Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
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It is Christmas every time you let God love others through you.”—Saint Teresa of Calcutta
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The television show “The Chosen” has done many beautiful Christmas Concerts. This song is from one of those concerts. Cain is a Christian group. So why would a Christian group call itself Cain? Because it’s their last name. This video song shows the group performance and is more of a country style of music.
CAIN - "Wonderful" (Christmas with The Chosen) - YouTube
…
I need a wonderful counselor
The mighty God, the prince of peace
Who's strong enough to carry me
Immanuel, God with us
The one whose love will never end
Oh, Jesus, can you make this season
Wonderful?
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What is joy? Where is it found? How do we increase it's presence in our lives? These are all good questions. Let's see if together we can find some good answers. Websters says that joy is "a noun and a verb that refers to a feeling of great pleasure or happiness, or something that gives joy". I like Dr. Pamela Ebstyne King's definition. "Joy is an enduring, deep delight in what holds the most significance". I find joy in Christmas traditions. I find joy in setting up and decorating my nativity tree, baking cookies, giving hugs and being a Secret Santa for someone. Observing our family traditions fills me with warmth and love. It makes me feel all smiles. I guess you could say my definition of joy is "warmth, hugs, love, smiles and deep delight". ~~ Marilee
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All of the recipes this year will be crockpot recipes. I looked for a good one to start the year off with a bang (or a punch if you like puns)
Spiced berry punch
4 cups frozen unsweetened mixed berries
1/4 cup sugar
2 cinnamon sticks (3 inches)
6 whole star anise
8 cups cranberry-raspberry juice
Mixed fresh berries, optional
In a 5- or 6-qt. slow cooker, combine the first 5 ingredients. Cook, covered, on low 2-3 hours or until heated through. Strain punch, discarding fruit and spices. If desired, serve with fresh berries.
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Norman Wesley Brooks wrote this holiday poem in 1976, spreading the spirit of Christmas throughout the year. He worked as a draftsman and design engineer, but loved his hobbies of singing, piano, and poetry.
Let Every Day Be Christmas
Christmas is forever, not for just one day,
for loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away
like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf.
The good you do for others is good you do yourself.
– Norman Wesley Brooks
The True Meaning of Christmas ~ A Poem by Brian Walters
Can be found at:
“The True Meaning of Christmas” by Brian Walters – Literary Fictions
The True Meaning of Christmas – All Christmas
In today’s day and time,
it’s easy to lose sight
of the true meaning of Christmas
and one special night.
Amidst the tinsel and glitter
of ribbons of gold,
we forget about the child
born on a night so cold.
When we go shopping
we ask “How much will it cost?”
Then the true meaning of Christmas
somehow becomes lost.
The children look for Santa
and his big red sleigh
and forget about the child
whose bed was made of hay.
In reality, when we look
into the night sky
we don’t see a sleigh
but a star burning bright and high.
of that night so long ago
and the child called Jesus
whose love the world would know.





