The Perfect Gift

 

"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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Christmas is a time when we find our way back home, whether in person or in our hearts. It’s a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus, relive childhood memories, continue cherished traditions, and share hospitality and good will with others. It is a privilege for me to share my love of Jesus Christ with you. He is our Savior, our Redeemer, the Hope of our world. This year’s blogs will contain links and lyrics to some of my favorite Christmas songs as well as recipes (My daughter wants soup recipes because it was cold when I asked her what kind of recipes to put in), stories, poems, decorating tips and other fun stuff. I hope you will enjoy them ~~ Marilee

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I love music. I love “Christmas” music and yes, I listen to it all year. It never gets old. Although I admit there are only so many times you can listen to squeaky little animal voices (sorry, Alvin). That’s not the case for all people. Some people prefer their Christmas music to play solely on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Some only like carols, some only like Country Christmas, some instrumental, some like jazz. Because our taste in music is so diverse, I try to bring in many different genres. This year there will be traditional carols, instrumentals, jazz, rock and roll, and country to name a few. I hope each of you can find something you like. Enjoy the links-most of them have great videos which go along with the music. The youtube song links often include advertisements. I do not endorse any of the products.

If I Were There

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqLMuNTLLyA

If I were there on that silent night,

Would I hear angels sing praises in the sky?

If I were there, would I go with haste

With humble shepherds to seek His holy place?

If I were there, I’d find the manger

And bow before the tiny Savior.

I’d sense the peace that filled the air

If I were there, if I were there.

If I were there, would I see the star

Or join with wisemen who journeyed from afar?

If I were there, would I gladly bring

My finest treasure to lay before my King?

If I were there, I’d find the manger

And bow before the tiny Savior.

I’d sense the peace that filled the air

If I were there, if I were there.

I was not here, but inside I know

That precious baby who came so long ago

Was Jesus Christ, Lord of heav’n and earth;

I sing his praises as I celebrate His birth.

If I were there, I’d find the manger

And bow before the tiny Savior.

I’d sense the peace that filled the air

If I were there, if I were there.

If I were there.

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Born in Idaho, I was weaned on Potato Soup.

Potato Soup

1 cup chopped onions

1 cup finely chopped celery

2 cups finely diced potatoes

1 can chicken broth

12 ounces bacon, finely chopped and fried

¾ cup butter (not margarine)

¾ cup flour

1 T vinegar

1 quart half and half

1 ½ t. Salt

1 t. Pepper

Put the prepared vegetables in a saucepan. Add chicken broth plus enough water to barely cover the vegetables. Simmer, covered over medium heat till barely tender. In the meantime, melt butter in another medium saucepan. Add flour. Blend and cook, stirring constantly until the flour is thoroughly incorporated; add the cream. Cook and stir with wire whip, until smooth and thick. Stir constantly! Add undrained vegetables, bacon and vinegar. Heat through, but do not boil again.

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I fell asleep Sunday afternoon, and woke to find Dean watching “It’s a Wonderful Life.” It made me smile. That is the best Christmas movie EVER! George Bailey felt like his life was a total failure. Nothing turned out like he planned or thought that he wanted. Facing disaster, he went to a bridge to throw himself off, he rescued Clarence, his guardian angel, instead. Clarence showe him what life would like if he was never born. The world became a dark, dismal place. My favorite line in the movie is "A toast to my big brother George: the richest man in town."  George was rich in everything that mattered.  Other great quotes are:  “Look daddy, teacher says, every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings,” “Remember, no man is a failure who has friends.” and “Look, we’re still in business! We’ve still got two bucks left!”

Great  movie, great quotes

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Deciding on a theme for this year's blog has been challenging. Earlier this week, I remembered a story I heard as a child. I’ll try to recreate it for you. The story was about a woman walking across the African Serengeti. She was heavy with child, and lovingly caressed her belly as she walked, dreaming of her child’s future, seeking a gift for her precious one.

In the distance, she saw a spirit approach her. As it neared, the spirit said, “Touch ME and your child will be wealthy. It will never know hunger, or need.” The woman walked on.

The next spirit she saw said, “Touch ME and your child will be famous. Everyone will know its name.” Again she walked on.

The third spirit said “Touch ME. Your child will be beautiful. It will be praised and adored by all.” Once more, she walked on, and continued walking as she was offered “power”, “glory” and “security” for her child..

Tired, she trudged on, seeking the best gift for her child. Approached by another spirit, this one said, “Touch ME and your child will not have great wealth, or beauty or power. Your child will go to bed hungry at times - homeless, but he will always see the light and follow it. He will hear a voice call him and will seek after the voice and the vision time and time again. Beyond the horizon, there will always be a new light.

“But what gift will my child receive?”

Reaching down and picking up a handful of sand, the spirit slowly let the sand slip through its fingers, glittering in the light. “Your child will see beauty in everything. When he looks around, he will always see the beauty in this world and move forward with hope.”

And the woman cried out, “Touch me! Touch ME!”

She was seeking the best gift she could find for her child. Christmas is about gifts, and this year, my blog will be about the gifts we have received from our Savior as well as the ones we offer to Christ and each other.

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Jesus Is The Gift

By Holly Gerth

Jesus Is The Gift

That perfectly fits every heart,

And it is with his love that all celebration starts.

We rejoice in Him as we remember his birth

And thank God for sending His only son to earth.

His life led from a manger to a cross on a hill

Where He faithfully followed His Father’s perfect will.

He freely laid down everything so we could live

And there is no greater treasure anyone could give.

Like a scarlet ribbon, His love wrapped around the cross

And He offered it to us at the greatest cost.

So when we give from the heart, we remember what He’s done

And honor the perfect gift–God’s one and only son.