Isaiah 9:6 - For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
If we are to have the very best Christmas ever, we must listen for the sound of sandaled feet. We must reach out for the Carpenter’s hand. With every step we take in His footsteps, we abandon a doubt and gain a truth. – Thomas S. Monson
Christmas is a time when we find our way back home, whether in person or in our hearts. It's a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus, relive childhood memories, continue cherished traditions, and share hospitality and good will with others. I become like a child every December. Charles Dickens said ,”“For it is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its mighty Founder was a child Himself.” Sharing my love of Christmas through daily quotes and thoughts began in 1997. The sharing of music, recipes, decorating tips, and gift ideas started in 2000. That’s 25 years! There have been so many stories shared, so much music listened to, so many recipes tried, so many walks taken with Christ. Thank you for joining me. This year’s blog will include music, games, recipes, stories, and poems. It will also include many favorite stories and poems from years past. There will be new material as well. Join me as I become a child again. ~~ Marilee
This year’s music links will include beautiful videos which paint visual pictures and fill our hearts with beautiful music and thoughts. All of the videos are found on youtube. There will be adds that pop up. I do not promote the products in these ads.
"Do You Hear What I Hear" (Official Music Video) | GENTRI
This is a fantastic video of young children talking about the Savior’s birth interspersed with the music of Gentri. I love the innocence of children.
“ Said the king to the people everywhere,
"Listen to what I say!
Pray for peace, people, everywhere,
Listen to what I say!
The Child, the Child sleeping in the night
He will bring us goodness and light,
He will bring us goodness and light."
Our recipes this year will be bread recipes.
Apple Cinnamon muffins
Crumb Topping
1/3 cup (67g) packed light or dark brown sugar
1 Tablespoon (15g) granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup (4 Tbsp; 56g) unsalted butter, melted
2/3 cup (84g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
Muffins
1 and 3/4 cups (219g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (8 Tbsp; 113g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
1/2 cup (100g) packed light or dark brown sugar
1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1/2 cup (120g) yogurt or sour cream, at room temperature
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup (60ml) milk (any kind), at room temperature
1 and 1/2 cups (180g) peeled & chopped apples (1/2-inch chunks; you need about 2 medium apples)
Vanilla Icing (Optional)
1 cup (120g) confectioners’ sugar
3 Tablespoons (45ml) heavy cream (or milk for a thinner consistency)
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 425°F (218°C). Spray a 12-count muffin pan with nonstick spray or line with cupcake liners.
Make the crumb topping: Mix the brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon together in a medium bowl. Stir in the melted butter, and then gently mix in the flour using a fork. Keep the mixture as large crumbles and do not over-mix.Set topping aside.
Make the muffins: Whisk the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt together in a large bowl. Set aside.
Beat the butter and both sugars together on high speed until smooth and creamy, about 3 minutes.
Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. Add the eggs, yogurt, and vanilla extract. Beat on medium speed for 1 minute, then turn up to high speed until the mixture is combined and mostly creamy. Add the dry ingredients and milk into the wet ingredients and beat until no flour pockets remain. Fold in the apples.
Spoon the batter evenly into each cup or liner, filling each all the way to the top. Spoon crumb topping on each, gently pressing it down so it sticks.
Bake for 5 minutes at 425°F, then reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (177°C). Bake for an additional 15–18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow the muffins to cool for 5 minutes in the muffin pan, then transfer to a wire rack to continue cooling.
Make the icing: Whisk all of the icing ingredients together and drizzle over muffins.
Fill the Christmas Stocking Game
Supplies:
Stocking, spoon and bowl for each team.
Wrapped candy.
Divide into teams. Have children line up at one end of the room. At the other end, hang a Christmas stocking for each team. Place a bowl of candy and a spoon in front of each team. Each child takes a turn taking a candy from the bowl with the spoon. They then carry the candy on the spoon to the stocking and drop the candy in the stocking. Race back to the next person in line, give them the spoon. First team to fill the stocking wins!
Oven Mitts Game
Sit in a circle or around a table. Hand a present to the first person in the group. Have him put on the oven mitts. Set a timer for 30 seconds. The first player then tries to open the wrapped gift. If he doesn’t have it unwrapped when the buzzer goes off the present and the gloves are passed to the next player. The timer is reset and the next person tries. Once the time is up, if the present remains wrapped, the next person gets a go. Continue until all presents have been opened.
A group of students were asked to list what they thought were the present "Seven Wonders of the World."
Though there were some disagreements, the following received the most votes:
1. Egypt's Great Pyramids
2. Taj Mahal
3. Grand Canyon
4. Panama Canal
5. Empire State Building
6. St. Peter's Basilica
7. China's Great Wall
While gathering the votes, the teacher noted that one quiet student hadn't turned in her paper yet. So she asked the girl if she was having trouble with her list!
The girl replied, "Yes, a little. I couldn't quite make up my mind because there were so many."
The teacher said, "Well, tell us what you have, and maybe we can help."
The girl hesitated, then read, "I think the 'Seven Wonders of the World' are:
1. to see
2. to hear
3. to touch
4. to taste
5. to feel
6. to laugh
7. and to love."
The room was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop.
The things we overlook as simple, ordinary and take for granted are truly wondrous!
A gentle reminder -- the most precious things in life cannot be built by hand or bought by man.”
After reading this, I came up with my “7 Christmas Wonders of the world”
1. God loved us enough to send his only begotten Son
2. Jesus Christ loved us enough to live for us, that we might learn the pathway to follow to return to Him
3. He fills our hearts with peace.
4. He Knows us each as individuals. He knows our weaknesses, our strengths and loves us anyway.
5. He hears our prayers.
6. He carries us when we cannot fight on by ourselves
7. He died for us, and atoned for our sins making eternal life a reality
These are my “wonders.” What are yours? Marilee
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