"God grant you the light in Christmas, which is faith;
the warmth of Christmas, which is love;
the radiance of Christmas, which is purity;
the righteousness of Christmas, which is justice;
the belief in Christmas, which is truth;
the all of Christmas, which is Christ."

Wilda English

~*~*~*~*~

Micah 5:2 “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

~*~*~*~*~

WHEN WE SEEK HIM (New Christmas song by Shawna Edwards and Angie Killian) - YouTube

(beautiful video)

The Wise Men were watching and praying

For heavenly signs of His birth

They followed the starlight

Through long days and dark nights

To worship the Lord of the Earth

if miles lay between us, then I'd walk to Jesus

O'er mountain and desert, I'd follow that star

But He doesn't ask us to journey so far

For He will be with us wherever we are

When we seek Him

Like Wise Men, I'm seeking the Savior

By learning and living His ways

His light shines inside me

Like starlight it guides me

Closer to Him every day

If miles lay between us, then I'd walk to Jesus

O'er mountain and desert, I'd follow that star

But He doesn't ask us to journey so far

For He will be with us wherever we are

When we seek Him

I don't have gold to lay down before Him

But I'll give my heart to show I adore Him

If miles lay between us, then I'd walk to Jesus

O'er mountain and desert, I'd follow that star

But He doesn't ask us to journey so far

For He will be with us wherever we are

When we seek Him 

If miles lay between us, then I'd walk to Jesus

O'er mountain and desert, I'd follow that star

But He doesn't ask us to journey so far

For He will be with us wherever we are

                                                             When we seek Him

~*~*~*~*~

Chex Mix

for Jacob

6 Cups whole wheat Chex cereal

2 cups pretzels

2 cups cheddar cheese crackers

1 cup peanuts

½ cup butter

4 T worcestershire sauce

1 t. sea salt

1 t. garlic powder

1 t. onion powder

In large microwavable bowl, mix cereals, nuts, pretzels and crackers; set aside. In small microwavable bowl, microwave butter uncovered on High about 40 seconds or until melted. Stir in seasonings. Pour over cereal mixture; stir until evenly coated. Microwave uncovered on High 5 to 6 minutes, thoroughly stirring every 2 minutes. Spread on paper towels to cool. Store in airtight container.

TRADITION

Walk into our home and you will see more than 150 nativity scenes on display. When our children were little, we had a Santa Claus room, and a Baby Jesus room. Santa played a BIG part in those early years, but not the only part. Christmas Eve always included going to the Christmas Pageant in our community and seeing the story of Christ's birth acted out by the children.  Santa always came and made an appearance with bags of oranges, nuts and candy.  If you look at this picture, you will see Santa arranging the pieces of a nativity scene.

Our children all have families of their own now and Santa really belongs to them. 

Christmas Past

Each Christmas I remember
The ones of long ago;
I see our mantelpiece adorned
With stockings in a row.

Each Christmas finds me dreaming
Of days that used to be,
When we hid presents here and there,
For all the family.

Each Christmas I remember
The fragrance in the air,
Of roasting turkey and mince pies
And cookies everywhere.

Each Christmas finds me longing
For Christmases now past,
And I am back in childhood
As long as memories last."
(by Carice Williams)

extracted from Short Poems for the Christmas Season (specialmomentshome.com)

The day came, when all of the Santa, reindeer, snowmen and squeaky little Christmas songs (like the chipmunks) didn’t mean a thing. Candlelight and firelight, and beautiful music filled our home then. We still had a Santa Claus room, but we had a Baby Jesus “rest of the” house. Nativities sprang up in every room. No matter where you looked (except for the bathrooms) you could see one. It really helped us focus on remembering him. It’s been five years now since we set up a Christmas tree.  We no longer have a "Santa" room.

We now have a nativity tree. That’s our tradition. This month, take the time to set up a nativity, to make one out of painted rocks or out of candy melts, or cookies. 1 or 187 nativities doesn’t matter, just remember to keep him a part of your month. ~~ Marilee

December 2, 2021

 Christmas is a bridge. We need bridges as the river of time flows past. Today’s Christmas should mean creating happy hours for tomorrow and reliving those of yesterday. – Gladys Taber

~*~*~*~*~*~

Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Straight No Chaser is an American acappella group that was formed in 1996 at Indiana University. I really enjoy this version of Carol of the Bells, but want to let you know that “Ding Dong” is repeated 14 times before the music starts. The ding dongs lasts the first 53 seconds of the music. (If you want to watch a really funny version of The 12 Days of Christmas, search for it and look for the 1998 original version.)

Carol of the Bells

Straight no Chaser

Carol of the Bells- Straight No Chaser - YouTube

Ding dong (14X)

Hark! how the bells
Sweet silver bells
All seem to say,
"Throw cares away."
Christmas is here
Bringing good cheer
To young and old
Meek and the bold

Ding, dong, ding, dong
That is their song
With joyful ring
All caroling
One seems to hear

Words of good cheer
From ev'rywhere
Filling the air

Oh how they pound,
Raising the sound,
O'er hill and dale,
Telling their tale,
Gaily they ring
While people sing
Songs of good cheer
Christmas is here
Ding, dong, ding, dong
(Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas)
That is their song
(Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas)
With joyful ring all caroling
On, on they send
On without end
Their joyful tone
To ev'ry home

(repeated 2 x)

Ding dong ding dong

~*~*~*~*~*~

RECIPE

Coconut Chocolate Chip Bar Cookies from Kaylee M. (This is her great grandmother’s recipe. Thank you, Kaylee)

½ c. shortening                             2 ½ cup flour

½ c. sugar                                    1 t. baking soda

1 c. brown sugar                          1 t. salt

1 t. coconut extract                      1 cup nuts

2 eggs                                           12 oz. bag chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375°. Spoon walnut sized balls onto cookie sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes. To cook as a bar cookie, press into 13x9 pan. Reduce oven temperature to 350° and bake for 25 minutes.

Rocky Road topping: 4 cups mini marshmallows, 1 cup chocolate chips. Spread over slightly cooled bars, broil for 2 minutes until golden brown

~*~*~*~*~*~

TRADITION

When our children were teenagers, they were given the opportunity to visit older members of our church, to have “grandparents”. I remember Margenne and Eldon and Mickey and Dick telling us how much they enjoyed those visits. The past year has been a time of loneliness for all of us, especially the elderly or those shut-in. Here’s a way to create happy memories for your family and to brighten the lives of those around you.

THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS (activity)

This is kind of a Secret Santa project. Buy these items in advance along with the twelve notes you will be leaving with them.

Have your family begin dropping them on the doorstep of your special friend on December 13th. Do this in the evening after dark, of course, so the children can ring the door bell and run, without being caught. We had a funny thing happen one year. We were doing this and took turns making deliveries. On this particular night it was my turn. I was ready for bed when I realized that I hadn’t made the delivery. I was in a long nightgown, had on a tattered robe and my fuzzy monster slippers. I thought about being sensible and getting dressed, but that would be a waste of time! I’d just get in bed when I got home. I drove to the house, sneakily made the delivery, and ran back to the car before they could catch me. I locked the keys in my car with the engine running! Talk about embarrassing, so I suggest wearing street clothes just in case you have to knock on their door and call your spouse to come and unlock the car for you.

Make up your own notes or use a variation of these:

ON THE FIRST DAY of Christmas, your true love gave to you...a partridge

in a pear tree...(sorry, but it’s the wrong time of year for trees, and the partridge flew away, we can't find the partridge, so here are some pears)

[Leave this note, along with a can or bottle of pears]

ON THE SECOND DAY of Christmas, your true love gave to you...two turtle

doves...(but we don't have any...so will candy turtles on a bar of Dove

soap do?)

ON THE THIRD DAY of Christmas, your true love gave to you...three French

hens...(Our brown french hens won’t leave their nest, so we're giving you 3 chocolate eggs courtesy of the French hens.)

ON THE FOURTH DAY of Christmas, your true love gave to you...four

calling birds...(we can't find those calling birds, but here are 4

messages they left for you before they flew off.) [Leave this note plus

4 messages describing what a wonderful person they are]

ON THE FIFTH DAY of Christmas, your true love gave to you...five golden

rings...(aren’t you glad pineapple is golden? leave note and can of pineapple rings)

ON THE SIXTH DAY of Christmas, your true love gave to you...six geese a

laying...(you don't really want messy geese all over the house, do you?

How about some eggs that they left behind?) [Leave note and half dozen

eggs]

ON THE SEVENTH DAY of Christmas, your true love gave to you...seven

swans a swimming...(the swans must have flown south for the winter, so here is their favorite bubble bath.

ON THE EIGHTH DAY of Christmas, your true love gave to you...eight maids

a milking...(here's some milk we got from the eight maids.) [Leave note and carton of

milk]

ON THE NINTH DAY of Christmas, your true love gave to you...nine ladies

dancing...(here is some lotion to rub into their tired feet just in case they’re out all night)

ON THE TENTH DAY of Christmas, your true love gave to you...ten candy canes used by the ten Lords who sprained their ankles jumping around.

ON THE ELEVENTH DAY of Christmas, your true love gave to you...eleven

pipers piping… A bubble pipe and solution which will make enough bubbles for all of those pipers

ON THE TWELFTH DAY of Christmas, your true love gave to you...twelve

drummers drumming… You could use sugar cookies with “Drums” piped on them or a cake that has been decorated like a drum, or anything else you can tie in.

~*~*~*~*~*~

This lyrics of this short poem can also be sung to the tune of jingle bells.

Christmas bells, Christmas Bells,
Ring them all the day.
God the Father sent His son on that first Christmas Day.
Oh, Christmas bells, Christmas bells,
ring them all the day.
God the Father sent His son to us on Christmas day.

The legend of the Bells

as told by Marilee

Shepherds, who lived near Bethlehem, were out at night in their fields watching over their sheep. Suddenly a bright light filled the sky. It was so bright that the shepherds had to close their eyes for a minute because it hurt.

When they opened their eyes, a beautiful angel was standing in the air just above them with his arms opened wide.

The angel spoke to them: "Do not be afraid. I'm here to bring you good news for all people. Today in Bethlehem, a baby has been born. He is the one that will save the world. You will know the baby because He will be wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laying in a manger."

Suddenly the sky was filled with angels who appeared and proclaimed, "Glory to God, and peace to all people on earth."

The shepherds were amazed. They had to go find this baby the angels were talking about.

As they flocked to Bethlehem they passed a blind child sitting by the side of the main road. He had heard the angels and wanted the shepherds to lead him to the baby Jesus. He tried to follow, but couldn’t keep up, he was too slow. None of them took the time to lead him. When the streets were quiet again, the boy heard the faint toll of a cattle bell in the distance. He thought that perhaps that cow was in the very stable where the child was born. He followed the sound of the bell to the very stable where the Baby Jesus lay.

The legend says that every year, at Christmas time, the sound of the bells will lead believers to Our Savior.

December 1, 2021

 

Christmas is a time when we find our way back home, whether in person or in our hearts. It's a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus, relive childhood memories, continue cherished traditions, and share hospitality and good will with others. It is a privilege for me to share my love of Christ with you. 

For the past month, we have heard on the news that there will be no Christmas this year. Because:

1) there is a shortage of Christmas trees

2) there is also a shortage of toys

3) trucking delays effect everything!

4) shortages are forecast for canned pumpkin for pies, frozen turkeys to cook, and chocolate!

Lastly

5) there will be a shortage of Christmas cheer.

No Christmas cheer? Hah! Christmas isn’t about the presents we buy or the money we spend. It’s “a time when we find our way back home, whether in person or in our hearts. It's a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus, relive childhood memories, continue cherished traditions, and share hospitality and good will with others.”  Christmas joy can be found by continuing much loved traditions, or starting new ones, by remembering Our Savior. Throughout the month of December, I will be sending stories, poems, scriptures and thoughts about Christmas. I will also include simple craft or decorating tips and recipes. As always, the highlight for me is the music. I love Christmas music, it fills my soul with light and lifts my spirit, even on the craziest of days. I hope you will enjoy the music this year as much as I enjoyed the time spent listening and transcribing the lyrics. Sundays will have a scripture, a quote, a link to an instrumental song and a story. May the Lord bless you and help you to find joy and peace this Christmas. ~~~ Marilee ~~~

~*~*~*~*~

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.

  ~*~*~*~*~

"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

 ~*~*~*~*~

I wish there was away to link to these songs without the YouTube ads, but if there is a way, I don’t know how to do it. The link will take you right there.

David Deyl - Somewhere in My Memory (From *Home Alone*) - YouTube

Candles in the window

Shadows paint the ceiling

Gazing at the fire glow

Feeling that gingerbread feeling

Precious moments

Special people

Happy faces

I can see

Somewhere in my mem'ry

Christmas joys all around me

Living in my mem'ry

All of the music

All of the magic

All of the fam'ly home here with me

Candles in the window

Shadows painting the ceiling

Gazing at the fire glow

Feeling that gingerbread feeling

Precious moments

Special people

Happy faces

I can see

Somewhere in my mem'ry

Christmas joys all around me

Living in my mem'ry

All of the music

All of the magic

All of the fam'ly home here with me

Somewhere in my mem'ry

Christmas joys all around me

Living in my mem'ry

All of the music

All of the magic

All of the fam'ly home here with me

~*~*~*~*~*~

RECIPES

This years recipes will be quick and easy snack/treats. If any of you have a recipe you’d like to share, please send it to me or place it in the comments. This is a no-bake recipe – quick and easy to make with your children:)

S’More Cookies Please
2 eggs
1 cup white sugar
3/4 cup butter
2 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
2 cups miniature marshmallows
12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
3 tablespoons peanut butter
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup shredded coconut
1. Beat eggs. Combine eggs, sugar, and butter or margarine in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil and let cook on low for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Turn off heat. Add the crumbs, marshmallows and coconut.
2. Spread mixture into a lightly buttered 9x13 inch dish.
3. Melt the chocolate chips and peanut butter together and spread over the top of the bars. Refrigerate overnight. Cut into small squares to serve.

~*~*~*~*~*~

TRADITION

I received a package in the mail from my niece, Connie, several days ago. I texted her and asked her if I should open it. She said yes. There was a card with the gift and the message from Connie said, “I give that gift to someone new every Christmas! It’s your turn! In the package, there was a bright red gift box tied with a gold metallic ribbon. I opened the gift, and in it there was a nativity from Africa. The “stable” was made from a coconut shell and the people and animals were painted rocks. Connie and Ron picked a perfect present for me, and started a new tradition. This year, I will find someone to share a gift box with.

Each day, there will be a new “tradition” suggestion.

                              ~*~*~*~*~*~

KEEPING BABY WARM
~ by Lynda H. Laughlin

It was an inexpensive dime-store Nativity set, and he was only three years old. His back was toward me, but I could see that his chubby little hands were busily working on something at the old table.

"What are you doing?" I asked him impatiently annoyed at him for touching the decorations after he had been told not to.

As I started toward the scene of his latest mischief, he turned toward me with wide blue eyes filling and a single tear starting down his cherubic cheek. Then I saw it. A carefully folded tissue had been tenderly placed over the small ceramic infant.

"Baby Jesus was cold, Mommy," he whispered.

Ten years have passed, and the tiny Nativity has been replaced by a much larger one. But this year, as every year, I found a carefully folded tissue covering the Baby Jesus. I think I know who did it, and I hope he never stops.

                            ~*~*~*~*~*~

I read a news article entitled “Drama on Christmas Eve: Baby Jesus’ Journey to the Crib. written by Fr Seán O'Dowd, and published in Africa December 2000 while looking for story ideas. I didn’t write anything that year, but remembered the basics of the article for some time, finally writing it in story form in 2010. ~~ Marilee

The church was beautifully decorated and filled to capacity. The choir sang in perfect harmony and the congregation joined them in song as a 10-year old girl and her classmate walked down the aisle of the church and ascended the stairs to the stage. Chosen to play the all-important parts of Mary and Joseph, they took their roles seriously. Weeks of practice led up to their performance that Holy night.

Mary, concentrating deeply on the treasure she carried in her arms, stumbled. She missed the top step and fell, landing on all fours. Baby Jesus lost an arm in the mishap and also suffered severe head injuries. Joseph gathered up the baby and the severed arm from the polished floor. Mary dusted herself off and the procession continued.

When they arrived at the manger, Father Tony realized what happened and was very angry. All of planning, the practicing, the time spent in rehearsal had been in vain. His first words to Joseph and Mary were, “Look at what you’ve done.”

After everyone left the church, Father Tony went to the office and got the first aid kit to repair the damage from the accident. There was no time to get a new baby before mass. He had to do something! He went to work and re-attached the arm, putting it in a sling, then took bandaids, gauze and tape and bandaged the Christ child’s head. Satisfied with his efforts, he thought about how disappointed he was with the performance. He had set so many lofty goals, made so many plans for this performance. People would get more involved in the parish. They would give of their time and talents. They would donate funds for missionary work and provide for the needy. What would happen to those dreams now?

Finished with his task, Father Tony carefully placed the wounded baby Jesus in the crib. Gazing at the baby laying in the manger, he felt himself relax and bowed his head in prayer. His thoughts turned to Christ as he realized that here was someone who understood the meaning of pain and suffering. Someone with whom he could share his own pain, especially the pain of failing to present a perfect pageant to honor Him. The peace of Christmas then began to permeate his whole being. Later, he turned off the lights, left the church and retired for the night.

On Christmas morning the parishioners arrived for Mass. Big, strong, fearless-looking men arrived, but inside many of them were men who had been made redundant. There were some men whose marriages had broken down and whose hopes for a happy family life had been shattered. In the wounded Christ, they found a Savior who understood where they came from. The women too, seeing a patched-up Christ, loved him and wondered how they could heal the wounds of their own children when they failed to be perfect.

The youth were amused at first. Then they began to realize that an injured Christ reached out for their sympathy and that maybe there were times when their own friends had need of sympathy and encouragement. The children saw that the Savior too had bumps and bruises and realized he understood that mistakes and accidents happen.

The toddlers hoped that baby Jesus didn’t have a headache. One little three-year-old offered to go home for a baby aspirin, if necessary.

Each person’s heart was lifted and courage received as a result of the broken doll.

Father Tony wondered whether they should put the manger away for another year or leave it out as a symbol of Christ’s understanding. He repented of his harsh words towards Joseph and Mary. Was it just an accident? No, he thanked God for the blessing.