Isaiah 41:10

 

Isaiah 41:10 

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea I will uphold the with the right hand of my righteousness.


                         

Let us have music for Christmas.. Sound the trumpet of Joy and rebirth; Let each of us try, with a song in our hearts, To bring peace to all on earth.”


                         

Do You Have Room? (Christmas Song by Shawna Edwards)

Do you have room for the Savior?

And do you seek him anew?  

Have you a place for the one who lived and died for you?

Are you as humble as a shepherd boy

Or as wise men of old?

Would you have come that night?

Would you have sought the light?

Do you have room?


                         

Navajo Fry Bread

4 c. flour

1 T baking powder

1 t. Salt

1 c. warm water

Mix flour, baking powder and salt in a large bowl.  Gradually stir the water a little bit at a time.  Knead by hand until soft but not sticky.  Form the dough into a round ball, cover and let stand 30 minutes.  Shape into 2” balls.  Heat shortening or cooking oil in a deep frying pan until hot.  Flatten each dough ball by patting and stretching into a pizza shape.  Carefully place dough into pan.  Fry until the edges are golden and turn to cook other side. 


                         

Making fun crafts with your children can be such fun at Christmas.  This site is filled with fun, easy craft ideas.  Check it out :)

 130 Easy Homemade Christmas Gift Ideas on a Budget 2025


                         

Christmas can be a hectic, stressful time.  Another way to increase or strengthen our faith muscles at Christmas is to recognize His blessings.  For example, it was raining this morning!   Not a downfall, but every drop is precious.  Looking out the window and seeing the wet sidewalk drew a “thank you, God” from my lips.  I started a gratitude jar and take just a moment each day to write down something I’m grateful to God for.  I plan on reading through my jar on Christmas Eve.  This keeps me looking for positive, uplifting thoughts each day and helps me to recognize exactly how much my life is impacted by His goodness and love.  ~~ Marilee


                         

Are You Willing?

Henry Van dyke

Are you willing…

To forget what you have done for other people, and to remember what other people have done for you;

To ignore what the world owes you, and to think what you owe the world;

To put your rights in the background, and your duties in the middle distance, and your chances to do a little more than your duty in the foreground;

To see that men and women are just as real as you are, and try to look behind their faces to their hearts, hungry for joy;

To own up to the fact that probably the only good reason for your existence is not what you are going to get out of life, but what you are going to give to life;

To close your book of complaints against the management of the universe, and look around you for a place where you can sow a few seeds of happiness

Are you willing to do these things even for a day?  Then you can keep Christmas.


Are you willing…

To stoop down and consider the needs and desires of little children;

To remember the weakness and loneliness of people growing old;

To stop asking how much your friends love you, and ask yourself whether you love them enough;

To bear in mind the things that other people have in their hearts;

To try to understand what those who live in the same house with you really want. Without waiting for them to tell you;

To trim your lamp so that it will give more light and less smoke, and to carry it in front of you so that your shadow will fall behind you;

To make a grave for your ugly thoughts, and a garden for your kindly feelings, with the gate open-

Are you willing to do these things, even for a day?  Then you can keep Christmas



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.

And if you can keep it for a day, why not always?

But you can never keep it alone.




Ephesians 5:2

Ephesians 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us as an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.



The star over Bethlehem still shines for those who seek hope, peace, and the Savior’s love. Author unknown




Today is my sweetest of heart’s birthday.  Every year the blog for the 5th pays tribute to him, as well as to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. One of Dean’s greatest loves is his children.  He really gets a kick out of this video.  He watches it and says “Some people’s kids.” 

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drYeE1VGR6I 

The little boy keeping rhythm with him in this song, is Tennessee’s son.


Memory from 10 years ago.  “When we first moved into our home in 1990, I loved the space and the light. There were so many windows! I love light. There were just a few little problems – there was no lawn, no driveway, no basketball hoop, no flowers and no trees! The next spring, we gathered globe willow cuttings 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 that I 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.” 

*

Faith in Christ and the peace it brings into our lives is like the globe willow branches we started so many years ago.  Just like those roots, faith requires time to fully develop.  Faith is like a muscle that you must exercise.  Yesterday we talked about wanting to believe in Our Savior and starting eah day with prayer.  The next step is studying the scriptures and learning what He would have us do to walk in his footsteps. Take a moment each day to share a scripture or a quote with your family.  It can be just a single verse such as: John 3:16 ¶For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. ~~ Marilee




Biscuit Dough Doughnuts

1 can Pillsbury grand homestyle biscuits

Oil for frying

Heat oil to 350 degrees in a big pan.

Remove biscuit dough from the package.  Lay the biscuits out on a tray and use a cutter to cut a hole in the middle of each biscuit.  Carefully place doughnuts in pan (not too many at a time) when one side is golden brown, flip to the other side.  It will take about 2-3 minutes to cook. 

Transfer them to a paper towel to absorb the oil.  Sprinkle cinnamon sugar or powdered sugar on doughnuts or spread frosting on them.  Enjoy.


Gift Idea

 I have been guilty of taking Dean for granted, so I’ve decided on a service project for him.  I’m going to do the 12 days in December. I’m calling it the 12 days because if I miss a day, it will be alright because I don't specify that it is consecutive days.  The 12 days of Christmas traditionally run from Dec. 26 - Jan. 6th.  Personalize your own list, make it fun.  Don’t put off serving those you love.  Teach service by setting an example. Make those you love a priority. ~~ Marilee

Day 1–  1 can of pears, 

Day 2 - 2 bars of dove soap

Day 3 - 3 chicken enchiladas (he Loves them)

Day 4 - 4 sweet texts

Day 5 - fresh doughnuts (see recipe for today)

Day 6 - 1 humongous peanut butter egg

Day 7 - new swim trunks

Day 8 - 1 batch of homemade frozen yogurt!

Day 9 - foot massage 

Day 10 - another foot massage!

Day 11 - a cake, with “I love you” piped on it

Day 12 - a back rub with my fists pounding on his back like a drum

Every day - a sweet kiss on his forehead.



AND THE ANGELS SANG


You've heard the story told, 

a hundred times or more,

about the baby born that day, 

but have you thought about the way

that the angels sang; 

and the angels cried for joy

as the heavens rang 

bringing in the baby boy!

Listen, do not fear them. 

Can't you hear the angels sing?

Hear the angels sing! 

Hear the angels shout for joy!

As the church bells ring 

bringing in the baby boy.

Listen, do not fear them. 

Can't you hear the angels sing?



A hand upon your face, 

a touch of healing grace.

And if the angels sang that day,

can they now be far away?

Hear the angels sing;

hear the angels shout for joy

as the church bells ring

bringing in the baby boy!

Listen, do not fear them. 

Can't you hear the angels sing?

Hear the angels sing! 

Hear the angels shout for joy!

As the church bells ring 

bringing in the baby boy.

Listen, do not fear them. 

Can't you hear the angels sing?



Matt 11:28

 Matthew 11:28

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”





Out of the silence, Music

Out of the darkness, Light

Out of uncertainty, Promise

Love was born that night

Where love is born, it is Christmas.





This song talks about Christ's entire life and mission beginning with his birth.  It advises us to remember Him at Christmas.  Go to the “Welcome to ChristmasTracksBumps7!" Expand it.  There is a transcript button at the bottom which you can push that will show the lyrics.



Remember Him at Christmas - YouTube


The shepherd knelt.  The wise men saw the sign.

And heaven whispered softly, "This child is mine.”

He is the gift the Father gave to light our hearts and guide our way




Easy Pita Bread

2 ¼ c. flour

1 c. warm water

1 t. instant yeast

1 t. sugar

½ t. fine sea salt



Add water, yeast, sugar and salt to a large mixing bowl.  Whisk to combine, then set aside until frothy.  

Add the flour and mix until dough forms. Knead the dough several times inside the bowl until you can form a rough ball – it will be sticky.  Cover the bowl.  Place the bowl in a warm place and let rise until doubled. 

 Preheat the oven to 475 degrees for at least 30 minutes before  you bake the bread.

 Flour your work surface.  Divide the dough into 6 pieces.  Roll each portion into a ball, lightly dust with flour underneath and on top.  Cover with dishtowel and let rest for 10 minutes.  Using your fingers, press each dough ball into 6 inch circles on parchment paper.  Cover with dishtowel and let rest 10 to 15 minutes.  If you have a pizza stone, place it into the bottom rack of your oven. If you do not have one, turn a baking sheet upside down and place it onto the bottom rack of your oven. Transfer the pita circles on their parchment paper to the oven.  (I can fit 3 at a time on my stone) Bake until puffed with some golden spots, 5 to 6 minutes.




Faith in Christ begins with the desire to believe in something more than we can see.  It is not wishful thinking or merely a pipedream.  We need snow desperately in our area.  I looked out the window this morning and wished it would snow!   Do I expect it to happen?  No.  It would be nice, but it’s not going to happen today and all of the wishing in the world won’t change that.  A pipedream is something which is totally disconnected from reality.  In Hebrews 11:1 we read that faith is ‘the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.’  Verse 6 says we must believe in God and diligently seek him.  We can increase our faith daily and find peace at Christmas by believing and stating each day with prayer.  ~~ Marilee






Emmanuel

There is a legend of an African boy called Emmanuel, who was always asking questions. One day he asked the question, “What language does God speak?” No one could answer him. He traveled all over his country to find the answer but did not get a satisfactory answer. Eventually he set out for distant lands to find the answer. For a long time he had no success. At last he came one night to a village called Bethlehem and as there was no room in the local inn, he went outside the village in search of a shelter for the night. He came to a cave and found that it too was occupied by a couple and a child. He was about to turn away when the young mother spoke, ‘Welcome Emmanuel, we’ve been waiting for you.” The boy was amazed that the woman knew his name. He was even more amazed when she went on to say, “For a long time you have been searching the world over to find out what language God speaks. Well, now your journey is over. Tonight you can see with your own eyes what language God speaks. He speaks the language of love, that is expressed in sharing, understanding, mercy and total acceptance.”  



"WHEN SHEPHERDS CAME"

By Ellen Decker



When the Shepherds came to Bethlehem

So many years ago,

They didn't come for Santa Claus

Or Christmas trees aglow.

They didn't come for candy canes,

Or Chestnuts on the Fire,

They came to see the Holy Child

As told them by the Choir.



The Angel said to them, "Fear not,

For on this Holy Day.

God has sent His Son to Earth

Just as the Prophets say."

Isaiah spoke of a king to come

Who would live to save us all,

The humble Shepherds were the First

To see the Baby small.



This Christmas Eve, let's you and I

Renew our love for God,

And vow to keep him in our hearts

And share His love abroad.





John 14:6

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.








2025 –Christmas in Bethlehem. The ancient dream: a cold, clear night made brilliant by a glorious star, the smell of incense, shepherds and wise men falling to their knees in adoration of the sweet baby, the incarnation of perfect love.” —Lucinda Franks



                                                                       



The Star Still Shines (New Christmas song by Shawna Edwards)



“I love the idea that “The Star Still Shines” over Bethlehem, and over us today. I wrote this song to share my belief that, though the world grows darker, we can find peace and joy and light through our efforts to seek Jesus Christ.” Shawna Edwards



If we seek the light

When peace is hard to find,

He’ll send us silent nights

And touch our ears 

So we can hear an angel voice.



                                                                       



This has been a challenging year. Political strife, war, gun violence, acts of terrorism, hatred and economic struggles have made the headlines almost every day. The question becomes “How can we find peace at Christmas time when we are surrounded by despair?” It seems to me that the answer is simple. We find it through practicing the teachings of Jesus Christ –faith, hope and charity. It is doubtful that our actions as individuals will change the world as a whole, but they can and will transform our own “worlds” this Christmas. In Colossians 3:15 we are told to let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts. We are called to be thankful. Romans 15:13 reads “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Where do we find hope? We find it in the lives of the people around us, in the stories of good people. They’re everywhere. They are people who believe that this life is a gift, that this life is a treasure. They choose to share that belief and bring happiness and joy to others. Look for their stories. Charity is the pure love of Christ. It is treating others with kindness and compassion. It is tolerance. It is making a difference in our communities by lifting those around us– by “seeing” the lonely, invisible people of this world as well as our friends, neighbors and family. It is smiling, opening doors, saying “Hello”, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked and praying for those in need which will make this Christmas peaceful. ~~ Marilee



                                                                       



Orange-Chip Cranberry Bread

Yield:2 loaves

2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 large eggs, room temperature

3/4 cup vegetable oil

2 teaspoons grated orange zest

1 cup buttermilk

1-1/2 cups chopped fresh or frozen cranberries, thawed

1 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips

1 cup chopped walnuts

3/4 cup confectioners' sugar, optional

2 tablespoons orange juice, optional

In a bowl, combine the first 5 ingredients. In another bowl, combine eggs, oil and orange zest; mix well. Add to dry ingredients alternately with buttermilk. Fold in cranberries, chocolate chips and walnuts.

Pour into 2 greased 8x4-in. loaf pans. Bake at 350° until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 50-60 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks. If glaze is desired, combine confectioners' sugar and orange juice until smooth; drizzle over cooled loaves.



                                                                       


Throughout the years I have had many stories shared by readers.  Here’s a memory from Judy which she shared in 2012.

“Several years ago we read the story of Eric’s Last Straw and decided to do that as a family.  Our  family drew names each morning and did their little acts of service throughout the day.  Our son, Samuel, didn’t quite catch on to the idea.  He sat at the piano painfully picking out a tune and announced to my daughter that he was doing her piano practice for the day.  Another day he tried to do his brother’s homework.  Probably the craziest thing that happened though was when he attempted to load the dishwasher for me and poured regular dish soap into the dishwasher.  Our kitchen was filled with soap bubbles!  Even with some crazy acts of service, it really helped the Christmas spirit in our home.  The following year we did it again with a difference.  We drew the names in the morning and instead of putting bits of rafia around our nativity, we wrote down each night the acts of service which we thought had been performed for us that day and put them in a jar.  Our family became focused on recognizing the good things which were going on in our home and showing gratitude for them.  Every day was happier and more peaceful than the day before.  On Christmas Eve, we opened our jars and shared their contents.  This was truly amazing.  We have done it that way ever since.”


                                                                      


A LEGEND

~Author Unknown



There's a beautiful legend

That's never been told

It may have been known

To the Wise Men of old

How three little children

Came early at dawn,

With hearts that were sad,

To where Jesus was born.



One could not see,

One was too lame to play,

While the other, a mute,

Not a word could he say.

Yet, led by His star,

They came there to peep

At the little Lord Jesus

With eyes closed in sleep.



But how could the Christ Child,

So lovely and fair,

Not waken and smile

When He heard their glad prayer

Of hope at His coming,

Of faith in His birth,

Of praise at His bringing

God's peace to the earth?



And, then, as the light

Softly came through the door,

The lad that was lame

Stood upright once more.

The boy that was mute

Started sweetly to sing,

While the child that was blind

Looked with joy on the King!



John 3:16

 

John 3:16  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”


                                                            



"Every time we love, every time we give, it’s Christmas.”  Dale Evans




If I Were There - Official Music Video

This is a lovely video of a choir in a Christmas background showing children sitting around a nativity, singing in a group, and a young girl playing the piano.



If I were there, I’d find the manger

And bow before the tiny Savior.

I’d sense the peace that filled the air

If I were there, if I were there.





I love reading.  One of my favorite authors growing up was Jules Verne.  I read “20,000 Leagues under the Sea,” “Journey to the Center of The Earth” and “Around the World in 80 Days” more times than I can count.  I used to lay under the covers with a flashlight at night, reading about Phileas Fogg and how he made a bet to do the impossible – to circumnavigate the world in 80 days.  He traveled by train, by balloon, by stagecoach and by elephant accompanied by his servant, Jean Passepartout.  (I took French in school because I loved that name!)  Bad things happened along the way.  He was mistaken for a bank robber and hunted by Inspector Fix throughout much of the book.  Phileas discovered a young widow about to be sacrificed in a funeral pyre with her husband’s remains in India.  He rescued her.  He was spied on. Passepartout was kidnapped - Phileus rescued him.  He missed his connections.  What can I say - it’s an exciting book!  Phileus finally made it back to London and realized that he returned one day too late.  He missed the deadline by 1 day.  Tragic.  It was so sad.   Then he discovered it was not too late!  He forgot about the international date line!  He went to his club, strode through the doors and proclaimed to one and all, “I’m here.”  What does that have to do with Christmas?  Each of us is on a journey back to God.   At times it seems hard, almost impossible to accomplish.  We don’t know how to manage the trials and the obstacles we face.  We find ourselves saying, “Where do I go from here?  Do I even have the time to get there from here?” We do.  Our Savior provides us with the time and the guidance we need.  Thank you, dear Savior, for Your love, Your example, Your guidance, and your peace.  Throughout this month, we’ll be talking about the power of love and peace in our lives starting with Christmas and lasting forever. 

Peace is not just a season’s guest,
but a seed in the soul where love finds rest.
Even in winter’s longest cold,
a single kindness can turn to gold.

So let the quiet of Christmas stay,
guiding our steps beyond the holy day—
For peace, once kindled, will always grow,
like light on fresh and glistening snow.

Marilee




Baguettes

2 c warm water

2 t sugar

1 T yeast

1 T olive oil

5 - 51/2 c. flour

1 egg for egg wash

Combine warm water, sugar and yeast.  Allow to activate and bubble for about 5 minutes.  Pour liquid in bread maker or bowl of a stand mixer with a dough hook, then add 4 cups flour, salt and oil.  Mix on low speed until combined.  Add in the remaining 1 - 1  ½ cups flour, starting with 1 cup. The dough should form a soft ball and pull away from the sides of the bowl.  Knead for 5 minutes until the dough is elastic-y and smooth. If the dough sticks to the sides of the bowl, add flour 2 Tablespoons at a time until it pulls away. Turn the dough onto a lightly greased surface and divide in half. Roll up length wise and press down gently to push out any air pockets. Pinch the ends and tuck the ends under.  Preheat the oven to 415*. Using an extremely sharp knife, make slashes diagonally across the top of the bread. If you don't have a super sharp knife, make the slashes before rising so as not to flatten the rise. Bake at 415*F. Put the bread in the oven and throw in a small handful of ice cubes (4-5) on the bottom, quickly closing the oven door. Bake for 20 minutes. While baking, whisk egg in a small bowl. At minute 12, pull out and spread with egg wash, then return to the oven for an additional 8 minutes. The bread will be done when it's deep golden and sounds hollow when turned over and thumped on the bottom with the end of a wooden spoon.

* hint:  Don't let the dough rise longer than an hour with this one! Usually dough is fine if the first rise is a little long, but not with this recipe. I've made the mistake more than once, and the dough is always sticky and difficult to work with. If you do go longer than an hour, the bread will still turn out and taste delicious, it's just harder to shape into beautiful loaves.



This site has more than 500 free Christmas printables for children

Christmas Worksheets | Education.com



There once was a king who offered a prize to the artist who would paint the best picture of peace. The contest stirred the imagination of artists everywhere. Many artists wanted a chance at winning the prize. Paintings from far and wide began to arrive.

The king looked at all the pictures, uncovering one peaceful scene after another as the on-lookers clapped and cheered. The tensions grew as only two pictures remained veiled. As the king pulled the cover from one, a hush fell over the crowd. 

It was a picture of a calm lake. The lake was a perfect mirror for peaceful towering mountains all around it. Overhead was a beautiful blue sky with fluffy white clouds. Along the grassy shore, a flock of sheep grazed undisturbed. All who saw this picture thought that it was a perfect picture of peace. Surely this was the winner.

The king uncovered the last painting, and the crowd gasped in surprise. Could this be peace? This picture had mountains like the previous painting but these were rugged and bare. Above was an angry sky, from which rain fell and in which lightning played. Down the side of the mountain tumbled a foaming waterfall; the crowd could almost feel its cold, penetrating spray. This did not look peaceful at all.

But when the king looked closely, he saw a little bird had built a nest on a branch of a tree. A tree that reached out in the direction of the tumultuous waterfall. Yet there, in the midst of the rush of angry water, undisturbed in her stormy surroundings, sat the mother bird on her nest – in perfect peace. 

The king chose the last picture.