That we might live

 1 John 4:9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.

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Just like our story, the original Christmas tales were stories of searching, not so much for the lost, as for the familiar. Mary and Joseph sought in Bethlehem- the home of their familial ancestry- a place to start their own family; the three kings from the East journeyed beneath the sentinel star to find the King of Kings; and the shepherds sought a child in a place most familiar to them: a manger. — Richard Paul Evans

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Christmas Angels

Michael W. Smith

Christmas Angels - YouTube

Christmas angels sing all around us
Spread good tidings over the earth
Telling of a child in a manger who is born
He is the King of kings

King of glory, hope for our nations
Sent to earth to save and redeem
Prince of peace, behold and adore him
The Son of God has come to set us free

Celebrate and sing Hallelujah
Raise the banner, dance and rejoice
Celebrate the birth of Messiah
He's the King of King, the Lord of all

Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest
Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest

We sing, joy to the world, the Lord has come
Joy to the world, the Lord has come
Joy to the world, He is here forever and always

Christmas angels sing all around us
All creation hears what they say
Bow before Him, come and behold
The Son of God born on Christmas day

Joy to the world, the Lord is come

RECIPE

Tropical Orange Crush
makes 1 serving
2/3 cup orange juice
1 ring of pineapple
1 tsp lemon juice

Blend orange juice, pineapple and lemon juice for 30 seconds. Serve over cubes in tall glass.

CRAFT IDEAS

Candy Train

You will need: one 5-pack of gum, a roll of life savers, a rollo, a caramel, a Hershey's kiss, and four red/white peppermint candies. Glue the life savers onto the pack of gum (the flat side). Then glue the rollo on the front of the life savers. Glue a hershey's kiss on top of the life savers - in the front and a caramel on top of life savers in the back. On both sides of the train glue two peppermint wheels. This makes one candy train - great for ornaments.

Airplane Ornament

Make a candy airplane using one stick of flat (Wrigley's) gum, one package of "Smarties", and two life savers. Place the gum (wings) perpendicular on the "Smarties" (plane body). Use a rubberband to loop through one lifesaver (wheel) over the gum, through another lifesaver (wheel) and under the "Smarties."

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TRADITION

Last night’s tornado’s destroyed so much property. So many lives were lost and families torn apart. About 3 hours after I first heard about the tornadoes this morning, I received a call from someone requesting donations on “behalf of the people who lost everything in the storms.” Watch out for spammers. They prey on your kindness, especially on the spirit of Christmas giving. Donations WILL be needed. Make sure you give to a reputable source: American Red Cross, Catholic Relief Services, Episcopal Relief and Development, LDS Humanitarian Services and the Salvation Army are all excellent service groups. If you are aware of other safe organizations to donate to, Please add them in the comments. I’ve had a hard time putting my thoughts together for today’s blog, but finally focused on the giving of gifts. Obviously there will be monetary gifts given this Christmas, but of even more importance are gifts of the heart. This Christmas tell someone you love them. Let go of hurts which have torn you apart. Look for opportunities to serve each day, to do little acts of kindness. I mentioned several years ago that I went into the store planning to let people get ahead of me in line, only to be told to go ahead of someone else. So I was going to absolutely hold the door open for someone else and there were two young men at the doors opening them for everyone. It was miserable, cold and icy outside. I struggled trying to hold my car door open and put the groceries in. A little lady, she must have been in her 80s, came up to me and held the door open. I should have been helping HER, but she served me. She said that I looked like I could use a hand. Everywhere I went that day, people helped me! I learned a valuable lesson: be a grateful receiver as well as a joyful giver. Forgive someone, and turn away from angry words. Give as God gave to us, share our love of His Son, that together we might share His Light and live.  Make giving a daily tradition, Marilee

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Is It So Long?

Is it so long ago,

Is it so far away

That the little Christ child is lost
In the weary world today . . .

That the light of the star is gone

and today we cannot hear

The Heavenly voices sing

As they did, that far-off year?

That the light of the star is gone

And today we cannot hear

The Heavenly voices sing

As they did, that far-off year?

That the light of the star is gone...

No! Fear not, O my soul!

Go to a quiet place, alone, apart!

And kneel and pray

This Christmas Day,

And you will find Him there

Within you heart!

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There’s More to Christmas…

Author Unknown

There’s more, much more to Christmas
Than candlelight and cheer;
It’s the spirit of sweet friendship
That brightens all the year;
It’s thoughtfulness and kindness,
It’s hope reborn again,
For peace, for understanding,
For goodwill to men!

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Christmas Giving

By Iris W. Bray

Christmas is for giving
And for showing that we care,
For honouring the Christ Child
With the loving gifts we share

The wise men gave of riches;
The shepherds, faith and love.
Each gift, in its own measure,
Was smiled on from above.

Let every gift be treasured;
Not always size or price
Determines the extent of love
And willing sacrifice.

Handsome gifts with festive trim
Brings smiles of sweet content,
But modest gifts of humble means
Are ofttimes heaven sent.

Whether it be large or small
Each gift will share in part
The message of true Christmas joy
If given from the heart!

Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom

 

Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.

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Are you willing to believe that love is the strongest thing in the world – stronger than hate, stronger than evil, stronger than death – and that the blessed life which began in Bethlehem nineteen hundred years ago is the image and brightness of the Eternal Love? Then you can keep Christmas. – By Henry Van Dyke

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Where are you Christmas

Faith Hill - Where Are You Christmas? - YouTube

Where are you Christmas
Why can't I find you
Why have you gone away
Where is the laughter
You used to bring me
Why can't I hear music play

My world is changing
I'm rearranging
Does that mean Christmas changes too

Where are you Christmas
Do you remember
The one you used to know
I'm not the same one
See what the time's done
Is that why you have let me go

Christmas is here
Everywhere, oh
Christmas is here
If you care, oh

If there is love in your heart and your mind
You will feel like Christmas all the time

I feel you Christmas
I know I've found you
You never fade away
The joy of Christmas
Stays here inside us
Fills each and every heart with love

Where are you Christmas
Fill your heart with love

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Bacon Chestnuts

1 pound thick cut bacon
1 (8 ounce) can water chestnuts

Directions
1 Slice bacon in half; wrap one piece bacon around one chestnut. Skewer with toothpick to hold in place.
2 Broil in toaster or conventional oven, turning frequently, until the bacon is evenly cooked. Serve warm.

Makes 2 dozen

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Decorating tip

Making herbal decorations for the Christmas tree brings the warmth and fragrance of the herb garden to the Christmas tree. Some herbs, like rosemary, are associated with Christmas through legend. It is said that Mary, Josph and Jesus stopped to rest during their flight from Bethlehem. Mary spread her blue cloak on a rosemary bush. Since that time, rosemary has had a blue blossom in her honor. Thyme is associated with Christmas, according to legend, because Joseph cut branches from a wild thyme bush to make a bed for Mary. Sweet woodruff is said to have been used in the bed for the baby Jesus. Lavender received its lovely fragrance when Mary spread freshly washed laundry on it to dry.

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TRADITION

No matter what religion you are, take time to put together a list of things you are grateful for this Christmas. The last 2 years haven’t been easy for most of us, but there are always things to be grateful for. Start a gratitude jar and have everyone in your family drop a note in the jar each day saying something they are grateful for. Have a blessing jar – fill it with notes about your blessings. Start each day with a prayer of gratitude for God’s love, and ask Him to help you to do good, to serve someone that day. Recognize the little miracles in your life. My father died in 1987. Every year, for Christmas, he would buy me tangerines. When Christmas came around, I went grocery shopping and saw bags of tangerines. I was really sad to think there would be no more tangerines for me. At the check stand, the checker was putting the groceries on the conveyor belt. I was shocked when I saw a bag of tangerines.. I didn’t put it there. I didn’t go anywhere near the tangerines. I asked the clerk where they came from. They didn’t know, it was just in my cart. I looked around to see if there was some strange per5son there putting oranges in people’s carts. No. I bought them enjoyed them and have bought them every year since. Thank you for your tender mercies.~~Marilee

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Mysterious Ways: Christmas in the Parking Lot

Christmas just isn’t Christmas without sharing a giant chocolate Hershey bar with Mom, I thought wistfully, looking at the display of bars on sale at the grocery store one cold December day.

It’s not your usual holiday tradition, but it was for me. I’m not sure how it started, but every year for as long as I could remember, as a way to welcome in the holiday, Mom and I would run to the store to buy a giant milk chocolate Hershey bar. We’d keep it in the refrigerator at home and would break off little pieces in the days before Christmas, sometimes even dipping them in peanut butter. It was a guilty pleasure we loved sharing together.

Mom had passed away just a couple of months earlier. No, no chocolate bar this year, I thought. Not without Mom to share it. I turned away from the display of chocolate and headed to the checkout line to pay for my groceries.

As I pushed my cart toward my car, I kept thinking about that Hershey bar. Should I go back in and get one? No, I shouldn’t eat all that chocolate myself.

I put the groceries in the car, then climbed in and closed the door. I turned the car on and let it idle for a minute, waiting for it to warm up. Lord, I sure wish I could feel Mom close by this Christmas season, I prayed. Let her know I love her and that I hope to see her again someday.

I put my car into gear and looked out the rearview mirror, ready to back out of the parking spot. Something shined brightly from the baby seat of a grocery cart in the spot across from me. Did someone leave their purse? I put the car in park and scanned the lot to see if anyone was around. No one. I walked over to see what was in the cart.

I couldn't believe what I was seeing and laughed out loud. There sat a giant Hershey bar, just like the ones Mom and I always shared!

Extracted from : Mysterious Ways: Christmas in the Parking Lot (guideposts.org)

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THE MOST PRECIOUS GIFT

by Alice Smith

"Hurry up! We’ve got to get to Nanny’s house." The children were happy and excited as we started off toward my mother-in-law’’s, a 45 minute drive down the coast.

This particular Christmas Eve was cold and misty, the traffic bumper to bumper. My husband edged our car into the passing lane of the four-lane highway, which was bisected by a median strip. The visibility became increasingly limited; feeling anxious, I looked back at the children sitting calmly in the back seat. They were more precious to me than anything in the world. Suddenly, it was as if a voice spoke to me saying, "Move over! You’’re in the wrong lane," even though I absolutely knew we were not on a two-lane road. I turned to my husband. "Honey, we’’re on a two-lane road and you’’re on the wrong side," I said with deadly intensity. "Pull over quick." He knew, and knew that I knew that we were on a four lane highway. But when I repeated my warning again, he immediately began edging back into the right lane. No sooner had we made it back than cars that had been behind us began careening into the median, anywhere to get out of the passing lane. Horns were blaring, cars pulling off the side of the road. Then we saw why: A car; with its bright lights shining, was racing down the wrong side of the road, the lane we’d been traveling in. My husband and I looked at each other in stunned silence. We could have been involved in a terrible head-on crash.

Extrasensory perception? Maybe. But I choose to think that God sent me a life-saving message. Our family had a special reason to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus, that memorable Christmas Eve. We had been given the most precious of Christmas gifts––––the gift of life itself.

Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son,

 

Charles Dickens. : "It was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge.

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Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.

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All of us have Christmas songs that we like more than others, and some of us have songs we really detest. My son, Nathan, hated Jingle Bell Rock and Rockin Around The Christmas. Dean really doesn’t care for LeRoy the Red-Neck Reindeer. Can you imagine that? Some people. Anyhow, I myself, don’t care for “Grandma Got Ran Over By a Reindeer.” My father hated “The Little Drummer Boy.” If it came on television or on the radio, he’d turn the channel. He just detested that song. I never chose to listen to it, but didn’t turn the channel or skip it when it came on. All of that changed when I heard Gladys Knight’s version. I’ve typed the words in here, but left out the pa rum pum pums. I want to thank Dean for helping me get these words right :) The words are so great. I hope that you enjoy

The Little Drummer Boy | Gladys Knight | Christmas Under the Stars - YouTube

Here we go, Here we go

Come, they told me 
A newborn King to see
Our finest gifts we bring 
To lay before the King 
So to honor Him 
When we come

Little Baby
I am a poor girl too
I have no gift to bring
That’s fir ti give a King
Shall I sing for you
With my song?

He went to Calvary
He came to set us free
He gave His life for yourself
And He is coming soon.
He’ll take us home with Him
When he comes
Are you ready? 
Are you worthy?
We want to go home
When He comes
You’d better get ready
better get ready
Here he comes
It won’t be long
better get ready

Here he comes

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Crystallized Orange Pecans

1 cup sugar

1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/4 cup orange juice

2 to 3 cups pecan halves

Combine all ingredients in 2 & 1/2 quart microwave-save bowl. Cook uncovered on 70% (medium can also be used-increase cooking time by 1 to 2 minutes) power for 6 minutes. Stir, then resume cooking on 70% power for 8 to 10 minutes, or until crystallized, stirring several times. Spread nuts on waxed paper, separating and cool. Makes 2 to 3 cups.

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There’’s nothing like music at Christmas time. It’s huge! For a fun evening, make yourself a game kit. Place the following items in a box. Have someone reach into the box and pull one out and guess what song they represent. Give them three points if they get it right. If they don’t, then hum the first few stanzas of the song. Give them 1 point if they get it right then. These are a few we’ve put together. Have fun making up your own. ~~ Marilee

band-aid ~~~ O Holy Night (Fall on your knees..)

hershey’s kiss ~~~~~ I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus

paper and pen ~~~~~ Santa Claus is coming to town

map ~~~~~ Where Are you, Christmas?

Chestnuts ~~~~~ The Christmas Song (chestnuts roasting on an open fire)

drumstick ~~~~~ The Little Drummer Boy

popcorn ~~~~~ Let It Snow

Jingle bell ~~~~~ Jingle Bells

whistle ~~~~~ All I want for Christmas is my two Front Teeth

birthday candles ~~~~~ The Birthday of a King

flashlight ~~~~~ Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella

toy boat ~~~~~ I Saw Three ships

candy canes ~~~~~ The Christmas Waltz

sprig of holly ~~~~~ Deck the Halls

silk rose ~~~~~ Gesu Bambino

newspaper ~~~~~ Good Christian men, Rejoice

ear plugs ~~~~~ Silent Night

empty pill bottle ~~~~~ Grandma got Run Over by a Reindeer

small stone ~~~~~ Rockin Around the Christmas Tree

Christmas stocking ~~~~~ Here Comes Santa Claus

mistletoe ~~~~~ A Holly Jolly Christmas

Canned pears ~~~~~ 12 Days of Christmas

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The Legend of the African Drummer Boy

As news of Christ spread through the land
and wise men came to bring,
Gold and myrrh and frankincense
to the little King,

A drummer boy who saw the gifts

not knowing what to do,
Wished for something special
he could give the infant too.

And so that night, the story goes,
the boy went to the stable,
And softly beat upon his drums best as he was able.

The Baby touched the drummer's hand
and smiled at him in peace,
Then snuggled in the new, fresh hay
and gently fell asleep.

And so the legend tells us
if we pause a while and pray,
Remembering it's Jesus that
we celebrate today.

When we close our eyes on Christmas night
the drummer boy will come,
To put God's children sound asleep,
with a soft rum-pa-tum-tum.

A New Commandment

I have been struggling for days with my blog background.  I can't seem to figure out the problem.  Sorry ~~ Marilee

  

Oh, God...
help us rightly to remember
the birth of Jesus, that
we may share in the songs
of the angels, the gladness
of the shepherds, and the
worship of the wise men.

May the Christmas morning
make us happy
to be your children.

-Robert Louis Stevenson

🎄

John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

🎄🎄

Love Grows at Christmastime

One Voice children’s Choir

Love Grows at Christmastime from the movie "Christmas Jars" | by One Voice Children's Choir - YouTube

Snow falls, nature slumbers, winter's flurry stops new growth
December brings the season, filled with laughter and new hopes
Kindness abounds, good deeds seems to thrive
Hate is put down while true brotherhood comes alive

Love grows at Christmastime
When best that's within us is willingly given
Hearts heal at Christmastime
When seeds of forgiveness are planted within our hearts

Soft words, spoken freely, fill the air with joyful sounds
Warm smiles shared with gladness life the spirits of those worn down

Families come home strangers makes new friends
Warm smiles shared with gladness life the spirits of those worn down
Families come home strangers makes new friends
Happiness flows when we reach out with open hands

Love grows at Christmastime
When best that's within us is willingly given
Hearts heal at Christmastime
When seeds of forgiveness are planted within our hearts

A little tenderness can spread until whole
World fills refreshed, we all are blessed with love

Love grows at Christmastime
When best that's within us is willingly given
Hearts heal at Christmastime
When seeds of forgiveness are planted within our hearts

Love grows at Christmastime
When best that's within us is willingly given
Hearts heal at Christmastime
When seeds of forgiveness are planted within our hearts
When seeds of forgiveness are planted within our hearts

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RECIPE

Parmesan, Oregano and Pine Nut Melts

2 cups Parmesan cheese finely grated (pre-grated cheese does not work)

1 T flour

½ t. oregano

1 T pine nuts

Preheat oven to 400F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. In a large bowl, combine Parmesan, flour and oregano. Place a round cookie cutter on the prepared baking sheet. Carefully sprinkle a tablespoon of cheese mixture into the cutter and smooth the surface. Remove the cutter. Repeat with the remaining mixture, leaving a 1-inch gap between each melt. Sprinkle with pine nuts. Bake in the oven for 5-7 minutes or until light golden. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

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Tradition

Most families think about trees when they plan out their first Christmas activities. Some people put up their trees after Halloween, some wait until Thanksgiving weekend, for others it’s Christmas Eve. Some people cut their own trees, some buy them and some have “old faithful” trees which live on from year to year.  Several years ago, I decided that we should decorate a Christmas tree outside for animals. I had it all planned out, we were going to make garlands out of popcorn and cranberries and string them around a tree and make bird seed ornaments and take a little hike in the mountains on Christmas day to share the wealth of this world with the animals... It didn’t happen. I hadn’t allowed enough time to prepare, but the next year, we were doing it. Then I saw an article about people who made garlands using fishing line and the birds got tangled in the fishing line and died. So no project that year. The next year it snowed and we couldn’t go because I was too afraid of falling. I have not given up on my tradition. This year, I have a dozen apples set aside to put out on “our” property for the deer nesting there. I have bird seed to set out, and corn seeds. This year, the tradition happens. There will be no garlands, but I will go for a walk on Christmas day, and leave food for the wildlife. Establish your tradition. Find time to go outside and to relish and thank God for the beauty of nature and his world. ~~ Marilee

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Legend of the Fir Tree

A long time ago, all the trees used to keep their leaves in winter.

Not long before Christmas, a small bird was unable to fly off to the warm countries. His wing was broken. Shivering with cold, he looked around at all of the big stately trees with their beautiful warm leaves.  Surely he could rest there.  He flew to a nearby oak tree. “Go away! I don’t want you to eat my acorns”. The old tree chased him away. The little bird flew off.

He found refuge in the branches of the thick beech tree. “Do not stay here! You are going to peck all my nuts,” the strong tree shouted.

The little bird was terrified. He flew away and went to hide in the birch tree. “I don’t want you here! You’re going to make my branches dirty.” And the beautiful tree chased him away.

Rejected by all the trees, the little bird lay down to die. “Come here little one, come, come!” A small fir tree nearby opened it’s branches and welcomed the bird inside. He kept it warm and safe while the bird’s wing healed.

The snow around the tree deepened and the tree saw a little rabbit shaking in the bitter cold. “Come here little rabbit, come! He opened his branches and welcomed the little rabbit into the warmth and safety of his arms. Then came a deer came, looking for a place to shelter from the wind.

Angels, passing through the forest at Christmas time saw the little fir tree. His pinecones had been eaten, his branches were misshapen. Leaves (skinny, poky little things) had been lost. He was no longer a beautiful little tree. The angels saw that even with all of the damage to it, the tree’s heart was warm. He was happy to serve others.

The angels decreed that because of their pride, the proud, haughty trees would lose their leaves during the winter, but the kind, humble little fir would stay green all year round.

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One last short poem about service.  

If we set down at set of sun
And count the things that we have done,
And counting, find
One self-denying act, one word
That eased the heart of him who heard;
One glance most kind,
That felt like sunshine where it went,
Then we may count the day well spent.