And he said

 Luke 24:44  And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.

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"As we struggle with shopping lists and invitations, compounded by December's bad weather, it is good to be reminded that there are people in our lives who are worth this aggravation, and people to whom we are worth the same." -Donald E. Westlake

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♬♪ Far Far Away on Judea's Plains ♫♭ - YouTube video

Far, far away on Judea's plains,
Shepherds of old
Heard the joyous strains:
Glory to God, Glory to God,
Glory to God in the highest:
Peace on earth,
Good-will to men;
Peace on earth,
Good-will to men!

Lord, with the angels
We too would rejoice,
Help us to sing with
The heart and voice:
Glory to God, Glory to God,
Glory to God in the highest:
Peace on earth,
Good-will to men;
Peace on earth,
Good-will to men!

Hasten the time when,
From every clime,
Men shall unite
In the strains sublime:
Glory to God, Glory to God,
Glory to God in the highest:
Peace on earth,
Good-will to men;
Peace on earth,
Good-will to men!

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Holiday Recipe

Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli

from Louis

1 package Stove Top for chicken

1 ½ lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into bite sized pieces

1 – 16 oz. Package frozen broccoli florets, thawed, drained

1 can cream of chicken soup

½ pound velveeta cut into cubes

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Prepare stuffing m ix as directed on package, set aside. Combine remaining ingredients; spoon into 13 by 9 baking dish. Top with stuffing. Bake 40 minutes or until done.

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GIFT IDEAS

Aromatherapy Bath Bags: mix equal amounts of lavender flowers, peppermint leaves, sage, rosemary and thyme. (I buy bulk herbs from the health food store, but you can also get them by mail-order.) Add a couple of drops of essential oil (lavender is nice) to give it a little extra punch! Make small muslin bags (2" wide by 4" long). Put a large spoonful of oatmeal in bottom of each bag, then two spoonfuls of herbs. Tie bag closed with string. Knot the ends of the strings so that you can hang it over the faucet as you draw the bath water. You can use the bathbag as a washcloth - the oatmeal softens the skin. (These are only good for one bath - throw away after using.

Pasta Lovers' Bowl

One great gift is a Pasta Lovers' Bowl. Take a colander, either plastic or metal, and line with Italian-inspired tablecloth (red, checked, etc.). Fill with jars of various pasta (buy odd-shaped pasta and pour into inexpensive glass jars and wrap with raffia for decoration). Use similar technique with pasta sauces (either homemade or store-bought). Add a container of Parmesan cheese, a pasta ladle, and any other pasta-related items. It makes a quick and fun gift for just about anyone. (One quick note, though, crumpled sections of paper may be placed under the tablecloth so that the colander's items have varying heights for added interest and appeal.)

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Legend of washing stockings the night before Christmas Eve

This legend is said to have begun 17 centurys ago in Turkey. The Bishop of Myra, Nicholas was known all for his benevolence and love for children. He used to distribute gifts secretly to children on Christmas Eve as a surprise for them. While he was passing a house he heard a father and his daughters lamenting their poverty and how they were unable to be married because they could not provide dowry that was prevalent in those days.

Overcome with pity and sympathy, Nicholas observed the woolen stockings of the girls that they had put on the windowsill to dry and secretly placed enough gold pieces in each to provide dowry for the girls.

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FAR, FAR AWAY ON JUDEA'S PLAINS ~ Jeanne P. Lawler 1924-2013

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 hand 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!

My husband loved this hymn, and it was sung at his memorial service in 1986. Fred was not gifted musically while in mortality, but I like to believe that he was among those summoned to sing "Far, Far Away on Judea's Plains" with the L.D.S. Choir (Mormon's Tabernacle) in Bangalore,
India, December 1993. –