Christmas countdown

DEC 1
"How is Christmas regarded today? The legend of Santa Claus, the Christmas tree, the decorations of tinsel and mistletoe, and the giving of gifts all express to us the spirit of the day we celebrate; but the
true spirit of Christmas lies much deeper than these. It is found in the life of the Savior, in the principles He taught, in His atoning sacrifice--which become our great heritage."
Howard W. Hunter, "The Real Christmas," Ensign, Dec. 2005, 24

Idea from Liz Shawl:

Gather or decorate 24 ornaments for your

Christmas tree and place them

in a basket under the tree.

Each time you complete an act of service,

put an ornament on the tree.

DEC 2
Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25
18 ¶ Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

To catch the real meaning of the "Spirit of Christmas," we need only to drop the last syllable of the word, and it becomes the "Spirit of Christ." It beckons us to follow him, and become worthy of the blessedness which he promised to the most unlikely people—the poor in spirit, the sorrowful, the meek, the seekers after righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and even the persecuted and the oppressed.—Hugh B. Brown

DEC 3
Scripture: Luke 2:4, 5,6

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)"
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

Bev's Christmassy Preemie Hat

needed at NICU's all over the world!

http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/peds.html

Copyright Beverly A. Qualheim 2006 - All Rights Reserved
4 Size 8 double pointed needles and a small amount of worsted weight yarn
This hat fits tiny preemies... 1 lb - 2.5 lbs

Cast on 36 sts and place 12 sts on each of 3 needles. The 4th needle is used to knit with
Rnds 1-20: Knit 2, Purl 2

Decrease rows:
1: Knit 2 together around - you now have 6 sts on each needle
2: Knit around the 18 sts
3: Knit 2 together around (9 sts total left). Cut tail of yarn 8" long.
Use threaded yarn needle to carefully remove each stitch from the 3 needles. Pull tightly to gather. Run stitches inside the top of the hat a few time to anchor..

DEC 4
"Whosoever on the night of the nativity of the young Lord Jesus in great snows shall fare forth bearing a succulent bond for the lost and lamenting hound, a wisp of hay for the shivering horse, a cloak of warm raiment for the stranded wayfarer, a flagon of red wine for him whose marrow withers, a garland of bright berries for one who has worn chains, gay arias of lute and harp for all huddled birds who thought that song was dead, and divers lush sweetmeats for such babes' faces as peer from lonely windows—

To him shall be proffered and returned gifts of such an astonishment as will rival the hues of a peacock and the harmonies of heaven, so that though he live to the great age when man goes stooping, yet shall he walk upright and remembering, as one whose heart shines like a great star within his breast".—Anonymous

Activity: Since we do celebrate Christmas in the Winter, be sure to take the kids out sledding! Build a snowman, go ice skating! Just spend some fun time with each other. If you live where there is no snow, why not make ice cream!?
Biceps Ice Cream in Ziplocks!
1 1/2 cups of half and half or whipping cream
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/4 cup raw sugar
1/4 cup chopped bananas or berries
2 cups ice
1/2 cup table salt
1 quart size freezer zip lock bag
1 gallon size freezer zip lock bag

Put the cream, vanilla and sugar into the quart size zip lock bag and close tightly. Place the filled quart size zip lock bag in the gallon
size zip lock bag. Put the ice and table salt in the gallon size zip lock bag and close tightly, with as little air in the bag as possible.
This is the part that builds your biceps! If you have too much water accumulating from the ice, simply drain some out and keep shaking.
SHAKE, SHAKE, SHAKE those bags till the cream freezes into ice cream! Then keep shaking. It takes about 10 minutes!

DEC 5
Scripture: Luke 2:7
7And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Family activity...
Call your local nursing home and see if they would like warm lapghans or slippers for the residents.
Slippers? Knit or crochet a foot sized rectangle and fold in half, stitch heel, and gather toe. Stitch from toe and halfway to heel.

Once you make some, go as a family to deliver them to the nursing home.

DEC 6
Scripture: Matthew 2:1,

1 NOW when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
11 ¶ And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

What can we give to Christ this coming year?
Gather the family, hand them paper and pencils and have them write down their gift to Jesus this coming year. Place them all in an envelope and place them under the tree. That's the first present you will open on Christmas day!
Ideas for gifts for Jesus...
"I will read and study my scriptures every morning."
"I will not fight with my brothers and sisters."
"I will make a loaf of bread for 2 neighbors every month."
"I will study the Relief Society lesson every week before class."

DEC 7
Gerald Lund stated:
In Bethlehem today stands the Church of the Nativity. Beneath the church is a large grotto or cave. In southern Judea, including the area around Bethlehem, limestone caves are common. Such caves provided natural shelter for the flocks and herds of ancient Israel.
They were warm, safe from inclement weather, and could easily be blocked to keep the animals safe for the night. The tradition that this grotto was the stable of Luke's account is very old and accepted by many scholars. President Harold B. Lee, then of the LDS Council of the Twelve, visited this grotto in 1958 and confirmed that in his mind it was
"a hallowed spot, . . . a sacred place."

DEC 8
"So there in the sheltered warmth of the cave, beneath the limestone hills of Bethlehem, He who was to become the Good Shepherd—not of the sheep that grazed the hills of Israel, but of the human flock—was born and cradled in a manger." Gerald Lund

For crafters, why not take some WOOL today and make something warm for someone in need? A reminder that sheep or the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ, can bring warmth to everyone!

DEC 9
Scripture: Luke 2:8-14
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

CANDY CANE COOKIES
These are a fave with my kids!
1/2 c. Crisco or other shortening
1/2 c. margarine - softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 tsp almond extract
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 c. all purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp red food color
1/2 cup crushed peppermint candies
1/2 cup granulated sugar
Heat oven to 375 f. Mix all the wet ingredients thoroughly, add flour and salt. Divide dough in half and blend red food color into one half.
To make each candy cane, shape 1 tsp of dough into a 'rope'- roll back and forth on a lightly floured board. Place the ropes side by side and press gently, then twist. Place on a greased cookie sheet and curve the top of the cookie to form the cane shape. Bake about 9 mins until lightly browned. Mix candy and sugar and sprinkle on top of hot cookies.

DEC 10
Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful. ~Norman Vincent Peale

DEC 11
Scripture Luke 2:15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

DEC 12
Unless we make Christmas an occasion to share our blessings, all the snow in Alaska won't make it 'white'."
~ Bing Crosby (1904-1977), American singer and film actor.

How can we share our blessings this year... not just at Christmas but every single day?

DEC 13
I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round, as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys. ~Charles Dickens

DEC 14
My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?"
~ Bob Hope, American film actor and comedian.

"And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives! For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father-- That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God." (Written by Joseph Smith Jr. in the Doctrine and Covenants 76:22-24)

DEC 15
"Said Jesus: “Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.” (Matthew 7:12.)

May I remind us at this Christmas season that if only each of us would reflect occasionally on that Christ-given mandate and make an effort to observe it, this would be a different world. There would be greater happiness in our homes; there would be kinder feelings among our associates; there would be much less of litigation and a greater effort to compose differences. There would be a new measure of love and appreciation and respect.

There would be more generous hearts, more thoughtful consideration and concern, and a greater desire to spread the gospel of peace and to advance the work of salvation among the children of men."
President Gordon B. Hinckley - New Era, Dec. 2007

DEC 16

"And so at this Christmas season, we sing His praises and speak our words of faith and gratitude and love. It is His influence in our lives that stirs within us more kindness, more respect, more love, more concern. It is because of Him and His teachings that we reach out to those in trouble, distress, and need wherever they may be.

What a glorious season is this time of Christmas. Hearts are softened. Voices are raised in worship. Kindness and mercy are reenthroned as elements in our lives. There is an accelerated reaching out to those in distress. There is an aura of peace that comes into our homes. There is a measure of love that is not felt to the same extent at any other time of the year."

President Gordon B. Hinckley - New Era, Dec. 2007

DEC 17
No one seems to know the true origins of the Candy Cane, but one thing we do know is that Jesus Christ was the Good Shepherd, and shepherds gently guide their sheep with the use of a crook which looks remarkably like a cane.

Beadie Candy Cane
by Bev and her children
copyright Bev Qualheim 2000 These are so much fun for kids and adults to make. They look pretty and make great attachments on presents.

Materials needed
Tri beads, round beads in various colors
6" piece of pipe cleaner

1) Bend the tip of the pipe cleaner over so beads stay on.
2) Start threading beads on in patterns or randomly.
3) When you reach nearly to the end, fold the tip over on that end to keep beads on.
4) Bend the top to form a cane.
5) Hint: Make sure that the beads are not packed on so tightly that you can't bend the cane.

You can also make Wreaths in this manner, by bending the pipe cleaner into a circle and twisting ends together. Add a ribbon over the twisted ends if you wish

DEC 18
Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time. ~Laura Ingalls Wilder

Read a Christmas book with your children and grandchildren, your neices and nephews, your spouse, no matter how old they are!

DEC 19
Bev's Kiss Cookies
(NO flour-but this works!)
1 cup peanut butter
1/2 c brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg
Hershey kisses candy
Directions:
Roll into 1" balls and indent with thumb. Bake at 300 F for 15 mins or till lightly browned. As soon as you remove them from the oven, add a Hershey's chocolate kiss to the top... it will melt slightly to join. Chill cookies.

DEC 20
Make some for neighbors and deliver in a ziplock baggie tonight!

Patti's People PUPPY CHOW
1 c. creamy peanut butter-
1/2 c. butter
1 (12 oz.) pkg. semi-sweet-chocolate chips
1 (12.3 oz.) box rice or corn CHEX-cereal
3 c. sifted powdered sugar Melt together butter, choc. chips, and peanut butter over a medium-low heat. Put cereal in large pan or roasting pan and pour chocolate mixture over it, stirring until well coated. Put powdered sugar in large brown grocery bag or large container with lid. Pour in coated cereal and shake well. Cool in fridge.

DEC 21
President Benson at the First Presidency Christmas devotional, Salt Lake City, 1 December 1985.

Without Christ there would be no Christmas, and without Christ there can be no fulness of joy.
In our premortal state we shouted for joy as the plan of salvation was unfolded to our view. (See Job 38:7.)
It was there our elder brother Jesus, the firstborn of our Father’s children in the spirit, volunteered to redeem us from our sins. He became our foreordained Savior, the Lamb “slain from the foundation of the world.” (Moses 7:47.)
Thanks be to God the Son for the offering of Himself. And thanks be to God the Father that He sent Him. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son.” (John 3:16.)

DEC 22

Old Time Peppermint Candies to Share
6 drops of oil of peppermint
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup water
food coloring

Drop 6 drops (no more, no less!) oil of peppermint into small glass. Put sugar and water in saucepan. Heat, stirring constantly, until sugar dissolves. Boil until mixture thickens to hard ball stage or reaches 265°. Remove thermometer. Add peppermint oil and remove from heat. Beat with mixing spoon until creamy. Add coloring.

Drop from teaspoon onto wax paper, forming flat disks about 2″ in diameter. If syrup becomes too thick, reheat.

DEC 23
Scripture: Helaman 14: 1-8 (Book of Mormon)

1 AND now it came to pass that Samuel, the Lamanite, did prophesy a great many more things which cannot be written.
2 And behold, he said unto them: Behold, I give unto you a sign; for five years more cometh, and behold, then cometh the Son of God to redeem all those who shall believe on his name.
3 And behold, this will I give unto you for a sign at the time of his coming; for behold, there shall be great lights in heaven, insomuch that in the night before he cometh there shall be no darkness, insomuch that it shall appear unto man as if it was day.
4 Therefore, there shall be one day and a night and a day, as if it were one day and there were no night; and this shall be unto you for a sign; for ye shall know of the rising of the sun and also of its setting; therefore they shall know of a surety that there shall be two days and a night; nevertheless the night shall not be darkened; and it shall be the night before he is born.
5 And behold, there shall a new star arise, such an one as ye never have beheld; and this also shall be a sign unto you.
6 And behold this is not all, there shall be many signs and wonders in heaven.
7 And it shall come to pass that ye shall all be amazed, and wonder, insomuch that ye shall fall to the earth.
8 And it shall come to pass that whosoever shall believe on the Son of God, the same shall have everlasting life.

DEC 24
Make this on Christmas Eve and place overnight in fridge.

Qualheim Breakfast Casserole
Into a greased 9" x 13" pan, place 15 pieces of bread (crusts removed).

Grate and sprinkle 3/4lb. cheddar cheese on top of the bread.
Then add 2 cups cubed ham.
In a bowl beat together 8 eggs,
2 tsp seasoned salt,
4 c milk,
1/2 tsp dry mustard.
Pour on top of bread and cheese.

Refridgerate overnight and pop in the oven while you open gifts on Christmas morning. Bake 1 hour at 350 degrees.

Read the True Meaning of Christmas - http://bevscountrycottage.com/trumeaning.html

DEC 25

"Christmas is more than trees and twinkling lights, more than toys and gifts and baubles of a hundred varieties. It is love. It is the love of the Son of God for all mankind. It reaches out beyond our power to comprehend. It is magnificent and beautiful.
It is peace. It is the peace which comforts, which sustains, which blesses all who accept it.
It is faith. It is faith in God and His Eternal Son. It is faith in His wondrous ways and message. It is faith in Him as our Redeemer and our Lord." Gordon B. Hinckley New Era Dec 2007

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace”

(Isa. 9:6).

DEC 26
Luke 2:25-33
25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.

Can we embrace the Savior as Simeon did, and know who He is, and try to live like Him all this next year?