Good Example

 

“At this Christmas when Christ comes, will He find a warm heart? Mark the season of Advent by loving and serving the others with God’s own love and concern.” —Mother Teresa

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Some Children See Him (this is a beautiful version by Kenny Loggins.  There is no video to accompany it.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8X0S6RkRGqw

Some children see him lily white,

The baby Jesus born this night,

Some children see him lily white,

With tresses soft and fair.

 

Some children see him bronzed and brown,

The lord of heav'n to earth come down.

Some children see him bronzed and brown,

With dark and heavy hair.

 

Some children see him almond-eyed,

This Savior whom we kneel beside,

Some children see him almond-eyed,

With skin of yellow hue.

 

Some children see him dark as they,

Sweet Mary's son to whom we pray,

Some children see him dark as they,

And, ah! they love him, too!

 

The children in each diff'rent place

Will see the baby Jesus' face

Like theirs, but bright with heav'nly grace,

And filled with holy light.

 

O lay aside each earthly thing,

And with thy heart as offering,

Come worship now the infant king.

'tis love that's born tonight! 

 

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Cheddar Cheese Soup

4 T butter

¼ cup diced onion

3 or 4 carrots, diced

5 - 6 T flour

2 cans chicken broth

3 cups grated cheddar cheese

⅔ cup milk

¼ t salt and pepper

Chopped parsley

croutons

Optional * a few drops of hot sauce

Cook vegetables in butter in a 3-quart saucepan for 25 minutes.  Stir occasionally.  Remove from heat, stir in flour, mixing well.  Cook for 1 minute, add broth and bring to a boil, stirring constantly.  Gradually stir in cheese, Add milk, salt and pepper and *hot sauce.   Heat, but don’t bring to boil.  Serve with chopped parsley and croutons

 

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Our Savior walked through the lands of Galilee, Judea, Perea and Samaria during His ministry.  Jesus Christ was, and still is, the perfect example of love. In His life on earth, He cared for the poor, He healed the blind (see John 9:1–7), He welcomed little children (see Matthew 19:13–14), and He even forgave those who crucified Him (see Luke 23:34).  He set a wonderful example for us in all ways.  We cannot perform his miracles, but we can share with those around us the gift of being a good example by caring for the poor, protecting and cherishing children, not holding grudges, or putting others down ~~ Marilee

 

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I heard the bells on Christmas Day

Their old, familiar carols play,

And wild and sweet the words repeat

Of peace on earth, good will to men!

 

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The Faded Blue Blanket

~~ Fred Bauer

The most frightened shepherd that night was little Ladius, just ten. He cowered behind his three older brothers when the blinding star lit the hillside. When the angel appeared, he hid behind a huge rock.

Yet, after Ladius heard the glad news, fear left him, and he limped back to his brothers, who were planning to set out for Bethlehem.

"Who will tend the sheep?" asked Samuel, the oldest at sixteen. Ladius, leaning against his shepherd's crook to support a crippled foot, volunteered, "I'd only slow you down. Let me stay with the sheep." He wet his lip as he talked. The brothers weakly protested at first, then made plans to go.

"We must each take a gift," said Samuel. One brother chose his flint to start a fire for the Christ child. Another picked meadow lilies to make a garland for the king. Samuel decided on his most precious possession -- his gold ring.

"Here -- take my blanket to him," said Ladius. It was badly worn, a faded blue with patches.

"No, Ladius," said Samuel, tenderly. "The blanket is too tattered to give even to a beggar -- let alone a king. Besides, you will need it tonight."

The brothers departed, leaving Ladius alone by the fire. He laid his head upon the blanket and buried his face in his hands. Tears forced their way between his fingers, but soon the hush of night soothed the boy's heartbeat. The world in silent stillness lay ...

"Are you coming, Ladius?" called a voice. Standing nearby was the same angel who had brought the news. "You wanted to see the child, didn't you?"

"Yes," nodded Ladius, "but I must stay here."

"My name is Gabriel," said the angel. "Your sheep will be watched. Take my hand and bring your blanket. The child may need it."

Suddenly, Ladius was outside a stable. Kneeling by a manger were his brothers. Ladius started to call out, but the angel lifted a finger to his lips.

"Give me the blanket," Gabriel whispered. The angel took it and quietly covered the baby. But the blanket was no longer faded. Now it glistened like dew in the brilliance of a new day. Returning, Gabriel squeezed Ladius's hand, "Your gift was best because you gave all that you had ..."

"Wake up, Ladius, wake up!" The boy rubbed his eyes and tried to shield them from the glaring sun. Hovering over him was Samuel.

"Did you find him?" asked Ladius.

"Yes," replied Samuel, "but first tell me why you were sleeping without your blanket."

Ladius looked about with wonder. The faded blue blanket was nowhere to be found -- then, or thereafter.