esteem hide (mentally or physically). Reach out to them and let you know you care. Invite them to join you in your activities. Give them sincere compliments. Look for what’s good in them and acknowledge it. Don't lie. They will know. Encourage them to learn to do something new. Stand by them and applaud successes, attempts, and even failed attempts. If you try it with them and fail, laugh at yourself, laugh with them ~~ Marilee
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Mary’s Dream
I had a dream, Joseph, I don't understand it, not really, but I think it was about a birthday celebration for our Son. I think that was what it was all about. The people had been preparing for it for about six weeks. They had decorated the house and bought new clothes. They'd gone shopping many times and bought elaborate gifts. It was peculiar, though, because the presents weren't for our Son.
They wrapped them in beautiful paper and tied them with lovely bows and stacked them under a tree. Yes, a tree, Joseph, right in their house. They'd decorated the tree also. The branches were full of glowing balls and sparkling ornaments. There was a figure on the top of the tree. It looked like an angel might look. Oh, it was beautiful.
Everyone was laughing and happy. They were all excited about the gifts. They gave the gifts to each other, Joseph, not to our Son. I don't think they even knew Him. They never mentioned His name. Doesn't it seem odd for people to go to all that trouble to celebrate someone's birthday if they don't know Him?
I had the strangest feeling that if our Son had gone to this celebration He would have been intruding. Everything was so beautiful, Joseph, and everyone so full of cheer, but it made me want to cry. How sad for Jesus -not to be wanted at His own birthday celebration.
I'm glad it was only a dream. How terrible, Joseph, if it had been real.
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