IN THIS ISSUE:
BABY JESUS - OUR GIFT-WRAPPED GOD
THE REASON FOR THE SEASON
THE STORY OF THE KNEELING NATIVITY
A TALE OF TWO CHRISTMASES
THE REASON
WERE YOU COLDER THAN THIS?
WHY CHRISTMAS?
CHRISTIAN TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
THE BOX
TWAS THE NIGHT JESUS CAME
A BROTHER LIKE THAT
JESUS
EVEN BETTER THAN THE BEST GIFT! SIMEON'S SONG
THE GIFT
THE PEA STORY
CHRISTMAS CRAFTS FOR VARIOUS AGES
A LESSON IN PIE MAKING - PICTURES AND INSTRUCTIONS
GINGHAM EMBROIDERY BOOKMARKS, NAPKINS, APRON, TABLECLOTH
AMAZING MOMS' WEBSITE
Dear Ladies,
In past years, many ladies replied to say how touching these stories and poems were as they read them to their families. A few more have been added. Because of the length, this comes in two parts. I pray that you and your family will be blessed as you reflect on that first Christmas when Jesus, our Savior, was given to the world.
He was born in a cradle in the shadow of a cross, where He later paid for our sins, so we may have eternal life, if we but accept His Free Gift. John 3:16
BABY JESUS - OUR GIFT-WRAPPED GOD
By Dorothy Elizabeth Kohr Walker
(In memory of my mother who wrote this poem)
"I'll take it, and would you gift-wrap it, please?"
These words are heard a lot these days.
Why, the wrapping is important too, you know -
It glorifies the gift of the one you pays.
The gift may be needful, but wrappings really cost.
Yet without them, much meaning would be lost.
Just as that night in Bethlehem when God's gift arrived,
An infant boy born in a cattle shed - human, divine -
Baby Jesus, our gift-wrapped God - 'twas love come down.
Salvation wrapped so gloriously! Costly, yet mine!
The gift-wrapped God - what a tremendous cost!
Yet without His humanity, the meaning would be lost.
For though He was God, He willingly stripped Himself,
Laid aside His glory and became a man.
A baby in a stable, a carpenter man of Nazareth,
The lamb on the cross, God our Savior lives again!
Praise Him for our Gift-wrapped God - Baby Jesus!
Praise Him, for now - He - is wrapped - in us!
THE REASON FOR THE SEASON
author unknown
At Christmas time there was a man who looked so out of place,
As people rush about him at a hurried sort of pace.
He stared at all the Christmas lights, the tinsel everywhere,
The shopping mall, Santa Claus, with children gathered near.
The mall was packed with shoppers who were going to and fro,
Some with smiles and some with frowns and some too tired to go.
They rested on benches or they hurried on their way,
To fight the crowd for purchases to carry home that day.
The music from a stereo was playing loud and clear,
Of Santa Claus and snowmen and funny nosed reindeer.
He heard the people talk about the good times on the way,
Of parties, fun and good food galore and gifts exchanged that day.
"I'd like to know what's going on." the man was heard to say,
"There seems to be some sort of celebration on the way.
And would you tell me who this is, all dressed in red and white?
And why are children asking him about a special night?"
The answer came in disbelief, "I can't believe my ears.
I can't believe that you don't know that Christmas time is here.
The time when Santa Claus comes around with gifts for girls and boys.
When they're asleep on Christmas Eve, he leaves them books and toys.
The man you see in red and white is Santa Claus, so sly,
The children love his joyful laugh and twinkle in his eye.
His gift packed sleigh is pulled along by very small reindeer,
As he flies quickly through the air, while darting there and here.
The children learn of Santa Claus while they are still quite small,
When Christmas comes he is the most important one of all!"
The Stranger hung his head in shame, he closed a nail pierced hand,
His body shook in disbelief, He did not understand.
A shadow crossed his stricken face, his voice was low but clear:
"After all these years, they still don't know." And Jesus shed a tear.
THE STORY OF THE KNEELING NATIVITY
This beautiful writing was included in a Nativity Scene that I bought after Christmas in 2004, in which each one of the figures is kneeling before the Baby Lord Jesus. Enjoy this beautiful reading.
When we think of the Nativity, we think of the traditional setting that places the holy family in a rustic creche accompanied by angels, wisemen, and shepherds. Every year at Christmastime, these Nativities adorn our churches, businesses, and homes pointing the world to the true reason for the season, the birth of Jesus. The story of the kneeling Nativity focuses on what brought everyone together for this glorious time and more importantly how they responded to what was revealed to them by God the Father.
The angel was the first to know God's wonderful plan from the beginning. Commissioned to deliver a special promise to Mary, the angel encouraged and comforted the young woman who found favor with God. Not from the natural world, where we humans abide, the angel's personal response to the holy birth is one of joyous praise with eyes, arms, and heart directed toward the Father in heaven while kneeling at the bedside of His most glorious creation, the Savior of the World, Jesus.
Mary's response to God's messenger was a declaration of trust and faithfulness and an invitation for God's presence to be upon her. The scripture says that those with pure hearts will see God. Mary, the Father's chosen vessel, places one hand over her heart, stretches out her other toward the Consummation of her journey, while kneeling, worshiping, and caring for her new baby boy.
Not every boy could say that he had a skilled carpenter for a dad, but Jesus could. Joseph was a hard working righteous man of integrity. After learning of his fiancee's condition, Joseph received the message in a dream that the Holy Spirit himself was responsible for that condition. Joseph responded with obedience to God's direction. He cared for Mary and prepared for the son that was promised. He made a special cradle that would protect and comfort even a king's child. Little did Joseph know, however, that the materials of his very own trade that would provide a peaceful sleep, would also eventually assist the destined King of Kings in saving the world from its sins.
A simple shepherd boy, living a lowly life of wandering and searching for pastures to feed his flock while protecting each and every animal from harm came to bow at the Baby's feet. He was protecting a lamb, symbolic of the innocence that would become the sacrifice for the salvation of all.
The wisemen, guided by a single illuminating star leading them to Bethlehem, traveled a great distance to present regal gifts commonly given to royalty. Without hesitation, the wealthy kings knelt down on a dirt floor and bowed their heads in awe of the greatest King.
Upon the conclusion of this story, ponder deeply the revelations of those present at the Nativity and ask yourself, "What would you do if found in the presence of the Holy Child that was supernaturally revealed to you by the Creator of the Universe?"
As every knee shall bow ... every knee did bow...
A TALE OF TWO CHRISTMASES
By Jim Smith
It is the worst of times. It is the best of times.
The Christmas you have depends upon you.
May you be blessed to follow the Light and choose the right.
A Christmas Poem
C is for Credit Cards that make buying a breeze.
H is for your Headache when your cards are seized.
R is for Remembering everyone on your list.
I is for feeling Insulted when your gifts are dissed.
S is for feeling Stressed when you're on the fly.
T is for the Truckloads of presents that you buy.
M is for your Massive debt that soars into the sky.
A is for the Awful feeling that you've gone astray.
S is for your Sorrow and the tears you'll shed today.
The True Christmas Poem
C is for the Christ child lying in a manager.
H is for the Holy One who saved us all from danger.
R is to Remember Him who died that we may live.
I is to Inspire us that we may always give.
S is for joyful Songs and sacred hymns that praise.
T is to Thank the Lord for showing us the way.
M is for the Miracles that bless us each day.
A is for the Almighty who always puts us first.
S is for the Shepherd who guides us on earth.
THE REASON
Author unknown
I was babysitting my four children while my wife had gone shopping. Babysitting to me is reading the paper while the kids mess up the house. Only that day I wasn't reading. I was fuming. On every other page of the paper there were glittering gifts and prancing reindeer. The only thing I was told was there were only six more days to buy presents. What, I asked myself indignantly, did this have to do with the birth of Christ?
There was a knock on the door. Then Nancy's voice, "Daddy, we have a play to put on. Would you like to see it?" I didn't. But I have fatherly responsibilities so I followed her into the living room. Right away I knew it was a Christmas play for at the foot of the piano stool was a lighted flashlight wrapped in swaddling clothes lying an a shoebox.
Rex, age six, came in wearing my bathrobe and carrying a mop handle. He sat on the stool and looked at the flashlight. Nancy, age ten, draped a sheet over her head, stood behind Rex, and began, "I'm Mary and this boy is Joseph. Usually in this play Joseph stands up and Mary sits down, but Mary sitting down is taller than Joseph standing up so we thought it looked better this way."
Enters Trudy, age four, at a full run. There were pillowcases over her arms. She spread them wide and said only "I'm an angel."
Then came Ann, age eight. I knew she was a wise man because she had on her mother's high heels and walked like she was a wise man riding a camel. On a pillow she carried three items, undoubtedly gold, frankincense, and myrrh. She walked across the room and announced, "I'm all three wisemen. I bring precious gifts: gold, circumstance, and mud."
That was all. The play was over. I didn't laugh, I prayed. How near the truth Ann was. We come at Christmas burdened down with gold, with the showy gifts and the tinselly tree. Under the circumstance we can do no other. And it really does seem a bit like mud when you think about it. But my children saw through the earthly and found the real reason for Christmas -- to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
WERE YOU COLDER THAN THIS?
It was a cold winter's night in Korea. An expectant mother trudged through the freezing snow toward the home of a missionary friend where she knew she would find help. A short way down the road from the mission house was a deep gully spanned by a bridge.
As the young woman stumbled along, birth pains overcame her. She realized that she could go no farther and crawled beneath the bridge. There, alone between the trestles, she gave birth to a baby boy.
She had nothing with her except the heavy padded clothes she was wearing. One by one she removed the pieces of clothing and wrapped them around her infant son, around and around like a cumbersome cocoon. Then, finding a discarded piece of burlap, she pulled it over herself and lay exhausted and shivering beside her baby.
The next morning, the missionary drove her Jeep across the bridge to take a food basket to a Korean family. On the way back as she neared the bridge, the vehicle sputtered and died. She left the Jeep on the side of the road and started walking across the bridge toward the mission but stopped when she heard a faint cry beneath her. She crawled under the bridge to investigate. There she found the tiny baby, warm but hungry, and the young mother frozen to death by his side. The missionary took the baby home and cared for him. As the boy grew he often asked his adopted mother to tell him the story of how she had found him.
On the 12th anniversary of his mother's death, the lad asked the missionary to take him to her grave. Once there, he asked her to wait a short distance away while he went to pray. The boy stood beside the grave with bowed head, weeping. Then he began to disrobe. As the astonished missionary watched, the boy took off his warm clothing piece by piece and laid them on his mother's grave. Surely he won't take off all his clothing, the missionary thought. He'll freeze. But the boy stripped himself of everything, putting all his warm clothing on the grave. He knelt naked and shivering in the freezing snow. As the missionary went to him to help him dress she heard him cry out to the mother he never knew, "Were you colder than this for me, my mother?" and his shoulders shook as he silently wept.
When Christ came to this earth he stripped himself of every royal garment and entered into a world of hatred and cold indifference. He suffered and sacrificed for us and gave his life that we might live.
At this time of year let us remember all that he gave to us and give to others in return. Let us for one moment forget our needs as we sit in our comfortable, warm homes filled with the luxuries of life. Let us remember the needs of others as we make note of our garbage filled to overflowing with discarded food, toys and clothing that others would drop to their knees in gratitude for.
Lord, grant that we may take off our garments of pride, self-righteousness, and selfish greed and lay them at your feet and ask ourselves, "Were you colder than this for us, Lord?"
And we weep in gratitude because we know you were.
WHY CHRISTMAS?
There was once a man who didn't believe in God, and he didn't hesitate to let others know how he felt about religion and religious holidays, like Christmas. His wife, however, did believe, and she raised their children to also have faith in God and Jesus, despite his disparaging comments.
One snowy Christmas Eve, his wife was taking their children to a Christmas Eve service in the farm community in which they lived. She asked him to come, but he refused. "That story is nonsense!" he said. "Why would God lower Himself to come to Earth as a man? That's ridiculous!" So she and the children left, and he stayed home.
A while later, the winds grew stronger and the snow turned into a blizzard. As the man looked out the window, all he saw was a blinding snowstorm. He sat down to relax before the fire for the evening. Then he heard a loud thump. Something had hit the window. Then another thump. He looked out, but couldn't see more than a few feet. When the snow let up a little, he ventured outside to see what could have been beating on his window. In the field near his house he saw a flock of wild geese. Apparently they had been flying south for the winter when they got caught in the snowstorm and couldn't go on. They were lost and stranded on his farm, with no food or shelter. They just flapped their wings and flew around the field in low circles, blindly and aimlessly. A couple of them had flown into his window, it seemed.
The man felt sorry for the geese and wanted to help them. The barn would be a great place for them to stay, he thought. It's warm and safe; surely they could spend the night and wait out the storm. So he walked over to the barn and opened the doors wide, then watched and waited, hoping they would notice the open barn and go inside. But the geese just fluttered around aimlessly and didn't seem to notice the barn or realize what it could mean for them. The man tried to get their attention, but that just seemed to scare them and they moved further away. He went into the house and came with some bread, broke it up, and made a breadcrumb trail leading to the barn. They still didn't catch on. Now he was getting frustrated. He got behind them and tried to shoo them toward the barn, but they only got more scared and scattered in every direction except toward the barn. Nothing he did could get them to go into the barn where they would be warm and safe. "Why don't they follow me?!" he exclaimed. "Can't they see this is the only place where they can survive the storm?" He thought for a moment and realized that they just wouldn't follow a human. "If only I were a goose, then I could save them," he said out loud.
Then he had an idea. He went into barn, got one of his own geese, and carried it in his arms as he circled around behind the flock of wild geese. He then released it. His goose flew through the flock and straight into the barn--and one by one the other geese followed it to safety.
He stood silently for a moment as the words he had spoken a few minutes earlier replayed in his mind: "If only I were a goose, then I could save them!" Then he thought about what he had said to his wife earlier. "Why would God want to be like us? That's ridiculous!" Suddenly it all made sense. That is what God had done. We were like the geese--blind, lost, perishing. God had His Son become like us so He could show us the way and save us. That was the meaning of Christmas, he realized. As the winds and blinding snow died down, his soul became quiet and pondered this wonderful thought. Suddenly he understood what Christmas was all about, why Christ had come.
Years of doubt and disbelief vanished like the passing storm. He fell to his knees in the snow, and prayed his first prayer: "Thank You, God, for coming in human form to get me out of the storm!"
CHRISTIAN TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
Unknown
On the first day of Christmas Jesus gave to me Salvation full and free.
On the second day of Christmas Jesus gave to me Everlasting Life, and Salvation full and free.
On the third day of Christmas Jesus gave to me Peace in my heart, Everlasting Life, and Salvation full and free.
On the fourth day of Christmas Jesus gave to me Love for all men, Peace in my heart, Everlasting Life, and Salvation full and free.
On the fifth day of Christmas Jesus gave to me Joy for my soul, Love for all men, Peace in my heart, Everlasting Life, and Salvation full and free.
On the sixth day of Christmas Jesus gave to me Power from on high, Joy for my soul, Love for all men, Peace in my heart, Everlasting Life, and Salvation full and free.
On the seventh day of Christmas Jesus gave to me A Body Glorified, Power from on high, Joy for my soul, Love for all men, Peace in my heart, Everlasting Life, and Salvation full and free.
On the eighth day of Christmas Jesus gave to me A Robe and a Crown, A Body Glorified, Power from on high, Joy for my soul, Love for all men, Peace in my heart, Everlasting Life, and Salvation full and free.
On the ninth day of Christmas Jesus gave to me Mansions above, A Robe and a Crown, A Body Glorified, Power from on high, Joy for my soul, Love for all men, Peace in my heart, Everlasting Life, and Salvation full and free.
On the tenth day of Christmas Jesus gave to me Streets of pure gold, Mansions above, A Robe and a Crown, A Body Glorified, Power from on high, Joy for my soul, Love for all men, Peace in my heart, Everlasting Life, and Salvation full and free.
On the eleventh day of Christmas Jesus gave to me A thousand songs to sing, Streets of pure gold, Mansions above, A Robe and a Crown, A Body Glorified, Power from on high, Joy for my soul, Love for all men, Peace in my heart, Everlasting Life, and Salvation full and free.
On the twelfth day of Christmas Jesus gave to me Eternity that's free, A thousand songs to sing, Streets of pure gold, Mansions above, A Robe and a Crown, A Body Glorified, Power from on high, Joy for my soul, Love for all men, Peace in my heart, Everlasting Life, and Salvation full and free.
THE BOX
I received this from a friend who had a choice to make. It said that I had a choice to make too. I've chosen. Now it's your turn to choose.
The story goes that some time ago a man punished his 5 year old daughter for wasting a roll of expensive gold wrapping paper. Money was tight and he became even more upset when the child pasted the gold paper so as to decorate a box to put under the Christmas tree.
Nevertheless, the little girl brought the gift box to her father the next morning and said, "This is for you, Daddy." The father was embarrassed by his earlier over reaction, but his anger flared again when he found the box was empty. He spoke to her in a harsh manner, "Don't you know, young lady, when you give someone a present there's supposed to be something inside the package?" The little girl looked up at him with tears in her eyes and said, "Oh, Daddy, it's not empty. I blew kisses into it until it was full."
The father was crushed. He fell on his knees and put his arms around his little girl, and he begged her to forgive him for his unnecessary anger.
An accident took the life of the child only a short time later and it is told that the father kept that gold box by his bed for all the years of his life. Whenever he was discouraged or faced difficult problems he would open the box and take out an imaginary kiss and remember the love of the child who had put it there.
In a very real sense, each of us, as human beings, have been given a golden box filled with unconditional love and kisses from our children, family, friends and God. There is no more precious possession anyone could hold.
TWAS THE NIGHT JESUS CAME
Author unknown
Twas' the night Jesus came and all through the house,
Not a person was praying, not one in the house.
The Bible was left on the shelf without care,
For no one thought Jesus would come there.
The children were dressing to crawl into bed,
Not once ever kneeling or bowing their head.
And Mom in the rocking chair with baby on her lap,
Was watching the Late Show as I took a nap.
When out of the east there rose such a clatter,
I sprang to my feet to see what's the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and lifted the sash.
When what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But Angels proclaiming that Jesus was here.
The light of His face made me cover my head,
It was Jesus returning just like He'd said.
And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth,
I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.
In the Book of Life that in which he held in his hand,
Was written the name of every saved man.
He spoke not a word as he searched for my name,
When He said "it is not here" I hung my head in shame.
The peoples who's names had been written with love,
He gathered to take to his Father above.
With those who were ready He rose without a sound,
While all the others were left standing around.
I fell to my knees but it was too late,
I waited too long and thus sealed my fate.
I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight,
Oh, if only I'd know that this was the night.
In the words of this poem the meaning is clear the
Coming of Jesus is now drawing near.
There's only one life and when comes the last call,
We'll find out that the Bible was true after all...
A BROTHER LIKE THAT
By Dan Clark ~ from Condensed Chicken Soup for the Soul
Copyright 1996 by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen & Patty Hansen
A friend of mine named Paul received an automobile from his brother as a Christmas present. On Christmas Eve when Paul came out of his office, a street urchin was walking around the shiny new car, admiring it. "Is this your car, Mister?" he asked.
Paul nodded. "My brother gave it to me for Christmas." The boy was astounded. "Boy, I wish..." He hesitated.
Of course, Paul knew what he was going to wish for. He was going to wish he had a brother like that. But what the lad said jarred Paul all the way down to his heels.
"I wish," the boy went on, "that I could be a brother like that."
Paul was astonished. He asked the boy, "Would you like a ride?"
After a short ride, the boy turned and his eyes aglow, said, "Will you stop where those two steps are?"
He ran up the steps. Then in a little while Paul heard him coming back, but he was not coming fast. He was carrying his little crippled brother. He sat him down on the bottom step, then sort of squeezed up against him and pointed to the car.
"There she is, Buddy, just like I told you upstairs. His brother gave it to him for Christmas and it didn't cost him a cent. And someday I'm gonna give you one just like it. Then you can see for yourself all the pretty things in the Christmas windows that I've been trying to tell you about."
Paul got out and lifted the lad to the front seat of his car. The shining-eyed older brother climbed in beside him and the three of them began a memorable holiday ride.
That Christmas Eve, Paul learned what Jesus meant when He had said: "It is more blessed to give..."
JESUS
JESUS humbled Himself.
He went from commanding ANGELS
To sleeping in the STRAW;
From holding STARS
To clutching Mary's finger.
The PALM that held the UNIVERSE
Took the Nail of a soldier.
Why?
Because that's what LOVE does.
-- Max Lucado
EVEN BETTER THAN THE BEST GIFT! SIMEON'S SONG
By Linda J. Stevenson - Used by permission - Please read both verses at the top before continuing.
Traveling down the dusty road For many years I had watched for
With haste I went that day The long-awaited One
Just to make it to the Temple That God had promised I would see
Where I would often pray. Before I would pass on.
My own eyes would see His glory Then as I passed through temple doors,
And the wonder He would bring. My heart inside did leap.
I felt real longing for the day Before me in His mother's arms
My arms would hold our King. The Child lay fast asleep.
Warm tears fell down as I saw Him, His mother placed Him in my arms
My legs became so weak; His breath I did inhale;
Before me was the Promised One Embracing Him so close to me,
That I for years did seek. I noticed each detail.
My eyes have seen His glory The Light of His salvation came
My ears long past had heard; For all the world to see,
His great redemption's been revealed The fulfillment of God's promise
According to God's Word. That He once made to me.
THE GIFT
Author Unknown -- Contributed by Annamarie Kresge, Virginia
A story about an old Bendix washing machine helped one man get through the valley of loss. His parents acquired the washer when John Claypool was a small boy. It happened during World War II. His family owned no washing machine and since gasoline was rationed, they could ill afford trips to the laundry several miles away. Keeping clothes clean became a problem for young John's household.
A family friend was drafted into the service, and his wife prepared to go with him. John's family offered to store their furniture while they were away. To the family's surprise, the friends suggested they use their Bendix while they were gone. "It would be better for it to be running," they said, "than sitting up rusting." So this is how they acquired the washer.
Young John helped with the washing, and across the years he developed an affection for the old, green Bendix. But eventually the war ended. Their friends returned. In the meantime he had forgotten how the machine came to be in their basement in the first place. When the friends came to take it away, John grew terribly upset -- and said so! His mother, wise as she was, sat him down and said, "Wait a minute, Son. You must remember, that machine never belonged to us in the first place. That we ever got to use it at all was a gift. So, instead of being mad at it being taken away, let's use this occasion to be grateful that we had it at all."
The lesson proved invaluable. Years later, John watched his eight-year-old daughter die a slow and painful death of leukemia. Though he struggled for months with her death, John could not begin healing from the loss until he remembered the old Bendix.
"I am here to testify," he said, "that this is the only way down the mountain of loss ... when I remember that Laura Lou was a gift, pure and simple, something I neither earned nor deserved nor had a right to. And when I remember that the appropriate response to a gift, even when it is taken away, is gratitude, then I am better able to try and thank God that I was ever given her in the first place."
His daughter was a gift. When he realized that simple fact, everything changed. He could now begin healing from the tragedy of her loss by focusing instead on the wonder of her life. He
started to see Laura Lou as a marvelous gift that he was fortunate enough to share for a time. He felt grateful. He found strength and healing. He knew he could get through the valley of loss.
We all experience loss -- loss of people, loss of jobs, loss of relationships, loss of independence, loss of esteem, loss of things. When what you held dear can be viewed as a gift, a wonder that you had it at all, the memory can eventually become one more of gratitude than tragedy. And you will find the healing you need.
THE PEA STORY
Author unknown - Thanks to Terrie Futrell in Virginia for sending this!
Babs Miller was bagging some early potatoes for me. I noticed a small boy, delicate of bone and feature,ragged but clean, hungrily apprising a basket of freshly picked green peas. I paid for my potatoes but was also drawn to the display of fresh green peas. I am a pushover for creamed peas and new potatoes. Pondering the peas, I couldn't help overhearing the conversation between Mr. Miller and the ragged boy next to me.
"Hello Barry, how are you today?"
"H'lo, Mr. Miller. Fine, thank ya. Jus' admirin' them peas. Sure look good."
"They are good, Barry. How's your Ma?"
"Fine. Gittin' stronger alla' time."
"Good. Anything I can help you with?"
"No, Sir. Jus' admirin' them peas."
"Would you like to take some home?"
"No, Sir. Got nuthin' to pay for 'em with."
"Well, what have you to trade me for some of those peas?"
"All I got's my prize marble here."
"Is that right? Let me see it."
"Here 'tis. She's a dandy."
"I can see that. Hmmmmm, only thing is this one is blue and I sort of go for red. Do you
have a red one like this at home?"
"Not zackley, but almost."
"Tell you what. Take this sack of peas home with you and next trip this way let me look at
that red marble."
"Sure will. Thanks Mr. Miller."
Mrs. Miller, who had been standing nearby, came over to help me. With a smile she said, "There are two other boys like him in our community, all three are in very poor circumstances. Jim just loves to bargain with them for peas, apples, tomatoes, or whatever. When they come back with their red marbles, and they always do, he decides he doesn't like red after all and he sends them home with a bag of produce for a green marble or an orange one, perhaps."
I left the stand smiling to myself, impressed with this man. A short time later I moved to
Colorado but I never forgot the story of this man, the boys, and their bartering.
Several years went by, each more rapid that the previous one. Just recently I had occasion to visit some old friends in that Idaho community and while I was there learned that Mr. Miller had died. They were having his viewing that evening and knowing my friends wanted to go, I agreed to accompany them. Upon arrival at the mortuary we fell into line to meet the relatives of the deceased and to offer whatever words of comfort we could.
Ahead of us in line were three young men. One was in an army uniform and the other two wore nice haircuts, dark suits and white shirts ... all very professional looking.
They approached Mrs. Miller, standing composed and smiling by her husband's casket. Each of the young men hugged her, kissed her on the cheek, spoke briefly with her and moved on to the casket.
Her misty light blue eyes followed them as, one by one, each young man stopped briefly and placed his own warm hand over the cold pale hand in the casket. Each left the mortuary
awkwardly, wiping his eyes.
Our turn came to meet Mrs. Miller. I told her who I was and mentioned the story she had told me about the marbles. With her eyes glistening, she took my hand and led me to the casket.
"Those three young men who just left were the boys I told you about. They just told me how they appreciated the things Jim "traded" them. Now, at last, when Jim could not change his mind about color or size .... they came to pay their debt."
"We've never had a great deal of the wealth of this world," she confided, "but right now, Jim would consider himself the richest man in Idaho." With loving gentleness she lifted the lifeless fingers of her deceased husband. Resting underneath were three exquisitely shined red marbles.
Moral of this Story: We will not be remembered by our words, but by our kind deeds.
Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath.
CHRISTMAS CRAFTS FOR VARIOUS AGES
Ladies, Sarah Keith's website, http://wwwsundayschoolnetwork.com, is a wonderful resource not only for Sunday school teachers, but for parents as well. Below are some of my favorite Christmas crafts, plus a link with lots of great ideas for family devotions with children. Used by permission.
Advent Wreath - If the Advent Wreath is new to you, see a picture at this link and read about "The Making and Meaning of the Advent Wreath" http://www.sundayschoolnetwork.com/adventwreath.htm
No-Flame Advent Wreath http://www.sundayschoolnetwork.com/no_flame_advent_wreath.html
Little Christmas Lamb - so cute http://www.sundayschoolnetwork.com/craft_lamb.html
Baby Jesus in the Manger http://www.sundayschoolnetwork.com/manger.html
Clay Pot Nativity - http://www.sundayschoolnetwork.com/craft_clay_nativity.html
Yard Clay Pot Nativity http://www.sundayschoolnetwork.com/craft_yard_nativity.html
Paper Angel http://www.sundayschoolnetwork.com/craft_paper_angel.html
Paper Lace Angel http://www.sundayschoolnetwork.com/craft_lace_angel.html
Clothes Pin Angel http://www.sundayschoolnetwork.com/clothes_pin_angel.html
Quilled Gospel Cross http://www.sundayschoolnetwork.com/quilledcross.html
Children's Bible Lessons & Activities - Wonderful link for Family Devotions
http://www.sundayschoolnetwork.com/sermons.html
A LESSON IN PIE MAKING - PICTURES AND INSTRUCTIONS
Laurie Latour's website, Future Christian Homemakers, is for the purpose of teaching girls the lost art of becoming a successful homemaker. Use this resource to teach your children, but I guarantee you will also learn from her wonderful resource! Used by permission
http://www.futurechristianhomemakers.com/LetterArchives/november2006.html
Note from Lois: Substitute coconut oil for Crisco for a much healthier and flaky crust!
GINGHAM EMBROIDERY BOOKMARKS, NAPKINS, APRON, TABLECLOTH
Laurie's link above includes some gingham embroidery instruction, and this one provides further instruction. http://www.futurechristianhomemakers.com/GinghamEmbroidery.html
AMAZING MOMS' WEBSITE
These are just a few topics you will find at http://www.amazingmoms.com/
Child's Dec. Birthday http://www.amazingmoms.com/htm/partytips-december-birthday.htm
Christmas Party Ideas for Kids http://www.amazingmoms.com/htm/christmas_party.htm
Pre-Teen Party Ideas http://www.amazingmoms.com/htm/party_preteen.htm
Christmas Crafts for Kids http://www.amazingmoms.com/htm/christmas_crafts.htm
Christmas Family Fun http://www.amazingmoms.com/htm/familyfun.htm
Cooking with Kids - Children's Recipes http://www.amazingmoms.com/htm/kidscooking.htm
Christmas Gifts Kids Can Make http://www.amazingmoms.com/htm/christmas_page.htm
To be Continued - with more stories and poems in Part II, the last of the Extra Editions.
Thanks be unto God for His indescribable gift!
Your Heart to Heart friend,
"Heart to Heart" Lois
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