Luke 2:20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

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“I love how Christmas reminds us to pause and reflect on the important things around us like family, friends, and all the things money can’t buy.”

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This song is new to me this Christmas.  I love the message, and I hope you will enjoy listening to and pondering “Because of Bethlehem”.

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Matthew West - Because of Bethlehem

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOGV5jcu2Oo

Love is born

Hope is here

Heaven’s light has made the darkness disappear

Peace on Earth, Good will to man

God with us all because of Bethlehem

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Easy Taco Bake

2 cans Hormel on bean chili

1 - 11 oz. can corn, drained

8 oz. velveeta cut in small cubes

1 - 10 oz can diced tomatoes and green chilies, drained

7 cups crushed tortilla chips, divided

Lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream

COMBINE chili, corn, Velveeta and tomatoes in large bowl. Layer 1/3 of the chili mixture into slow cooker, top with 1/2 of the chips. Repeat layers, and top with remaining chili mixture. Place lid on slow cooker

COOK on HIGH for 2 hours or until Velveeta is melted and edges are bubbling. Set slow cooker control to WARM setting.

CAREFULLY remove lid to allow steam to escape. Serve food from slow cooker using a wooden or plastic spoon. Serve with lettuce, tomatoes and sour cream, if desired.

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Many years ago, I worked for a woman who had a metal can in her office. On the can was written the words “Success Comes In Cans”. The can itself was full of positive thoughts about success. We were encouraged to read the thoughts and apply them in our work. I thought about using that concept "Christmas Success Coming In Cans" as a way to increase the joy we feel at this time of year. I can’t do anything about the world, but I can reach out and touch my family.  Each of us can make a difference in our families. I thought of suggestions I could put in a can. Here are a few: 1) Put the saying on a can, put in ideas which could be done like:   Make a bed, do a chore, read a book to a child,  sit down and color, smile, let your sibling go first.  Add your change to the can or go without extras and put that money in. Finally pray with your family for a Christ-centered activity you can use the money for. A few examples might be buying fingernail polish and supplies and going to a care center and give handrubs and manicures. It could be warm socks, personal hygiene items for a crisis center. Make your decision based on the thought “what would Jesus do? For your family, give presents from your heart.  You know your family, you know their hearts. Increase the joy~~ Marilee

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The Carol that Never was Sung

by Alfred Hassler

The first Christmas Eve, of course, was a very important event. The birthday of the Child called for the biggest celebration the heavenly hosts had ever had. Even the Carols, held in reserve for ages for some really special event, would be sung.

The choir was to be one of Heaven's very best, with some exceptionally rich angelic tenors and basses brought in from the glee club to help out. All the stars had been rubbed with a special polish, and one brand-new star added just for the occasion. The Carols were quite puffed up with pride and excitement and they all promised solemnly to be on hand in plenty of time.

On the great night, everything went off fine. The stars shone as they had never shone before; the angel choir outdid itself in songs of joy, and the Carols were a great success. There was only one little flaw, and hardly anyone even noticed it. One of the Carols didn't get there in time.

In fact, it didn't get there at all. It was quite a sweet Carol, the angels singers told each other a little sadly. It had been a pity not to have sung it.

The Carol was very penitent. It had stopped on the way, it explained vaguely. Something had got its attention, and it had stopped, and been late. Questioning by the choirmaster produced little more. The Carol got vaguer and vaguer as the questions became sharper and sharper. Only one thing it seemed sure of.

It would never happen again, the Carol promised. But it did, every year. And finally, when nearly twenty long centuries had gone by with the last Carol still not sung, they brought the situation to the Throne Room. There they explained more in sorrow than in anger, about the Carol that was always late. Then, at a sign, they left, and the last Carol was summoned. The Last Carol was ashamed and frightened and hung its head as it stood in the Throne Room and explained with no more vagueness, why it had been late.

Each year had been something different, it admitted. Sometimes it had been a man in a dungeon. Often it had been men and women whose spirits had fallen low in the face of great obstacles, whose faith in love was almost extinguished and who could not join in the rejoicing over the Child's birthday.

Always, explained the Carol simply, it had seemed important to stop with these for awhile, and somehow it had always meant being late. "But next year …” began the Carol, but the voice from the Throne interrupted.

"Next year," said the Voice, "you will do as you have done next year and for many years to come. For you are the Carol that must be voiceless until all men sing together in a mighty chorus that covers the earth. Only in the hearts of men who have seen the vision," said the voice, "can you hone; the Child, until all men love each other as He loved them. "

"Then," said the Carol wistfully, "must I be silent forever?"

"Not so," said the Voice, and the full choir of angels had never sounded so richly majestic. "They flee from it in fear and greed, but with their fear there is a shame, and through their greed shines love. One day they will cast out their fear and let love lead them into the rich habitation I have prepared for them. Then," said the Voice, "all men will join in singing the sweetest carol of all ... THE SONG OF UNIVERSAL, BROTHERHOOD."