Find the joy this holiday even in the tiniest of miracles; a snowflake, a star, a smile.  Finding joy is as simple as looking for it.  The more you pay attention to finding it, the more you will discover.

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Mahalia Jackson
O Holy Night
audio recording
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKILk4k3xvk

O holy night, the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of the 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
Night divine

~*~~*~~~*~~*~

I don’t know if any of you have noticed, but the Christmas blizzard of 2017 has blown in.  It has blown in EVERYWHERE.  Instead of piles of snow surrounding us however, we are surrounded by piles of projects and items on our must do/need to do/ought to do/should do/could do next year list.  Examples of the piles are:  the shopping pile,  presents to wrap pile,  Christmas presents to finish, the writing the Christmas family newsletter pile, mailing out Christmas cards, decorating the tree pile  (going to the post office to buy the stamps so you can mail the cards pile) and reading Marilee’s blog pile – to name just a few.   Avalanches are probable unless you live by the KSMIF rule.  Keep Serving and Make It Fun.  Your children will remember Christmas, not by the gifts they receive, but by the Spirit in your home, the memories you make.  Have a “Random Act of Kindness” Advent calendar – make it for 5 days or 2 days or 24 days.  Carry an emergency treat bag with you and when you see someone who needs a smile, hand them a treat and say “thank you” or “have a good day.”  Put service first.  The rest is just fluff.  My family tried to tell me that for YEARS, but I was a slow learner. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.  Feed His sheep and you will have joy this year.  Serving others is the plow that will clear away your seasonal piles. ~~ Marilee

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Chocolate Log Cookies
1 lb. powdered sugar
1 stick melted butter
2 c. crunchy peanut butter (I used extra crunchy)
4 c. Rice Krispies

Use a large mixing bowl. Put the powdered sugar together with the melted butter and stir with a spoon. I then use my hands to mix the peanut butter and Rice Krispies in with the powdered sugar and butter mixture. Pinch off enough of the mixture to make logs about the size of your thumb. Sort of roll them in your hand. Put them into the refrigerate for about an hour. Remove and frost with chocolate frosting.

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This is the story of how the fir tree became the official Christmas tree.

At the time when the Christ Child was born all the people, the animals, and the trees, and plants were very happy.  The Child was born to bring peace and happiness to the whole world.  People came daily to see the little One, and they always brought gifts for them.

There were three trees, standing near the crypt, which saw the people and they wished that they, too might give presents to the Christ Child.

The Palm said: “I will choose my most beautiful leaf, and place it as a fan over the Child.”

“And I,” said the Olive, “will sprinkle sweet smelling oil upon His head.”

“What can I give to the child?” asked the fir who stood near.

“You!” cried the others.  “You have nothing to offer Him.  Your needles would prick Him, and your tears are sticky.”

So the poor little Fir tree was very unhappy, and it said: “Yes, you are right.  I have nothing to offer the Christ Child.”

Now quite near the trees stod the Christmas angel, who had heard all that the trees had said.  The angel was very sorry for the Fir tree who was so lowly and without envy of the other trees.  So, when it was dark, and the stars came out, he begged a few of the little stars to come down and rest upon the branches of the fir tree.  They did as the Christmas Angel asked, and the Fir tree shone suddenly with a beautiful light.

And at that very moment, the Christ child opened His eyes – for he had been asleep – and as the lovely light fell upon Him, He smiled.

Every year people keep the dear Christmas Child’s birthday by giving gifts to each other, and every year, in remembrance of His first birthday, the Christmas Angel places in every house a fir tree also.  Covered with starry candles, it shines for the children as the stars shone for the Christ Child.  The fir tree was rewarded for his meekness, for to no other tree is it given to shine upon so many happy faces.

* I cannot find the source for this today, but will include it in a message later this week.

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

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Matthew 2:1-2
1 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,
2 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.

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The Angels Cried
Allison Krauss and Alan Jackson
audio recording with still pictures
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jOKGbq8ARE

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)

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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.

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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

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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 the month 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.  In one present was a can of gold spray paint and a jar of gold glitter.  In the next was a monster mask (Frankenstein), and in the third was the mirror 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

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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.

It is the personal thoughtfulness, the warm human awareness, the reaching out of the self to one's fellow man that makes giving worthy of the Christmas spirit.  Isabel Currier

~*~~*~~~*~~*~ 

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

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What Child Is This?
Video clip of performance
Instrumental
Annie Moses Band
Annie Moses Band: What Child Is This?

Annie Moses Band: What Child Is This? As Seen on PBS! The Annie Moses Band is a family of Juilliard trained musicians who weave a spectacular blend of...

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CHRISTMAS SNOWBALLS COOKIES
2 c. flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1. Mix and set aside above ingredients. Blend:
3/4 c. butter
1/2 c. sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
Beat in 1 egg. Stir in dry ingredients. Add:
1 (8 oz.) pkg. semi sweet chocolate bits
1 c. chopped nuts
Shape in 1" balls. Bake 15 to 20 minutes at 350 degrees on an ungreased cookie sheet. Cool and roll in powdered sugar. Freeze well.

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I watched a show earlier this week which talked about how much money the “average” American family will spend this Christmas.  They had a guest on the show who talked about how to cut down spending and still have nice gifts.  They said that most people spend about $50 on gifts to each of their friends, and they gave suggestions on how to cut that down to about $30 and still have nice gifts.  I wish that I could give gifts to all of my friends, but I would run out of Christmas money LONG before I ran out of friends.  Over the years, I have come up with gift ideas that say “I remember you”.  I have also gleaned ideas from articles, other friends, family.  Here are some of my favorite.  They are all tied in to service.

1) Save the phony credit cards you get in the mail, spray paint them gold, then in your best calligraphy, write the recipients name, such as “James Smith” and on the back write what the card is good for, such as “a bedtime story and hug,” an “afternoon with grandma,” a “trip to the park to feed the ducks.”   It’s a gift they can use all year long – priceless

2) Pick up a carload of friends and go look at the Christmas lights.  Scout out your route first so you know where the best ones are.  Make up ribbon awards that say such things as “best use of lights,” “most original roof decor,” “tallest inflatable Santa,” “the sweetest display,” “the most religious ...” you get the idea.  Vote on them in the car, and then stick the ribbons to the front doors.  (Be sure and write thank you on the ribbon also.)  Have goodies to munch on, and hot chocolate or wassail to drink.  You’ll have a great time, make fun memories and let others know their efforts are appreciated.

3).  Give a bag of unpopped popcorn to a friend and a coupon good for a movie night with you.

4).  Make a favorite casserole, freeze it and give it to your friend or family member for a night when they are too busy to cook.

5).  Christmas can be a difficult time for some people.  Perhaps they have lost a family member, or are ill and unable to get around.  Perhaps their memories are not those of Christmas joy, but rather of pain, neglect or abuse.   Christmas is for them also, for those that mourn. Our Savior, Jesus Christ, was born into a world of grief, pain and sorrow.  As the  Messiah he “has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows.” (Isaiah 53:4).  When our family was young, Santa Claus could be seen everywhere in our home.  The story of the Savior’s birth was always included so the kids understood what Christmas was all about, but Santa was everywhere.  As our family got older, we added a baby Jesus room, so we had a Santa house and a baby Jesus room.  Candlelight, warm fireplaces, and beautiful music filled our home.  Then came the Christmas of tears – the year when pain was all I saw.  I realized at that time that there was more to Christmas than Santa, or candlelight and beautiful music, even more than just the baby Jesus.  I needed more – I needed the Adult Jesus, I needed to follow His path, to walk in His shoes, to feel His atoning sacrifice and the promise of life it gave.  I needed to know that He loved me.  Everyone goes through that kind of Christmas at one time or another.  Reach out and let them know they are not alone.  As the poem says, Christ has no body but yours, No hands, no feet on earth but yours, Yours are the eyes with which he looks compassion on this world, Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good, Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world. (St. Teresa of Avila)   Serve them as Jesus would have them served.  Open your heart and your arms to them.  Help them feel the love of Christ in their lives, let them know they are not alone.  Make a difference. ~~ Marilee

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The Story of the Christmas Guest
Adapted by Helen Steiner Rice from an old German Legend
It happened one day at the year's white end;
Two neighbors called on an old-time friend.
They found his shop, so meager and mean,
Made bright with a thousand boughs of green.
And Conrad was sitting with face a-shine,

When he suddenly stopped as he stitched a twine,
And said, "Old friends, at dawn today,
When the cock was crowing the night away,
"The Lord appeared in a dream to me,
And said, `I'm coming your guest to be.'
So I've been busy with feet astir,
Strewing my shop with branches of fir.
"The table is spread and the kettle is shined
And over the rafters, the holly is twined.
And now I will wait for my Lord to appear,
And listen closely so I will hear
His step as He nears my humble place,
And I open the door and look in His face."
So his friends went home and left Conrad alone,
For this was the happiest day he had known.
For long since, his family had passed away,
And Conrad had spent a sad Christmas Day.
But he knew with his Lord as his Christmas Guest,
This Christmas would be the dearest and best.
He listened with only joy in his heart,
And with every sound, he would rise with a start.
And look for the Lord to be standing there,
In answer to his earnest prayer.
So he ran to the window after hearing a sound,
But all that he saw on the snow-covered ground…
Was a shabby beggar whose shoes were torn,
And all of his clothes were ragged and worn.
So Conrad was touched and went to the door,
And he said , "Your feet must be frozen and sore.
I have some shoes in my shop for you,
And a coat that will keep you warmer, too."
So with grateful heart, the man went away,
But as Conrad noticed the time of day,
He wondered what made his dear Lord so late,
And how much longer he'd have to wait.
When he heard a knock, he ran to the door,
But it was only a stranger once more;
A bent old crone with a shawl of black,
A bundle of branches piled on her back.
She asked for only a place to rest,

But that was reserved for Conrad's Great Guest.
But her voice seemed to plead, "Don't send me away,
Let me rest for a while on Christmas Day."
So Conrad brewed her a steaming cup,
And told her to sit at the table and sup.
But after she left, he was filled with dismay,
For he saw that the hours were passing away.
The Lord had not come, as He said He would,
And Conrad felt sure he had misunderstood.
Out of the stillness, he heard a cry,
"Please help me and tell me where am I?"
He stood disappointed, as twice before,
But shook off his sadness and went to the door.
It was only a child who had wandered away,
And was lost from her family on Christmas Day.
Again Conrad's heart was heavy and sad
But he knew he should make this little girl glad.
So he called her in and wiped her tears,
And quieted all her childish fears.
Then he led her back to her home once more.
But as he entered his darkened door,
He knew that the Lord was not coming today
For the hours of Christmas had passed away.
So he went to his room and knelt down to pray,
And he said, "Dear Lord, why did You delay?
"What kept You from coming to call on me?
For I wanted so much Your face to see."
When soft in the silence, a voice he heard:
"Lift up your head, for I kept My Word.
"Three times My shadow crossed your floor,
Three times I came to your lonely door.
For I was the beggar with bruised, cold feet.
I was the woman you gave to eat.
And I was the child on the homeless street."

Extracted from https://www.thefamilyinternational.org/christmas/articledd6e.html

"It is Christmas every time you let God love others through you… yes, it is Christmas every time you smile at your brother and offer him your hand." -- Mother Teresa

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14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.  

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Silver Bells
Bob Hope and Marilyn Maxwell
This is a video clip from the movie “The Lemon Drop Kid” (1951) (My mother loved this song:) good memories
Original Silver Bells

Original Silver Bells Bob Hope & Marilyn Maxwell in "The Lemon Drop Kid" (1951)

Silver Bells, Silver Bells
It's Christmas time in the city
Ring-a-ling, hear them ring
Soon it will be Christmas Day
City sidewalks
Busy sidewalks
Dressed in holiday style
In the air there's
A feeling of Christmas
Children laughing
People passing
Meeting smile after smile
And on every
Street corner you'll hear
Silver Bells, Silver Bells
It's Christmas time in the city
Ring-a-ling, hear them sing
Soon it will be Christmas Day
Strings of street lights
Even stoplights
Blink a bright red and green
As the shoppers rush home
With their treasures
Hear the snow crunchSee the kids bunch
This is Santa's big scene
And above all
This bustle you'll here
Silver Bells, Silver Bells
It's Christmas time in the city
Ring-a-ling, hear them sing
Soon it will be Christmas Day
Silver Bells, Silver Bells
It's Christmas time in the city
Ring-a-ling, hear them sing
Soon it will be Christmas Day
Soon it will be Christmas Day
Soon it will be Christmas Day
Soon it will be Christmas Day
Soon it will be Christmas Day

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At Christmas time, we often get caught up in our own little world – our own “stuff.”  There is a wonderful story called “The Last Straw by Paula McDonald ( Here is a link to the story online http://www.chickensoup.com/book-story/48037/the-last-straw ) It begins with a pretty normal family with young children bickering and fighting, teasing and tormenting each other.  I remember those kind of days.  It might come as a surprise to some of you, but I was not always an angel.  I seem to have vague memories (ok, clear memories) of chasing my younger brother around the house, and dueling with vacuums, brooms, and tennis rackets (ok, pancake turners too) although he always started it (of course).  Well, the McDonalds wanted to change the feeling in their home, so they came up with the idea of placing a piece of straw in a manger for every good deed they did for someone in their family.  The goal was to do everything secretly and to make a soft bed for baby Jesus on Christmas Eve.  They learned to serve, and show forth love.  This is a great idea, which can be adapted as necessary, for your family to experience the joy which comes from serving others.  Good deeds can be as simple as emptying the trash, making a bed, put your dishes into the sink or dishwasher after you get done eating.   It can extend outside your home to neighbors, classmates, friends, even strangers.  A friend of mine shared a story of service given to her on a cold, snowy morning.  Her husband was gone on a business trip, and she was alone at home.  She looked out the window and saw that snow had fallen during the night.  It would be a good day to stay inside.  A few hours later, she heard strange noises coming from outside, and there was young a neighbor boy awkwardly shoveling her porch.  (The shovel was bigger than him).  When she asked him what he was doing, he told her that he had “ponsibilities.”  What a great job his parents did teaching him to be aware of the needs of others, and then to do something to make a difference.  We all have “ponsibilities.”  Find a way to make service a part of this Christmas. ~~ Marilee

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Christmas happens
everywhere
every time
someone reaches out
to touch another life with love
Carol Duerksen

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Chocolate Peanut Butter Square Cookies Mix

1 1/2 c. crushed graham cracker crumbs
1 lb. powdered confectioners sugar
1 12oz. bag milk chocolate chips

Use a 1 quart, wide mouth jar.  Mix the graham crumb and sugar together and pour into the jar and pack. Pour the chocolate chips into a resealable bag and place on top of the crumb mixture. Seal and decorate jar and attach recipe tag.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Square Cookies
you will need:
1 1/2 c. peanut butter
1 c. melted butter, (2 sticks)

Remove the chips bag from the jar and set aside.  Pour the jar contents into a bowl and combine with
the peanut butter. Mix well.  Blend in the melted butter until well combined. Press the mixture evenly into a 9x13x2" pan. Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave or in a double boiler. Spread the hot melted chocolate over the peanut butter mixture. Chill until firm and cut into small bars.

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Who Will Take the Son
A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael. They would often sit together and admire the great works of art.
One day the son went to war. He was very courageous and died in battle while saving another soldier. The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only child.
About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door. A young man stood there with a large package in his hands. He said, “Sir, you don’t know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly. He often talked about you and your love of art.” The young man held out his package. “I know this isn’t much. I’m not a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this.”
The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. The father stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the pictures. “Oh, no, sir. I could never repay what your son did for me. It is a gift.”
The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to his home, he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected.
The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection. On the platform sat the painting of the man’s son. The auctioneer pounded the gavel. “We will start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid for this picture?” There was silence. Then a voice in the back of the room shouted, “We want to see the famous paintings. Skip that one.” But the auctioneer persisted. “Will someone bid for this painting? Who will start the bidding? $100. $200?”
Another voice shouted angrily. “We didn’t come to see this painting. We came to see the Van Goughs, the Rembrandts. Get on with the real bids.” But still the auctioneer continued. “The son! Who will take the son?”
Finally, a voice came from the back of the room. It was the longtime gardener of the man and his son. “I’ll give $10 for the painting.” Being a poor man, it was all he could afford. “We have $10, who will bid $20?”
“Give it to him for $10! Let’s see the masters.” But the auctioneer continued. “$10 is the bid, won’t someone bid $20?” The crowd was becoming angry. They didn’t want the picture of the son. They wanted the more “worthy” investments for their collections. The auctioneer pounded the gavel. “Going once, twice, SOLD for $10!”
A man sitting on the second row shouted, “Now let’s get on with the collection!” But the auctioneer laid down his gavel. “I’m sorry, the auction is over.”
“What about the paintings?”
“I am sorry. When I was called to conduct the auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will. I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings. The man who took the son gets everything.”
God gave his son over 2000 years ago to die on a cruel cross. Much like the auctioneer, His message today is, “The Son, the Son, who will take the Son?” Because, you see, whoever takes the Son gets everything!”

Extracted from https://zenoch.org/mormon-stuff/favorite-stories/christmas-stories/who-will-take-the-son/

Christmas is not just a day, an event to be observed and speedily forgotten. It is a spirit which should permeate every part of our lives.  William Parks 

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John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

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December 5th is a special day to me.  It is my sweetest of heart’s birthday.  So we’ll start today’s blog with a Christmas love song.

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The Greatest Gift of All
Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton
audio recording with still pictures included
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1tn6NhH7_s

Dawn is slowly breaking
Our friends have all gone home
You and I are waiting
For Santa Claus to come
There's a present by the tree
Stockings on the wall
And knowing you're in love with me
Is the greatest gift of all
The fire is slowly fading
Chill is in the air
All the gifts are waiting
For children everywhere
Through the window I can see
Snow begin to fall
Knowing you're in love with me
Is the greatest gift of all
Just before I go to sleep
I hear a church bell ring
Merry Christmas everyone
Is the song it singsSo I say a silent prayer
For creatures great and small
Peace on Earth, good will to men
Is the greatest gift of all
Peace on Earth, good will to men
Is the greatest gift of all

~*~~*~~~*~~*~

“Knowing you're in love with me is the greatest gift of all.” We often get so busy in this life that we give little or no time to those most precious to us – our spouses -- those we love.  I have been guilty of taking Dean for granted, so I’ve decided on a service project for him.  I’m going to do the 12 days in December.  The 12 days of Christmas traditionally runs from Dec. 26 - Jan. 6, but I don’t want to wait that long to start.  Personalize your own list, make it fun.
Day 1–  a can of pears, 
Day 2 - a bar of dove soap
Day 3 - chicken enchiladas (he Loves them)
Day 4 - a sweet text or phone call
Day 5 - fresh doughnuts
Day 6 - new down pillow
Day 7 - 10 punch pass to the pool
Day 8 - his own personal, private container of yogurt!
Day 9 - foot massage 
Day 10 - another foot massage!
Day 11 - a cake, with “I love you” piped on it
Day 12 - a back rub with my fists pounding on is back like a drum
Every day - a sweet kiss on his forehead.
I know I’m cheesy, but he doesn’t mind – well at least not most of the time.  Don’t put off serving those you love.  Teach service by setting an example, by making those you love a priority. ~~ Marilee

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Dean loves gingerbread cookies, so I’m sharing his favorite recipe + an additional more kid friendly recipe.

Soft Gingerbread Cookie
2 1/4 c. flour
2 t. ground ginger
1 t. baking soda
3/4 t. cinnamon
½ t. cloves
1/4 t. salt
3/4 c butter, softened
1 c. white sugar
1 egg
1 T water
1/4 c. molasses
2 T white sugar
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Sift together four, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt.  In large bowl cream together the butter and 1 c. sugar util light and fluffy.  Beat in the egg, then stir in water and molasses.  Gradually stir in the dry ingredients.  Shape dough into balls about the size of walnuts.  Roll in sugar and place on ungreased cookie sheet, flatten slightly.  Bake for 8 to 10 minutes.  Allow cookies to cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before removing to wire rack.  Store in airtight container.

Kid friendly recipe
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 whole egg, room temperature
1 egg yolk, room temperature
1 tablespoon molasses
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 box Duncan Hines Spice Cake mix
3 tablespoon flour
1 teaspoon ginger
Preheat your oven to 375º F. In the bowl of your stand mixer combine butter, egg, egg yolk, molasses, and vanilla. Whip together until fluffy. Mix in ginger. Whip until combined. Add in the cake mix and flour and mix until well combined. Roll dough out onto a floured surface (1/8" thick) and cut into desired shapes. Place cookie cut outs onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes. Allow to cool on baking sheet for 1 minute before transferring to a cooling rack. Store in an airtight container and enjoy!

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December of 1975 was our first Christmas together.  We lived in a tiny little house on a pocket handkerchief sized lot, near the university I attended.  Our furniture was a bed, a bedside table, a dresser, a card table with 2 folding chairs and a bean bag chair.  I asked Dean what he remembers about our first Christmas together, and he remembers sitting in our bean bag chair in front of the fireplace talking about family traditions, and deciding what OUR traditions should be.  I remember sitting there together with his arms wrapped around me planning our future, and his holding me tight while we felt our baby move.  It made Christmas real to me in a way that it never had been before.  I carried life within me.  I knew that I was loved – by my husband, my Savior, and my Father in Heaven.

I Remember every December
the love, the joy.
the gift our Father gave this world
a perfect baby boy.
He waxed strong 
a young boy about his father’s business
He grew in wisdom and stature 
this man who taught us how to live
He fed the hungry
calmed the waters
healed the sick
gave sight to the blind
Willingly, He paid the price
He sacrificed His life
and in so doing,  He saved ours

“Christmas is not as much about opening our presents as opening our hearts.” – Janice Maeditere

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Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

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O Come, O Come Emmanuel
Celtic Angels
Celtic Angels features female vocalists in a variety of Celtic-influenced performances
audio recording – absolutely beautiful!  I love hearing this song in both English and Latin.  The haunting music will stay forever.
Celtic Angels - O Come, O Come Emmanuel

Celtic Angels - O Come, O Come Emmanuel I thought you'd like it ;) - uploaded via http://www.mp32u.net/

O come, O come Emmanuel
To free your captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice, rejoice O Israel
To you shall come Emmanuel
Veni, veni, Emmanuel
Captivum solve Israel
Qui gemit in exilio
Privatus Dei Filio
Gaude, gaude, Emmanuel
Nascetur pro te, Israel
O come, Thou Key of David, come
And open wide our heav'nly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! O Israel
To you shall come Emmanuel

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Following the Savior’s example is easy.  All we have to do is forget about “me” and think about “we.”  I was the recipient of a gift of service performed last night by a cousin, Stacia Hopkins.  I couldn’t figure out how to change the background on my blog.  She changed it for me, and made me a video on how to do it.  I am so grateful. It was wonderful!  Service doesn’t have to be something spectacular.   Mother Teresa said, “We can do no great things – only small things with great love.”  She changed the lives of millions of people, one act of service at a time.  So let’s start there  – let’s do small things with great love.  Involve your family, your children or grandchildren, nieces or nephews.  Help them to learn the joy that comes from serving others.

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Here’s a simple recipe that can be made with supervision.  Allow your children to be involved at all levels, especially in choosing who to give them to.

SPICED WALNUTS
1/4 c. water
1 c. sugar
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. ginger
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 lb. bag walnuts

In a large skillet put water, sugar and spices. Allow to boil and thicken. Put walnuts in pan and coat them with mixture. Spread out on a flat surface, separate and let them cool. Great for a holiday gift.

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'Heaven and Angels Sing'
By Carol Stigger

extracted from https://people.howstuffworks.com/culture-traditions/holidays-christmas/inspirational-christmas-stories5.htm  

At the Christmas Eve church service, I sat with my two boisterous grandchildren, ages three and five. Their parents sat in front of the church to present a nativity reading titled "Silent Night." They had warned the children to behave. I had warned the children to behave. With scrubbed angelic faces and Christmas wonder in their eyes, they looked like model children posing for a magazine holiday spread. I indulged myself in a few moments of pride.

Alec pinched Aubrey. I was grateful that the organ thundered into the first hymn just then, drowning out her yelp. I grabbed her hand before she could return the pinch. During the Lord's Prayer, Aubrey shredded the program I had given her to color on. The crayons had already rolled under the pew. I watched bits of paper fall on the carpet like snow. I would help her pick it up later, but for now the naughtiness I was allowing kept her occupied and her brother quietly admiring.
We were enjoying an uneasy truce when their parents stood to deliver the reading.
"Mommy!" Alec yelled.
She frowned, and he sat back in his seat.
"Silence," my son said to the congregation. "Think for a moment what that word means to you."
My daughter-in-law signed his words. Earlier that year, she began to use her new signing skills for the benefit of the few hearing-impaired members of our church.
Alec said a naughty word, thankfully too low for many to hear. I scowled at him, shaking my finger and my head. Aubrey grinned. Then she proclaimed, every syllable enunciated perfectly, in a clear voice that carried to far corners of the sanctuary, "Alec is a potty mouth!"
Everyone stared. I was too stunned to speak. My son and his wife looked at each other. But instead of anger, I saw surprise.
My son set aside his script and told another story. He told about their daughter being born profoundly deaf. He talked about four years of hearing aids and speech therapy with no guarantee she would ever learn to speak plainly. He talked about the rugged faith that kept the family praying she would have a normal life.
He said Aubrey's outburst was an answer to prayer: the first perfectly enunciated sentence she had ever spoken.
From the back of the room, a lone voice sang the last line of a beloved Christmas Carol: Hark! The herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn king.
While the congregation sang four verses of the unscheduled hymn, my two little angels wiggled in their parents' arms, adding laughter and giggles to the joyful Christmas noise.

 

corrections to last paragraph of story

When the birdling was taken out of the shoe, they found he did not try to fly, only to hop about the room; and as they looked closer, they could see that one of his wings was hurt a little.  But the mother bound it up carefully, so she that it did not seem to pain him, and he was so gentle that he took a drink of water from a cup, and even ate seeds and crumbs out of Piccola’s hands.  She was a proud little girl when she took her Christmas present to show the children in the garden.  They had had a great many gifts, –dolls that could say “mamma,” bright picture books, trains of cars, toy pianos; but not one of their playthings was alive, like Piccola’s birdling.  They were as pleased as she, and Rose hunted about the house until she found a large wicker cage that belonged to a blackbird she once had.  She gave the cage to Piccola, and the swallow seemed to make himself quite at home in it at once, and sat on the perch winking his bright eyes at the children.  Rose had saved a bag of candies for Piccola, and when she went home at last, with the cage and her dear swallow safely inside it, I am sure there was not a happier little girl in the whole country of Italy.