He Shall be

Luke 1:32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

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Every time a hand reaches out

To help another, that is Christmas

Every time someone puts anger aside

And strives for understanding,

That is Christmas.

Every time people forget their differences

And realize their love for each other

That is Christmas.

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John Wesley Work Jr. was a musicologist. Born in 1871, he published his first book of African spirituals in 1901. He taught Latin and Greek on the University level.  He attended Harvard University, then taught at Fisk University.  Eventually, he became President of Roger Williams University in Nashville.  His great love was music.  His second book which included ‘Go Tell it on the Mountains” was published in 1907. 

I've always loved the song.  I recently heard this version, and decided to pass it on.  Warning: This video includes lyrics to Joy to the World. Yes, the three dog Night Version. It’s fun

Go Tell It On the Mountain (Official Music Video) | GENTRI (feat. Brad Wheeler)

Also includes lyrics to Joy To The World. Yes, the three dog Night Version. It’s great!

Go, tell it on the mountain

Over the hills and everywhere

Go, tell it on the mountain

That Jesus Christ is born!

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Roasted Turkey Leg

3 medium potatoes, quartered

2 cups fresh baby carrots

2 celery ribs, cut into 2-1/2-inch pieces

1 medium onion, peeled and quartered

3 garlic cloves, peeled and quartered

1/2 cup chicken broth

3 turkey drumsticks (12 ounces each), skin removed

2 teaspoons seasoned salt

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1 teaspoon dried parsley flake

1/4 teaspoon pepper

Chopped fresh parsley, optional

In a greased 5-qt. slow cooker, combine the first 6 ingredients. Place drumsticks over vegetables. Sprinkle with the seasoned salt, thyme, parsley and pepper. Cook, covered, on low for 5 to 5-1/2 hours or until turkey is tender. If desired, top with chopped fresh parsley just before serving.

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Yesterday we talked about how to find Joy. First, we find Jesus, then we focus on Others. What happened to the "y"? The "y" stands for you, for me, for all of us. I thought a lot about it. If we want to put Jesus first and Others second, to get the maximum joy, then we have to take care of ourselves so that we can. Christmas can be very stressful. To help get us in shape for "joy" duty, we need to:

1) sleep

2) eat healthy meals

3) find a few minutes for ourselves to relax

4) Reevaluate our expectations for ourselves and for others. For example, I recently had surgery and am not able to do everything on my "MUST GET THESE THINGS DONE OR ELSE CHRISTMAS WILL BE RUINED" list. It won't.  My blog is not as extensive as I thought it would be this year.   I hope you understand. My decorations are not as elaborate as past years.  Setting reasonable goals while keeping Jesus and others in mind and remembering what it's all about brings peace. This also applies to our expectations of others. People sometimes disappoint us. Love them anyway.  Accept and show gratitude for what is done!

5) Choose to be grateful. Gratitude is not based on circumstances, it's based on perspective. Keep your eyes on the prize--increasing our faith in and love of Our Savior, Jesus Christ. ~~ Marilee

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A Christmas Alphabet Poem

Author Unknown

A is for Angels, appearing so bright, telling of Jesus that first Christmas night.
“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host.”
Luke 2:13.

B is for Bethlehem, crowded and old, birthplace of Jesus by prophet foretold.
“But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel.”
Micah 5:2.

C is for Cattle, their manger His bed, there in the trough where He laid His head.
“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes,
and laid him in a manger.”
Luke 2:7.

D is for David and his ancient throne promised forever to Jesus alone.
“He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God
shall give unto him the throne of his father David.”
Luke 1:32.

E is for East, where shone the bright star which Magi on camels followed afar.
“Behold, there came wise men from the east asking ‘Where is the king of the Jews?’”
Matthew 2:1,2.

F is for Frankincense, with myrrh and gold, brought by the Wise Men as Matthew has told.
“And when they had opened their treasurers, they presented unto him gifts gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”
Matthew 2:11.

G is for God, who from heaven above sent down to mankind the Son of His love.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish
but have everlasting life.”
John 3:16.

H is for Herod, whose murderous scheme was told to Joseph in a nocturnal dream.
“The angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise and take the young child and his mother and flee into Egypt… for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.”
Matthew 2:13.

I is for Immanuel, “God with us,” for Christ brought man back to the Father’s house.
“Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
Isaiah 7:14.

J is for Joseph so noble and just, obeying God’s word with absolute trust.
“Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife.”
Matthew 1:24.

K is for King. A true king He would be, coming in power and authority.
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem; behold, the King cometh unto thee;
he is just, and having salvation.”
Zechariah 9:9.

L is for Love that He brought down to earth God enfleshed in lowly birth.
“In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because God sent his only begotten Son into the world,
that we might live through him.” 1 John 4:9.

M is for Mary, His mother so brave, counting God faithful and mighty to save.
“And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.”
Luke 1:38.

N is for Night, when the Savior was born for nations of earth and people forlorn.
“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.”
Luke 2:8.

O is for Omega, meaning “the last;” He’s eternal present, future and past.
“I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.”
Revelation 22:13.

P is for Prophets, when living on earth foretold His redemption and blessed birth.
“I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near.
A star will come out of Jacob; a sceptre will rise out of Israel.”
Numbers 24:17.

Q is for Quickly, as shepherds who heard hastened to act on that heavenly word.
“And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.”
Luke 2:16.

R is for Rejoice.  The sorrow of sin is banished forever when Jesus comes in.
“And you will have joy and gladness; and many will rejoice at his birth.”
Luke 1:14.

S is for Savior.  To be this He came; the angel of God assigned Him His name.
“She will bring forth a son, and you will call his name JESUS,
for he will save his people from their sins.”
Matthew 1:21.

T is for Tidings of joy, not of danger, telling of Him who was laid in a manger.
“And the angel said unto them, Fear not for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy,
which shall be to all people.”
Luke 2:10.

U is for Us, to whom Jesus was given to show us the way and take us to heaven.
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”
Luke 2:11.

V is for Virgin, foretold by the sage, God’s revelation on prophecy’s page.
“Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a Son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel,
which being interpreted is, God with us.”
Matthew 1:23.

W is for Wonderful, His works and His words, the King of all Kings, the Lord of all Lords.
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given… and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor,
The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6.

X is for Christ. It’s X in the Greek, Anointed, Messiah, mighty, yet meek.
“God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power.”
Acts 10:38.

Y is for Yes, called God’s Yes in His Word; God’s answer to all is Jesus the Lord.
“For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.”
2 Corinthians 1:20.

Z is for Zeal as it burned in Christ’s heart. Lord, by thy Spirit to us zeal impart.
“And his disciples remembered that it was written, the zeal of your house has eaten me up.”