For this is God,

 Psalms 48:14 For this is God, Our God forever and ever; He will be our guide even to death.

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"I truly believe that if we keep telling the Christmas story, singing the Christmas songs, and living the Christmas spirit, we can bring joy and happiness and peace to this world." -Norman Vincent Peale

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Nothing But A Child

Kathy Mattea - Nothing But A Child - YouTube

Once upon a time
In a far off land
Wise men saw a sign
And set out 'cross the sand
With songs a praise to sing
They traveled day and night
With precious gifts to bring
They were guided by a light

They chased a brand new star
Ever towards the west
Across the mountains far
And when it came to rest
They scarce believed their eyes
They'd come so many miles
The miracle they prized
Was nothing but a child

Nothing but a child
Could wash those tears away
Or guide a weary world
Into the light of day
Nothing but a child
Could help erase those miles
So once again we all
Can be children for a while

Now all around the world
In every little town
Every day is heard
A precious little sound
And every mother kind
And every father proud
Looks down in awe to find
Another chance allowed

Nothing but a child
Could wash those tears away
Or guide a weary world
Into the light of day
And nothing but a child
Could help erase those lines
So once again we all
Can be children for a while

Nothing but a little baby
Nothing but a little baby
Nothing but a child

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My daughter’s father-in-law, Joe Lyman, died today. We have already talked about grief in this year’s blogs, so I won’t dwell on their sorrow, but rather on their happiness and joy. When I think of Joe, I think of the wonderful memories our grandchildren have of him. He loved them. He loved his wife. He loved his family. He loved the out of doors. He loved his community. He loved his church. He loved this world. He was a potter and loved creating beauty. He saw beauty everywhere. There have been many tears shed, and there will be more, but there will also be laughter and moments of joy as they share their good, crazy, funny, uniquely “Joe” moments. He took the time to make memories. This month, let us make memories. I went with friends for lunch today and we ended up playing silly games, laughing and enjoying each other’s company. It will be an afternoon to remember. Take the time to enjoy each other, to make memories your family will cherish. I’ve included some fun activities, or use your imagination and laugh together~ Marilee

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Chicken Tortilla Casserole

Meat from 1 whole chicken
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup green chili salsa
2 tablespoon quick cooking tapioca
1 medium onion, chopped
1 1/2 cup grated cheese (try Monterey Jack)
1 dozen corn tortillas
Black olives

INSTRUCTIONS:

Tear chicken into bite size pieces, mix with soup, chili, salsa and tapioca. Line bottom of crock pot with 3 corn tortillas, torn into bite size pieces. Add 1/3 of the chicken mixture. Sprinkle with 1/3 of the onion and 1/3 of the grated cheese. Repeat layers of tortillas topped with chicken mixture, onions and cheese. Cover and cook on low 6 to 8 hours.

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Santa Limbo

Have participants put a "santa belly" under their shirt using a pillow. Place a limbo stick at a starting height. Then line up, and one by one try to limbo underneath (with the Santa belly) until everyone has tried. Slightly lower the stick and have those who made it through go again. Continually lower the stick until one winner remains!

Stocking Fill up

Form two teams based on how many players there are. Place a Christmas stocking for each team on the other end of the room. The players will then race to their team’s stocking with a spoonful of candy, deposit the candy and return to their team. This relay continues until one team fills up their stocking to win the game.

These are just 2 fun ideas from 30 Christmas Party Games Everyone Will Love

Top 30 Christmas Party Games Everyone Will Love | Shutterfly

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Yarn Christmas Trees
I tried this and it was fun. I pinned it. for those of you having problems with pinterest, it was extracted from

How to Make Yarn Christmas Trees | HGTV

~~()~~()~~()~~

. . . it is time
to quiet ourselves,
. . . to reflect upon all the gifts
we are . . . and have
. . . and can imagine.

To give thanks

from our deepest selves.
To surrender to the love
that came before us,
lives now among us,
and is,
forever,
before us.
. . . it is time.

~~()~~()~~()~~

FAR, FAR AWAY ON JUDEA'S PLAINS ~ Jeanne P. Lawler

I was a missionary "Far, Far Away" in Bangalore, India, for Christmas in 1993. On the first week of December, three days after I arrived, I was asked if I would help organize and direct a choir in the Bangalore Branch of our Church. I said, "Happy to."

The members wanted to participate in a choir festival that was an annual event in Bangalore. I selected the above number and sixteen people attended the two enthusiastic rehearsals which were held on a rooftop of a member's home. None of them were familiar with part singing, so we sang in unison without musical accompaniment. Should there be piano, I would play it. We were not aware what this "festival" entailed.

The date of the performance arrived. As we alighted from our harrowing rickshaw ride to the location in downtown Bangalore, we stood gaping before a huge city building, draped with a large banner that read FESTIVAL OF CHOIRS. Stunned, we walked up the broad flight of stairs and into the foyer which was milling with costumed participants. We scrambled to get a printed program. This was a BIG event! Listed were the names of several church, college and university choirs who were participating. We were listed as the "L.D.S. Choir (Mormon's Tabernacle). " We gasped! We didn't know whether to laugh or to cry. We went aside and prayed, pleading for heavenly help. I turned to my companion and said, "You'll have to direct." She said "I've never done that before in my life!" I replied "Just smile, make a figure eight and look confident.”

When the curtain opened for our number, my companion had our Indian "Mormon's Tabernacle Choir" arranged on risers ready to perform. All seven ladies on the front row wore beautiful saris and the nine men behind them wore suits and white shirts. The director was magnificent. She even took a bow! I took a deep breath as I sat down to accompany them on an old upright piano with missing ivories.

The shock from the sound of the first chord nearly threw me off the chair, but when she raised her had and started her figure eight, I could hardly play, and I don't know if I did. It was as if The Choir, whose name we bore on the printed program, were singing. I knew then our prayers were heard and a choir of angels was singing with our little choir. As the last note sounded, there was silence; then, thunderous applause from the packed auditorium. The curtains closed and we wept and jumped for joy.

Guess who won a prize? We did! The fourth verse says Hasten the time when from ev’ry clime, Men shall unite in the strains sublime.” It happened in India!

 

Christmas is not in tinsel and lights and outward show. The secret lies in an inner glow. It’s lighting a fire inside the heart. Good will and joy a vital part. ~ Wilfred A. Peterson

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John 1:9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

*

We Need Christmas

Matthew West

Matthew West - We Need Christmas (Official Music Video) - YouTube

Lights that twinkle red and green
Charlie Brown on the TV screen
Hugs from friends and family
That's what we need right now
Zippin' up a winter coat
Truck tires on a snowy road
That's the sound of comin' home
That’s what we need right now

This world could use a little healing
And our hearts could sure use somethin' to believe in

We need Christmas
Now more than ever to bring us together
We need Christmas
Come on, December, help us remember
The joy, the peace and the hope that love can bring
'Cause we need Christmas

Singin' carols in the livin' room
That's Grandma's favorite thing to do
And Grandpa reads Luke chapter two
That's what it's all about
It's a red Salvation Army can
It's reachin' out a helpin' hand
And lookin' after our fellow man
That's what we need right now

Oh, we need Christmas
Now more than ever to bring us together
We need Christmas
Come on, December, help us remember
The joy, the peace and the hope that love can bring (hope that love can bring)
'Cause we need Christmas
Oh, we need Christmas
Ooh

This world could use a little healin'
And our hearts could sure use somethin' to believe in

We need Christmas
Now more than ever to bring us together
We need Christmas
Come on, December, help us remember

We need Christmas
Now more than ever to bring us together
We need Christmas
Come on, December, help us remember
The joy (joy), the peace (peace) and the hope that love can bring (hope that love can bring)
Hear the bells (bells), let them ring (let them ring)
And let all the angels sing
'Cause we need Christmas

*

TRADITION

I love studying about light, and it’s properties. I have often pictured myself focusing in on a single ray of light coming from the sun. What happens when that ray hits an object? The first thing I think of is that the light can be reflected back to it’s source. It can also be refracted, which means, bent, passing from one medium to another. Another is Absorption which is when the light is absorbed completely into the object it strikes. There are several other properties of light. Today, lets think about the light of the “Son.” Setting the stage, a single ray of light shines brightest in the darkness. Christ didn’t come into our world at high noon. He entered our lives during the night, showing us the way to His light, guiding us towards love, and demonstrating how to overcome shadows and blackness. Christmas teaches us that even when things seem dark, we can trust the everlasting light. Let us serve, not as mirrors which reflect back all of Christ’s light, without letting any of it touch us. Nor as refractors, who change it a little and pass it to others. Not even as absorbers who keep all the goodness and light only for themselves without sharing any of it. Let us be amplifiers, those who add our own energy to the light of Christ through service, good will, kindness and compassion to those around us. We seldom hear “Let there be dark.” Let us start a tradition of spreading the light. It is a wondrous miracle in our lives. ~~ Marilee

*

DO YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES?

Author unknown

In the heat of a struggle that brings you to your knees,

There’s a river of hope that still remains unseen

In the middle of the darkness there’s a light,

Invisible hands to lift you up,

All that you have to do is ask

Do you believe in miracles?

When it seems that it’s impossible for you to make it through

See what the power of His miracles can do

I believe in miracles.

Though your prayers seem unanswered,

Don’t believe they’re all in vain.

‘Cause a prayer will be answered, all you have to do is wait.

When the mountain seems impossible to climb,

Just have faith ‘cause every good thing has it’s own appointed time.

Do you believe in miracles?

When it seems that it’s impossible for you to make it through

See what the power of His miracles can do

I understand that when you feel you can’t go on

The pressure builds –– there’s no end to be found

Just take the time to look beyond a circumstance

And you will find you’ll never walk alone

A greater love will carry you along

Do you believe in miracles?

When it seems that it’s impossible for you to make it through

See what the power of His miracles can do.

I believe in miracles.

–– I believe in miracles, too. ~~ Marilee

*

Christmas candle craft

This is a link to my pinterest page.

https://www.pinterest.com/eeliramj/pins/

In the first illustration, you will see fun candles you can make with your children/grandchildren. they’re simple and fun

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The Legend of the Christmas Rose

On a cold December night, everybody was coming to see their new Savior and brought Him all kinds of gifts and presents. The three Wise Men came in with their valuable gifts of myrrh, frankincense and gold and offered them to Baby Jesus. At that point, a shepherdess, Madelon, who had seen the wise men passing through, reached the door of the stable, to see the Child. However, being very poor and having brought nothing to offer to the child, she felt helpless and started weeping quietly at the sight of all the wonderful gifts that the Three Wise Men had got for the child. Earlier, she had searched, in vain, for flowers all over the countryside but there was not even a single bloom to be found in the bitter winter.

An angel outside the door was watching over her and knew about her fruitless search. He took pity on her and, when he saw her head drooped down in sorrow, decided to help her with a little miracle. He gently brushed aside the snow at her feet and where her tears had fallen, sprang a beautiful cluster of waxen white winter roses with pink tipped petals. Then he softly whispered into the shepherdess's ear that these Christmas roses are far more valuable than any myrrh, frankincense or gold, for they are pure and made of love. The maiden was pleasantly surprised when she heard those words and joyfully gathered the flowers and offered them to the Holy Infant, who, seeing that the gift was reared with tears of love, smiled at her with gratitude and satisfaction. Thus, the Christmas rose came to symbolize hope, love and all that is wonderful in this season.

And when they were come

 

Matthew 2:11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.

❄❄❄❄❄

The greatest gift you will ever receive will never be found under a Christmas tree. It is far too valuable to be stored in any other place but in the depths of your heart.

 

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Celtic Woman

O Holy Night

Celtic Woman - O Holy Night (2020 Version) - YouTube

O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining

It is the night of our dear savior's birth

Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till he appeared and the Soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn

Fall on your knees
Oh, hear the angel voices
O night divine, O night when Christ was born
O night divine
O night, O night divine

Chains shall he break, for the slave is our brother
And in his name all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we
Let all within us praise His holy name
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we
Noel, Noel O night, O night divine

Noel, Noel O night, O night divine
Noel, Noel O night, O night divine

❄❄❄❄❄

DECORATING HINT:

Gather pine cones at your nearby park. Boil them in a big pot to kill anything living in them.. They will close up tight while wet. Let them sit on newspaper in a warm area for several days to dry. The pine cones will open up beautifully. If desired, brush a little cinnamon oil on them. Buy ribbon in your favorite Christmas colors. Tie ribbon into bows, and using florist wire, tie the bows to the pine cones. Use the same wire to tie the pine cones onto your tree. Beautiful, Fragrant and Natural!

***

For a festive atmosphere, take down your pictures and wrap them like a gift, then hang them back on the wall for great holiday cheer! You don't have to do this all around the house, maybe just in the entry, or the dining room, or a picture or two in each child's room.

***

For a children's holiday party, use a colorful woolen scarf as a table runner. Tuck silverware into matching mittens and fill hats with small bags of candy or cookies.

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TRADITION

I want to express my gratitude to all of my book club friends for listening to me last night - especially Shelley and Tami. I went google docs several days ago, and nothing showed up. Everything was gone. I couldn’t sign in to the account to open it because I couldn’t remember my login info. I lost a lot of memories as a result of my accident 2 years ago. My google docs page has stayed open all of that time. But for some reason I must have signed out. All of my Christmas files were there and because it was stored in google, I didn’t have it backed up anywhere else. Google couldn’t help me, they said I had to give them the email address I registered with. I didn’t know what it was. I hope someone at our book club meeting might be able to give me some suggestions. Shelley is the editor of our paper and I thought for sure she could help me. She referred me to Tami. Tami made some suggestions, then asked if their might be someone I had sent an email to from that account who could help. That made me think of Cindy, my good friend Cindy who I shared files with several years ago. I called her today and she gave me my information. I am very grateful to her. Listening to friends and problem solving with them is a wonderful tradition to follow during the craziness of December.  I greatly benefitted from good friends who took an extra minute for me.  earthshaking?  No, not to them, but everything to me.  Thank you.  I’d like to include this tradition sent in by Debbie. "Something our family has done since our first Christmas together (22 years ago!) is we have a box that is wrapped with Christmas Wrap. On the outside it says "The Greatest Gift Given". Inside the box is a picture of our Savior. We open this box last & the children listen as Mom once again explains the true meaning of Christmas. It is a tradition of which I hope my children will want to pass on."  ~~ Marilee

RECIPE

Disappearing Bacon Yummies (Multiply by as many as you want to make with the warning that they are gone instantly!)

1 ½ t. Cream cheese

1 t. brown sugar

1 slice bacon

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil. Mix cream cheese and brown sugar together in a small bowl; spread over bacon slice. Roll up and transfer to the baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven until bacon is browned and crisp, 10 to 15 minutes.

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At Christmas
(Edgar Albert Guest, 1881-1959)

A man is at his finest towards the finish of the year;
He is almost what he should be when the Christmas season's here;
Then he's thinking more of others than he's thought the months before,
And the laughter of his children is a joy worth toiling for.
He is less a selfish creature than at any other time;
When the Christmas spirit rules him he comes close to the sublime.

When it's Christmas man is bigger and is better in his part;
He is keener for the service that is prompted by the heart.
All the petty thoughts and narrow seem to vanish for awhile
And the true reward he's seeking is the glory of a smile.
Then for others he is toiling and somehow it seems to me
That at Christmas he is almost what God wanted him to be.

If I had to paint a picture of a man I think I'd wait
Till he'd fought his selfish battles and had put aside his hate.
I'd not catch him at his labors when his thoughts are all of pelf,
On the long days and the dreary when he's striving for himself.
I'd not take him when he's sneering, when he's scornful or depressed,
But I'd look for him at Christmas when he's shining at his best.

Man is ever in a struggle and he's oft misunderstood;
There are days the worst that's in him is the master of the good,
But at Christmas kindness rules him and he puts himself aside

And his petty hates are vanquished and his heart is opened wide.
Oh, I don't know how to say it, but somehow it seems to me
That at Christmas man is almost what God sent him here to be.

❄❄❄❄❄

He Fixed My Car, and My Christmas

EXTRACTED FROM Heartwarming Stories of Christmas Kindness | Reader's Digest (rd.com)

In 1958, I was a first-year high school teacher in Beatty, Nevada. On Dec. 22, I headed home to Idaho in my 1951 Hudson to spend Christmas with my parents.

Just south of Fillmore, Utah, a radiator hose broke and the car started to overheat. I hitchhiked into Fillmore and got a ride to a Chevron station. I explained my plight to the owner, Dan Brinkerhoff, who sent a tow truck to bring in my car.

Dan discovered that the engine had become so hot it had warped the head, so he called a nearby wrecking yard and found the needed part. I boarded a Greyhound bus, bought the part and then caught a return bus to Fillmore.

By that time it was dark, and Dan had closed the station. He immediately went to work on my car, laboring for several hours while I slept curled up in the backseat. Finally, he woke me and announced I was ready to go. When I went to settle up, he would not take a dime for anything he had done.

I got to spend the holidays with my parents, and I shall forever remember Dan for the wonderful thing he did for me.—Glen Gillette, Las Vegas, Nevada

There are many more wonderful Christmas stories at this site.

God is with us

Matt 1:23

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.

                                                                     🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔

Christmas is a celebration, and there is no celebration that compares with the realization of its true meaning — with the sudden stirring of the heart that has extended itself unselfishly in the things that matter most.”

-Howard W. Hunter

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A Little Bit Of Christmas"

A Little Bit Of Christmas (Official Music Video) - Mat and Savanna Shaw with Jim Brickman - YouTube

This year
I'm gonna make sure
That I don't let a moment go by
Where I don't tell the ones I love
How much I love them

This year
I'm gonna let go
Of the mess and the stress and the rush
And pay more attention to the beautiful stuff

Look all around
Everywhere you look
There's a little bit of Christmas
There to be found
Everywhere you look
There's a little bit of Christmas
Smiling faces, joyful sounds
I believe it all year round
We could use a little bit of Christmas
We could use a little bit of Christmas

This year
I'm gonna pray
For the ones who lost their way
And remember, for the grace of God, go I

Each year
From here on out
I'm gonna count my blessings
And raise my voice to the heavens when choir sings

Look all around
Everywhere you look
There's a little bit of Christmas
There to be found
Everywhere you look
There's a little bit of Christmas
Smiling faces, joyful sounds
I believe it all year round
We could use a little bit of Christmas
We could use a little bit of Christmas

Look all around
Everywhere you look
There's a little bit of Christmas
There to be found
Everywhere you look

Look all around
Everywhere you look
There's a little bit of Christmas
There to be found
Everywhere you look
There's a little bit of Christmas
Smiling faces, joyful sounds
I believe it all year round
We could use a little bit of Christmas
We could use a little bit of Christmas
We could use a little bit of Christmas

 🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔

TRADITION

We went to a Christmas party last week. Santa called various people up and asked them about their favorite Christmas memories. Dana B remembers playing “Oink, Piggy, Oink” with her family. Everyone would sit in a circle. One person was chosen. They would stand in the center of the circle, blindfolded. They were spun around several times, then given an empty wrapping paper tube. They would swing around with this tube trying to make contact with someone. When they did, the person had to oink (or make piggy noises) If the blindfolded person guessed who the “pig” was, they got to trade places with them and that person became the new center. She remembered years of playing this game and laughing. Christmas has room for laughter and building new family memories. Another fun game is the Candy Cane Game. You play it sitting around a table.  You need small candy canes with hooks on them, a chopstick for each person and a stocking hat set open on the table in front of each player. Each player must then place the chopstick in their mouth, place their hands behind their back and try and hook as many candy canes on their chopstick as they can and transfer them to the stocking. If they are young, give each player one minute, separately. If they’re older and you’re into mayhem, let them all play at the same time! There will be chaos. The player who gets the most candy canes in their stocking wins! All players get to keep the candy canes the capture so make sure you get enough! ~~ Marilee

 🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔

RECIPE

Pumpkin Delight from Diane M

1 cup flour

½ cup butter, softened

8 oz cream cheese, softened

2 sugar free whipped topping tubs

1 cup milk

1 t. vanilla

2 packages sugar free white chocolate or vanilla instant pudding mix (3.4 oz)

15 oz can pumpkin puree

1 tsp. Pumpkin pie spice

Cut butter into flour until well mixed. Press into 9 by 13 pan. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes. Cool completely.

Mix cream cheese and vanilla in a large bowl. Fold in 1 tub whipped topping and spread on the crust.

Whisk together 1 cup milk, pudding, spices and the pumpkin until creamy. Spread over the cream cheese layer.

Top with remaining whipped topping and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.

 🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔

The Man and the Bird
As told by Paul Harvey

The man I’m going to tell you about was not a scrooge, he was a kind decent, mostly good man. Generous to his family and upright in his dealings with other men. But he just didn’t believe in all of that incarnation stuff that the churches proclaim at Christmas time. It just didn’t make sense and he was too honest to pretend otherwise. He just couldn’t swallow the Jesus story, about God coming to Earth as a man.

He told his wife I’m truly sorry to distress you, but I’m not going with you to church this Christmas Eve. He said he would feel like a hypocrite and that he would much rather just stay at home, but that he would wait up for them. So he stayed and they went to the midnight service.

Shortly after the family drove away in the car, snow began to fall. He went to the window to watch the flurries getting heavier and heavier and then he went back to his fireside chair and began to read his newspaper.

Minutes later he was startled by a thudding sound. Then another ... and then another. At first he thought someone must be throwing snowballs against the living room window. But when he went to the front door to investigate he found a flock of birds huddled outside miserably in the snow. They’d been caught in the storm and in a desperate search for shelter they had tried to fly through his large landscape window. That is what had been making the sound.

Well, he couldn’t let the poor creatures just lie there and freeze, so he remembered the barn where his children stabled their pony. That would provide a warm shelter. All he would have to do is to direct the birds into the shelter.

Quickly, he put on a coat and galoshes and he tramped through the deepening snow to the barn. He opened the doors wide and turned on a light so the birds would know the way in. But the birds did not come in.

So, he figured that food would entice them. He hurried back to the house and fetched some bread crumbs. He sprinkled them on the snow, making a trail of bread crumbs to the yellow-lighted wide open doorway of the stable. But to his dismay, the birds ignored the bread crumbs.

The birds continued to flap around helplessly in the snow. He tried catching them but could not. He tried shooing them into the barn by walking around and waving his arms. Instead, they scattered in every direction ... every direction except into the warm lighted barn.

And that’s when he realized they were afraid of him. To them, he reasoned, I am a strange and terrifying creature. If only I could think of some way to let them know that they can trust me. That I am not trying to hurt them, but to help them. But how? Any move he made tended to frighten them and confuse them. They just would not follow. They would not be led or shooed because they feared him.

He thought to himself, if only I could be a bird and mingle with them and speak their language. Then I could tell them not to be afraid. Then I could show them the way to the safe warm ... to the safe warm barn. But I would have to be one of them so they could see ... and hear ... and understand.

At that moment the church bells began to ring. The sound reached his ears above the sounds of the wind.

He stood there listening to the bells, Adeste Fidelis, listening to the bells pealing the glad tidings of Christmas.

And he sank to his knees in the snow ...