And it came

 

Luke 2:15–16

15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

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"Christmas is like candy; it slowly melts in your mouth sweetening every taste bud, making you wish it could last forever.” — Richelle E. Goodrich

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Oh Little Town of Bethlehem

performed by Nat King Cole, includes lyrics

Nat King Cole - O Little Town Of Bethlehem (Lyric Video) - YouTube

O little town of Bethlehem
How still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight

For Christ is born of Mary
And gathered all above
While mortals sleep, the angels keep
Their watch of wondering love
O morning stars together
Proclaim the holy birth
And praises sing to God the King
And Peace to men on earth

O Holy Child of Bethlehem
Descend to us, we pray
Cast out our sin and enter in
Be born in us today
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell
O come to us, abide with us
Our Lord Emmanuel

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Holiday Recipe

Chili Beef Casserole  (When I cut and pasted this recipe, I forgot to include the sender’s name.  I’m sorry )

3/4 pound lean ground beef
2 teaspoons olive oil
2 onions, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1/4 cup frozen green peas
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 (14.5 ounce) can canned tomatoes, drained and chopped
1/4 cup tomato paste
1 (15.25 ounce) can kidney beans, drained
1 (11 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
4 (6 inch) corn tortillas, quartered
1/3 cup shredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a medium casserole dish.
2. In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until evenly brown. Drain, and set aside.
3. Heat the olive oil in a separate skillet over medium heat, and cook the onions until tender. Mix in the green pepper and peas, and season with chili powder and red pepper flakes. Stir the cooked beef, tomatoes, and tomato paste into the mixture. Reduce heat to low, and simmer 5 minutes. Mix in the kidney beans and corn.
4. Spoon 1/2 the skillet mixture into the prepared casserole dish, and top with 1/2 the tortilla quarters. Layer with remaining skillet mixture.
5. Cover and bake 25 minutes in the preheated oven. Remove cover, and top with remaining tortillas and cheese. Continue baking 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted and golden brown.

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O Thou Joyful Day

O thou joyful day, O thou blessed day,

Holy, peaceful Christmas-tide!

Earth's hopes awaken,

Christ life has taken,

Laud Him, O laud Him on ev'ry side!

O thou joyful day, O thou blessed day,

Holy, peaceful Christmastide!

Christ's light is beaming,

Our souls redeeming,

Laud Him, O laud Him on every side!

O thou joyful day, O thou blessed day,

Holy, peaceful Christmastide!

King of all glory,

We bow before Thee,

Laud Him, O laud Him on every side!

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The Legend of the Christmas Pine Tree

On Christmas night, as Baby Jesus was born, three trees were put next to him: a date palm, an olive tree and a pine tree, and each of them offered him a present.

The olive tree gave its olives, the date palm its dates but, since the pine tree did not have any fruits to offer, stars miraculously landed over the pine tree and shone their light upon it. As he saw the lights, Baby Jesus raised his arms and smiled, it is said that it is the reason why pine tree became the tree of Christmas.

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A routine trip up  north took all day instead of just a few hours.  Here is today’s blog with a story of 2 boys who had Christmas in their hearts and shared the light and love of Christ with those less fortunate.  ~~ Marilee

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Unless

There’s Christmas in the home and church,
There’s Christmas in the mart;
But you'll not know what Christmas is
Unless it's in your heart.

The bells may call across the snow,
And carols search the air;
But, oh, the heart will miss the thrill
Unless it’s Christmas there.

True Christmas Joy

by Tennett Morrell

'Twas the day before Christmas, a long time ago
And our beautiful earth was all covered with snow;
Down the street with their sleighs came two manly boys,
Who paused at the window to look at the toys.

Already two others were there looking in;
But their faces were sad, and their clothes old and thin.
And the little one said, "is it because we're so poor
That Santa doesn't come to our house anymore? "

The older one patted his wee brother's head,
And hugged him up closely, as softly he said:
"Oh, maybe he will come tonight, little Tim,
If we ask in our prayers for the Lord to send him!"

The little face smiled, but the boys saw a tear
In the eye of the one who quelled little Tim's fear.
Then slowly and sadly the waifs went their way
To the place they called home, where that night they would pray.

The boys, with their sleighs, followed closely behind,
And neither one spoke, but in each childish mind
A beautiful thought said as plain as could be:
"I’ll share with those poor boys what Santa brings me. "

When the two reached their home, to their father they ran,
And eagerly told him their unselfish plan.
He was proud of his boys, who now felt that same love
That sent our dear Savior from His Home above.

Next morning, still thrilled with their beautiful thought,

They scampered downstairs to see what Santa brought,
And they, with the help of their father and mother,
Selected the presents for Tim and his brother.

And as the first light of dawn came into view
The two went their way with the toys bright and new,

And crept very quietly up to the door
Where they'd seen the boys enter the evening before.

As they hurried back home toward their own Christmas joys,
They could not even dream how the other two boys,
On finding that Santa had really been there,
Sent their joy to the One who had answered their prayer.

That night, when the "Santas" were ready for bed,
With a hand of their father on each curly head,
They knew, as they thought of two poor, happy boys,
What's the truest and choicest of all Christmas joys.

The End