And it came

 

Luke 2:15–16

15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

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"Christmas is like candy; it slowly melts in your mouth sweetening every taste bud, making you wish it could last forever.” — Richelle E. Goodrich

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Oh Little Town of Bethlehem

performed by Nat King Cole, includes lyrics

Nat King Cole - O Little Town Of Bethlehem (Lyric Video) - YouTube

O little town of Bethlehem
How still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight

For Christ is born of Mary
And gathered all above
While mortals sleep, the angels keep
Their watch of wondering love
O morning stars together
Proclaim the holy birth
And praises sing to God the King
And Peace to men on earth

O Holy Child of Bethlehem
Descend to us, we pray
Cast out our sin and enter in
Be born in us today
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell
O come to us, abide with us
Our Lord Emmanuel

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Holiday Recipe

Chili Beef Casserole  (When I cut and pasted this recipe, I forgot to include the sender’s name.  I’m sorry )

3/4 pound lean ground beef
2 teaspoons olive oil
2 onions, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1/4 cup frozen green peas
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 (14.5 ounce) can canned tomatoes, drained and chopped
1/4 cup tomato paste
1 (15.25 ounce) can kidney beans, drained
1 (11 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
4 (6 inch) corn tortillas, quartered
1/3 cup shredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a medium casserole dish.
2. In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until evenly brown. Drain, and set aside.
3. Heat the olive oil in a separate skillet over medium heat, and cook the onions until tender. Mix in the green pepper and peas, and season with chili powder and red pepper flakes. Stir the cooked beef, tomatoes, and tomato paste into the mixture. Reduce heat to low, and simmer 5 minutes. Mix in the kidney beans and corn.
4. Spoon 1/2 the skillet mixture into the prepared casserole dish, and top with 1/2 the tortilla quarters. Layer with remaining skillet mixture.
5. Cover and bake 25 minutes in the preheated oven. Remove cover, and top with remaining tortillas and cheese. Continue baking 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted and golden brown.

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O Thou Joyful Day

O thou joyful day, O thou blessed day,

Holy, peaceful Christmas-tide!

Earth's hopes awaken,

Christ life has taken,

Laud Him, O laud Him on ev'ry side!

O thou joyful day, O thou blessed day,

Holy, peaceful Christmastide!

Christ's light is beaming,

Our souls redeeming,

Laud Him, O laud Him on every side!

O thou joyful day, O thou blessed day,

Holy, peaceful Christmastide!

King of all glory,

We bow before Thee,

Laud Him, O laud Him on every side!

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The Legend of the Christmas Pine Tree

On Christmas night, as Baby Jesus was born, three trees were put next to him: a date palm, an olive tree and a pine tree, and each of them offered him a present.

The olive tree gave its olives, the date palm its dates but, since the pine tree did not have any fruits to offer, stars miraculously landed over the pine tree and shone their light upon it. As he saw the lights, Baby Jesus raised his arms and smiled, it is said that it is the reason why pine tree became the tree of Christmas.

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A routine trip up  north took all day instead of just a few hours.  Here is today’s blog with a story of 2 boys who had Christmas in their hearts and shared the light and love of Christ with those less fortunate.  ~~ Marilee

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Unless

There’s Christmas in the home and church,
There’s Christmas in the mart;
But you'll not know what Christmas is
Unless it's in your heart.

The bells may call across the snow,
And carols search the air;
But, oh, the heart will miss the thrill
Unless it’s Christmas there.

True Christmas Joy

by Tennett Morrell

'Twas the day before Christmas, a long time ago
And our beautiful earth was all covered with snow;
Down the street with their sleighs came two manly boys,
Who paused at the window to look at the toys.

Already two others were there looking in;
But their faces were sad, and their clothes old and thin.
And the little one said, "is it because we're so poor
That Santa doesn't come to our house anymore? "

The older one patted his wee brother's head,
And hugged him up closely, as softly he said:
"Oh, maybe he will come tonight, little Tim,
If we ask in our prayers for the Lord to send him!"

The little face smiled, but the boys saw a tear
In the eye of the one who quelled little Tim's fear.
Then slowly and sadly the waifs went their way
To the place they called home, where that night they would pray.

The boys, with their sleighs, followed closely behind,
And neither one spoke, but in each childish mind
A beautiful thought said as plain as could be:
"I’ll share with those poor boys what Santa brings me. "

When the two reached their home, to their father they ran,
And eagerly told him their unselfish plan.
He was proud of his boys, who now felt that same love
That sent our dear Savior from His Home above.

Next morning, still thrilled with their beautiful thought,

They scampered downstairs to see what Santa brought,
And they, with the help of their father and mother,
Selected the presents for Tim and his brother.

And as the first light of dawn came into view
The two went their way with the toys bright and new,

And crept very quietly up to the door
Where they'd seen the boys enter the evening before.

As they hurried back home toward their own Christmas joys,
They could not even dream how the other two boys,
On finding that Santa had really been there,
Sent their joy to the One who had answered their prayer.

That night, when the "Santas" were ready for bed,
With a hand of their father on each curly head,
They knew, as they thought of two poor, happy boys,
What's the truest and choicest of all Christmas joys.

The End

And the angel

  Luke 1: 35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

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"It's not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving.” — Mother Theresa

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Do You Have Room
written and performed by Shawna Edwards
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jR7lo9ycKBA

They journeyed far, a weary pair;
they sought for shelter from the cold night air
Some place where she could lay her head.
Where she could give her Babe a quiet bed
Was there no room, no corner there
In all the town a spot someone could share?
Was there no soul come to their aid?
A stable bare was where the family stayed

Do you have room for the Savior?
And do you seek Him anew?
Have you a place for the One who lived and died for you?
Are you as humble as a shepherd boy or as wise as men of old?
Would you have come that night?
Would you have sought the light?  
Do you have room?”

A star arose, a wondrous light;
a sign from God this was the Holy night.
And yet so few would go to see
the Babe who came to rescue you and me.
This Child Divine is now a King.
The gift of life to all the world he brings,
and all mankind He saves from doom,
But on that night for Him there was no room.

Do you have room for the Savior?
And do you seek Him anew?
Have you a place for the One who lived and died for you?
Are you as humble as a shepherd boy or as wise as men of old?
Would you have come that night?
Would you have sought the light?       
Do you have room?”

Will you come tonight?
Will you seek the light?
Do you have room?

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Holiday Recipes – KETO Friendly

Hot Dip

from Tami

1 lb sausage

2 cans rotel tomatoes and peppers

3 packages of cream cheese

Cook, drain and crumble sausage. Add remaining ingredients and blend well.

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Legend

The Story Of The Christmas Robin

That December night was extremely cold. A frigid wind blew constantly into the stable where Mother Mary lay with her infant, Jesus. The fire in the stable, the only source of heat for the baby, was about to go out. All that Mary could do was call for help from the stable animals. She asked the sleeping ox, the lazy donkey, the horse and the sheep, but they were either of no use or just refused to help. Suddenly, Mary heard the flapping sound of wings. A robin heard Mary's cry for help and flew into the stable. Not sure of what he could do, he flapped his wings hard at the dying embers of fire until it rekindled and the flames burnt bright red. He fanned continuously, flapping hard so to keep the baby warm. The robin used his beak and dropped some dry sticks in the fire. This caused the flames to flare abruptly and they burnt the breast of the bird. Despite the burns that he received, the bird continued fanning so that the infant could be kept warm for long enough to sleep comfortably. Mary thanked the robin for his efforts and tenderly looked at his breast which was now red with the burns. She blessed him for his deed of valor and selflessness. That is why, to this very day, that robins have red breasts.

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 Christmas Games:

Fill the Christmas Stocking
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!

Hot Christmas Package
This game is played just like Hot Potato. Have the children sit around in a circle and play some Christmas music. Pass around a present and when the music stops the child left holding the gift gets to keep it. As a child gets a gift they are out of the circle. Continue until every child has a gift of their own.

Christmas Memory Game
Items in box
How To Play: Show the items in the box to the children. Remove one or more items out of the box (without children seeing you). Have the children guess what items are missing. Most correct answers wins.

Snowball drop

Give child 15 cotton balls or marshmallows and have them stand holding the cotton ball at waist height and have them drop the cotton ball in a jar

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We can feel warmth, when the light of the sun hits us. We can feel warmth when the light of the Son hits us. I’d like to thank my friend, Susan Pixley, for sending me this story from a young man who chose to follow the light of Christ in his decision making. May we all do so ~~ Marilee

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Double Angels
By David Scott, sixteen

Waking up to the sound of my alarm, I smiled at the joy of only having to wait one more day. I got out of bed and threw some clothes on. Digging around the kitchen for some breakfast, I settled on a bowl of Cheerios and some leftover pizza from the night before. After watching cartoons, playing some video games and chatting on-line with some friends, it suddenly hit me that I hadn't bought a present for my mom. It was Christmas Eve, and the stores were going to be closing pretty soon. So I threw some shoes on, grabbed my skateboard and set off to the mall.

I swung open the heavy glass door into the mall only to see an incredible sight. People were running and panicking everywhere, trying to find the perfect gift for their loved ones. It was total madness. I decided to begin trying to make my way through the crowds when a guy in a black coat came up to me and told me with desperation in his voice that he had lost his brown leather wallet. Before I could say a word, he shoved his gray business card into my hand.

"Please call me at the number on the card if you happen to find it," he said. I looked at him, shrugged my shoulders and replied, "Yeah, no problem. I'll do that."

He turned to stop another person, and I continued to make my way through the unending stream of shoppers to look for a gift for my mom. I searched everywhere, up and down the mall in every store, with no luck. Finally, toward the very end of the mall, I spotted a small antique and glass-art store. It looked like it might have some interesting stuff -- not the same as I'd seen in every other store. I figured I had nothing to lose so I went in.

Papers and boxes had been thrown everywhere from all the greedy Christmas shoppers digging around for the perfect gifts. It was pretty bad. It looked like a dirty bedroom with smelly clothes scattered around in it. As I tried to make my way through the pile of stuff, I tripped over a box in the aisle and fell flat on my face. I was so frustrated and worn out from shopping that I stood up, screamed and kicked the box. It flew through the air and hit a big, high-priced clay statue, almost knocking it over. My anger had gotten the best of me, but luckily no harm was done.

As I picked up the box to put it back on the shelf, I noticed a flat, green box hidden under some wrapping paper. I opened it up to find an amazing glass plate with a Nativity scene on it. There it was, the perfect gift, just lying in some trash waiting for me to find it. It felt like one of those moments when you hear angels singing hallelujah and beams of light stream down right over the place where you're standing. I smiled broadly, gathered it up and headed for the cash register. As the cashier was ringing up my purchase, I reached into my pocket to get my money. But my pocket was empty! I began to scramble around searching every pocket when I realized I had left my wallet at home. This was my last chance to get my mom a gift since the mall would be closing in ten minutes and it was Christmas Eve. It would take me twenty minutes to skate home and back. That's when I started to panic. Now what do I do? I silently asked myself.

So I did the only thing I could think of at that moment: I ran outside the store and started to beg people for money. Some looked at me like I was crazy; others just ignored me. Finally, giving up, I slumped down on a cold bench feeling totally defeated. I really had no idea what to do next. With my head hanging down, I noticed that one of my shoes was untied. Great, I thought. All I'd need now is to trip over my shoelace and break my neck. That'd be the perfect ending to this useless trip.

I reached down to tie my shoe when I spotted a brown wallet lying next to the front leg of the bench. I wondered if it could be the wallet that the man in the black coat had lost. I opened it and read the name on the driver's license inside. Yep. It was his. Then my mouth dropped in awe when I discovered three hundred dollars inside.

I never even questioned what I should do. I knew that I had to do the right thing, so I found a nearby pay phone and made a collect call to the number on the gray business card. The man answered and said that he was still in the mall. He sounded really happy and relieved. He asked me if I would meet him at the shoe store, which happened to be right next to the antique and glass store. When I got there, the man was so excited that he thanked me over and over while he checked to see if his money and credit cards were still there.
I turned to drag myself out of the mall and back home when I felt the man grab my shoulder. Turning to face him, I let him know that I hadn't taken anything. "I can see that," he replied. "I don't think I've ever met a kid like you who would return all that money when he could have taken it without anybody knowing." Then he opened up the wallet and handed me four twenty-dollar bills, thanking me again.

In great excitement, I leaped into the air and shouted, "Yes!" I thanked him this time and told him I had to hurry and go get my mom a present before the mall closed. I made it to the store just as they were getting ready to lock up. The lady was really nice about it and let me in.
I bought the glass plate and started skating home, grateful that everything had worked out. I found myself whistling Christmas carols as I replayed the evening over in my head. Suddenly, it hit me. I realized that I had been sort of a Christmas angel for the man who had lost his wallet, and that he had been the same for me when I'd forgotten mine. Double angels! I thought. It was another one of those moments when choirs of angels begin to sing and beams of light shine down on you. I knew that I'd never forget this Christmas Eve for as long as I lived.
The next morning, my mom opened my "miracle present." The look on her face assured me that she really loved it. Then I told her all about what happened when I was trying to get her gift. The story made the plate even more special to her.

Still, to this day, she keeps that green glass plate on our main shelf as a centerpiece. It reminds her of me, of course, but it continues to remind me that amazing things can happen when you least expect them. Especially during that magical time called Christmas.