Spreading Christmas Cheer

 

I read a cute little story the other day about some teenage lads who were standing on the corner opposite a church one Sunday evening in December.

One was overheard saying . . . "I don' t know who this Carol Service is, but she certainly packs them in!"

One of the things I love most about Christmas is the Christmas Carols. I can remember when I was growing up the newspaper used to print a Christmas Carol Book every year that had all the words and music to all the carols as a special insert.

There is something about a Christmas Carol that speaks to the heart in most of us. I have my favourites of course, but it would be very hard for me to pick just one as they all touch my heart in different ways.

 

 Starting today all of the hymns we sing throughout the month of December will be much beloved Christmas Carols, with the exception of the Sacrament hymn. Years ago, when I had first moved over here to Chestet, our church as a Ward used to go to the old people's home right across the road from where Todd and I were living, and where I worked, in the week before Christmas to sing carols to the residents there. My goodness how they loved it!! We would bring our hymn books from church and the pianist. The care workers would make sure that the piano was in the dining room that night and of course all the residents would be wheeled in. We'd sing with, and for them for about an hour and then afterwards we'd share mince pies, cups of tea and most importantly conversations with them all. It was a wonderful evening. I don't think there was a one of us that didn't enjoy participating in it. 

On another evening before Christmas the Relief Society did much the same at another old people's home. We'd sing them carols and then present them each with a small gift that we had made on a Relief Society evening in the weeks running up to the holidays. More important than the small gift or the singing was the time we spent afterwards fellowshipping with them all. It was always a wonderful evening. 

I think our Ward now sings Carols at Molde every year in the run up to Christmas as well as setting up a gift wrapping booth where we wrap gifts free of charge.  We have never gone to that as Todd doesn't like driving at night and it is a fair distance from where we live in the dark, especially when you are not sure of where you are going. 

 

 One year we took our Children's Sunday school class to a Residential care home to visit the residents and sing for them. We sang carols and did a little presentation for the residents and then presented them with a huge card that we had made as a class. The residents really enjoyed seeing the children and spending time with them, and the children learned an important lesson about serving others and Christmas love.  That was when Audrey Lee was our Sunday school president (Primary President), and I was one of her assistants. We will all miss her dearly this Christmas . . . 

One year a group of us just decided on our own to go and visit some of the shut in members of our Church Ward/Congregation and sing them a carol and deliver them a card one evening. Oh what fun we had doing that! We went in a group of cars and visited some half a dozen or so people that night. The best part was seeing the look of joy on the faces of the people we visited and of course being together and the love that was shared.  

When we lived down South, one night we took the Young Men and the Young Women of our church Ward on a service evening. We were delivering the Gingerbread Houses the young women had made the week before to each of the Auxiliary heads in our Ward that have young children in their home. We also sang a carol to them as we presented our gift of thanks for all that they do for our congregation throughout the year. Oh what fun we had!!! We laughed so much! Of course we got lost several times during the evening!!! The boys were in one car with their leader, and we girls in another. We were linking with each other via cell phones, and I have to say, the lack of direction coming from the boys to us was hilarious! They were totally rubbish at giving directions full stop!! In cars smelling of gingerbread and candy, and ringing with Christmas Cheer, getting lost was no hardship though. It added to the wonderful feelings that were present. More important than that, was the lesson we taught the youth in doing service to others with a cheerful heart. 

 

 

 Christmas Carols . . . simple songs with a simple message that speaks to the heart of all mankind. They herald in the beginning of the greatest love story ever told. God loves us. He sent His Son, so that we might find the way to return to Him and live once more in His presence. I am ever grateful . . . 

 

Well, I finished my comission yesterday of the grandchildren.  I can show you because the woman it is going to will never be on here to see it.  This was the most characters I had ever done in one painting and it was challenging to do, but I think it turned out pretty good and I managed to get the character of each child into it. Whew!  The gentleman I was doing it for is very happy with it as well.  Always a bonus!

And with that I will leave you with a thought for the day! 

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★
 *.˛.°The best way to spread Christmas Cheer,

is singing loud for all to hear.

~Buddy the Elf   •。★★ 。* 。 

Spiritual Enlightenment   

  

BOOK OF MORMON CORNER - Today's Reading - 2 Nephi 5:26-6:7

Question -What have you learnt from the reading today? How can you live after the manner of happiness?   

 

My thoughts -The manner of happiness for me is a peaceful, content feeling which brings me joy. Some times I have it and some times I don't feel it. For me it depends a lot on if I am looking to the Lord or if I have turned into myself. When I start the day praying and reading the scriptures I definitely feel more peaceful, regardless of what goes on that day. Also I am a thinker, and my thoughts can get quite busy.  Recently in Relief Society we watched a talk that counseled us about changing thoughts or worries into prayers, so it means that we are praying always in our hearts. I am pretty sure the manner of happiness comes when my will is aligned with my Heavenly Father's will, and I am doing what He would have me do. 

 

 In verse 4, Jacob says something that really jumped out at me. 'I speak unto you for your sakes, that ye may learn and glorify the name of your God'. It made me think . . . is this my purpose when I speak to others?? Are my words helping others to learn and know their God better and personally? Am I in tune with the spirit? Is charity at the centre of my words and teachings? Or is it better to step back and  stay quiet right now? Good questions to ask myself!

 
Our words are powerful. Elder Holland said 'Like all gifts “which cometh from above,” words are “sacred, and must be spoken with care, and by constraint of the Spirit.” Our words, like our deeds, should be filled with faith and hope and charity.'

 

Tomorrow's Reading (Day 45) - 2 Nephi 6:8-7:11 

Question - What have you learnt from the reading today? How do the people of the Lord wait for Him? 

 

In The English Kitchen today, for gifting or indulging . . .  Foolproof Chocolate Fudge.  I did it into a wreath shape and I show you how.  This is the simplest fudge to make ever invented and it is truly NO fail!

Enjoy your Sunday, this first one of the last month of the year. (How did that happen!)  Don't forget along the length of your day . . . 

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and I do too!