Remembering Our Nation's Heroes at Christmas
.jpg)
MOTIVATION:
At Christmas, it is most appropriate to thank God for our ultimate Deliverer, our Lord Jesus Christ, and for all those who have served to preserve our freedom to observe Christmas in peace. Think of it: We celebrate Christmas in America openly and freely thanks to our veterans and current servicemen and women. Moreover, this also applies to every nation delivered from evil regimes through the service of U.S. military heroes. Profound!
INVITATION:
Join us as we reach out to military heroes now. This edition is filled with many ideas and ways to reach out. But we're especially excited to partner with Project Pillows by One Touch Awakening. This outreach provides a comforting FREE pillow to our nation's heroes. (Yes, it is free because of generous supporters of Project Pillows.)
All you have to do is ask. Know a military member past or present? Just send your brave loved one's name and address to us at info@unitetheusa.org and we will connect with Project Pillows who will send them a pillow. Please spread the word!
Yes, we know 2024 has included a lot of challenges for a lot of people. Yet let's focus on spreading the blessings as we close out the year. Consider this:
Challenges only point to the fact that this world needs a Savior. And His Name is Jesus Christ. Yes, the heart of Christmas resides in the heart of Jesus. He loves us! His victory remains secure. He came to redeem us from our sins. He came so that we may receive the gift of salvation. Jesus' tremendous love and sacrifice for us prompts our complete devotion and praise. Jesus' birth changed the world. He came, and He's coming again to make all things right! Now, that is a lot to celebrate!
Merry Christmas and God bless you, Carrie and Stacie
At Christmas, it is most appropriate to thank God for our ultimate Deliverer, our Lord Jesus Christ, and for all those who have served to preserve our freedom to observe Christmas in peace. Think of it: We celebrate Christmas in America openly and freely thanks to our veterans and current servicemen and women. Moreover, this also applies to every nation delivered from evil regimes through the service of U.S. military heroes. Profound!
INVITATION:
Join us as we reach out to military heroes now. This edition is filled with many ideas and ways to reach out. But we're especially excited to partner with Project Pillows by One Touch Awakening. This outreach provides a comforting FREE pillow to our nation's heroes. (Yes, it is free because of generous supporters of Project Pillows.)
All you have to do is ask. Know a military member past or present? Just send your brave loved one's name and address to us at info@unitetheusa.org and we will connect with Project Pillows who will send them a pillow. Please spread the word!
Yes, we know 2024 has included a lot of challenges for a lot of people. Yet let's focus on spreading the blessings as we close out the year. Consider this:
Challenges only point to the fact that this world needs a Savior. And His Name is Jesus Christ. Yes, the heart of Christmas resides in the heart of Jesus. He loves us! His victory remains secure. He came to redeem us from our sins. He came so that we may receive the gift of salvation. Jesus' tremendous love and sacrifice for us prompts our complete devotion and praise. Jesus' birth changed the world. He came, and He's coming again to make all things right! Now, that is a lot to celebrate!
Merry Christmas and God bless you, Carrie and Stacie
How to Bring Christmas to Our Military
At Christmas, we must help bring back the true meaning to our troops, veterans, and their families. Many families will not have loved ones -either because of serving abroad or the ultimate sacrifice of a loved one dying for our country.
So, let's all do our part for veterans, troops, and military families to feel loved this Christmas.
1. Contact nursing homes and ask for a way to send a bouquet, a box of gifts, or have Christmas bedside table arrangements delivered in honor of all veterans or military widows/widowers in the home. Ask if there would be a way to send cards to all or even just one of them. Or just send an e-mail. If you have kids, include pictures of drawings by your kids to veterans or their widows/widowers. 2. Order a meal for a military family. Military families sacrifice so much, too. If you know a family whose husband, wife, son, daughter, mom, or dad can't come home for Christmas, reach out to them. Do something to acknowledge them and offer your thanks and prayers. 3. Order pillows for servicemen and women. Our servicemen and women do without many comforts so that we can live in freedom and peace. For example, did you that when troops are deployed they don't have a pillow to rest on? You can change that through Project Pillows. Click here to learn how you can help. It's easy and so helpful. 4. Send something to someone currently serving. Send old-fashioned Christmas cards that could add a splash of Christmas color to military quarters. Or, send acceptable Christmas decorations. Write e-mails and attach files that include photos to print off and use for décor. If anything, it will be a day brightener for the recipient. 5. Offer to help schedule a video call to bring a friendly face from back home into his/her life at Christmas. Not all military families have the technology to video call with their loved ones in the military. Loan your smartphone or laptop for a specified time so they can video call with their loved one over Christmas. Now that would be an incredible gift! 6. Keep a gift card in your purse or wallet. That way you are ready to encourage a veteran on a moment's notice. 7. Keep your eyes open. If you see a need, put some thought into what you can do to help. It's amazing how a small gesture of thoughtfulness can mean so much. Together we can make a difference. We urge you to do something this Christmas season to support and pray for our heroes and their families. America, now is the time to unite and stand with our military. We need them...but they also need us.
So, let's all do our part for veterans, troops, and military families to feel loved this Christmas.
1. Contact nursing homes and ask for a way to send a bouquet, a box of gifts, or have Christmas bedside table arrangements delivered in honor of all veterans or military widows/widowers in the home. Ask if there would be a way to send cards to all or even just one of them. Or just send an e-mail. If you have kids, include pictures of drawings by your kids to veterans or their widows/widowers. 2. Order a meal for a military family. Military families sacrifice so much, too. If you know a family whose husband, wife, son, daughter, mom, or dad can't come home for Christmas, reach out to them. Do something to acknowledge them and offer your thanks and prayers. 3. Order pillows for servicemen and women. Our servicemen and women do without many comforts so that we can live in freedom and peace. For example, did you that when troops are deployed they don't have a pillow to rest on? You can change that through Project Pillows. Click here to learn how you can help. It's easy and so helpful. 4. Send something to someone currently serving. Send old-fashioned Christmas cards that could add a splash of Christmas color to military quarters. Or, send acceptable Christmas decorations. Write e-mails and attach files that include photos to print off and use for décor. If anything, it will be a day brightener for the recipient. 5. Offer to help schedule a video call to bring a friendly face from back home into his/her life at Christmas. Not all military families have the technology to video call with their loved ones in the military. Loan your smartphone or laptop for a specified time so they can video call with their loved one over Christmas. Now that would be an incredible gift! 6. Keep a gift card in your purse or wallet. That way you are ready to encourage a veteran on a moment's notice. 7. Keep your eyes open. If you see a need, put some thought into what you can do to help. It's amazing how a small gesture of thoughtfulness can mean so much. Together we can make a difference. We urge you to do something this Christmas season to support and pray for our heroes and their families. America, now is the time to unite and stand with our military. We need them...but they also need us.
About the Author
Founder and host of Turning Point for God and senior pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church, David Paul Jeremiah, was born February 13, 1941, in Toledo, Ohio. He is one of four children born to James and Ruby Jeremiah. During his childhood, his family moved to Dayton, Ohio, where his father, James T. Jeremiah, served as Pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church. In 1953, the Jeremiah family moved to Cedarville, Ohio, when his father became the President of Cedarville College—which is now Cedarville University. Growing up in a pastor’s home, David was immersed in ministry from an early age. During his senior year at Cedarville College, he felt God’s calling to enter full-time ministry. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1963, and that same year he married his college sweetheart, Donna Thompson. After graduation, they moved to Dallas, Texas, where David attended Dallas Theological Seminary. He received his Master’s degree in Theology in 1967. Completing additional graduate work at Grace Seminary, he was granted the Doctor of Divinity degree from Cedarville College in 1981.
In 1969, David and Donna began a church plant in Fort Wayne, Indiana, with seven families in attendance. He served as pastor at Blackhawk Baptist Church for twelve years. During that time the church grew to 1,300 members, Blackhawk Christian School was founded, and The Bible Hour television program was launched.
In 1981, the Jeremiah family, which now included four children, followed God’s call and moved to California when Dr. Jeremiah became the senior pastor of Scott Memorial Baptist Church, which is now Shadow Mountain Community Church. Today Shadow Mountain Community Church is one of the largest churches in San Diego county with eight satellite locations including Hispanic and Arabic congregations. The main campus of the church, located in El Cajon, California, is also the home to Southern California Seminary and Christian Unified Schools, a multiple site kindergarten through twelfth-grade Christian school district.
In 1969, David and Donna began a church plant in Fort Wayne, Indiana, with seven families in attendance. He served as pastor at Blackhawk Baptist Church for twelve years. During that time the church grew to 1,300 members, Blackhawk Christian School was founded, and The Bible Hour television program was launched.
In 1981, the Jeremiah family, which now included four children, followed God’s call and moved to California when Dr. Jeremiah became the senior pastor of Scott Memorial Baptist Church, which is now Shadow Mountain Community Church. Today Shadow Mountain Community Church is one of the largest churches in San Diego county with eight satellite locations including Hispanic and Arabic congregations. The main campus of the church, located in El Cajon, California, is also the home to Southern California Seminary and Christian Unified Schools, a multiple site kindergarten through twelfth-grade Christian school district.
Sending Pillows to Our Nation's Heroes
We are partnering with Project Pillows of One Touch Awakening! After the horrific living nightmares experienced by heroes, we feel strongly about reaching out in a way that helps them have reminders of our prayers when they sleep:
Project Pillows of One Touch Awakening will send a pillow to a hero. It is a beautiful way to remind our heroes that we're praying for them and that America has not forgotten them. Consider the touching words of Becky, a volunteer at Project Pillows:
“Every pillow I put into a box to mail, I sent a hug with it. The whole time I was working on these, I kept thinking we are packing these boxes and the next person who opens them will be a soldier who is fighting for our freedom.”
Send your loved one's name and address to us at info@unitetheusa.org and we will connect with Project Pillows who will send them a FREE pillow. Please spread the word.
Project Pillows of One Touch Awakening will send a pillow to a hero. It is a beautiful way to remind our heroes that we're praying for them and that America has not forgotten them. Consider the touching words of Becky, a volunteer at Project Pillows:
“Every pillow I put into a box to mail, I sent a hug with it. The whole time I was working on these, I kept thinking we are packing these boxes and the next person who opens them will be a soldier who is fighting for our freedom.”
Send your loved one's name and address to us at info@unitetheusa.org and we will connect with Project Pillows who will send them a FREE pillow. Please spread the word.
Featured Bible Verse
.jpg)
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6
Featured Quote
Unite the USA's
Featured Veteran of the Month: Alfred Rascon
Vietnam War Medal of Honor Recipient Alfred Rascon
How to Know Jesus
Question: How do Stacie and Carrie know they'll go to Heaven?
Answer: It's not because of what they've done or who they are. It's because Jesus lives in them. Anything good in them is because of Jesus in them. They know God and His love in a personal way. They've followed what God said in His book: the Bible. They invited Jesus to be their Savior and Lord. You, too, can know God. Yes, He really does love you!
Take His Word for it:
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. -John 3:16 (NKJV) For all have sinned; all fall short of God's glorious standard.-Rom. 3:23 (NLV) For God sent Jesus to take the punishment for our sins and to satisfy God's anger against us. We are made right with God when we believe that Jesus shed his blood, sacrificing his life for us... -Rom. 3:25 (NLV) That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. -Rom. 10:9 (NKJV)
Understand that God loves you with infinite love! God is good, holy and righteous and we fall short of His perfection. So we need a Mediator, Jesus, who lovingly took our punishment for all our mistakes.
Believe that Jesus is God's Son that took your punishment. He took your punishment for all your sins (anti-God ways) and that He rose from the dead for you, __________.
Repent (turn away from) your sins (anti-God ways) and submit yourself to Him as your Lord.
Receive Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord. Talk to God and give your life to Jesus.
Pray from your heart. If it helps, pray something like this:
God, I understand now...You sent Jesus to share Your love and make it possible for me to be Yours. Please forgive me for all my sins. Jesus, I believe you took my punishment on the cross and that you rose from the dead for me personally. I turn away from doing things "my way" and ask that You rule my life, Jesus. I receive You as my Savior and Lord. I put my trust in You not in the things I do. I love You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Welcome into God's family! You are now His! Get connected with a loving, Bible-based church, enjoy the supreme joy of being baptized, and savor the Savior's love forever! Read the Bible. (If you don't have one, start reading the Gospel of John by clicking here.)
He'll never divorce you. He'll never die. He'll never change. He loves you! Enjoy loving and obeying Jesus and experiencing His love forever and ever! If you'd like prayer or more information, e-mail us anytime.
Answer: It's not because of what they've done or who they are. It's because Jesus lives in them. Anything good in them is because of Jesus in them. They know God and His love in a personal way. They've followed what God said in His book: the Bible. They invited Jesus to be their Savior and Lord. You, too, can know God. Yes, He really does love you!
Take His Word for it:
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. -John 3:16 (NKJV) For all have sinned; all fall short of God's glorious standard.-Rom. 3:23 (NLV) For God sent Jesus to take the punishment for our sins and to satisfy God's anger against us. We are made right with God when we believe that Jesus shed his blood, sacrificing his life for us... -Rom. 3:25 (NLV) That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. -Rom. 10:9 (NKJV)
Understand that God loves you with infinite love! God is good, holy and righteous and we fall short of His perfection. So we need a Mediator, Jesus, who lovingly took our punishment for all our mistakes.
Believe that Jesus is God's Son that took your punishment. He took your punishment for all your sins (anti-God ways) and that He rose from the dead for you, __________.
Repent (turn away from) your sins (anti-God ways) and submit yourself to Him as your Lord.
Receive Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord. Talk to God and give your life to Jesus.
Pray from your heart. If it helps, pray something like this:
God, I understand now...You sent Jesus to share Your love and make it possible for me to be Yours. Please forgive me for all my sins. Jesus, I believe you took my punishment on the cross and that you rose from the dead for me personally. I turn away from doing things "my way" and ask that You rule my life, Jesus. I receive You as my Savior and Lord. I put my trust in You not in the things I do. I love You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Welcome into God's family! You are now His! Get connected with a loving, Bible-based church, enjoy the supreme joy of being baptized, and savor the Savior's love forever! Read the Bible. (If you don't have one, start reading the Gospel of John by clicking here.)
He'll never divorce you. He'll never die. He'll never change. He loves you! Enjoy loving and obeying Jesus and experiencing His love forever and ever! If you'd like prayer or more information, e-mail us anytime.
Keep Christ in Christmas... Focus on the Nativity, Not Society!
By David Jeremiah
I’m not a big fan of clichés; I don’t use them often in writing or speaking. Mainly because, as the dictionaries tell us, clichés betray a lack of original thought stemming from overuse. You know what I mean: “Actions speak louder than words”; “The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence”; “You can’t judge a book by its cover”—and on and on. Clichés roll off the tongue so fast that we don’t have, or take, the time to think creatively and put a different spin on the subject.
But wait—not so fast. The reason some sayings get frequently used is because there is an element of truth in them. Look at the three clichés I just cited, and you’ll see what I mean. There is a kernel of truth in most time-tested clichés.
I’m going to introduce this [article] with a two-thousand-year-old saying that is as true now as it was the first time it was uttered. Does it betray a lack of creativity? Perhaps, but I can’t think of a better way to say what it says. Does it get overused? Maybe some people think so, but it only gets repeated during this time of the year. And is it true? It absolutely is, which is why it has stood the test of time and will stand the test of time until the end of the age. You probably have guessed the cliché I’m talking about: Jesus is the reason for the season. I can’t think of a better way to summarize what is most important about the season we are entering. It’s short, it’s memorable, and it’s true—just what we need to stay focused.
Christmas has become one of the most complicated seasons of the year. It plays a huge part in the economic success of many businesses. Indeed, the entire economy anticipates the jolt and boost provided by Christmas shopping and other seasonal activity. So much so that Jesus has, in large part, been removed from much of the season. In our post-Christian culture overall, Jesus is no longer the reason for Christmas. Instead, the reasons have become family, food, fun, and festivity. There’s nothing wrong with those, of course. But those aren’t the reasons for the season.
There is only one primary reason for the season. As Christians, we have to fight against the temptation to lose sight of Christ during Christmas. We have to make sure, at least in our personal and family life, that He remains the reason for the season.
Listing the Reasons Let’s briefly break down this cliché to see why it remains valid:
Jesus. Simply put, without the birth of Jesus there would be no Christmas celebration. Granted, no one knows the exact date of Jesus’ birth, but December 25 was settled on as the celebration day in the Roman church by the fourth century A.D. (Some Eastern and Armenian churches settled on January 6 or 7 based on their calendar system.) The ambiguity of the date raises an important point: Christmas Day is not the reason for the season. Jesus is the reason for the season. Christmas is not about celebrating a particular day on the calendar; it is about celebrating the Incarnation—the fact that “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). For three years in the first century, people in Israel “beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). We cannot behold His glory in person today, but we can celebrate His glory at Christmas when we celebrate His birth. Remove Jesus Christ from Christmas and you have nothing but a secular celebration. The reason. I don’t know who wrote the Wikipedia article on “Christmas,” but he or she captured the reason for the season pretty accurately: “For Christians, believing that God came into the world in the form of man to atone for the sins of humanity, rather than knowing Jesus’ exact birth date, is considered to be the primary purpose [reason] in celebrating Christmas.” That reason for Christmas has been lost at various times in Church history. In seventeenth-century Puritan England, Christmas was basically banned for nearly twenty years because it became an excuse for drunkenness and rowdy behavior. That’s not the reason for celebrating Christmas! When we think of Christmas, our reasons are Jesus’ incarnation, Jesus’ death for our sins, Jesus’ resurrection, Jesus reconciling us to the Father, and Jesus’ promise of eternal life—not to mention His coming again!
The season. A season is a time characterized by certain traits or conditions—think winter, spring, summer, or fall. So what is the Christmas season? Let’s arbitrarily call it December plus the first half of January: pre-celebration, celebration, and post-celebration. Too often we focus on schedules, breaks from work or school, social engagements, and gift giving. Again, there is nothing wrong with those. But that’s not what should characterize the Christmas season. More than any other time of the year, the Christmas season is a time for renewal, reminders, and reflections on what Jesus did—leaving the glories of heaven, being born in a stable, and living a perfect life on our behalf. It is a time for rejoicing in the Church, for acts of generosity and service, and for sharing with others the true reason for Christmas.
Living the Reasons What should our Christmas season look like when we focus our attention on Jesus? First Corinthians 10:31 comes to mind in discussion like this: "Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." Let me paraphrase it for Christmas: “Whatever you do this Christmas, do all to the glory of Jesus.” Here are some examples:
First, share the Savior. When you share gifts with non-Christian neighbors, relatives, or coworkers, include a note with a verse of Scripture pointing to Jesus. If you have unchurched friends, invite them to attend your church’s Christmas Eve or Christmas Day service. If there are singles or shut-ins who don’t have family to join for Christmas, invite them into your home. These are all things Jesus did for us, and things we can do for others in His Name.
Second, share the hope. Christmas can be a hopeless time for many, especially depending on what is happening in the world. As you keep your own heart and mind focused on the “sure and steadfast” hope that is “an anchor of the soul” (Hebrews 6:19), you can be a source of hope for others. Hopeless folks are desperate for reasons to have hope in this world—and Christmas is the most hopeful time of the year for those who know Jesus.
Third, share the peace. Don’t let the busyness and demands of the Christmas season rob you of your peace! Traffic jams, gift lists, last-minute shopping, out-of-town guests—there are plenty of opportunities to trade contentment for conflict, both internal and external. Remember that the angels declared that the birth of Jesus heralded peace on earth (Luke 2:14). And the words of what has become a traditional Christmas song are right on target: “Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.” Fourth, share the joy. Anyone who has Jesus, hope, and peace in Him, will surely have joy! Does any Christmas hymn say it better than “Joy to the World”? Right in the first line of the hymn we find the reason for having joy at Christmas: “The Lord is come”! And then comes the admonition, “Let ev’ry heart prepare Him room”—which makes us ask, Have I prepared room in my heart this Christmas for Jesus? Let Jesus give you His joy so you can share that joy with others.
Let’s not be frustrated or cynical about how the world views Christmas. Instead, let’s be the Christmas we would want the world to share! When our Christmas season is filled with celebrations of His birth and life, others will take note and see something different. If they see in our life the Jesus whose birth we celebrate, this Christmas may be a new beginning for them.
I’m not a big fan of clichés; I don’t use them often in writing or speaking. Mainly because, as the dictionaries tell us, clichés betray a lack of original thought stemming from overuse. You know what I mean: “Actions speak louder than words”; “The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence”; “You can’t judge a book by its cover”—and on and on. Clichés roll off the tongue so fast that we don’t have, or take, the time to think creatively and put a different spin on the subject.
But wait—not so fast. The reason some sayings get frequently used is because there is an element of truth in them. Look at the three clichés I just cited, and you’ll see what I mean. There is a kernel of truth in most time-tested clichés.
I’m going to introduce this [article] with a two-thousand-year-old saying that is as true now as it was the first time it was uttered. Does it betray a lack of creativity? Perhaps, but I can’t think of a better way to say what it says. Does it get overused? Maybe some people think so, but it only gets repeated during this time of the year. And is it true? It absolutely is, which is why it has stood the test of time and will stand the test of time until the end of the age. You probably have guessed the cliché I’m talking about: Jesus is the reason for the season. I can’t think of a better way to summarize what is most important about the season we are entering. It’s short, it’s memorable, and it’s true—just what we need to stay focused.
Christmas has become one of the most complicated seasons of the year. It plays a huge part in the economic success of many businesses. Indeed, the entire economy anticipates the jolt and boost provided by Christmas shopping and other seasonal activity. So much so that Jesus has, in large part, been removed from much of the season. In our post-Christian culture overall, Jesus is no longer the reason for Christmas. Instead, the reasons have become family, food, fun, and festivity. There’s nothing wrong with those, of course. But those aren’t the reasons for the season.
There is only one primary reason for the season. As Christians, we have to fight against the temptation to lose sight of Christ during Christmas. We have to make sure, at least in our personal and family life, that He remains the reason for the season.
Listing the Reasons Let’s briefly break down this cliché to see why it remains valid:
Jesus. Simply put, without the birth of Jesus there would be no Christmas celebration. Granted, no one knows the exact date of Jesus’ birth, but December 25 was settled on as the celebration day in the Roman church by the fourth century A.D. (Some Eastern and Armenian churches settled on January 6 or 7 based on their calendar system.) The ambiguity of the date raises an important point: Christmas Day is not the reason for the season. Jesus is the reason for the season. Christmas is not about celebrating a particular day on the calendar; it is about celebrating the Incarnation—the fact that “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). For three years in the first century, people in Israel “beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). We cannot behold His glory in person today, but we can celebrate His glory at Christmas when we celebrate His birth. Remove Jesus Christ from Christmas and you have nothing but a secular celebration. The reason. I don’t know who wrote the Wikipedia article on “Christmas,” but he or she captured the reason for the season pretty accurately: “For Christians, believing that God came into the world in the form of man to atone for the sins of humanity, rather than knowing Jesus’ exact birth date, is considered to be the primary purpose [reason] in celebrating Christmas.” That reason for Christmas has been lost at various times in Church history. In seventeenth-century Puritan England, Christmas was basically banned for nearly twenty years because it became an excuse for drunkenness and rowdy behavior. That’s not the reason for celebrating Christmas! When we think of Christmas, our reasons are Jesus’ incarnation, Jesus’ death for our sins, Jesus’ resurrection, Jesus reconciling us to the Father, and Jesus’ promise of eternal life—not to mention His coming again!
The season. A season is a time characterized by certain traits or conditions—think winter, spring, summer, or fall. So what is the Christmas season? Let’s arbitrarily call it December plus the first half of January: pre-celebration, celebration, and post-celebration. Too often we focus on schedules, breaks from work or school, social engagements, and gift giving. Again, there is nothing wrong with those. But that’s not what should characterize the Christmas season. More than any other time of the year, the Christmas season is a time for renewal, reminders, and reflections on what Jesus did—leaving the glories of heaven, being born in a stable, and living a perfect life on our behalf. It is a time for rejoicing in the Church, for acts of generosity and service, and for sharing with others the true reason for Christmas.
Living the Reasons What should our Christmas season look like when we focus our attention on Jesus? First Corinthians 10:31 comes to mind in discussion like this: "Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." Let me paraphrase it for Christmas: “Whatever you do this Christmas, do all to the glory of Jesus.” Here are some examples:
First, share the Savior. When you share gifts with non-Christian neighbors, relatives, or coworkers, include a note with a verse of Scripture pointing to Jesus. If you have unchurched friends, invite them to attend your church’s Christmas Eve or Christmas Day service. If there are singles or shut-ins who don’t have family to join for Christmas, invite them into your home. These are all things Jesus did for us, and things we can do for others in His Name.
Second, share the hope. Christmas can be a hopeless time for many, especially depending on what is happening in the world. As you keep your own heart and mind focused on the “sure and steadfast” hope that is “an anchor of the soul” (Hebrews 6:19), you can be a source of hope for others. Hopeless folks are desperate for reasons to have hope in this world—and Christmas is the most hopeful time of the year for those who know Jesus.
Third, share the peace. Don’t let the busyness and demands of the Christmas season rob you of your peace! Traffic jams, gift lists, last-minute shopping, out-of-town guests—there are plenty of opportunities to trade contentment for conflict, both internal and external. Remember that the angels declared that the birth of Jesus heralded peace on earth (Luke 2:14). And the words of what has become a traditional Christmas song are right on target: “Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.” Fourth, share the joy. Anyone who has Jesus, hope, and peace in Him, will surely have joy! Does any Christmas hymn say it better than “Joy to the World”? Right in the first line of the hymn we find the reason for having joy at Christmas: “The Lord is come”! And then comes the admonition, “Let ev’ry heart prepare Him room”—which makes us ask, Have I prepared room in my heart this Christmas for Jesus? Let Jesus give you His joy so you can share that joy with others.
Let’s not be frustrated or cynical about how the world views Christmas. Instead, let’s be the Christmas we would want the world to share! When our Christmas season is filled with celebrations of His birth and life, others will take note and see something different. If they see in our life the Jesus whose birth we celebrate, this Christmas may be a new beginning for them.
Christmas at the White House
Betty Ford's Strawberry Shortcake
Ingredients2 lbs. fresh strawberries, quartered3/4 cup granulated sugar, divided1/4 tsp. almond extract (optional)1 cup whipping cream2 Tbsp. granulated sugar2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour4 tsp. baking powder3/4 cup cold butter, cubed2 large eggs, lightly beaten1 (8-oz.) container sour cream1 tsp. vanilla extract
Garnish: fresh mint sprigs
DirectionsCombine strawberries, 1/2 cup sugar, and, if desired, almond extract. Cover berry mixture, and let stand 2 hours.
Preheat oven to 450°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Combine flour, remaining 1/4 cup sugar, and baking powder in a large bowl. Cut butter into flour mixture with a pastry blender or two forks until crumbly. Whisk together eggs, sour cream, and vanilla until blended. Add egg mixture to flour mixture, stirring just until dry ingredients are moistened.
Drop dough by lightly greased 1/3 cup onto a lightly greased baking sheet. (Coat cup with vegetable cooking spray after each drop.) Bake at 450°F for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden.
Beat whipping cream at medium speed with an electric mixer until foamy; gradually add 2 Tbsp. sugar, beating until soft peaks form. Cover and chill up to 2 hours.
Split shortcakes in half horizontally. Spoon about 1/2 cup berry mixture onto each shortcake bottom. Top each with a rounded tablespoon of chilled whipped cream. Cover with tops. Serve with remaining whipped cream. Garnish, if desired.
Ingredients2 lbs. fresh strawberries, quartered3/4 cup granulated sugar, divided1/4 tsp. almond extract (optional)1 cup whipping cream2 Tbsp. granulated sugar2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour4 tsp. baking powder3/4 cup cold butter, cubed2 large eggs, lightly beaten1 (8-oz.) container sour cream1 tsp. vanilla extract
Garnish: fresh mint sprigs
DirectionsCombine strawberries, 1/2 cup sugar, and, if desired, almond extract. Cover berry mixture, and let stand 2 hours.
Preheat oven to 450°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Combine flour, remaining 1/4 cup sugar, and baking powder in a large bowl. Cut butter into flour mixture with a pastry blender or two forks until crumbly. Whisk together eggs, sour cream, and vanilla until blended. Add egg mixture to flour mixture, stirring just until dry ingredients are moistened.
Drop dough by lightly greased 1/3 cup onto a lightly greased baking sheet. (Coat cup with vegetable cooking spray after each drop.) Bake at 450°F for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden.
Beat whipping cream at medium speed with an electric mixer until foamy; gradually add 2 Tbsp. sugar, beating until soft peaks form. Cover and chill up to 2 hours.
Split shortcakes in half horizontally. Spoon about 1/2 cup berry mixture onto each shortcake bottom. Top each with a rounded tablespoon of chilled whipped cream. Cover with tops. Serve with remaining whipped cream. Garnish, if desired.
Melania Trump’s Star Cookies(Tested size: 40-44 cookies)
Ingredients2 cups flour1/2 teaspoon baking soda6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature1 cup confectioners' sugar2 large egg yolks plus 1 large egg white, preferably at room temperature2 tablespoons sour cream
DirectionsCombine flour and baking soda in a bowl or on a sheet of a waxed paper.
Combine the butter and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer or handheld electric mixer; beat on medium speed until creamy and well incorporated. Stop to scrape down the bowl. Add the egg yolks and white one at a time, beating on medium speed after each addition, until smooth and well incorporated. Stop to scrape down the bowl.
On low speed, gradually beat in sour cream and the flour mixture, just until a soft dough forms with no trace of flour left. Divide in half.
Place one half between two sheets of parchment or waxed paper, rolling to an even thickness of 1/8 inch. Place on a baking sheet (with top and bottom papers) and refrigerate or freeze for at least 30 minutes, or until firm. Repeat with the remaining dough.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a few baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone liner.
Working quickly, remove the top sheet from one half of the chilled, rolled-out dough. Cut out as many stars as you can, transferring them to a baking sheet as you work (spacing the cookies 1 inch apart). Once the dough begins to soften and becomes hard to work with, pop it back in cold storage and use the second batch of firmed-up dough. Re-roll scraps, as needed. It’s also helpful to chill the cutouts on baking sheets that await oven time; baking them straight from cold storage.
Bake (middle rack) one sheet at a time; turn the sheet front to back after 5 minutes. Bake for 2 to 3 minutes more, or until the stars are just beginning to brown on the edges. Watch closely; once the browning starts it goes fast.
Transfer the baking sheet to a wire rack; cool the cookies completely (on the sheet) before serving or storing.
Ingredients2 cups flour1/2 teaspoon baking soda6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature1 cup confectioners' sugar2 large egg yolks plus 1 large egg white, preferably at room temperature2 tablespoons sour cream
DirectionsCombine flour and baking soda in a bowl or on a sheet of a waxed paper.
Combine the butter and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer or handheld electric mixer; beat on medium speed until creamy and well incorporated. Stop to scrape down the bowl. Add the egg yolks and white one at a time, beating on medium speed after each addition, until smooth and well incorporated. Stop to scrape down the bowl.
On low speed, gradually beat in sour cream and the flour mixture, just until a soft dough forms with no trace of flour left. Divide in half.
Place one half between two sheets of parchment or waxed paper, rolling to an even thickness of 1/8 inch. Place on a baking sheet (with top and bottom papers) and refrigerate or freeze for at least 30 minutes, or until firm. Repeat with the remaining dough.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a few baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone liner.
Working quickly, remove the top sheet from one half of the chilled, rolled-out dough. Cut out as many stars as you can, transferring them to a baking sheet as you work (spacing the cookies 1 inch apart). Once the dough begins to soften and becomes hard to work with, pop it back in cold storage and use the second batch of firmed-up dough. Re-roll scraps, as needed. It’s also helpful to chill the cutouts on baking sheets that await oven time; baking them straight from cold storage.
Bake (middle rack) one sheet at a time; turn the sheet front to back after 5 minutes. Bake for 2 to 3 minutes more, or until the stars are just beginning to brown on the edges. Watch closely; once the browning starts it goes fast.
Transfer the baking sheet to a wire rack; cool the cookies completely (on the sheet) before serving or storing.
Nancy Reagan's Vienna Chocolate Bars
Ingredients
1 cup butter, softened1 ½ cups granulated sugar, divided2 large egg yolks2 ½ cups all-purpose flour1 (10-oz.) jar seedless raspberry preserves1 cup semisweet chocolate morsels4 large egg whites, at room temperature¼ teaspoon table salt2 cups finely chopped pecans, lightly toasted Directions Preheat oven to 350°. Line a 15- x 10-inch jelly-roll pan with aluminum foil; lightly grease foil. Beat butter and 1/2 cup sugar at medium speed with a heavy-duty electric stand mixer until well blended. Add egg yolks, and beat until combined. Gradually add flour, beating at low speed 1 to 2 minutes or just until combined. Press mixture onto bottom of prepared pan. Bake at 350° for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven, and spread preserves over crust. Sprinkle with chocolate morsels. Beat egg whites and salt at high speed, using whisk attachment, until foamy. Gradually add remaining 1 cup sugar, 1 Tbsp. at a time, beating until glossy and stiff peaks form. Fold in pecans. Gently spread egg white mixture over chocolate mixture. Bake at 350° for 30 to 35 minutes or until meringue is browned and crispy. Cool completely on a wire rack (1 hour). Cut into bars.
1 cup butter, softened1 ½ cups granulated sugar, divided2 large egg yolks2 ½ cups all-purpose flour1 (10-oz.) jar seedless raspberry preserves1 cup semisweet chocolate morsels4 large egg whites, at room temperature¼ teaspoon table salt2 cups finely chopped pecans, lightly toasted Directions Preheat oven to 350°. Line a 15- x 10-inch jelly-roll pan with aluminum foil; lightly grease foil. Beat butter and 1/2 cup sugar at medium speed with a heavy-duty electric stand mixer until well blended. Add egg yolks, and beat until combined. Gradually add flour, beating at low speed 1 to 2 minutes or just until combined. Press mixture onto bottom of prepared pan. Bake at 350° for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven, and spread preserves over crust. Sprinkle with chocolate morsels. Beat egg whites and salt at high speed, using whisk attachment, until foamy. Gradually add remaining 1 cup sugar, 1 Tbsp. at a time, beating until glossy and stiff peaks form. Fold in pecans. Gently spread egg white mixture over chocolate mixture. Bake at 350° for 30 to 35 minutes or until meringue is browned and crispy. Cool completely on a wire rack (1 hour). Cut into bars.
Lady Bird Johnson's Pecan Pie
Ingredients for Pie Crust1/2 tsp. salt1/4 cup plus 1 to 2 Tbsp. ice water, if needed2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for work surface10 Tbsp. vegetable shortening1 large egg, lightly beaten
Ingredients for Filling6 Tbsp. unsalted butter1 cup plus 2 Tbsp. granulated sugar1 cup plus 2 Tbsp. light corn syrup4 extra-large eggs, beaten1 tsp. vanilla extract3/8 tsp. salt2 cups chopped pecans
DirectionsCombine salt and water: Place salt and 1 1/4 cup of the water in a glass measuring cup. Stir to dissolve salt; chill 30 minutes.
Place flour in a large bowl. Cut in shortening, using a pastry blender, until crumbly. Drizzle cold salted water over flour mixture. Toss lightly with a fork until dough comes together, adding 1 to 2 tablespoons ice water, if needed.
Form dough into a disk. Wrap with plastic wrap, and chill 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 425°F. Roll dough disk into a 14-inch circle on a lightly floured surface. Carefully transfer to a 9 1/2-inch deep-dish pie plate, and press into bottom and up sides of pie plate.
Trim pie crust, leaving about 1 inch around edges; reserve dough scraps. Fold edges under and crimp. Bake in preheated oven just until crust is set, about 4 minutes. Let cool 2 to 3 minutes on a wire rack, and fill in any cracks with leftover dough scraps so there are no openings in any of the crust. Cool 30 minutes. Brush lightly with beaten egg. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F.
Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium. Add sugar, and cook, stirring occasionally, until mixture starts bubbling, 3 to 4 minutes. Add corn syrup, and cook, stirring occasionally, until mixture starts bubbling, 3 to 4 minutes.
Remove from heat, and cool 5 minutes. Slowly whisk about 1 cup hot mixture into beaten eggs; slowly whisk beaten egg mixture back into hot sugar mixture, and whisk until thoroughly incorporated. Whisk in vanilla and salt. Stir in pecans.
Pour Filling into cooled crust. Bake at 350°F until pie is cooked through and set in the middle, 40 to 45 minutes. Cover edges with aluminum foil after 30 to 35 minutes to prevent overbrowning. (The center will rise a little at the end but will settle when cooled.) Let cool completely (about 2 hours) before slicing
Ingredients for Pie Crust1/2 tsp. salt1/4 cup plus 1 to 2 Tbsp. ice water, if needed2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for work surface10 Tbsp. vegetable shortening1 large egg, lightly beaten
Ingredients for Filling6 Tbsp. unsalted butter1 cup plus 2 Tbsp. granulated sugar1 cup plus 2 Tbsp. light corn syrup4 extra-large eggs, beaten1 tsp. vanilla extract3/8 tsp. salt2 cups chopped pecans
DirectionsCombine salt and water: Place salt and 1 1/4 cup of the water in a glass measuring cup. Stir to dissolve salt; chill 30 minutes.
Place flour in a large bowl. Cut in shortening, using a pastry blender, until crumbly. Drizzle cold salted water over flour mixture. Toss lightly with a fork until dough comes together, adding 1 to 2 tablespoons ice water, if needed.
Form dough into a disk. Wrap with plastic wrap, and chill 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 425°F. Roll dough disk into a 14-inch circle on a lightly floured surface. Carefully transfer to a 9 1/2-inch deep-dish pie plate, and press into bottom and up sides of pie plate.
Trim pie crust, leaving about 1 inch around edges; reserve dough scraps. Fold edges under and crimp. Bake in preheated oven just until crust is set, about 4 minutes. Let cool 2 to 3 minutes on a wire rack, and fill in any cracks with leftover dough scraps so there are no openings in any of the crust. Cool 30 minutes. Brush lightly with beaten egg. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F.
Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium. Add sugar, and cook, stirring occasionally, until mixture starts bubbling, 3 to 4 minutes. Add corn syrup, and cook, stirring occasionally, until mixture starts bubbling, 3 to 4 minutes.
Remove from heat, and cool 5 minutes. Slowly whisk about 1 cup hot mixture into beaten eggs; slowly whisk beaten egg mixture back into hot sugar mixture, and whisk until thoroughly incorporated. Whisk in vanilla and salt. Stir in pecans.
Pour Filling into cooled crust. Bake at 350°F until pie is cooked through and set in the middle, 40 to 45 minutes. Cover edges with aluminum foil after 30 to 35 minutes to prevent overbrowning. (The center will rise a little at the end but will settle when cooled.) Let cool completely (about 2 hours) before slicing
Lucretia Garfield's Apple Pie
Ingredients for Pie Crust2 cups flour, sifted1 teaspoon salt 2/3 cup plus 1/4 cup cold Crisco1/3 cup ice water
Sift flour and salt into a mixing bowl. Add Crisco. Using a food processor or two knives, cut shortening into flour until it is the size of small peas. Add the water and with a fork, bring dough together. Divide in two pieces. Wrap and refrigerate one and roll out the other about 10 inches to fit a 9″ pie shell. Roll dough over rolling pin and unroll into pie plate.
Ingredients for Filling12 large apples 3/4 cup sugar1 tsp nutmeg3/4 tsp cinnamon 3 TBSP butter
Peel and core and quarter twelve large or 14 small Golden Delicious apples and place in a large bowl. In a small bowl, combine 3/4 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon nutmeg and 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon. Set aside. Start layering apples in pie crust by slicing the quarters crosswise.
For each layer of apples, sprinkle a little of the sugar mixture, about 2-3 tablespoons. Continue layering and adding the sugar mixture until the apples are piled high. Sprinkle the last of the sugar on top. Dot with pieces of butter, about 3 tablespoons. Roll out top crust. Carefully fold in half and make steam slits. Unfold and place on top of apples. Bring crusts around the edges together. Make sure the top crust is folded over the bottom crust, then pinched together. (this is just around the edges) Now, using your thumb or first finger, flute or crimp edges.
Place pie on a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 425 degree oven for about one hour. Take a small knife and poke an apple through one of the slits to check for doneness.
Ingredients for Pie Crust2 cups flour, sifted1 teaspoon salt 2/3 cup plus 1/4 cup cold Crisco1/3 cup ice water
Sift flour and salt into a mixing bowl. Add Crisco. Using a food processor or two knives, cut shortening into flour until it is the size of small peas. Add the water and with a fork, bring dough together. Divide in two pieces. Wrap and refrigerate one and roll out the other about 10 inches to fit a 9″ pie shell. Roll dough over rolling pin and unroll into pie plate.
Ingredients for Filling12 large apples 3/4 cup sugar1 tsp nutmeg3/4 tsp cinnamon 3 TBSP butter
Peel and core and quarter twelve large or 14 small Golden Delicious apples and place in a large bowl. In a small bowl, combine 3/4 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon nutmeg and 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon. Set aside. Start layering apples in pie crust by slicing the quarters crosswise.
For each layer of apples, sprinkle a little of the sugar mixture, about 2-3 tablespoons. Continue layering and adding the sugar mixture until the apples are piled high. Sprinkle the last of the sugar on top. Dot with pieces of butter, about 3 tablespoons. Roll out top crust. Carefully fold in half and make steam slits. Unfold and place on top of apples. Bring crusts around the edges together. Make sure the top crust is folded over the bottom crust, then pinched together. (this is just around the edges) Now, using your thumb or first finger, flute or crimp edges.
Place pie on a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 425 degree oven for about one hour. Take a small knife and poke an apple through one of the slits to check for doneness.
