15 Days Until Christmas
"If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete."
JOHN 15:10-11
Christmas is a season of joy--joy to the world! Joy that comes from knowing the love of Christ and the hope that brings to each of us. Even in difficult times we remain in His love and experience the joy of knowing Him. Focusing on others is a way that your family can experience the joy of giving. True joy is found when we look outside of ourselves and focus on Christ and those around us.
Prayer:
Dear God, thank You for bringing us true joy. Help us to obey all of Your commands. Give us the desire to know You more.
Amen.
Family Activity:
Go caroling! Join a group from your church or a local group, or gather a group of your friends and head out on your own. Sing in your neighborhood or go to some homes of elderly people and take them fruit baskets or handmade Christmas greetings. You don't need to have a voice like an angel to bring a smile to someone's face through song.
Stress-free tip:
Set up a wrapping table with scissors, tape, pens, markers, bows, and gift tags. Let the little ones help with the gifts they can wrap. You could also let the kids make their own wrapping paper. Stop your local newspaper office and ask for end rolls of blank newsprint, or buy a large roll of plain white paper. Set out red and green crayons, markers, and paint, and let the children get to work.
Recipe:
Peter's Treats
Ingredients
1 cup butter, softened(do not substitue)
1 cup powdered sugar
Dash salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/4 cups flour
1 cup quick oats
Chocolate star candies
Directions
Cream together butter, sugar, and vanilla. Stir in flour, oats, and salt. Shape dough into TWO rolls. Wrap and seal in wax paper. Chill at least 2 hours. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut douch into 1/4-inch slices and place on ungreases cookie sheets. Top each with a chocolate star. Bake for 10-12 minutes.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, Enjoy.
Hey Jessica! Of course I liked this one! LOL! The interesting thing about the verse, is that it is in an "if/then" format. "If" you obey my commands..."Then" you will remain in me...tell you so your joy will be full. Sometimes I get on this kick where I want to do things my way and can't understand why the joys not there! Got to do the "If" if you want the "then" :) Cool post.
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