Zechariah 9:9: “Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

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On Christmas Eve, the story says, an enchantment falls upon the earth. It is a time when the Spirit of a newborn child whose name is Love, possesses the world. The way to Christmas lies through an ancient gate, patterned after a sheepfold and guarded by angels with star dust in their hair. It is a little gate, child-high, child-wide, and there is a password: Peace on earth to men of good will. Angelo Patri

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Somewhere In Your Silent Night

Casting Crowns - Somewhere In Your Silent Night (Official Lyric Video) - YouTube

All is calm and all is bright
Everywhere but in your heart tonight
They're singing carols of joy and peace
But you feel too far gone and too far out of reach

Somewhere in your silent night
Heaven hears the song your broken heart has cried
Hope is here, just lift your head
For love has come to find you
Somewhere in your silent night

From heaven's height to manger low
There is no distance the Prince of Peace won't go
From manger low to Calvary's hill
When your pain runs deep
His love runs deeper still
He has always loved you, child
And He always will

Somewhere in your silent night
Heaven hears the song your broken heart has cried
Hope is here, just lift your head
For love has come to find you
Somewhere in your silent night

Lift your head
Lift your heart
Emmanuel will meet you where you are
He knows your hurt
He knows your name
And you're the very reason that He came

Somewhere in your silent night
Heaven hears the song your broken heart has cried
Hope is here, just lift your head
For love has come to find you
Somewhere in your silent night

Love will find you
Love will find you
Love will find you

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Last Minute Gift Ideas

Bath oils, bubbles, salts: "The holidays can be a strain on our body and brain, so when you feel stressed, a hot bath is best, it truly will help keep you sane!"

Bag of Reeces Pieces : May you carry a piece of Christmas in your heart today and always

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"Mock Champagne"

1 bottle (64 oz.) white grape juice

1 (2 liter) bottle of Sprite

Mix the juice and sprite in equal amounts. Garnish with orange slices, maraschino cherries, or strawberries.

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I can’t believe how close it is to Christmas. It’s amazing how fast the month has passed. I’ve heard from some of you that they’d like my posts to be made at the same time of day. That way you don’t have to keep checking. That’s great. For the rest of the month, they will be posted between 6:00 and 7:00 in the evening. In her song, Amy Grant sings, “I need a silent night, a holy night to hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise. I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here to end this crazy day with a silent night. I have definitely had some crazy days. As I mentioned, yesterday a group of friends and I gathered for lunch. We laughed and talked and teased each other. We had a great time. We played games, then divided the leftovers between us and took them to friends who could not be there. I was struck by the thought that when the Lord finished His work of creation, he rested. He knew the importance of both work and of rest. Sometimes we forget the rest part in December. I hope that we will make time for both. Good Sabbath tomorrow ~~ Marilee

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The Letter From God

Ruth looked at the envelope once again. There was no stamp, no postmark, only her name and address on it. She read the letter to herself one more time.

Dear Ruth, I'm going to be in your neighborhood Saturday afternoon and I'd like to stop by for a visit. Love Always, God.

Her hands were shaking as she placed the letter on the table. "Why would God want to visit me? I'm nobody special. I don't have anything to offer."

With that thought, Ruth remembered her empty kitchen cabinets. "Oh my goodness, I *really* don't have anything to offer! I will have to run down to the store and buy something for dinner at once!" She reached for her purse and poured out its contents. Five dollars and forty three cents. "Well, I could buy some bread and some cold cuts, at least."

She threw on her coat and hurried out the door. A loaf of french bread, a half-pound of sliced turkey, and a carton of milk... leaving Ruth with twelve cents left over until next Monday. None- the-less, she felt better as she headed home from the store, her meager offerings tucked under her arm.

"Hey lady, can you help us, lady?", came a shy voice from a nearby alleyway. Ruth had been so absorbed in her dinner plans, she hadn't even noticed two figures huddled together in the cold and dirty alleyway she was just passing by.

A man and woman, both of them dressed in little more than rags stared in her direction... "Look lady, I ain't got a job, ya know, and my wife and I have been living out here on the street, and, well, now it's getting cold and we're getting hungry and, well, if you could help us, lady, we'd really appreciate it. Please lady."

Ruth looked at them both. They were dirty, the alleyway smelled of garbage, and frankly, she was certain that they could get some kind of work if they really wanted to.

"Sir, I'd like to help you out, but I am a poor woman myself. All I have is a few cold cuts and some bread which I was planning on serving because I'm having an important guest for dinner tonight. "Yeah, well, OK lady, I understand. Thanks anyway." The man put his arm around the woman's shoulders, turned and headed back into the alley.

As she watched them leave, Ruth felt a familiar twinge in her heart. "Sir, wait!" The couple stopped and turned as she ran down the alley after them. "Look, why don't you take this food. I'll figure out something else to serve my guest." She handed the man her grocery bag. "Thank you lady. Thank you very much!" "Yes, thank you!", the man's wife murmured slowly. Ruth could see now that she was shivering uncontrollably. "You know, I've got another coat at home. Here, why don't you take this one."

Ruth unbuttoned her jacket and slipped it over the woman's shoulders. Then, smiling warmly, she turned and walked back to the street without her coat and with nothing to serve her guest that afternoon. "Thank you lady! Thank you very much!", said the man, holding back a tear. Ruth was chilled to the bone by the time she reached her front door, and was worried too. God was coming to visit her and she had nothing to offer Him. She fumbled through her purse for the door key.

But as she did, she noticed another envelope in her mailbox. "That's odd.", she said to herself, "The mailman doesn't usually come twice in one day." She took the envelope out of her mailbox and opened it.

Dear Ruth, It was so good to see you again. Thank you for offering me the lovely meal that you did. And thank you also, for compassionately giving me the beautiful coat that you did. Love Always, God.

Warm tears trickled down Ruth's cold cheeks as she realized what had just happened. There are times during the hustle and bustle of the holidays we forget there are others without and the true meaning of what it is to give of ourselves. And, to remember that God is in ALL of us! Here's wishing you and yours a truly Joyous Holiday Season!

For this is God,

 Psalms 48:14 For this is God, Our God forever and ever; He will be our guide even to death.

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"I truly believe that if we keep telling the Christmas story, singing the Christmas songs, and living the Christmas spirit, we can bring joy and happiness and peace to this world." -Norman Vincent Peale

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Nothing But A Child

Kathy Mattea - Nothing But A Child - YouTube

Once upon a time
In a far off land
Wise men saw a sign
And set out 'cross the sand
With songs a praise to sing
They traveled day and night
With precious gifts to bring
They were guided by a light

They chased a brand new star
Ever towards the west
Across the mountains far
And when it came to rest
They scarce believed their eyes
They'd come so many miles
The miracle they prized
Was nothing but a child

Nothing but a child
Could wash those tears away
Or guide a weary world
Into the light of day
Nothing but a child
Could help erase those miles
So once again we all
Can be children for a while

Now all around the world
In every little town
Every day is heard
A precious little sound
And every mother kind
And every father proud
Looks down in awe to find
Another chance allowed

Nothing but a child
Could wash those tears away
Or guide a weary world
Into the light of day
And nothing but a child
Could help erase those lines
So once again we all
Can be children for a while

Nothing but a little baby
Nothing but a little baby
Nothing but a child

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My daughter’s father-in-law, Joe Lyman, died today. We have already talked about grief in this year’s blogs, so I won’t dwell on their sorrow, but rather on their happiness and joy. When I think of Joe, I think of the wonderful memories our grandchildren have of him. He loved them. He loved his wife. He loved his family. He loved the out of doors. He loved his community. He loved his church. He loved this world. He was a potter and loved creating beauty. He saw beauty everywhere. There have been many tears shed, and there will be more, but there will also be laughter and moments of joy as they share their good, crazy, funny, uniquely “Joe” moments. He took the time to make memories. This month, let us make memories. I went with friends for lunch today and we ended up playing silly games, laughing and enjoying each other’s company. It will be an afternoon to remember. Take the time to enjoy each other, to make memories your family will cherish. I’ve included some fun activities, or use your imagination and laugh together~ Marilee

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Chicken Tortilla Casserole

Meat from 1 whole chicken
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup green chili salsa
2 tablespoon quick cooking tapioca
1 medium onion, chopped
1 1/2 cup grated cheese (try Monterey Jack)
1 dozen corn tortillas
Black olives

INSTRUCTIONS:

Tear chicken into bite size pieces, mix with soup, chili, salsa and tapioca. Line bottom of crock pot with 3 corn tortillas, torn into bite size pieces. Add 1/3 of the chicken mixture. Sprinkle with 1/3 of the onion and 1/3 of the grated cheese. Repeat layers of tortillas topped with chicken mixture, onions and cheese. Cover and cook on low 6 to 8 hours.

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Santa Limbo

Have participants put a "santa belly" under their shirt using a pillow. Place a limbo stick at a starting height. Then line up, and one by one try to limbo underneath (with the Santa belly) until everyone has tried. Slightly lower the stick and have those who made it through go again. Continually lower the stick until one winner remains!

Stocking Fill up

Form two teams based on how many players there are. Place a Christmas stocking for each team on the other end of the room. The players will then race to their team’s stocking with a spoonful of candy, deposit the candy and return to their team. This relay continues until one team fills up their stocking to win the game.

These are just 2 fun ideas from 30 Christmas Party Games Everyone Will Love

Top 30 Christmas Party Games Everyone Will Love | Shutterfly

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Yarn Christmas Trees
I tried this and it was fun. I pinned it. for those of you having problems with pinterest, it was extracted from

How to Make Yarn Christmas Trees | HGTV

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. . . it is time
to quiet ourselves,
. . . to reflect upon all the gifts
we are . . . and have
. . . and can imagine.

To give thanks

from our deepest selves.
To surrender to the love
that came before us,
lives now among us,
and is,
forever,
before us.
. . . it is time.

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FAR, FAR AWAY ON JUDEA'S PLAINS ~ Jeanne P. Lawler

I was a missionary "Far, Far Away" in Bangalore, India, for Christmas in 1993. On the first week of December, three days after I arrived, I was asked if I would help organize and direct a choir in the Bangalore Branch of our Church. I said, "Happy to."

The members wanted to participate in a choir festival that was an annual event in Bangalore. I selected the above number and sixteen people attended the two enthusiastic rehearsals which were held on a rooftop of a member's home. None of them were familiar with part singing, so we sang in unison without musical accompaniment. Should there be piano, I would play it. We were not aware what this "festival" entailed.

The date of the performance arrived. As we alighted from our harrowing rickshaw ride to the location in downtown Bangalore, we stood gaping before a huge city building, draped with a large banner that read FESTIVAL OF CHOIRS. Stunned, we walked up the broad flight of stairs and into the foyer which was milling with costumed participants. We scrambled to get a printed program. This was a BIG event! Listed were the names of several church, college and university choirs who were participating. We were listed as the "L.D.S. Choir (Mormon's Tabernacle). " We gasped! We didn't know whether to laugh or to cry. We went aside and prayed, pleading for heavenly help. I turned to my companion and said, "You'll have to direct." She said "I've never done that before in my life!" I replied "Just smile, make a figure eight and look confident.”

When the curtain opened for our number, my companion had our Indian "Mormon's Tabernacle Choir" arranged on risers ready to perform. All seven ladies on the front row wore beautiful saris and the nine men behind them wore suits and white shirts. The director was magnificent. She even took a bow! I took a deep breath as I sat down to accompany them on an old upright piano with missing ivories.

The shock from the sound of the first chord nearly threw me off the chair, but when she raised her had and started her figure eight, I could hardly play, and I don't know if I did. It was as if The Choir, whose name we bore on the printed program, were singing. I knew then our prayers were heard and a choir of angels was singing with our little choir. As the last note sounded, there was silence; then, thunderous applause from the packed auditorium. The curtains closed and we wept and jumped for joy.

Guess who won a prize? We did! The fourth verse says Hasten the time when from ev’ry clime, Men shall unite in the strains sublime.” It happened in India!

 

Christmas is not in tinsel and lights and outward show. The secret lies in an inner glow. It’s lighting a fire inside the heart. Good will and joy a vital part. ~ Wilfred A. Peterson

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John 1:9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

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We Need Christmas

Matthew West

Matthew West - We Need Christmas (Official Music Video) - YouTube

Lights that twinkle red and green
Charlie Brown on the TV screen
Hugs from friends and family
That's what we need right now
Zippin' up a winter coat
Truck tires on a snowy road
That's the sound of comin' home
That’s what we need right now

This world could use a little healing
And our hearts could sure use somethin' to believe in

We need Christmas
Now more than ever to bring us together
We need Christmas
Come on, December, help us remember
The joy, the peace and the hope that love can bring
'Cause we need Christmas

Singin' carols in the livin' room
That's Grandma's favorite thing to do
And Grandpa reads Luke chapter two
That's what it's all about
It's a red Salvation Army can
It's reachin' out a helpin' hand
And lookin' after our fellow man
That's what we need right now

Oh, we need Christmas
Now more than ever to bring us together
We need Christmas
Come on, December, help us remember
The joy, the peace and the hope that love can bring (hope that love can bring)
'Cause we need Christmas
Oh, we need Christmas
Ooh

This world could use a little healin'
And our hearts could sure use somethin' to believe in

We need Christmas
Now more than ever to bring us together
We need Christmas
Come on, December, help us remember

We need Christmas
Now more than ever to bring us together
We need Christmas
Come on, December, help us remember
The joy (joy), the peace (peace) and the hope that love can bring (hope that love can bring)
Hear the bells (bells), let them ring (let them ring)
And let all the angels sing
'Cause we need Christmas

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TRADITION

I love studying about light, and it’s properties. I have often pictured myself focusing in on a single ray of light coming from the sun. What happens when that ray hits an object? The first thing I think of is that the light can be reflected back to it’s source. It can also be refracted, which means, bent, passing from one medium to another. Another is Absorption which is when the light is absorbed completely into the object it strikes. There are several other properties of light. Today, lets think about the light of the “Son.” Setting the stage, a single ray of light shines brightest in the darkness. Christ didn’t come into our world at high noon. He entered our lives during the night, showing us the way to His light, guiding us towards love, and demonstrating how to overcome shadows and blackness. Christmas teaches us that even when things seem dark, we can trust the everlasting light. Let us serve, not as mirrors which reflect back all of Christ’s light, without letting any of it touch us. Nor as refractors, who change it a little and pass it to others. Not even as absorbers who keep all the goodness and light only for themselves without sharing any of it. Let us be amplifiers, those who add our own energy to the light of Christ through service, good will, kindness and compassion to those around us. We seldom hear “Let there be dark.” Let us start a tradition of spreading the light. It is a wondrous miracle in our lives. ~~ Marilee

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DO YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES?

Author unknown

In the heat of a struggle that brings you to your knees,

There’s a river of hope that still remains unseen

In the middle of the darkness there’s a light,

Invisible hands to lift you up,

All that you have to do is ask

Do you believe in miracles?

When it seems that it’s impossible for you to make it through

See what the power of His miracles can do

I believe in miracles.

Though your prayers seem unanswered,

Don’t believe they’re all in vain.

‘Cause a prayer will be answered, all you have to do is wait.

When the mountain seems impossible to climb,

Just have faith ‘cause every good thing has it’s own appointed time.

Do you believe in miracles?

When it seems that it’s impossible for you to make it through

See what the power of His miracles can do

I understand that when you feel you can’t go on

The pressure builds –– there’s no end to be found

Just take the time to look beyond a circumstance

And you will find you’ll never walk alone

A greater love will carry you along

Do you believe in miracles?

When it seems that it’s impossible for you to make it through

See what the power of His miracles can do.

I believe in miracles.

–– I believe in miracles, too. ~~ Marilee

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Christmas candle craft

This is a link to my pinterest page.

https://www.pinterest.com/eeliramj/pins/

In the first illustration, you will see fun candles you can make with your children/grandchildren. they’re simple and fun

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The Legend of the Christmas Rose

On a cold December night, everybody was coming to see their new Savior and brought Him all kinds of gifts and presents. The three Wise Men came in with their valuable gifts of myrrh, frankincense and gold and offered them to Baby Jesus. At that point, a shepherdess, Madelon, who had seen the wise men passing through, reached the door of the stable, to see the Child. However, being very poor and having brought nothing to offer to the child, she felt helpless and started weeping quietly at the sight of all the wonderful gifts that the Three Wise Men had got for the child. Earlier, she had searched, in vain, for flowers all over the countryside but there was not even a single bloom to be found in the bitter winter.

An angel outside the door was watching over her and knew about her fruitless search. He took pity on her and, when he saw her head drooped down in sorrow, decided to help her with a little miracle. He gently brushed aside the snow at her feet and where her tears had fallen, sprang a beautiful cluster of waxen white winter roses with pink tipped petals. Then he softly whispered into the shepherdess's ear that these Christmas roses are far more valuable than any myrrh, frankincense or gold, for they are pure and made of love. The maiden was pleasantly surprised when she heard those words and joyfully gathered the flowers and offered them to the Holy Infant, who, seeing that the gift was reared with tears of love, smiled at her with gratitude and satisfaction. Thus, the Christmas rose came to symbolize hope, love and all that is wonderful in this season.