Christmas In My Heart

If you desire to find the true spirit of Christmas and partake of the sweetness of it, let me make this suggestion to you. During the hurry of the festive occasion of this Christmas season, find time to turn your heart to God. Perhaps in the quiet hours, and in a quiet place, and on your knees—alone or with loved ones—give thanks for the good things that have come to you, and ask that His Spirit might dwell in you as you earnestly strive to serve Him and keep His commandments. Howard W. Hunter

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Let It Be Christmas

performed by Alan Jackson

Let It Be Christmas - YouTube

Let it be Christmas everywhere
In the hearts of all people both near and afar
Christmas everywhere
Feel the love of the season wherever you are
On the small country roads lined with green mistletoe
Big city streets where a thousand lights glow

Let it be Christmas everywhere
Let heavenly music fill the air
Let every heart sing let every bell ring
The story of hope and joy and peace
And let it be Christmas everywhere
Let heavenly music fill the air
Let anger and fear and hate disappear
Let there be love that lasts through the year
And let it be Christmas
Christmas everywhere

Let it be Christmas everywhere
With the gold and the silver, the green and the red
Christmas everywhere
In the smiles of all children asleep in their beds
In the eyes of young babies their first fallen snow
Elderlys' memories that never grow old

Let it be Christmas everywhere
In the songs that we sing and the gifts that we bring
Christmas everywhere
In what this day means and what we believe
From the sandy white beaches where blue water rolls
Snow covered mountains and valleys below

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No-Bake Cookie Clusters

1 c. chunks of chocolate chip cookies
1 c. chopped peanut
1 ½ c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 ½ c. peanut butter chips

Combine chips and melt over low heat. Immediately add cookie chunks and nuts. Stir until well coated, then drop by spoonfuls onto wax paper lined cookie sheet.

These cookies can be done with any variety of cookies and chips. It’s super easy for little “helpers.”

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When we first moved into our home in 1990, I loved the space and the light. There were so many windows! I loved it. There was just a few little problems – there was no lawn, no driveway, no basketball hoop, no flowers and no trees! The next spring, we cut globe willow branches from the man camp. We stuck them in a bucket of water and waited for them to root. Every day I would go out and lift a branch to the top of the water to look for root signs. When the day came that I saw the first little buds, I was so excited and wanted to plant them that day! Dean explained to me that we had to let the roots grow and develop. Later that spring, we planted 3 globe willows, as well as fruit trees, flowers, a garden and grass. My home had a yard! One day, I was outside and thought I saw something move. I looked at one of the globe willows, and there was a swallow perched in it. There was life in my trees! We still have 2 of those trees (One blew over in a wind storm) and there are still birds in them. Yesterday, my path took me on a walk to think about Joseph, and I found myself thinking about my husband. They both did whatever it took to protect and care for their families. Joseph worked with his hands and created beautiful things. Dean works with his hands and creates beautiful things. Joseph moved his family to the deserts of Egypt for safety. Dean moved our family from Idaho to the deserts of Utah so that we could be together and he could provide for us. Joseph returned his family to Palestine and established a home in the farming community of Nazareth. He planted any trees they had, plowed their gardens, and provided homes for God’s creatures. He was a man of faith, who listened to the promptings of the spirit. Dean is a man of faith who tries to do God’s will. Joseph was a man of mystery, we know so little about him. Dean is a quiet man, a good man, and to many, a man of mystery. I have a much better image of Joseph in my mind today. I’m grateful for the hard working, devoted man he was. He was a man worthy to raise the son of God. Let us look for the Joseph's around us, for men of honor and integrity, to whom God is everything.

Today I am going to call, or text a shut-in and ask them about their favorite Christmas memories. ~~ Marilee

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"It will lose its Christmas"
By Bob Perks

It was magic. The day after Thanksgiving always was more exciting than the big day itself.

It was the day they pulled out the Christmas decorations from the attic. The day Christmas really became a reality.

"Do you remember where we keep them?" the father would ask.

"Are you kidding me? I know exactly where they are!" the young boy shouted.

Then, running up the stairs he headed directly to the far corner. Rummaging through some recently added boxes, pushing aside the bags of summer clothes, he dived into the dim, dark recesses of the storage area.

"Hey, where are you?" Dad asks. It wasn't really that dark. The boy could be seen perfectly well, but Dad played along with the excitement.

Suddenly, the boy popped out with the big plastic Santa face that always hung in the same spot on the porch just to the left of the front door.

"Ho, Ho Ho!" he said. "Have you been good?" the boy said in the deepest voice he could muster.

Dad just laughed and said, "Come on, we've got a lot to do today." This was it. This was a time held precious in the heart of a boy and through the years burned in the memory of the man he was to become.

One by one the boxes were pulled from the attic. It was amazing how so many things were added every year. This was the Christmas house. There was no mistake that Santa loved stopping here each year. It reminded him of home.

Well, that's what the boy decided anyway.

Lights were hung. Garland draped. Paper cut outs adorned the windows and Christmas designs were carefully stenciled to areas surrounding them.

If you remember stenciling you're probably older than you would like to admit.

Oh yes, don't forget the can of spray snow, too.

"Okay, that's it!" Dad said. "Let's put these back in the box. We won't use them this year."

The boy was stunned.

"What...what are you talking about?" he asked.

"We have too many things. We don't need to put everything up," Dad said.

"But, Dad..."

"Come on, that's enough."

"No, wait. You don't understand. This one goes over there, and that always hangs near the back door in the kitchen," the child said. "Not this year," Dad replied.

He then began to carry one of the boxes up the stairs.

The boy rushed to the bottom of the steps and cried out, "You can't put them back. We have to use them. If you don't use them they'll lose their Christmas!" he said with tears gushing from his eyes. The father surprised to see this reaction, stopped and turned towards the boy.

"What? What are you saying?" he asked.

Sniffling as he wiped the tears away, the boy said in a soft mournful tone, "Once you use something for Christmas you have to always use it. If you don't, it will lose its Christmas. Christmas is magic and everything in it becomes magical," he said.

Dad turned around and came back down the steps. Placing the box on the table, he turned and held his son.

"Okay, okay, I didn't know that. We'll put them up," he assured him. I can't say it is a fact. I can't tell you that it's some old world tradition, but it became one that day and remains so to this very day.

The years past and Christmas was celebrated in the same way. That is until 1972. That was the year that home lost its Christmas. It was June and a few months prior the boy's Mom had suffered what appeared to be a stroke. Later the doctors would discover the previously treated breast cancer had spread. His Mom died that June.

He was now 22 and married. Two weeks after her death a flood destroyed much of the memories in that home.

Thanksgiving was non existent. Christmas still a possibility. That is until Dad declared, "There will be no Christmas in this house!"

The boy and his wife were now living there. As much as he loved his mother he believed that her loss had nothing to do with the celebration of the birth of Christ.

"Dad, we need to at least put up the tree," he said one day just two weeks before December 25th.

"No!" Dad responded "There will be no Christmas here."

Then standing near him, the boy touched his hand and said, "But they will lose their Christmas."

The smallest, almost unnoticeable smile came to Dad's face.

"I lost my Christmas, too."

There was no Christmas in the house that year. Years later, when he sold the house many of the decorations were tossed away.

I know. I was that boy.

Many Christmases have passed since then. Each filled with love, happiness and incredible memories.

If you are struggling with the idea of Christmas. If you are hurting because of the loss of a loved one, the pressures of finances, or simply can't find Christmas, I ask you to reconsider.

Remember the real reason for it. It is not a party. It is not a package under a tree. It is not thing.

It's a holy day. It is a celebration of the birth of the Christ child. It is your acknowledgement of faith in a God Who loves you.

I promise you this. Even if you hide away in your room that day, even if you don't light a candle, hang an ornament, or sing a song, your heart cannot lose its Christmas.

It is and always will be waiting for you.

"I believe in you!"
Bob Perks copyright 2007

I encourage you to share my stories but I do ask that you keep my name and contact information with my work.

If you would like to receive Bob's Inspirational stories, please visit http://www.IWishYouEnough.com and submit your email address

Jospeh's Song

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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I Was Not His Father, He Was Mine

Joseph - I Was Not His Father, He Was Mine - YouTube

He was working late one evening
With the wood he knew so well
When she thought
she recognized him
Though at first,
She couldn't tell

As she humbly begged his pardon
A strange sadness swelled inside
When she asked,
"Aren't you the father
Of that man they crucified?"
Then the carpenter repeated
What he's said so many times
He said, "I was not His father,
He was mine."

Then he humbly went on working
With his worn
and calloused hands
Though she did not ask
more questions
He knew she didn't understand.

So he asked if she would help him
He saw her answer
in a glance
And She did the chores
he asked her
And She was grateful for the chance
Then they talked for hours of Jesus
And how he knew He was divine
He said "I was not His father,
He was mine.
How could one

So foolish and so flawed
Ever hope to raise
the Son of God?"

Then he spoke
of the misgivings
He had had
a thousand times
Now Jesus found
the tender moments
To let him know
He had done just fine

Then the carpenter recited
The greatest truths
he'd ever learned
And testified
they came from Jesus
And then her heart
within her burned

Then They embraced as she departed,
Joseph told her one more time,
"Tell them I was not His father
Tell them He was mine
No, I was not His father,
He was mine."

~*~*~*~

Recipe

Fuzzy White Navel
2 to 4 large oranges*
2 cups vanilla ice cream
½ cup chopped fresh or canned peaches
4 ice cubes
Fresh mint

To make orange shells, slice off about ¼¼ of each orange at the blossom end. With a spoon, scoop out pulp and juice; save. Scrape shells clean; chill.

In blender, combine pulp and juice of two oranges, ice cream, peaches and ice cubes; blend until smooth. To serve, pour into chilled orange shells. Garnish with mint and serve with short straws.

*Depending on size of oranges, four shells may be needed. Only add the pulp and juice of two oranges to blender

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Make Christmas Special

As the old song goes, "there's no place like home for the holidays." This year, those lyrics are more applicable than ever. Because of coronavirus, many families are having private celebrations this year instead of family get togethers. If that's the case for you or your family, have no fear — there are still things you can do. For example, have a mask making party. Turn paper plates into snowmen masks, or Santa Claus masks. Have a zoom party. My son Nathan suggested a talent show, so we’re having a Christmas Talent Show. What fun! Take the time to make memories.

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Yesterday, I made a donation to the Marine Corps Toys For Tots program. My path today led me to think about Joseph and the influence foster fathers can have in our lives. I’d like to share those thoughts with you.

Joseph’s role is almost overlooked at Christmas. There are very few carols centered around him. Let’s look at what we know of him. He was a carpenter. (Carpenters at that time crafted furniture, they didn’t build homes). He was an upright man. You can be sure that Heavenly Father carefully examined the man who would be the earthly father of His son. There is not a single instance in the scriptures which indicated that Joseph was ever cruel or abusive. He thought before he acted. He believed the angels and married Mary. He listened to the warning and took his wife and child to Egypt, saving Jesus’ life. He taught him to work with his hands, to be a carpenter.

Dr. Ralph Wilson has hundreds of wonderful stories found at joyfulheart.com. I love the story entitled “The Cradle, A Christmas Story”. Unfortunately, his writings are copyrighted. There is a disclaimer on the site stating that you may not post his work on the internet. Please goto this link for today’s story.

The Cradle, a Christmas Story - Christian Articles Archive (joyfulheart.com)

And when we find Him, will we be prepared as were the wise men of old to provide gifts from our many treasures? They presented gold, frankincense and myrrh. These are not the gifts Jesus asks of us. From the treasure of our hearts Jesus asks that we give of ourselves. Thomas S. Monson

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A Soldier’s King
written by John Barlow Jarvis and Kenny Horton
performed by Donny Osmond
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ja-7nRKLrsM

No one seemed to notice
The man beside the road
He was just a ragged soldier
Out there in the cold
But he seemed to have a purpose
Only known to him
As he walked along the streets that night
Through the town of Bethlehem

In his head he held a memory
Of all the wars he'd known
In his hand he clutched a medal
For the bravery he'd shown
And the weight of every battle
He carried in his heart
But his eyes were clear and searching
For a manger in the dark

Chorus:
Some are born to greatness
Some are born to fall
Some are bound to be forgotten
Like they never lived at all
But we're all born to know Him
And stand before His light
Like the soldier who found his king tonight

He had marched for politicians
Served under their command
And he fought for all the causes
That he did not understand
But it was something deep inside him now
That led him on his way
With a single star to guide him
To where the baby lay

(Chorus)

He stood before the Son of God
Come to pay our debt
He smiled up at the soldier
That the world would soon forget
So he held out his medal
And said this for you I bring
There he swore allegiance
To the newborn baby king

~*~*~*~

Games

Candy Cane Relay

extracted from 10 Fun Candy Cane Game Ideas {Candy Cane Olympics} - Play Party Plan

The basic idea of this game is a team relay where you’ll be walking and passing candy canes (like a relay baton) to see who can finish first.

Give each player a candy cane and give the first person (Player 1) on each team a second candy cane. That person should hook the candy cane on the bottom of the candy cane they’re already holding.

When you say go, the first person should walk across the room to their teammates on the other side. When they get there, they need to transfer the hooked candy cane from their candy cane to the other person’s candy cane, without touching it with their other hand.

That person then go to the other side again, transfers their candy cane to the next person. Continue until all teammates have completed their legs. Teams with four people will have each person walk one leg of the relay, teams with three people will have player 1 walk two (they’ll walk the final leg).

Pass The Antlers

Buy an antlers head band from the store.

Played like the traditional game of Hot Potato, pass the antlers have guests gather in a circle and pass a pair of antlers around as music plays.

When each player receives the antlers, she must put them on her head, then take them back off and pass them to the next player. Any player caught wearing the antlers when the music stops is out of the game. Play continues until one player remains.

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Pretzel Bars

2 cups finely crushed pretzels
2/3 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup sugar
2 pkg. (3.9 oz. each) Chocolate Instant Pudding
2 cups cold milk
1 cup Creamy Peanut Butter, divided
1-3/4 cups thawed Cool whip, divided
2 bananas, sliced
24 miniature pretzel twists

Heat oven to 350°F. Mix pretzel crumbs, 1/4 cup sugar and butter; press onto bottom of 13x9-inch pan. Bake 10 min.; cool completely. Meanwhile, beat dry pudding mixes, milk and 3/4 cup peanut butter in medium bowl with whisk until well blended. Stir in 3/4 cup whipped topping. Spread 3/4 cup peanut butter mixture over crust; top with bananas and remaining pudding mixture. Whisk remaining peanut butter and half of the remaining whipped topping in separate medium bowl until well blended. Stir in remaining topping; spread over dessert. Refrigerate 2 hours. Top with whole pretzels just before serving.

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I saw a meme recently which said, “Loving a military man is not hard. The distance is hard, the worry is hard, the sacrifices are hard. But loving him … that’s the easiest thing I’ve ever done.” Every year, I do a blog honoring those serving in the military and their families.

Nineteen years of fighting this war against terrorism has left our military forces and their families accustomed to being apart on days that are supposed to make us feel together. Christmas is a big one. In 2019, a study was done that showed 15% of military families struggle to feed their families.

There are “Adopt a Military Family” programs across the country.

There are Angel trees for military members.

The Full Circle Home program gives deployed servicemen a chance to send a gift box to their wives back home. Gift boxes contain pampering items, such as lotions, bubble baths and spa socks. They also feature a handwritten note from the serviceman.

Donate to the ASYMCA Operation Holiday Joy program and 100% of your donation goes to food and toys this holiday season and you can designate your donation to a specific program.

Trees for Troops

Every family needs a Christmas tree and Tree for Troops, sponsored by the Christmas Spirit Foundation, offers free Christmas trees for military families. Trees are available at 62 bases throughout the United States.
Read more: https://militarybenefits.info/christmas-programs-for-military-families-in-need/#ixzz6gnUBuFzw Another excellent site for ideas is Christmas 2020 (militarybenefits.info)
WE owe our military families SO much. Tell them thank you. Let them know that we appreciate their sacrifice. Their job is not easy, and their choice to join is heroic. Let them know we care.

My walk yesterday was to develop more Christlike patience with others. I do not know if the Christmas dolls I’m making exactly qualify, but they required more patience than I had. After 4 hours of trying unsuccessfully to attach backpacks, I dumped them into a corner and watched a Christmas Special with my husband. This is something I need to continue to work on every day! Today I’m walking the gratitude path. I am going to find the opportunity to thank our soldiers in some way, to thank those who protect liberty and freedom of religion, as well as so many other liberties. If you are aware of any opportunities to serve, please add them in a comment ~~ Marilee

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Christmas At Sea

Author unknown

The sea is cold, the night is dark... the blowing wind is crisp,
I stare across the ship's huge deck... I did not get my wish.
I wanted so, to be at home... this year on Christmas Eve,
But this will be the year that I... did not get Christmas leave.

I stand and think about my family... gathered by the tree,
I know that one will say my name... and then they'll think of me.
I am not there to share their joy... my country needs me here,
But I am not the only one... who won't get home this year.

I miss my family but I am... on guard for my country,
Protecting those who can have Christmas... is my first duty.
Many men have given all... for us to have that right,
And I feel honored just to sacrifice... a Christmas night.

But still I'm feeling so alone... as many of us are,
As I just stand here on the deck... and watch a Christmas star.
I guess it is a Christmas star... it shines for all it's worth,
And I think back to when a star... foretold His peace on earth.

If only people felt this calm... as on this Christmas Eve,
And not create hostilities... that make their brothers grieve.
Then we could have a peaceful world... as it was meant to be,
But until then we must stand guard... and this night it is me.

Once again my thoughts turn home... my family safe and sound,
Because this ship and other men... are ready to stand ground.
The Navy and the other branches... keep us safe and strong,
So those at home can celebrate... and sing their Christmas song.

But knowing that I must do this... I can't hold back a tear,
Wishing I was home this Christmas... sharing in the cheer.
Seeing all my families faces... lights and Christmas trim,
Now the night is getting darker... as I think of them.

Trying now to fight this feeling... of such loneliness,
Softly speaking to myself... a lonely Christmas wish.
Actually my Christmas wish... is now a Christmas prayer,
Thank you for the men who serve... our country everywhere.

Thank you for our families... who enjoy this Christmas free,
Thank you for the other men... who serve this ship with me.
Thank you for allowing me... to make this sacrifice,
A joyous Christmas for our families... makes it worth the price.

May there be peace within you today.
May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
I believe that friends are quiet angels who lift us to our feet when our
Wings have trouble remembering how to fly.

Extracted from: Sailor's Christmas (goatlocker.org)

Christmas In My Heart

Jospeh's Song

Trees for Troops

Christmas At Sea

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