And so it was

 Luke 2:6-7

6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn..

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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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Somewhere in Your Silent Night

Performed by Casting Crowns

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nT-5cP4BeoI

Somewhere in your silent night

Heaven hears the song your broken heart has cried

Hope is here, just lift your head

For love has come to find you

Somewhere in your silent night

….

He knows your hurt

He knows your name

And you're the very reason that He came

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Apple Pie Oatmeal

1 cup quick-cooking oats

1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1-1/2 teaspoons apple pie spice
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs
1-2/3 cups 2% milk, divided

1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 medium apples, peeled and finely chopped
Vanilla ice cream, optional

In a large bowl, whisk oats, flour, brown sugar, baking powder, pie spice and salt. In a small bowl, whisk eggs, 1 cup milk and vanilla until blended. Add to oat mixture, stirring just until moistened. Fold in apples.  Transfer to a greased 3-qt. slow cooker. Cook, covered, on low until apples are tender and top is set, 4-5 hours. Stir in remaining 2/3 cup milk. Serve warm or cold, with ice cream if desired.

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This is a great craft for children which will double as a service.  One you get the plates made, fill them with goodies of some kind, then deliver them 

Ribbon Wreath Plates

paper plates, any color or size (you can use plastic plates, but they’re harder to punch)

hole punch

ribbon, craft ribbon or curling ribbon

treats

Punch holes about every inch all the way around. Then pick a spot to start and thread the ribbon through each hole.

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The song for today and the following story are part 2 of yesterday's post dealing with grief.  I wish you well ~~~Marilee

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"Until the end of time"

 by Bob Perks

Off in the distance the old record player is stacked with the sounds of the very best of days gone by.  One by one the lp's drop, skid into place, and the sounds of Christmas fill the room.

 Perry Como, Frank Sinatra, Mel Torme and Ella Fitzgerald take turns serenading the old man as he opens the box marked "Christmas."

 "It's not the same, but it is the best it can be considering."

 "Considering what?" I ask.

 "Considering the fact that my love is not with me," he says quietly.

 "Have yourself a merry little Christmas" he sings above the scratchy sounds of Perry Como.

 If records are well before your time you would not appreciate this.  But there are many who believe the purest sounds come from a 33 1/3 lp even with the scratches. You learn to tune them out.

He pulls the box a little closer, then resting his hands on it for a moment, almost like the laying on of hands at a prayer meeting, he pauses, then unties the string.

It appears that the string he used, like his dreams, is old, a little frayed and unraveled, but still serving a greater purpose.

 Lifting the lid, he stops once more and gazes into the box.

"Ah, Christmas!" he says.

 Like a surgeon, he places his hands gently, slowly into the box before him and carefully removes the contents placing it on the table.

 Whatever this treasure may be, it is wrapped in plain brown paper.

 Moving it side to side, he pulls and tugs until it is revealed.

 "This, this is Christmas," he says.

 Then lifting it up slightly above his head he looks underneath as if searching for something.

 It is a classic old mantel clock.

 "Oh, my friend that is beautiful!" I said. "Mahogany wood?"

 He doesn't answer me.

 He sat there lost in a place and time perhaps when you and I did not even exist.  He held the clock, no embraced it like he was holding the most precious thing on earth.

"Oh, I'm sorry.  I love this clock.  It means the world to me," he said.

 "I can tell," I reply.  He smiles and glances back at me.

"This is Christmas," he whispers.

 "May I ask why?  Why do you see it as Christmas?"

 He then went on to explain.

His wife had been very ill for some time.  In the spring of that year she could no longer walk.

 By fall, her interest in things around her dimmed.  Then with the approach of Christmas she seemed to rise above it all.  Her husband thought that this was a sure sign that she would recover.

 Just before Christmas she told him to go to the local store.  He was to ask for the "Christmas Box" with her name on it.  She made him promise not to open it nor ask what was inside.

 He did and as requested he returned with the box in hand.

 "Place it under the bed," she asked of him.

 It was on that Christmas Eve that she presented him with the box.  Now weakened from the cold dampness and the return of her symptoms, she could hardly make it through the night.

"Open it," she told him.

 He untied the string, unwrapped the contents and read the small card inside.

 "This is a symbol of my love for you...forever until the end of time."

 She reached under the clock and removed a small key.  Opening the front glass covering the face of the clock, she took the key and began to wind it.  With all her strength she could only manage to turn the key a few times.

 She carefully closed the door and laid her head on his shoulder.

 "We fell asleep that way," he said to me.

 The next morning, Christmas day, she was gone.

 "With all her strength she could not manage to wind the clock completely.  It stopped just minutes short of midnight on Christmas day," he said.

Then turning toward where I was standing he said, "She loved me until the end of time, her time.  I have never wound that clock again.  It holds Christmas, our last Christmas inside."

 We sat together until the last record dropped.

 How appropriate it was.

 "I'm dreamin' tonight of a place I love,

Even more then I usually do

And although I know it's a long road back 

 I promise you. I'll be home for Christmas ..."

 May the most valuable gift you receive this Christmas be found not in a box, but in the hearts of those you love...  "until the end of time."

 "I believe in you!"

Bob Perks

Bob@BobPerks.com

 

copyright 2012 Bob Perks  I encourage you to share my stories with your friends but, when copying I ask that you keep my name and contact information attached so that new readers can find their way here. Use of this story for commercial use is prohibited without direct permission from the author.

and it came to

 Luke 2:1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed

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“Christmas is never over, unless you want it to be…Christmas is a state of mind.”—Lauren Myracle

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I really love this video and hope that you will watch it.  The graphics are beautiful, and the message is wonderful.  The video starts with a written message saying, “This Christmas find the peace you’ve been waiting for.  The star still shines”

The Star Still Shines (New Christmas song by Shawna Edwards)

If we seek the light

When peace is hard to find

He’ll send us silent nights

And touch our ears

So we can hear an angel voice.

And in the darkest times

He will lift our eyes

To see the star still shines

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Tater Tot Casserole

2 pounds ground beef (I use ground turkey)

1 large onion, chopped

1 pound sliced fresh mushrooms

3 garlic cloves, minced

2 cans (10-3/4 ounces each) condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1 pound frozen cut green beans (Sometimes I use frozen mixed vegetables)

1 bag (32 ounces) frozen Tater Tots

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

In a large skillet cook meat over medium-high heat until no longer pink, 5-6 minutes, breaking into crumbles; drain and transfer to a 5-qt. slow cooker. Add onion and mushrooms to skillet; cook over medium-high heat until vegetables are tender, 8-10 minutes. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in condensed soup, salt and pepper. Place vegetable mixture in slow cooker; add green beans and stir to combine. Top with Tater Tots and cheese. Cook, covered, on low 6 hours. Let stand, uncovered, 15 minutes before serving. 

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I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about Christmas joy.  We can increase that joy by first, focusing on Jesus Christ, next focusing on Others around us and finally on You (ourselves).  This season can be a difficult one for people who are grieving.  The death of a spouse or of a marriage; the passing of a child or grandchild, the loss of a job or a home can leach all of the happiness from this season.  We need to remember that Joy is not the same as happiness. Happiness "happens to us", while joy lives within us. Happiness is like the bubbles in a hot tub—delightful but fleeting.  When conditions change, (like the timer runs out) the bubbles are gone, but the water is still there.  Joy is the water in the hot tub, or the oxygen that fills our world.  It is the ever present love of Our Savior.  If you are grieving or know someone who is, then you know that the world is upside down.  Nothing is the way it used to be and the things which once brought you happiness, don't anymore.  If you know someone who is grieving, share stories and memories with them.  Give them opportunities to get out and socialize, but don't try and force it.  Help them find positive tidbits to smile about.  Send texts, notes, or make quick phone calls.  Do chores.  Let them know someone cares.  Don't take it personally if they are not always warm and welcoming.  People can experience many different emotions at the same time, and anger is a part of loss and of grieving.  I am not a trained Social worker or Grief Counselor, but after being involved with Hospice for many, many years I have come to understand much about grief.  My advice is: Love them.  Love them.  Help them to feel the love of their Savior, Jesus Christ.  ~~ Marilee

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In 2008, Lavarr Webb gave permission for me to use this story written by his father, LaVarr B. Webb.  Mr. Webb was a prolific writer.  This story is their family favorite.

THE TWENTY-EIGHT CENT CHRISTMAS TREE

~LaVarr B. Webb

It was a cold day. A gray day, gray with the threat of snow, and gray with the threat of tears. There were children in our family, three of them, ages one, twelve, and fourteen. There were two children missing on that cold, gray day. They had died one Easter season some four years before. Scarlet Fever had wracked their bodies and blotched their skin.

But now the memory of that sad season was replaced by what could be a happier one. It was Christmas Eve 1935, a Depression year. My father was without a job, trying to get on WPA (Works Progress Administration).

I don't know where he was that night, just that he wasn't home, but I remember my mother trying to create Christmas joy with nothing to work with.

I was fourteen. My older sister was twelve. I don't remember that we were too concerned about receiving Christmas presents, at least I wasn't. My sister probably wanted a doll. She always wanted a doll, a baby doll, a doll like my baby sister had been, with fat, pink cheeks, and chubby hands and arms.

But now, Christmas Eve, my baby sister was thin and listless. I remember my mother telling my father, "My baby isn't getting proper food."

I don't remember much about that Christmas of 1935 other than I wanted a Christmas Tree. I told my mother, "Christmas will not be Christmas if we do not have a Christmas tree."

My sister and I begged for a tree. My mother told us "Time, and time again," "We have no money and I cannot buy a Christmas Tree."

My sister and I would not be deterred. We took colored paper from catalogs, cut it into strips, curled the strips into circles, and using flour and water paste, pasted one link into another until we had long lengths of highly colored paper chains.

We looked for tin foil from discarded chewing gum wrappers and cigarette packs. Some of the foil we cut into thin strips for icicles. Our neighbor had an English Walnut tree. We took halves of walnut shells, wrapped them with foil, and had beautiful ornaments that would rival anything found in a store.

We popped popcorn and made chains. We found discarded cranberries and made cranberry chains, but we had no Christmas Tree for our lovely ornaments. Finally, as day was fading, and the dark was creeping across the valley, I asked my mother, "See how much money you have. Maybe someone will sell me a tree."

She went to her purse and handed me twenty-eight cents. She was crying when she said, "That is all I have."

I jumped on my bike and rode up to Twenty First South Street in Salt Lake City where all the Christmas Tree lots were located. I went from lot to lot, but no one would sell me a tree for twenty-eight cents.

About nine o'clock, up on Twenty First South and State Street, I found a man turning off his lights and shutting down for the day, shutting down for the season. I asked him, "Do you have a tree you will sell for twenty-eight cents?"

His exact words were, "What the heck! I can't sell anymore anyway. Take your pick."

I found one just a little taller than I was, gave him my twenty-eight cents, put the tree across my handlebars, and headed home. As I peddled out of the lot, I heard him cry, "Merry Christmas" -- and it was.

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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Heavenly Father’s gift to us, the gift of Christ, is the most important gift we will ever receive. We must take time to truly appreciate that gift, not just on Christmas but every day of our lives. 

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This is a really nice story/video

Christmas Is All In The Heart - Steven Curtis Chapman

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDvxOaX2dS4

…

No, it's not in the snow

That may or may not fall

And it's not in the gifts

Around the tree

It's in the love heaven gave

The night our Savior came

And that same love

Can still be found wherever you are

'Cause Christmas is all in the heart

…

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Nutty Apple Streusel

6 cups sliced peeled tart apples

1-1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3/4 cup 2% milk
2 tablespoons butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup biscuit/baking mix
 

TOPPING:
1 cup biscuit/baking mix
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
3 tablespoons cold butter
1/2 cup sliced almonds
Ice cream or whipped cream, optional

In a large bowl, toss apples with cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg. Place in a greased 3-qt. slow cooker. In a small bowl, combine the milk, butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla and biscuit mix. Spoon over apples.

For topping, combine biscuit mix and brown sugar in a large bowl; cut in butter until crumbly. Add almonds; sprinkle over apples.

Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or until the apples are tender. Serve with ice cream or whipped cream if desired.

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I went looking through the internet and found a great site with game and activity suggestions

Extracted from https://www.focusonthefamily.ca/content/biblically-themed-christmas-games-for-children

Mystery gift of the Magi

To prepare, wrap a small gift (or a token that can be exchanged for a gift after the game) in layer after layer of gift wrap. For older children, make the game more challenging by binding every few layers with duct tape, and/or packing the gift in successively larger boxes. You’ll also need a pair of oven mitts, a scarf, a hat and a pair of dice.

To play, take turns throwing both dice. The first person to throw a combined total of seven or eleven (adding up the dots on both dice) quickly dons the hat, scarf and oven mitts and proceeds to unwrap as many layers of gift wrap as possible before another person throws seven or eleven. (Don’t let anyone tear multiple layers at once – the rule is only one layer at a time! And no using your teeth either!) The person who unwraps the final layer gets to keep the gift.

Here are some joyful adult ideas :

1)  visit your neighbors.  If you want to take a plate of cookies, that’s great, but shoveling the walk, helping decorate their house or taking them a christmas card delivered with a smile are ALL  great ideas.  It doesn't need to be anything fancy, just something that says, “I see you.”  Some of us don’t have or don’t know our neighbors.   Open the door for someone at the store, let someone go ahead of you in the checkout line.  Say thank you to a clerk. 

2.  Volunteer.  We’ve talked about it before, but before you say no, you can’t do that, it doesn’t have to take a lot of time.  Dean went and helped unload boxes at the bishop's food warehouse today.  If you don't have an hour, send someone a text or make a phone call.  Ask  how they are, or just say “hi.”  I tried to let a Spanish couple go ahead of me in the line at the store today, but I couldn’t communicate with them.  I need to learn Spanish!  We need to earn to share the love of Christ with everyone  ~ Marilee

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The Postman Lifted Us From Depression

My parents, at the height of the Depression, were forced to go on home relief, which is known as welfare today. It was 1935, when I was 10 years old, and we lived on the first floor of a walk-up apartment on 43rd Street, in Brooklyn, New York.

A few days before Christmas, I looked out a kitchen window to see my father sitting on the stoop, dejected and depressed, with tears in his eyes. The mailman was approaching our building and asked my father what was wrong.

I heard my father say that he had used up his food vouchers and that the rent was past due. He had tried to work as a laborer through the Works Progress Administration, but he wasn’t a very strong man, and the work had been too hard for him. I was scared, having seen newspaper pictures of people being put out on the street with all their belongings.

“Ike, how much do you need?” the mailman asked. My dad said he needed $33 for the rent, and without hesitation, the mailman took $50 from his wallet and handed it to my father.

My dad said, “I don’t know when I’ll be able to pay you back.” The mailman put an arm around my father and said it would be okay if he paid him back or he didn’t pay him back.

The mailman noticed me looking through the window and said, “Isaac, things will not be this way forever. If you or your son will remember this day, there will be times in the future when someone needs your help. Help them within your means and tell them what happened this day. This will be my payback. Merry Christmas and Happy Chanukah.”

As long as he lived, my father helped others when he could, and I’ve done my best to do my part in paying his generosity back. —Martin Klapper, Longmont, Colorado

11 Very Short Christmas Stories with Morals (Under 5 Minutes) | International Storyteller

He Shall be

Luke 1:32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

💝😍

Every time a hand reaches out

To help another, that is Christmas

Every time someone puts anger aside

And strives for understanding,

That is Christmas.

Every time people forget their differences

And realize their love for each other

That is Christmas.

💝😍

John Wesley Work Jr. was a musicologist. Born in 1871, he published his first book of African spirituals in 1901. He taught Latin and Greek on the University level.  He attended Harvard University, then taught at Fisk University.  Eventually, he became President of Roger Williams University in Nashville.  His great love was music.  His second book which included ‘Go Tell it on the Mountains” was published in 1907. 

I've always loved the song.  I recently heard this version, and decided to pass it on.  Warning: This video includes lyrics to Joy to the World. Yes, the three dog Night Version. It’s fun

Go Tell It On the Mountain (Official Music Video) | GENTRI (feat. Brad Wheeler)

Also includes lyrics to Joy To The World. Yes, the three dog Night Version. It’s great!

Go, tell it on the mountain

Over the hills and everywhere

Go, tell it on the mountain

That Jesus Christ is born!

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Roasted Turkey Leg

3 medium potatoes, quartered

2 cups fresh baby carrots

2 celery ribs, cut into 2-1/2-inch pieces

1 medium onion, peeled and quartered

3 garlic cloves, peeled and quartered

1/2 cup chicken broth

3 turkey drumsticks (12 ounces each), skin removed

2 teaspoons seasoned salt

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1 teaspoon dried parsley flake

1/4 teaspoon pepper

Chopped fresh parsley, optional

In a greased 5-qt. slow cooker, combine the first 6 ingredients. Place drumsticks over vegetables. Sprinkle with the seasoned salt, thyme, parsley and pepper. Cook, covered, on low for 5 to 5-1/2 hours or until turkey is tender. If desired, top with chopped fresh parsley just before serving.

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Yesterday we talked about how to find Joy. First, we find Jesus, then we focus on Others. What happened to the "y"? The "y" stands for you, for me, for all of us. I thought a lot about it. If we want to put Jesus first and Others second, to get the maximum joy, then we have to take care of ourselves so that we can. Christmas can be very stressful. To help get us in shape for "joy" duty, we need to:

1) sleep

2) eat healthy meals

3) find a few minutes for ourselves to relax

4) Reevaluate our expectations for ourselves and for others. For example, I recently had surgery and am not able to do everything on my "MUST GET THESE THINGS DONE OR ELSE CHRISTMAS WILL BE RUINED" list. It won't.  My blog is not as extensive as I thought it would be this year.   I hope you understand. My decorations are not as elaborate as past years.  Setting reasonable goals while keeping Jesus and others in mind and remembering what it's all about brings peace. This also applies to our expectations of others. People sometimes disappoint us. Love them anyway.  Accept and show gratitude for what is done!

5) Choose to be grateful. Gratitude is not based on circumstances, it's based on perspective. Keep your eyes on the prize--increasing our faith in and love of Our Savior, Jesus Christ. ~~ Marilee

💝😍

A Christmas Alphabet Poem

Author Unknown

A is for Angels, appearing so bright, telling of Jesus that first Christmas night.
“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host.”
Luke 2:13.

B is for Bethlehem, crowded and old, birthplace of Jesus by prophet foretold.
“But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel.”
Micah 5:2.

C is for Cattle, their manger His bed, there in the trough where He laid His head.
“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes,
and laid him in a manger.”
Luke 2:7.

D is for David and his ancient throne promised forever to Jesus alone.
“He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God
shall give unto him the throne of his father David.”
Luke 1:32.

E is for East, where shone the bright star which Magi on camels followed afar.
“Behold, there came wise men from the east asking ‘Where is the king of the Jews?’”
Matthew 2:1,2.

F is for Frankincense, with myrrh and gold, brought by the Wise Men as Matthew has told.
“And when they had opened their treasurers, they presented unto him gifts gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”
Matthew 2:11.

G is for God, who from heaven above sent down to mankind the Son of His love.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish
but have everlasting life.”
John 3:16.

H is for Herod, whose murderous scheme was told to Joseph in a nocturnal dream.
“The angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise and take the young child and his mother and flee into Egypt… for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.”
Matthew 2:13.

I is for Immanuel, “God with us,” for Christ brought man back to the Father’s house.
“Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
Isaiah 7:14.

J is for Joseph so noble and just, obeying God’s word with absolute trust.
“Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife.”
Matthew 1:24.

K is for King. A true king He would be, coming in power and authority.
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem; behold, the King cometh unto thee;
he is just, and having salvation.”
Zechariah 9:9.

L is for Love that He brought down to earth God enfleshed in lowly birth.
“In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because God sent his only begotten Son into the world,
that we might live through him.” 1 John 4:9.

M is for Mary, His mother so brave, counting God faithful and mighty to save.
“And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.”
Luke 1:38.

N is for Night, when the Savior was born for nations of earth and people forlorn.
“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.”
Luke 2:8.

O is for Omega, meaning “the last;” He’s eternal present, future and past.
“I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.”
Revelation 22:13.

P is for Prophets, when living on earth foretold His redemption and blessed birth.
“I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near.
A star will come out of Jacob; a sceptre will rise out of Israel.”
Numbers 24:17.

Q is for Quickly, as shepherds who heard hastened to act on that heavenly word.
“And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.”
Luke 2:16.

R is for Rejoice.  The sorrow of sin is banished forever when Jesus comes in.
“And you will have joy and gladness; and many will rejoice at his birth.”
Luke 1:14.

S is for Savior.  To be this He came; the angel of God assigned Him His name.
“She will bring forth a son, and you will call his name JESUS,
for he will save his people from their sins.”
Matthew 1:21.

T is for Tidings of joy, not of danger, telling of Him who was laid in a manger.
“And the angel said unto them, Fear not for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy,
which shall be to all people.”
Luke 2:10.

U is for Us, to whom Jesus was given to show us the way and take us to heaven.
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”
Luke 2:11.

V is for Virgin, foretold by the sage, God’s revelation on prophecy’s page.
“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.”
Matthew 1:23.

W is for Wonderful, His works and His words, the King of all Kings, the Lord of all Lords.
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given… and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor,
The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6.

X is for Christ. It’s X in the Greek, Anointed, Messiah, mighty, yet meek.
“God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power.”
Acts 10:38.

Y is for Yes, called God’s Yes in His Word; God’s answer to all is Jesus the Lord.
“For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.”
2 Corinthians 1:20.

Z is for Zeal as it burned in Christ’s heart. Lord, by thy Spirit to us zeal impart.
“And his disciples remembered that it was written, the zeal of your house has eaten me up.”