Confetti Batter Peppermint Sandwich Cookies

I have modified a recipe that I have used for years. It is my go-to cookie recipe for many occasions.

Easiest recipe ever.

You will need for the cookie part:

2 boxes Betty Crocker Confetti Cake Mix

4 eggs

1 cup vegetable/canola oil

 

For the filling:

1 250gr/8oz pkg cream cheese

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup icing sugar

1-2 tsp peppermint extract

optional: food colouring and coloured sprinkles

 

Preheat oven to 350*F

In a mixing bowl, add both cake mixes, eggs and oil. Use paddle attachment and mix thoroughly; making sure to get all of the mix incorporated.  Drop by spoon fulls OR roll gently into small balls and place on parchment lined baking sheet. Do NOT flatten cookies at this point. They will flatten while baking. The key here is to make them all uniform for even baking.

Put in preheated oven and bake for 8 minutes.  Do not overbake. This is critical. Based on your elevation and oven , baking times may vary. When we were at a higher elevation I would bake for 9 minutes. The size of your cookie will also determine baking time. You want to remove the cookies from the oven when they just begin to crack. The will look unbaked but trust me; overbaking will give you crispy/hard cookies and that is not what we’re looking for here.

Leave on pan for about 5 minutes to settle before moving to a cooling rack.

After about an hour or 2 your cookies will be ready to frost.

Mix the cream cheese, butter and enough sugar to your liking. I go light on the icing sugar as I don’t want it too sweet. The cream cheese balances the sweetness of the cookie nicely.  Add enough peppermint extract also to your liking. I went heavy on it for Christmas treats.

Spread frosting between to similarly sized cookies and then cut the cookie in half. Dip the cut edge into sprinkles.  You may also want to colour your frosting for a more festive presentation.

These cookies passed the taste test of my 16(nearly 17) year old daughter. She would be brutally honest with me if they weren’t good.

These will freeze well for weeks. I leave them out for a day or so but not longer. Keep frozen or refrigerated until a few hours before you plan to serve. Freezing them will actually intensify the flavours.

A great recipe for little time and prep.

**I recommend Betty Crocker cake mixes as they seem to bake up the best. I’ve tried other brands and I’ve been quite disappointed. I have used this recipe for years with Devil’s Food Mix, plain cream cheese(with almond flavouring) or Butter Pecan mix. The possibilities are endless.

But I’ve Heard All that Before~I want to Hear YOUR Story

Last week I was at a women’s Christmas tea.  The ambiance was lovely~dim lighting, white Christmas trees, soft decor.  The tables were clustered and seating was arranged prior so that your host~the one who invited you~ was with you and all of her other invitees.

The theme of the evening was Peace.  Peace at a time of year when many don’t have it, can’t feel it, don’t understand it.

I don’t always feel comfortable in these settings. Yes, I grew up in an organized church. Yes, I’ve even organized functions like this. But sitting in this place, this year, after all that we’ve been through~~ I felt awkward.  And then the speaker for the evening got up to share.  This is the part I was waiting for. I love to hear peoples’ stories.  When someone has struggled and has overcome or is in the process of overcoming….these are the stories I want to hear. My soul longs for the connection between what I know and what I see.  As she began her talk, I leaned in.  And then, I was disappointed.  I had heard it all before.  The story of Mary , Joseph and the shepherds.  I thought perhaps she would move into 2012 and our desire for peace. I was waiting for the hook.  You know, the part where the whole story gets turned upside down and we can all relate.

But that never happened.  The story was read straight from scripture.

Let me interject here and say that I love the Christmas story. I love to hear how Mary was afraid and fled to Elizabeth’s house. I love that Joseph was wary and concerned. I love that these ARE real people and their story is supernaturally linked to mine.  But none of that was said.  Scriptures were read and then she was done.

This entire agenda for the evening~Peace~ was a huge let down.

Now, while you may be chastising and shaking your finger at me for not embracing what it was, I did. I enjoyed the evening for what it was but I was disappointed for what it could have been.

I don’t want to hear the retelling of an age-old story.  I want to hear how THAT STORY has changed YOU.  I want to hear your stories.  Because, at this time of year, more than any other, we all want that Peace. We want HOPE.  We want to know that everything we’re doing isn’t paying lip service to an historical event but rather a living, tangible Person who came in the form of a Baby to be with us in all things and through all things.

 

So, tell me your story. I want to hear from you and what this season is to you. I want to know how hard it is to be festive and jolly when life is hard and has hit you in the gut.  And I want to hear the stories of how God With Us is a resounding theme in your life, when the world is unraveling at the seams.

Christmas Home Tour {Part 1}

I love Christmas? Did you know? How could you possibly tell??

But this year I’m not counting down. I refuse to. Friends have countdown calendars. The kids are reminded daily in school of how many more days are left until Santa comes. Shoppers are told how many shopping days are left(which, incidentally, is now the same as the # of days till Christmas since we no longer have closed stores any day of the week). And all of it~ just makes me feel sad.  I’m sad that everyone is counting down and focused on THAT day and not enjoying THIS day.  There is so much to pack into this season.  It is a season.  And that’s why I wrote about the ones who hate Christmas.  All of this counting down is making us feel rushed and hurried and bothered and flustered.  So, I’m not counting down.  I have  no desire to care or know how many more days there are until the 25th of the month, because, well, there’s a 25th in every month and it takes roughly the same amount of time to get there as it did last month.

In the hopes of redeeming these days, I instead focus on making a new corner of my home more festive.  More cozy.  More like a place I want to be.  So, I’m going to take you on a tour.  I admit I am not done.  I never really get done.  Christmas decorations often get tweaked and moved and adjusted in my house.   I’m still working on a couple of key areas that never really had the proper attention given to them.

Today, I will show you a peek at our master bedroom. It’s been a neglected corner of our house since we moved in August. A dumping ground for random bathroom items that don’t fit in either upstairs bathroom, a mis-match of tacky 1960s  rattan wallpaper and my desire to make it soothing and peaceful.  So, this is what I did….

Bottle brush trees~which I love.

Aren’t they so festive?

Dayspring cloche (which is on sale right now for a steal!). Feels like a snow globe.

Vintage 3 tiered serving tray($3) and vintage ball ornaments

Chenille bedspread-thrifted.IKEA lighted wreath. Cozy.

Buddy loves my bed~ and he suits the decor so I think I’ll keep him!

I love looking around my house to find what can fit with what I’m trying to do. I’ve had this little wood sign for years and it just suits my theme here so well!

Reflection.

I’ve had this Coca-Cola poster for several years~it is an original. Found this IKEA poster frame we’ve had for a long time and it just suited perfectly.

 

Tomorrow I will post my living room ~I’m still working on it so I need the day to get it done!

In the mean time, I have a little contest going on  on my FB page.  Go check it out.  ”LIKING” my page gets you your name in the draw, sharing it on your page gets you another chance to win and finally, following me on Pinterest will get you a third chance to win!  Just a little seasonal fun and who doesn’t like getting something free?  Please share!

Spreading Christmas Cheer~ A Giveaway!

I used to watch Oprah’s favorite things shows. I got all excited and teary when people would win stuff they weren’t expecting. Just watching their expressions was enough to make me want to run out and buy some goodies for my friends and family.

Now Ellen has carried on the tradition with her 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways.  Listen people, I don’t have unlimited resources or wealth to draw from.  I don’t have diamond bracelets or iPads.  I can’t even muster an iPod to give away.

However, I am feeling particularly generous this year and I wanted to share it with you, my readers.  But, there’s a catch(don’t you just hate that?)

Here it is:  I want you to go to my Facebook page and  ”Like”  it.  Well, don’t just LIKE it….can you actually press the little “Like”  button? I want to set a tone for the new year with new posts, new ideas, new conversations and it all kind of happens there.  I just want everyone to be a part of it.  So, here’s the deal:Go to the link for THIS post on my FB page,share it on your page and then come back to my page and comment “shared” in the comments section.  For everyone who “shares” my link , you will get your name into a draw for something homemade by me!!  Just in time for Christmas gift-giving.  (sorry, this will only be available to those in North America).

And then ….here’s the good part: if you’re on Pinterest, follow me and I’ll follow you back.  Send me the link to your Pinterest page in the comment sections as well. This second comment will also get your name in the draw!  So there you go: 2 chances to win!

For all of my new followers wondering what this is all about~it’s just me, a little prairie girl, sharing thoughts on home, faith and family. If you’re wondering where to start…..a timely, good place would be my series on Redeeming Christmas. Lots of good ideas for simplifying and taking back Christmas from the chaos that it has become. There’s 31 posts in this series so no shortage of thoughts and ponderings.  Check it out here.

A bunting, a wreath and 12 fabric ornaments. Split it up and give as gifts or adorn your own little world with vintage loveliness. Perfect for that shabby vintage look, a girl’s room, a nursery or kitchen. Possibilities are endless!

Oh and one more thing….there’s a time limit here. Only comments posted by 11 pm(central time) Friday evening will count. That gives you 36 hours! Like,share, comment! Off you go! I can’t wait to see whose name will be drawn! I wish everyone could win~but, well, it wouldn’t be a contest then.

 

 

Debt-Proof Your Christmas {Book Review} by Mary Hunt

This book is a golden-nugget in a sea of monochromatic stones.  There are literally thousands of books on debt-proof living and how to manage finances when money is tight. I’ve read a lot of them and truthfully, there’s a lot of redundancy.

In this book, Debt-Proof Your Christmas, Mary Hunt goes to the heart of the matter.  Because let’s face it, most of us give at Christmas because of societal pressure and guilt.  We do. Admit it. I love Mary’s soft heart. She’s been there. She feels it and she totally lays out the honest “talking to” and makes you sigh with relief.

This is not a 10 step program or list on how to get out of debt or how to spend your money for Christmas.  This is a book about attitude and changing our perceptions of why we spend the way we do.

Page 27:  “No one can force me to spend money I do not have in order to pay for Christmas.  No one.  If I feel pressure to do that and then cave in, it is my fault. I am the one who did the forcing. “‘ …..did you just have an ah-ha moment like I did?  Wow.

What I particularly love about this book is all of the practical advice and tips Mary shares.  She gets right into the trenches with her readers and walks us through giving at Christmas with heart-felt affection , making the gifts meaningful, without spending a lot.  Take for example gift baskets; yep, she actually walks you through putting one together for a neighbour or friend!

Page 49: ” A note of caution for you:  Come Christmas, as you are putting your baskets together, a little voice may start whispering in your ear. It will suggest your gifts aren’t good enough, you need to go buy some real gifts, and your biscuits and jam them is silly. You know it’s going to happen, so plan on it. Then determine that you will not listen, choosing rather to trust yourself and to believe in your plan.”

Or what about the guilt associated with giving at all? We’ve all been there; giving when we really didn’t want to.

Page 61: “Gifts are messengers. They are tokens of the esteem we hold for people we care about. They deliver our love and our best wishes. Gifts express fondness we have for another person. Without the care, love or concern, the gift is empty. Giving a gift just so you can mark a name off a list is a hollow effort that is likely to fall flat no matter how much money you spend. “‘   Wow. I just love everything about that!

Later in the book Mary shares list of gifts to give to teenagers ,adults, kids and whomever you may have on your list. She shares recipes! Yes, really! This is not your average financial advice how-to book.  This is practical and right on target for the Christmas season.

The primary focus of this book is targeting those who may have or still do use credit for getting through the Christmas season. If you are struggling with this or have struggled in the past, by the end of this book you will never go back to paying for gifts, travel, food with credit again. Mary’s use of her own family’s struggles and anecdotes makes this a personal journey and so you know that you are getting advice from someone who’s been there.  I only wish I would have had this book many years ago.

Full of ideas. Full of testimonies. Full of hope for having a debt-free holiday.  A great book!

“Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group”.

C is For Christmas {Book Review}~D. & W. Wiersbe

I haven’t done any book reviews for quite some time.  November is busy transitioning from fall to winter; from busy to busier!

So, when I had the chance to read and review TWO Christmas-themed books I jumped at it. I love Christmas and my 31 Days to Redeeming Christmas series in October has opened my eyes and my heart to the desires of so many of you out there to do Christmas differently than you have in the past.

That’s where this book comes in.  C is for Christmas is an A to Z guide to find the real meaning of Christmas,which could sound fairly daunting.  But it’s not. This is a paperback book, not any bigger than most books you are already reading, but it is broken down simply and efficiently to allow for maximum knowledge in minimum time spent reading.

Back of the Book synopsis:  David and Warren Wiersbe cut through the fancy wrapping paper and pretty bows to give the background of the events surrounding Jesus’ birth.  They also explain the reasons for our various Christmas symbols and beliefs. From angels and Bethlehem to yuletide and Zechariah, the authors shed light on a wide variety of Christmas-related topics.

And by “wide variety” , they’re quite literal.  Just look at some of these topics: Advent, Epiphany, Gifts, Rush, Tidings, “Unto Us” and Xmas.    What I love is that each topic is no more than a page or two long allowing this book to be a great companion to your December Advent devotionals, sermon prep, Bible Study or even just interesting coffee table reading. You certainly don’t have to start at the beginning;  you can open up to any topic and find out something you may have never known or be challenged to think of Christmas in a new and exciting way.

One of my favourite topics is the one on gifts.   This is what they write: ” When we give gifts to others at Christmas, we are imitating God. Of course those who don’t know God do it unconsciously.  God’s giving was intentional…….A good starting point is why we give. What are our motives? Giving should be a joy, not a burden. When we give because it’s tradition or because it’s required, it can get to be a seasonal expense that we resent……..(The wise men)’s gifts were appropriate for a king, and they gave according to their means(going into debt to give Christmas gifts is not good stewardship).  Their gifts were planned long before they found the Child.  ….When we actually present the gift, we should do so thoughtfully, deciding ahead of time what we will say to the person as we place the gift in his or her hands.”

The section on the wise men is enlightening. Why have we always thought there were only three? That’s not in the Bible. Debunking some of our perceptions about the Nativity story is a great place to begin to make Christmas real again. It’s a real story with real characters set in a real place.  Like Bethlehem.  Have you ever stopped to consider the significance of Bethlehem throughout history before Jesus was born there? It’s fascinating and you begin to see this story over centuries rather than in the light of one silent night.

If you love Christmas as I do, if you are looking for some deeper food for thought this Christmas season, if you don’t know why we use Yule Logs or what role Elizabeth plays in the story, if you’re seeking and wondering….this book is for you.  And if you’re a young person or have children or teens in your home, you’ll be pleased to know that this book is something for everyone.  It’s a great tool and a great literary addition to your Christmas library.  Go out and get one today!

“Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Baker Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group”.

It’s Complicated{Day 31 of 31 Days to Redeeming Christmas}

You see that little status that notifies you of  a relationship change on Facebook.  ”It’s complicated”. Immediately you think that clearly things are not okay.  Someone is thinking of leaving? Someone wants to leave? The status of a relationship is big,big news on social media.  Friends ask if you are okay.  Family treads softly around your tender heart. But everyone is confused.  What does it really mean?

It’s complicated.

This is how my relationship with Jesus is.  Don’t get me wrong. I love Him with all my heart.  I’ve known Him my whole life. I’ve never once doubted that He is who He says He is.  I’ve never doubted His promises.  But, well, sometimes we’re just roommates.  Sometimes we don’t talk much and I feel like He doesn’t really understand me. Other times we laugh and talk for hours.  I tell Him everything and He responds in every way.  But, it’s complicated.  It’s hard. Sometimes it’s just hard to know where I stand.  And my faith is a bit fuzzy.  I fuss about things that are so insignificant.  I whine, complain, lament and page through the sorry-Psalms(as I like to call them).  The wailing of David in all of his torment seems fitting often.  I’m sure Jesus feels the complexity of my inconsistencies too.

Christmas is like that for me.

These past 31 days have been really eye-opening for me to understand what I want out of Christmas.  What do I really need to get out of this relationship? Do I want to walk away? No.  I love Christmas. I adore the candles and the carols. I crave the shortbread and the singing.  I find peace in the snowfalls and the Shepherds abiding.

Abiding.

Maybe that’s where I am.  Abiding in this new found relationship that Christmas isn’t what it used to be. Not what I thought it should be and perhaps, I’m just finding a shepherd kind of peace in where we are at.

Christmas is complicated. There’s no doubt about that.

But my desire for Christmas is not.

What I wish for a redeemed Christmas is this:

• simpler gifts
• longer evenings spent by the fire
• meandering phone calls and letters from friends
• small gifts for precious folks
• late night walks on lit up streets
• sugar cookies and milk for me and the mister and maybe the kids too.
• smiles on neighbour’s faces
• hugs from loved ones
• joy on faces
• no shopping stresses
• no built up expectations
• Jesus

I won’t be doing everything on all those posts from this series.  I will do some.  The point isn’t to do it all. The point is to  take back; renovate; redeem all of the Christmases we’ve spent worrying and hurrying.  We redeem them when we listen to the still small voice.

1 Kings 19:

The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.”Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. ¹² After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.

In the still,small voice of a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes we find peace, rest and hope.

This is what a redeemed Christmas looks and feels like.

Now go and tell the whole world.

***At the top of this page you will see the link to 31 Days to Redeeming Christmas. In there you will find my “manifesto” of sorts for what Christmas means to me as well as links to all 31 posts in this series. Happy reading and Merry Christmas! ****

Redeeming Advent{Day 30}

We’ve spent the last 30 days dissecting some of the things we do to welcome Christmas.  Many of our traditions aren’t very Christ-like.  I’ve come to accept a lot of it as cultural, seasonal and related to our surroundings.   But there’s one thing I’m kind of hoping we can all agree on.  Advent.

Wikipedia says this:

Advent, anglicized from the Latin word adventus meaning “coming“, is a season observed in many Western Christian churches, a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas. It is the beginning of the Western liturgical year and commences onAdvent Sunday, called Levavi. The Eastern churches’ equivalent of Advent is called the Nativity Fast, but it differs both in length and observances and does not begin the church year, which starts instead on September 1.^[1]

The progression of the season may be marked with an Advent calendar, a practice introduced by German Lutherans. At least in the Roman Catholic,Anglican, Lutheran, Moravian, Presbyterian and Methodist calendars, Advent starts on the fourth Sunday before December 25, the Sunday fromNovember 27 to December 3 inclusive.

Latin adventus is the translation of the Greek word parousia, commonly used in reference to the Second Coming of Christ. For Christians, the season of Advent serves as a reminder both of the original waiting that was done by the Hebrews for the birth of their Messiah as well as the waiting of Christians for Christ’s return from Heaven where he now sits at the Right Hand of God.

Advent is , at its very core, the most spiritual of all our Christmas celebrations.  I did not grow up in a particularly liturgical church but for December, there were always the Advent candles lit and a devotional to prepare our hearts.  My mom had a little Angel Advent candle  display and it was extremely peaceful and comforting to watch the angels with their trumpets spinning around * announcing the birth of Christ*.  

Sadly, for many, Advent is a chocolate calendar.  We’ve all bought them. I am guilty.  What a horrible way to downplay something so special. If I could redeem any one thing this Christmas, it would be to redeem Advent. There are so many wonderful resources online.  Here are just a few:

1. Caleb Voskamp, son of Ann Voskamp of 1000 Gifts fame, has hand carved Advent Wreaths. They are simple and beautiful. You can buy one here. You can also go to this blog post of Ann’s where she gives some ideas for Advent.

2.  If you are on Twitter, follow @OccupyAdvent for powerful quotes, songs and images to incorporate into your Advent tradition. I really loved this last year. Some very thought provoking and beautiful comments are shared.

3.For families with little ones  truthintinsel.com  has some great ideas, an e-book and printable ornaments to lead you through the season.

4. Read a book that engages you during the month of December and takes you back to the coming of the Lord Jesus as a baby. I’ve heard such good things about this book by John Blase~I am ordering it!

 I’ve also heard really good things about Advent Conspiracy too.  It’s on my list as well!

5. And finally, I just LOVE the Nativity movie. I find it to be so well done, culturally and historically accurate and with just enough creative license to make for a great re-telling of a beautiful story. It is totally worth watching each and every year.

If you buy chocolate countdown calendars for your kids…..they are just that. Countdown Calendars.

Advent is so much more. So much deeper.

I, for one, am going to stay away from these:

Pic borrowed from my Twitter friend Michele Rajput @dsmyxe

The Secret Giver~Adopt a Family {Day 29}

Matthew 6:

1 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

² “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. ³ But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, ⁴ so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

This is one of my favourite passages. I love everything about it. I love that it is Jesus’ words and I love that it comes just before He teaches us how to pray(the Lord’s prayer).   What I love most is the concept that giving, especially to the needy, is to be done in such a way that we draw absolutely zero attention to ourselves. NONE. It is a secret.  It is THE best secret.  When you give to those in need , you do so to bring glory to God, not glory to yourselves. 

About 12 years ago we had made plans to go home to our parents’ for Christmas.  We had 4 little kids and my husband worked very hard to provide but that was a year of particular financial hardship for us. Our 4th baby had come and life was chaotic, hectic and expensive with 2 in diapers.   Our van’s transmission completely died about 3 weeks before Christmas.  The cost to fix it was going to be around $1400 and a few extras on top of that. We were shell-shocked. We only lived pay-cheque to pay-cheque and there really wasn’t extra money for any surprises. The money we were going to use to drive to Saskatchewan was immediately put into the repair of our only vehicle. Obviously, there would be no trip.  And even beyond that there would be no money for gifts or turkey dinner. All of our bill payments had to be held off until the 2nd pay cheque in the month meaning that we were behind and the only way to get caught up was to pay them all at once leaving nothing for extras.

I cried.

Not because our kids weren’t going to have gifts but because our plans, hopes and dreams of being with family was gone in an instant. I cried because the burden of not having enough was unbearably heavy that year. I cried because I felt alone.

And then came the secret givers.

First there was one family who asked if they could provide some gifts for our kids. It was so sweet how their kids wrapped items for our kids.  And then someone else helped with some groceries and food.

And then came Christmas Eve. We had long come to recognize our church’s generosity, especially at Christmas to families in need. We knew that on Christmas Eve there would be sacks of toys and hampers of food for the neediest in the community.  What we didn’t know was that at then end of the night, when all the other sacks were taken away….there were two large ones left. For us. Shocked, humbled, a crying blubbering mess I was. I felt guilty. Surely there were others that had more need than we did. But the Lord spoke into my life and gently reminded me that this is how He shows His love. He sees our needs and He fills them. He sees our desires and He longs to give them to us.

We went home and the kids were so excited. Some of the nicest toys and books were wrapped for each of them. Beautiful toys and even some treats: a gingerbread cake/cookie pan, mix, decorations, turkey and the fixings…so many things…it was like an over abundance…MORE THAN WE WOULD HAVE EVER, EVER BOUGHT FOR OURSELVES.

It was one of the nicest Christmases ever. Just knowing that people cared. Feeling like someone took the time to think of us and consider our kids’ ages and likes~ it was really special.

We don’t know who the givers were(the church let people adopt a family as opposed to the church paying for the items).  We had a couple of ideas but we never found out. No one seemed to know…or at least they weren’t saying.  And you know, I just love that.  I love not knowing because all I do know is that Jesus loves us.  All I know is that someone took up being the hands and feet of Jesus. I couldn’t say thank you to a person, I had to thank Jesus.  I couldn’t put a face to the gifts…only Jesus.

You see, that is the beauty of the secret gift.  That is the  challenge before us at Christmas~ we like or dislike things based on who gave them to us. It is natural to judge: “oh, clearly they don’t know us very well”  or  feeling guilt or an obligation to repay to whomever it was.

This is why I love adopting a family every Christmas.  I love to buy special things, wrap them and bless them in Jesus’ name.  I love to take the meager list that the agency gives (usually very small and modest) and double , triple or quadruple ….every little item that a family could use at Christmas: At least one large and one small gift for each member, stockings filled with personal items, Festive napkins, decorations, treats, chocolates, Christmasy towels, games, puzzles, coffee, tea and more…..

I never know who receives it or how it is received. It doesn’t matter.  I just love going all out and not hearing a peep about it afterwards.  Because that’s the Jesus way of giving.

I challenge everyone to adopt a family this Christmas. If you do nothing else, this will be the single most important, significant thing you do.

 Contact your local agencies for more information;

Salvation Army

MCC

Local Child and Family Services

The Sights. The Sounds. The Smells ….of Christmas{Day28}

I don’t think there’s any question that Christmas~the word~means different things to different people. In this series to Redeeming Christmas, I have been trying to get us to focus on the simple message of Christ, His birth, His sacrifice, His gift.  Redeeming Christmas is all about taking the things we love about Christmas and doing them better, different and in such a way that we point others to the person of Jesus Christ.

As a mom, there is no better way to show Christ to my children than modeling Him in all that I do and say. And for my little kids, I used the tangible; the everyday, the ordinary things that others may take for granted and make my children think about Jesus.

Some of these things may seem elementary. Others may seem silly to “spiritualize” inanimate objects.  But I have found, now that my kids are older, they still remember these stories and themes.  That is really the point.  When people come into your home, do they SEE the theme of Redeeming Love? Do they see Jesus? Do they see your faith in action? Do they see that you are not ashamed of the gospel? You would be surprised at what people will remember and how the simplest effort can make a lasting impact.  Here are some for you to consider:

• Red is a colour we associate with Christmas. It is a colour of passion and love. There is no greater love and no more intense passion than that of Christ laying down his life, shedding His BLOOD for the redemption of mankind. Make sure your kids know this.
• Green ~our evergreen trees….they are EVERgreen to remind us of EVERLASTING life.
• Gold~one of the 3 gifts brought to Jesus from the Magi. It is rare and valuable….just as we are to God. It also reminds us that the rare and special gifts are the best.
• Candy Canes~ red and white in the shape of a Shepherd’s hook.  They remind us that Jesus is the Good Shepherd who would give up His life for just one of His sheep.  Red and white to show that His blood has washed us white as snow. Also, upside down it is the letter “J” for Jesus! 
• Nativity Scenes~ one of my most treasured seasonal decorations is our cardboard nativity set that we have used for the past 20 Christmases. It is a reminder of the simple way in which Jesus became a man to show us the way to eternal life

• Angels~ Heavenly messengers bringing us the Good News of Jesus’ birth
• Stars~Probably one of my favourite decorations because it means HOPE and FAITH.  The Wise Men followed the star…not really knowing where it would lead, but they were confident of the Hope of what it offered. It took them a lot of faith to follow something they didn’t understand and couldn’t see.

Cinnamon and Nutmeg~ the spices that we use during this season are a great way to remind us of Frankensense and Myrrh which the Wise Men also gave to Jesus. Special and symbolic…the spices were used in the burial of Jesus after His death.

• Carols~ It always warms my heart to hear  ”O Come Let us Adore Him, Christ the Lord” , ” Joy to the World, the Lord is Come”  and “O Holy Night~ When Christ Was Born”‘  playing in malls, stores and other venues of a month every year. Play them long, play them loud, play them for all to hear.  They have a message and the message is good news!

 

• Decorations~ use the names of Jesus creatively in your decor. Use words on your doors, your houses, your walls, your tree, your gifts, your cards, your letters……WORDS are powerful.  Holy, Glory, Jesus, Christ, Redeemer, Faith, Hope, Love.

There are many more. You just have to use some creativity…and Google. You will find that it is very easy to tell and share the story of Christ at Christmas. Your children, your neighbours, your family and friends will hear it, receive it and they will be blessed.