"Behold, a virgin shall be with child"

Matthew 1:23

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.  

***** 

"Once in our world, a stable had something in it that was bigger than our whole world." -C.S. Lewis 

***** 

Joseph’s Song

written and performed by Michael Card

How could it be this baby in my arms

Sleeping now, so peacefully

The Son of God, the angel said

How could it be?

Lord I know He's not my own

Not of my flesh, not of my bone

Still Father let this baby be

Son of my love

Father show me where I fit into this plan of yours

How can a man be father to the Son of God

Lord for all my life I've been a simple carpenter

How can I raise a king, How can I raise a king?

He looks so small, His face and hands so fair

And when He cries the sun just seems to disappear

And when He laughs it shines again

How could it be?

Father show me where I fit into this plan of yours

How can a man be father to the Son of God

Lord for all my life I've been a simple carpenter

How can I raise a king, How can I raise a king?

How could it be this baby in my arms

Sleeping now, so peacefully

The Son of God, the angel said

How could it be?

How could it be? 

***** 

It many ways, it has been a different December from what I planned. In other ways, it has been exactly what I planned. I took my walk with Christ. I served, at times under difficult circumstances, and felt His comfort and Love. I was never alone. Thank you for letting me share my love of Christ with you Merry Christmas ~~~ Marilee

***** 

Reluctant Scouts 

~Author unknown 

Each year the rescue mission in our town provides a Christmas Eve dinner for needy families and those who have no families with which to share a meal. I had become acquainted with the director of the mission and greatly admired his work. He was a nondenominational minister who had devoted his life to building and maintaining a shelter for transients and for local people in need.

One holiday season, as my thoughts turned to serve to our fellowmen, I approached this director with a plan. I was serving as Scoutmaster at the time and wanted the boys to have an opportunity to give service to the disadvantaged within our community. Perhaps, I thought, the Scouts could help prepare and serve the Christmas Eve dinner.

The director was delighted to have our help. The overworked mission staff needed a boost. For my part, I was happy that the Scouts would have an unusual opportunity to help those in need. I convinced five of them-and their parents-that this would be a worthwhile and rewarding activity. A few hours before the dinner I began picking them up.

But my excitement waned as we journeyed to the mission. The materialism of the season had a perceptible hold on most of the boys; they were not overjoyed to interrupt their holiday festivities for another service project. Because I had been looking forward to spending time with my own family as well, I couldn't really blame them.

As we approached the mission, driving past bars, abandoned railroad cars, and junkyards, I began to question my decision. Was it wise to expose our young boys to the company of these men, some of whom might be criminals and drug abusers? As we walked to the front door, I noticed a number of very rough-looking characters hanging about, no doubt waiting for dinner to begin. Their haggard faces made me a little nervous.

When we entered the dining room, the delicious smell of roast turkey was in the air. The mission cooks, most of whom had been "down and out" themselves at one time, were busy putting the finishing touches on the dinner. The boys and I began setting tables, filling water pitchers, and assisting the cooks.

As we were busy with these chores, the director came into the room and announced that, because the dining room was large enough to serve only thirty at a time, the dinner would be served in shifts. Families with children would be served first.

"Families with children?" I thought. "Surely there won't be many in that category."

But when the doors to the dining hall were opened, a little crowd of disheveled children scrambled in and raced to the tables to feed thirty at a time, the dinner would be served in shifts. Families with children would be served first.

"Families with children?" I thought. "Surely there won't be many in that category."

But when the doors to the dining hall were opened, a little crowd of disheveled children scrambled in and raced to the tables to find seats. Most of them were accompanied only by their mothers.

After the blessing, we began to serve the crowd. We were surprised to serve three or four shifts of mostly women and children before the men had their turn. The men and women, the young and old polished off their helpings almost as fast as we served them. They were obviously unaccustomed to such a well-prepared and delicious meal.

As the meal progressed, I noticed a very real change in the attitudes of my Scouts. One or two had been reluctant in participating in this project; now their hearts were noticeably softened as they served these hungry people. They seemed delighted to go out of their way to help clean up a spill, or to refill an empty water glass. They felt comfortable, even eager, in serving dinner and talking to some of the roughest-looking men there.

Then I felt the spirit speak to my heart, and a scripture I had often heard came into my mind: "Inasmuch as ye have don't it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."(Matthew 25:40)

There, among a group of individuals that some of us would have preferred to avoid, I felt the Spirit as strong as I have felt in any testimony meeting. I knew that the boys felt this same spirit, too. As the mission staff expressed their gratitude for our help, we were sure that we had come away with much more than we had given.

I have a hunch that the boys' Christmas that year was different from any other they had experience before. "Let's do it again next year," they commented as we drove away. Of one thing I am certain: Their Scoutmaster will never be the same.

"we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him"

Matthew 2:1-2 

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 

Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. 

~*~~*~~~*~~*~ 

Christmas will always be in the hearts of God's children everywhere as they extend a helping hand to a friend in need ... as they go about reflecting God's goodness in the little quiet and unheralded expressions of a loving heart ... as they share the light of the world with those who live in darkness. Jane Hillsmen

~*~~*~~~*~~*~ 

The Angels Cried 

Allison Krauss and Alan Jackson 

audio recording with still pictures

They came from near, they came from far 

Following a distant star to where He lay 

Not being sure of what it meant, but 

Knowing it was Heaven sent 

They made their way 

And the creatures gathered 'round 

And didn't make a sound 

And the angels cried 

The angels knew what was to come 

The reason God had sent His son from up above 

It filled their hearts with joy to see and 

Knowing of His destiny came tears of love 

And the creatures gathered 'round 

And didn't make a sound 

And the angels cried 

I've often thought about that night 

And wondered if they realized 

That star so bright was sent to tell all the landThe Son of God would soon become the Son of Man 

And the creatures gathered 'round 

And didn't make a sound 

And the angels cried (3x) 

~*~~*~~~*~~*~ 

CHRISTMAS PRETZEL COOKIES
2 lbs. white chocolate bark (can be melted in microwave or double boiler)
8 to 10 oz. long stick pretzels, broken into 3 pieces
4 c. Rice Krispies
1 c. Spanish peanuts (or any nuts)
Wax paper
Mix everything together. Pour melted bark over all and spoon out on wax paper to form candy. Candy will harden as it dries.

~*~~*~~~*~~*~ 

Let not our hearts be busy inns, 

That have no room for Thee, 

But cradles for the living Christ 

And His nativity. 

Still driven by a thousand cares 

the pilgrims come and go, 

the hurried caravans pass on, 

the inns are crowded so! 

Oh, lest we starve, and lest we die, 

In our stupidity, 

Come, Holy Child, within and share 

Our hospitality. 

Let not our hearts be busy inns, 

That have no room for Thee. 

But cradles for the living Christ, 

and His nativity 

~*~~*~~~*~~*~ 

I am home after spending much of this month at my daughter’s. I am sorry that things did not turn out as well with the blog as usual. Looking through my past blogs, I found a story which I wrote which seems really to belong with this year’s theme. “Several years ago, a friend of mine shared a story about her boys. They had a family Christmas pageant at their grandparent’s home the first Monday in December. Her little boys (age 3, 4, and 7) were the wisemen. Their grandmother taught them to take their responsibilities seriously, after all they were the ones who gave the first presents to baby Jesus. The pageant was beautiful and everyone was happy with it. As December passed, my friend noticed odd little things. A can of spray paint vanished and some glitter. The Halloween things were gotten into, and her purse was raided. Someone took her make-up. On Christmas Eve, the family read the story of the birth of the Savior from the book of Luke. Then her three little wisemen took out crudely wrapped presents and put them by the nativity. The first present was a can of gold spray paint and a jar of gold glitter. The next was a monster mask (Frankenstein - frankincense), and in the third was the mirror (myrrh)from her compact. Her boys remembered Jesus. They talked a lot about service that coming year and the example which Jesus set for everyone. The following year the boys each found someone they could serve. Serving became a way of life, first at Christmas time and then year round. They passed out sandwiches and blankets to the homeless; gathered toys and clothes for the Women’s shelter, and helped with many angel Trees. Jesus is our role model. He didn’t come to Earth to have people wait on and serve Him. He came to serve us. He gave each of us unique gifts and abilities to use in the service of others. It is not enough to have faith, we must also follow in His footsteps, act in His name” ~~ Marilee

I am the Christmas Spirit 

E.C. Baird 

I enter the home of poverty, 

causing pale-faced children to open their 

eyes wide in pleased wonder. 

I cause the miser’s clutched hand to relax, 

and thus paint a bright spot on his soul. 

I cause the aged to renew their youth 

and to laugh in the glad old way. 

I keep romance alive in the heart of childhood, 

and brighten sleep with dreams woven of magic. 

I cause eager feet to climb dark stairways 

with filled baskets, leaving behind hearts 

amazed at the goodness of the world. 

I cause the prodigal to pause a moment on his wild, 

wasteful way, and send to anxious love some little token 

that releases glad tears – 

tears which wash away the hard lines of sorrow. 

I enter dark prison cells, 

reminding scarred manhood of what might have been, 

and pointing forward to good days yet to come. 

I come softly into the still, white home of pain, 

and lips that are too weak to speak 

just tremble in silent, eloquent gratitude. 

In a thousand ways I 

cause the weary world to look up into the face of God 

and for a little moment forget the things 

that are small and wretched. 

I am the Christmas Spirit. 

THE FIRST CHRISTMAS TREE

THE FIRST CHRISTMAS TREE

author unknown

In a forest in the far, far East grew a great many pine trees. Most of
them were tall trees, higher than the houses that we see, and with wide, strong branches. But there was one tree that was not nearly so tall as the others; in fact, it was no taller than some of the children in the kindergarten.

Now, the tall trees could see far, far out over the hilltops and into the valleys, and they could hear all the noises that went on in the world beyond the forest, but the Little Tree was so small and the other trees grew so high and thick about it that it could not see nor hear these things at all; but the other trees were very kind, and they would stoop down and tell them to the Little Tree. One night in the winter time there seemed to be something strange happening in the little town among the hills, for the trees did not go to sleep after the sun went down, but put their heads together and spoke in strange, low whispers that were full of awe and wonder. The Little Tree, from its place close down to the ground, did not understand what it was all about. It listened awhile, and then lifted its head as high as ever it could and shouted to its tall neighbor: "Will you not stoop and tell me what is happening?" And the big tree stooped down and whispered: "The shepherds out on the hilltops are
telling strange stories while they watch their sheep. The air is filled
with sweet music, and there is a wonderful star coming up in the east, traveling westward always, and the shepherds say that they are waiting for it to stop and shine over a humble stable in their little town. I have not heard why it is going to stop there, but I will look again and listen." So the tall tree lifted up its head again, and reached far out so that it might hear more of the wonderful story.
Bye and bye it stooped down again, and whispered to the Little Tree:

"Oh, Little Tree, listen! There are angels among the shepherds on the hills, and they are all talking together. They seem to be awaiting the birth of a little child, who will be a king among the people, and the beautiful star will shine above the stable where the little king will be laid in a manger."

The tree again raised its head to listen, and the Little Tree, much
puzzled, thought within itself: "It is very strange, indeed.

* * * * *

Oh, how I wish that I could see it all!"

It waited a little longer, and everything grew quiet, and a great peace came upon the forest.

* * * * *

Then suddenly the town, and even the forest was illuminated with a strange, white light that made everything as bright as day, and the air was filled with the flutter of angels' wings, and with music such as the world had never heard before.

The people and the trees, even the stars in the heaven, lifted up their voices and sang together and the whole world was filled with music and joy and love for the little Christ-child who had come to dwell upon the earth.

The Little Tree was filled with fear and wonder, for so great was the
excitement that the other trees had almost forgotten it, and it could not understand the mysterious sounds; but bye and bye its tall friend said

"Listen, listen, Little Tree! Such news I have to tell! The Christ has
come--the King! And the whole world is singing such beautiful music.

There are wise men coming from the East, bringing beautiful gifts to the Christ-child. The angels, too, are upon the earth, and they bear gifts of gold and rare, beautiful stones. Wait! I will tell you more."

The tall tree had scarcely lifted up its head when it stooped again and whispered to the Little Tree, "Look! Look! Little Tree! They are coming this way; the angels are coming here, into our forest! Lift up your head high and you will see them as they pass."

The Little Tree lifted up its head and saw the white flutter of angel
robes and heard the weird, sweet voices of the heavenly host who came with precious gifts into the forest.

"Oh," said the Little Tree, "they are coming here, toward me! What shall I do?" And in fear it bent its head so low that it almost touched the ground.

But the music came nearer and nearer, and the Little Tree felt a tender hand upon its branches, and a soft, gentle voice said to it, "Arise, Little Tree, and come with us, for we have come into the forest to seek you. Yes, you, the very smallest among the trees, are to be our gift-bearer. Come; lift up your head."

In fear and trembling the Little Tree did as the angel bade it. But when it looked into the angel's face and saw the love and kindness there, all fear was gone, and it said to the angel: "Yes; make me ready. I will come with you to the little Christ-child in the manger."

So all the angels brought their gifts of precious jewels and shining
gold, and fastened them upon the branches of the Little Tree. Then the leader of the angels' band took up the Little Tree from the ground and bore it, laden with its precious burden, to the feet of the Christ-child.

Extracted from :
http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/christmas-religious/short-stories/the-first-christmas-tree.html

He is always there

Being with my daughter and watching her children has helped me a lot to recognize the worth of Christ in my life. No matter how challenging the situation, I am never alone. He is always there.

 ~ Marilee ~

I recently discovered this story was posted at You searched for Last bit of strength - HeroicStories and is copyright protected.  It's a very good story.  I apologize to the copywrite holder and will delete all but 2 paragraphs from this blogpost.

Last Bit of Strength Story

by Donna E. Clayton 

Bennett, Kentucky, USA

A few years ago, I was Christmas shopping at one of the local malls.
Although spirits were high, everyone I saw seemed exhausted. It was late in the season, and everyone seemed ready shop until they dropped. One woman in particular seemed closer to dropping than most of us.

There were several benches in a waiting area of the mall, but because of the holiday season, they were all taken. I watched as the woman, who was very pregnant and obviously due very soon, walked up. She leaned heavily on her husband. Seeing that all the benches were taken, she sat down wearily on the stone wall surrounding the area...

HOW TO MAKE THIS THE BEST CHRISTMAS EVER

It’s amazing how different our plans can be from how they originally are planned. Here’s an article from years ago which is still full of great ideas. Marilee

* * * * * 

HOW TO MAKE THIS THE BEST CHRISTMAS EVER

Kelly Reber <toetrk@primenet.com> 

(Putting Christ Back into the Holiday Season)

1. Contemplate whose birthday we are celebrating. What will you give Christ this Christmas season?

2. Give presents of the heart. (Gifts of time, babysitting, service, etc.)

3. Visit and sing at a nursing home. Ask if there is a particular resident that has few visitors and go back another time.

4. Go through your clothes, toys, possessions and give something away to someone less fortunate. Do sub for Santa or participate in a worthy cause to bring Christmas cheer to someone who might not have it.

5. YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Put this saying on a can or jar. Put in your extra change and make some small sacrifices -- such as go without a pop, treat, make pizza instead of purchasing, etc. Put the money you save in the jar and then pray for a project that you can participate in and use the money.

6. The SALVATION ARMY has a list of names needing assistance. Many stores such as Wal-Mart, K-Mart have Christmas trees that you can select a name to buy something.

7. There are boxes in many stores for food or other needed items. Consider sharing in this manner.

8. The Rescue Mission needs help serving meals and delivering holiday baskets.

9. Give Church related items such as scriptures, Church News, subscriptions to The Friend, New Era, Ensign, church books or tapes, food storage items, 72 hour kit items.

10. Write a letter of appreciation to a teacher, coach, friend, or anyone who has been an influence in your life.

11. Write a thank-you note to your parents, a family member, and share some positive experiences.

12. Do your own life story to give out or the life story of someone else (even a one page history would be great!)

13. Do a tribute for a family member. Write to friends and relatives and have them share feelings about the family member you are honoring. Send a self-addresses, stamped envelope, have a deadline, and encourage pictures. Type up the responses and share with the person being honored and other family members.

14. Read The Polar Express and wear a bell during December to remind you that you truly believe and want to be Christlike.

15. Do the 12 days of Christmas for someone.

16. Write your testimony in a Book of Mormon and share with a friend.

17. Start some simple traditions; foods that you will bake each year, obtain a new ornament, decoration, book, tape.

18. Read the gospels in the New Testament or make a determination to truly read and ponder the scriptures.

19. Make decisions based upon the thought, "What would Christ do?"

20. Simplify, simplify, simplify!!!!!!!!!! Many times less is more ...

21. SING! SING! SING! And LISTEN! LISTEN! LISTEN! To Christmas carols. READ! READ! READ! Christmas stories.

22. Do something your roommates or family members want to do -- no matter how messy, loud, or time consuming.

23. Do anonymous acts of service (shovel someone's walk, leave a card or treats, pray and listen to the spirit.)

24. Someone once said that decorations should reflect your testimony. Find the symbolism in the decorations. Emphasize decorations centered around the birth of Christ.

25. Prepare early so you can truly enjoy the holiday season.

26. Consider what you can do for the missionaries ... write to them, invite them to dinner, prepare someone for them to teach (the best present of all), give them small food items they can use in their apartments -- breakfast foods, Kleenex, new toothbrush, stamps, postcards about our area, a picture of your family, etc.

27. Have a Shepherd's Night. Eat a simple meal (bread, cheese, stew, etc). Sing songs and read scriptures about the shepherds. Sleep out around the Christmas tree. Ponder how the shepherds went with haste to see Christ.

28. Submit genealogy names and do the work. Attend the temple as often as you can.

29. Indicate a blessing you enjoy when you put the ornaments on the tree.

30. Turn off the lights except the tree light and listen to music.

31. Have "secret pals" in your apt/family the week before Christmas and do anonymous acts of service.

32. Give your children/grandchildren/family members a gift from the heart -- an ornament they can take when they leave, a painting, life story up to date, scrapbook, special letter, etc.

33. Have family home evenings centered around the gifts Christ has given and write down what you will give. Save in an envelope, put on the tree, put on your mirror so you will remember throughout the year, etc.

34. Prepare a Christmas scrapbook of fun things you've done, pictures, stories, ideas.

35. Have a picture of Christ in your home. Put on a note, "Am I keeping Christmas all year through?"

36. Have a Christmas advent calendar and move one space closer to the stable. Read a scripture reference each day.

37. Give a basket of IOU's that you will give throughout the year.

38. Remember the families you home and visiting teach. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!!

December 16,2019

I have still not been able to access my google docs. Hopefully tomorrow.

THE MAN WHO ALMOST MISSED CHRISTMAS 

~ author unknown 

"I'm one of those lucky people who can look forward each year to two Christmases; one with my foster parents in Modesto, California and one with my birth mother in Sacramento, California. Last year, I spent Christmas Eve with my foster parents and early the next morning I left by bus to spend Christmas Day in Sacramento. I arrived back in Modesto at 11:30 p.m. Although, as usual, I'd celebrated Christmas twice, I felt empty and let-down. I couldn't understand it. On the two-mile taxi ride from the bus station, the driver was a woman. After a few blocks, I asked her how her Christmas had been.

"It gets very lonely not having any of my family home at Christmas," she told me. "It's just another day to me."

I didn't know what to say and I was glad when we pulled up in front of the house. I paid my fare and she drove off. Everyone was sleeping, so I went to bed too. But I couldn't sleep. I kept thinking about the woman who had had no Christmas while I had had two Christmases. Then, an idea came to me. Maybe I could do something to keep her Christmas from being a total loss. I made a basket of the nice things the family had enjoyed at our Christmas festivities: fruits, homemade candies, cookies, and a piece of homemade pie. I called the cab company and asked them to send the woman back, identifying her by the number of the cab. When she arrived, I paid her the fare for coming out.

"Change your mind?" she asked, puzzled.

"No, ma'am," I told her. Then I handed her the basket and the card I'd enclosed, which said, "This may not make up for not having your family with you at Christmas but at least you will know that someone does care. Someone bigger than you and I."

As she read it, I saw tears glisten. After she left and I went back into the house. I realized something. The empty feeling that had bothered me came from just one thing: Receiving too much at Christmas time and not giving enough. Now that feeling was gone. So, that was my greatest Christmas ever. The Christmas that I learned to give.

December 15, 2019

Dear friends,

I am away from home and do not have access to my materials. There will only be a story tonight and tomorrow. Then I should be able to start publishing again,

THE SPIDER AND THE CHRIST CHILD 

by Elizabeth Houghton

He was the littlest spider in all his family. Yet he could run faster
than any of them. He was always playing hide-and-seek. In and out of holes, under tables and chairs. Up the walls he'd race. So fast and
little was he, indeed, that nobody could catch him.

"I shall teach you how to weave," said his mother. "Than perhaps you'll keep out of mischief. Idle hands do no good. You must learn that life is not all play."

Soon the littlest spider was weaving great and beautiful webs. He
covered the high corners of the walls with intricately woven silk webs. He created lovely creations, larger and faster than anyone else could weave them.

"Such beautiful webs!" exclaimed his mother proudly. "God has given you a great gift. I hope someday you will use it to benefit others."

One cold winter day the littlest spider went for a walk alone. He
wandered across the cold hillsides and fields. He traveled far and wide, down bleak Judean roads. He met some people. The man was leading a donkey, on which sat a young and beautiful woman. She was holding an infant close to her heart.

"Joseph," said the mother, "I am tired. May we rest here a while?" The man looked anxiously up and down the road. No one was in sight. "There is a small cave close by," he told her. "There you will be cut off from the wind and cold. Come!"

As they reached the cave they were startled to hear hoofbeats in the
distance. "Herod's soldiers are coming to find our Babe," sobbed the
mother. "They will kill our Little One!" She covered the infant with
her shawl. Hurriedly, they entered the cave.

The littlest spider watched, then stood guard at the entrance. As the soldiers approached, he began to weave a web back and forth, to and fro, across the opening. He worked so swiftly that by the time the soldiers reached the cave a fine and beautiful web completely covered the entrance.

"No use looking in there," one of the soldiers remarked, eyeing the web. "Evidently no one has been in the cave for a long time. The web would have been broken had anyone entered." So they continued hastily on their way. And the Holy Family rested in peace and safety.

When the littlest spider told his mother what he had done she was very pleased. "God gave you the gift to work fast and well. You have used your gift to save the Christ Child."

(Adapted from an old Legend)