And he said

 Luke 24:44  And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.

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"As we struggle with shopping lists and invitations, compounded by December's bad weather, it is good to be reminded that there are people in our lives who are worth this aggravation, and people to whom we are worth the same." -Donald E. Westlake

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♬♪ Far Far Away on Judea's Plains ♫♭ - YouTube video

Far, far away on Judea's plains,
Shepherds of old
Heard the joyous strains:
Glory to God, Glory to God,
Glory to God in the highest:
Peace on earth,
Good-will to men;
Peace on earth,
Good-will to men!

Lord, with the angels
We too would rejoice,
Help us to sing with
The heart and voice:
Glory to God, Glory to God,
Glory to God in the highest:
Peace on earth,
Good-will to men;
Peace on earth,
Good-will to men!

Hasten the time when,
From every clime,
Men shall unite
In the strains sublime:
Glory to God, Glory to God,
Glory to God in the highest:
Peace on earth,
Good-will to men;
Peace on earth,
Good-will to men!

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Holiday Recipe

Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli

from Louis

1 package Stove Top for chicken

1 ½ lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into bite sized pieces

1 – 16 oz. Package frozen broccoli florets, thawed, drained

1 can cream of chicken soup

½ pound velveeta cut into cubes

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Prepare stuffing m ix as directed on package, set aside. Combine remaining ingredients; spoon into 13 by 9 baking dish. Top with stuffing. Bake 40 minutes or until done.

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GIFT IDEAS

Aromatherapy Bath Bags: mix equal amounts of lavender flowers, peppermint leaves, sage, rosemary and thyme. (I buy bulk herbs from the health food store, but you can also get them by mail-order.) Add a couple of drops of essential oil (lavender is nice) to give it a little extra punch! Make small muslin bags (2" wide by 4" long). Put a large spoonful of oatmeal in bottom of each bag, then two spoonfuls of herbs. Tie bag closed with string. Knot the ends of the strings so that you can hang it over the faucet as you draw the bath water. You can use the bathbag as a washcloth - the oatmeal softens the skin. (These are only good for one bath - throw away after using.

Pasta Lovers' Bowl

One great gift is a Pasta Lovers' Bowl. Take a colander, either plastic or metal, and line with Italian-inspired tablecloth (red, checked, etc.). Fill with jars of various pasta (buy odd-shaped pasta and pour into inexpensive glass jars and wrap with raffia for decoration). Use similar technique with pasta sauces (either homemade or store-bought). Add a container of Parmesan cheese, a pasta ladle, and any other pasta-related items. It makes a quick and fun gift for just about anyone. (One quick note, though, crumpled sections of paper may be placed under the tablecloth so that the colander's items have varying heights for added interest and appeal.)

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Legend of washing stockings the night before Christmas Eve

This legend is said to have begun 17 centurys ago in Turkey. The Bishop of Myra, Nicholas was known all for his benevolence and love for children. He used to distribute gifts secretly to children on Christmas Eve as a surprise for them. While he was passing a house he heard a father and his daughters lamenting their poverty and how they were unable to be married because they could not provide dowry that was prevalent in those days.

Overcome with pity and sympathy, Nicholas observed the woolen stockings of the girls that they had put on the windowsill to dry and secretly placed enough gold pieces in each to provide dowry for the girls.

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FAR, FAR AWAY ON JUDEA'S PLAINS ~ Jeanne P. Lawler 1924-2013

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 hand 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!

My husband loved this hymn, and it was sung at his memorial service in 1986. Fred was not gifted musically while in mortality, but I like to believe that he was among those summoned to sing "Far, Far Away on Judea's Plains" with the L.D.S. Choir (Mormon's Tabernacle) in Bangalore,
India, December 1993. –

When they saw

 Matthew 2:10-11

10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
11 ¶And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

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“Be a candle of light in someone's life this holy season.” — Lailah Gifty Akita

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Hallelujah (Light Has Come)

written and performed by Barlowgirl – beautiful video. I had to cut and paste the URL. For some reason it wouldn’t link for me.)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=SarPJv6rUiQ


Hmmm my baby
heaven sent You to me
all the world’s been praying
who will save?

But who am I
that here tonight
I hold the one
who’ll bring us life

Hallelujah, we’ve been found
a child is born
to save us now, Jesus
Hallelujah light has come
a Savior who will set us free
a promise for those who believe

Do you hear the angels?
sing for You my baby
men and kings have come to
bow to you

But here in my arms
so close to me
the Son of God
now all can see

Hallelujah, we’ve been found
a child is born
to save us now, Jesus
Hallelujah light has come
A Savior set us free
so praise to God on high
He has heard our cry
so praise to God on high
He has heard our cry

Hallelujah, we’ve been found
Hallelujah, we’ve been found
a child is born
to save us now, Jesus
Hallelujah light has come
A Savior who will set us free
A promise for those who believed

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Good Sabbath, everyone ~~ Marilee

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T’was the Night

extracted from Another 'Twas The Night (forumotion.com)

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house
Not a creature was stirring - not even a mouse.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds
While visions of Christmas gifts danced in their heads.
A holiday Barbie, some video games..
A basketball goal and some new rollerblades,
A new Beanie Baby - the bear or the frog,
A Giga Pet - maybe a cat or a dog...
An album or CD, some shoes with red lights,
A brand new computer with more gigabytes!

And I, in my jammies and mom in her gown
Were so very happy to finally lie down.
We were exhausted, the bed was our goal.
The last-minute shopping had taken its toll.
The stockings were stuffed all with candy and loot,
And 'lectronic toys that go Zot, Bleep and Zoot.
We hunted and searched so the gifts were just right.
Thank goodness for stores that stay open all night!
We'd fought the crowds hard from dawn until dark
And that was just getting a good place to park!
We'd hiked for two hours 'cross that parking lot,
But we were SO proud of the gifts that we'd bought.

A sweater for Mary, a new watch for John,
Some toys for the Jones kids to clutter their lawn.
For the pastor's wife, something with sentiment deep.
(Oh, she'll never guess that we got it so cheap)!
We'd shopped high and low all night and all day.
It tuckered us out, but that was OK...
For piles of presents - all wrapped up so fine..

Were under our own tree - and some of them mine!!

I'd played Santa Claus alongside the best.
And now I was sleepy and ready to rest.
So I, in my jammies and mom in her gown..
Went into our bedroom to finally lie down.
As we lay there, she asked me, "Oh dear, did you pray?"
"Happy Birthday, dear Jesus..and have a nice day."
"What'd she get me?" I wondered, as we lay hand in hand..
And we both drifted off into deep la-la land.

It seemed I'd been sleeping a minute or two..
When I suddenly awoke to the sound of...a MOO!!
"A cow at our window?", I thought, "Couldn't be.."
But I rose from the bed just to look out and see.
I went to the window and opened the blind.
"Nothing there, I was dreaming - or out of my mind!"

Then I heard it again, this time from inside!!
"Now where in the house could a great big cow hide?"
I looked back at the bed where my wife lay asleep.
Then, I heard something else! "Twas the bleat of a sheep!!
"Something here's just not right", and I started to shake.
And I looked 'round the room for a weapon to take.
"Someone's here playing pranks, and it's not very funny".
I feared they were stealing our presents and money...
So I picked up a lamp - it was all I could find...
And I went out with retaliation in mind.

As I got to the end of the hall, I could see
There were long shadows cast by the light of the tree.
I was frozen in fear as of impending doom..
There were eight or ten people in my living room!
I could tell by the shadows that moved on the wall
There were certainly people - but that wasn't all..
There were some kind of animals also, in there -
They looked like big dogs and they had lots of hair!
As I crept to the room, I thought I'd soon die.
But I just had to fend for my home - I'm a GUY!

When I peeked around that dark corner..Surprise!!
What I saw..I just could not believe in my eyes.
The animals were not dogs, they were sheep!
And I saw some men kneeling, not making a peep.
They were dressed in wool robes and they carried sticks, all -
And their shoes were all stacked on the floor in the hall.
They were all gathered 'round on their knees. I could see
Something had their attention under my Christmas tree.

There was a small donkey and cows, really big.
I thought.."Cattle and sheep, and not one single pig."
And somehow in all of this weirdness, I found
That my fear was all gone. Then I heard a strange sound.
The sound was familiar - it made me recall
When my own precious children were still very small.

The I heard it again, and I knew it to be
The sweet little coo of a newborn baby.

Then the men gathered 'round my tree kneeling began
To sing songs in the language of some other land.
They were holy songs - that I could tell, although I
Could never explain just quite how or quite why.
I just KNEW, and I knew that I just had to see
Who they sang the songs for, down there under my tree.
So, I inched my way in, trying not to offend.
'Till I'd worked my way up to the front of the men.
There I saw a young man sitting down on one knee.
He looked quite mature, although younger than me.
In his eyes, I saw wisdom, compassion, and care..
And the strength of a man with a great load to bear.
By his side, a young woman - barely more than a child..
But a lady so lovely, and gentle and mild.

I could see in her face - innocence and great joy..
And I saw in her arms, was her new baby boy!
I was awestruck indeed that this sight I should see.
Then she held out the child and nodded to me.
Oh, I couldn't", I thought. "That could never be right."
But she nodded again and I shuddered with fright.
Then I looked at the babe and He looked back at me..
And I knew by His look, that this thing had to be.
So I held out my arms and she gave Him to me.
And I held the Christ child beneath my Christmas tree!
He was precious and sweet, and a thrill to behold..
And the moment was worth more than silver and gold.
And then, quite out of habit, without even thinking..
I just touched the palm of His hand with my pinkie.
And just like any baby,His hand grabbed it tight!
He held onto my finger with all of His might.

He was strong, but so tiny and fragile, and frail;
Then I looked at His hand and I thought of the nails.
I thought of Him hanging - His arms outstretched wide.
I thought of Him pierced with a sword in His side.
I thought of the crown made of thorns on His head..
I thought of Him hanging there..on the cross...dead.
I thought of my sin, all my guilt and my shame;
For my sin, He died, and that's why He came.
He rose from the dead, conquered death and the grave.
Though I am unworthy, my sins He forgave.

I awoke with a start, to the sound of the noise
Of a houseful of children expecting new toys.
I went to the living room, still half asleep,
And kind of expected to see cows and sheep.
I could see all was normal, as I looked around,
And deep inside, I was a little let down.
The presents were beautiful, stacked on the floor..
But not so important as they'd seemed before.

I looked at my family and just HAD to say:
"Before we tear into this stuff, let us pray."
We stood, hand in hand, and then each bowed his head
And, recalling what happened the night 'fore that, I said,
"Please forgive us, dear Father..sometimes we forget
That this day's not about all the presents we get.
It's not about friendship, it's just about You...
And what, for Your children, You're willing to do.
Forgive us, oh Lord, we sincerely pray..