What Christmas Movies Do You Own? Why Do You Watch Them? Here’s My List.

What are Christmas movies you must see each year? Why do you watch them?

I have many on my list.  

• I watch some because they bring back lovely childhood memories: A Charlie Brown Christmas, White Christmas, and of course Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer).
• I watch some because they remind me of times with my children: How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Prancer, and Miracle on 34th Street.
• I also watch them because they bring a message of hope while providing clean entertainment. Some make me laugh (The Santa Clause) and some make me think (A Christmas Memory).

Below are the Christmas movies I currently own. Most of them are on VHS.  What would you add to my list of “must own” movies? 

1. 12 Days of Christmas Eve. Go here to read my review.
2. A Christmas Memory 
3. Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas
4. Blizzard
5. Elf
6. Going My Way
7. Holiday Inn
8. How the Grinch Stole Christmas
9. It’s a Wonderful Life
10. Miracle on 34th Street
11. Muppet Family Christmas
12. Must Be Santa
13. Prancer
14. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
15. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Island of Misfit Toys 
16. Santa Claus is Coming to Town
17. Snow Globe
18. SpongeBob Squarepants Christmas
19. The 12 Dogs of Christmas
20. The Christmas Card
21. The Polar Express
22. The Santa Clause
23. Touched By An Angel Inspiration Collection: Holiday
24. White Christmas

Go here to see Christmas movies I watched in 2011 (but don’t own).

Christmas Movies I Watched in 2011

What Christmas movies have you seen this year? Were there any new ones? Any surprisingly good?

I watch Christmas movies year round.

The list below contains movies I’ve seen in 2011 that I do not own. Except for Charlie Brown, I saw these for the first time. I would see any of these again.

1. A Charlie Brown Christmas – Go here to see my Charlie Brown Christmas Quiz
2. A Christmas Without Snow
3. All I Want for Christmas
4. Borrowed Hearts: A Holiday Romance
5. Christmas Cupid
6. Christmas Lodge (Thomas Kincaid)
7. Christmas on Division Street 
8. Christmas with a Capital C
9. Christmas in Wonderland
10. Eve’s Christmas
11. The Angel Doll
12. The Bells of Saint Mary’s
13. The Christmas Cottage (Thomas Kincaid)
14. The Homecoming: A Christmas Story (Waltons)
15. Santa and Pete
16. Santa Baby 2: Christmas Maybe
17. Shadow Island Mysteries: The Last Christmas

I have about 10 more movies on my list. If I watch anymore of them, I will update this post.

NOTE: For that list of movies I own, go here. I have watched most of these this year as well. So the total number of Christmas movies I’ve seen in 2011 is really closer to 30.

Pay It Forward – New Theme for the 12 Days of Christmas

Many people are striving to bring the message of Christmas back to its

Spending Thanksgiving WITH one another. No food comas or screaming at football players on the TV. Don't know our Christmas plans yet. What are YOURS?

roots of giving, love, compassion, Christ. My church, along with many others, is encouraging folks to be part of the Advent Conspiracy. View one explanation video here. The idea is to . . .

• Spend less money on stuff for those you love. Buy ONE less gift.
• Instead spend more time doing activities with them. Build those relationships. Go here for activity ideas.
• With the money you don’t spend on that ONE gift, give to those who can’t afford basic necessities. Give the gift of clean water  . . . .   check out a Samaritan’s Purse catalog of ways to help children and women worldwide  . . . .   give to your church benevolent fund to reach those in your church family and neighborhood  . . . .  or give to CAMA Services which also has worldwide projects to help the needy.

Or join in a unique way to celebrate the 12 Days of Christmas. Read on to understand this concept.

Yesterday I came across a post on Jan’s Yearning for God. Jan introduced us to a blog called Chain Links which encourages and documents random acts of kindness. Trista Wilson is a 27-year-old blogger who wants to change the emphasis on Christmas, too. She asks,

“Remember when Christmas was really about bringing family together, the birth of Christ, and encompassing the spirit of giving?”

I love her line of questioning here . . .

•  Since when did we need to ‘buy’ love from the very people who already love us unconditionally?
• And why can’t showing someone how much they mean to us consist of quality conversation and random acts of kindness …
• rather than topping last years Christmas gift with an even more extravagant one this year?

In order to ”help us focus on what truly matters and get in the spirit of giving that Christmas was meant to inspire,” Chain Links has come up with a new theme for the 12 Days of Christmas (Dec 13-24) – Pay it Forward with random acts of kindness.

You can pick your own good deeds. Or you can follow the below list that

Giving our time to others brings joy to the relationship. Giving $ wisely to the poor brings joy to their circumstances.

Chain Links has written as suggestions. It’s a great starting place for ideas.

THE 12 GIFTS OF CHRISTMAS:

DAY 12: (DECEMBER 13)– Buy food for a homeless person (or someone in need). This does not have to be expensive. $5 should cover lunch.

DAY 11: (DECEMBER 14)– Write a kind, hand-written letter to someone who changed your life for the better. And no, I’m not talking about an email or a text…I’m talking about snail mail people. (This can be to a childhood friend, a teacher from the past, or even an old baby-sitter that impacted your life for the better.)

DAY 10: (DECEMBER 15)– Pay for the person’s order in line behind you in either the coffee drive-thru, fast food, a tollbooth, train ticket, etc. (There are a LOT of options here…)

DAY 9: (DECEMBER 16)– Put grocery carts away in a random parking lot for other shoppers or find carts that others have left behind. It will help the employees out by bringing them indoors where they belong.

DAY 8: (DECEMBER 17)– Write a letter of thanks to the armed forces. (Yes, even if you don’t support the war. Remember that these people are risking their lives daily in order to ensure our safety and Freedom).

Here is the address:

A Million Thanks

17853 Santiago Blvd. #107-355

Villa Park, CA 92861

DAY 7: (DECEMBER 18)– Buy or bake something for a neighbor. You may know them well, or you may have never even introduced yourself. So here’s your chance;)

DAY 6: (DECEMBER 19)– Buy a $5 or $10 gift card for a grocery store, gas station, coffee place, etc. Leave the gift card on a random park bench or windshield of someone’s car.

DAY 5: (DECEMBER 20)– Do something kind for the elderly. This can be anything from helping them to their car with heavy groceries, holding the door open for them, volunteering at a retirement home, or even raking their leaves.

DAY 4: (DECEMBER 21)– Tape quarters to a vending machine. So simple, yet so convenient! I honestly cannot count how many times I have wanted a snack or a soda, but could not dig up that last quarter to satisfy my craving.

DAY 3: (DECEMBER 22)– Leave a generous tip for a server, barista, or bartender–along with a nice note. This will most likely make their night. Having been in all three of these positions, I know how easy it is to get discouraged when guests are difficult and do not tip. This could turn their entire day around!

DAY 2: (DECEMBER 23)– Purchase a gift card at a local grocery store (of any amount). Turn around in line, and hand it to the first person you see. Then walk away. No explanation is needed. I’m sure their expression will say it all.

Day 1: (DECEMBER 24)– YOUR turn to choose a random act of kindness. I thought it would be fun to see the different ideas everybody comes up with for this last day before Christmas. Be creative. The sky is the limit. =)

Go here to read the full blog post. Chain Links is hoping to document the

Through Samaritan's Purse, it only costs $9 to feed a hungry baby for a week.

experiences of those who do these or other random acts of kindness.

By The Way – if you planned on giving me a present, I’d love it if you used the $ to buy Gift #2 – food for a week for a hungry baby ($9).

Your Turn  .  .  .  .   How are you going to ensure that this Christmas is more about spending TIME with loved ones? And that it includes helping ONE person in need?

Related Movie . . . Christmas on Division Street. This moving story shows a kid from a wealthy family coming to care for, befriend and really SEE some of the homeless in his new city, Philadelphia. This new attitude trickles into the lives of his family and friends after a tragic event. I saw this on Netflix instant streaming.

Related Posts . . . 

• 6 Ways to Decommercialize Christmas. Does it bother you that stores start selling Christmas decorations and Christmas themed gifts as soon as Halloween is over? Are you offended that many stores are bowing to politically correct pressure and requiring their clerks and cashiers to say “Happy Holidays” instead of Merry Christmas? Read on for 6 ways to put Christ back into Christmas.
• 7 More Ways to Decommercialize Christmas. Do you feel that the true meaning of Christmas has become lost in the wrappings, trappings, and political fights? Well read on for 7 more ways to put Christ back into Christmas.
• 10 Acts of Kindness Ideas and 20 Acts of Kindness Ideas
• Everyone Can help One Child. My poorest/deprived day is unimagined wealth to a majority of the world. Especially to the children. I can give up some “extras” in my life to help a child. A cup of designer coffee . . . a Thrifty’s ice cream cone . . . an item from McDonald’s Dollar menu . . . a pair of clearance shoes from Wal-Mart . . . a gas station car wash.
• Perfect Gift Takes Reflection and Sacrifice. The Christmas movie, The Bishop’s Wife, helps me to think about what’s truly important at Christmas and what gift I’ll give to the birthday Boy/God named Jesus.
• When Christmas Gets Radical: Whose Birthday is it Really? How a question from a child changed the Voskamp’s way of “doing” Christmas: ”if we get wrapped presents for our birthdays, real sacrifices from people who love us — they gave up other things to give something to us — then why don’t we do that for Jesus’ birthday?” Read this post by Ann for their answer.

From Sticks to Twig Christmas Tree

My apartment is small. My small dog is blind and doesn’t get around well because of his arthritis (and blindness). These combined facts make it difficult for me to have a traditional floor Christmas tree.

Add these two facts. (1) I am allergic to pine. (2) I don’t want to spend money on buying something since I already have plenty of nice looking artificial trees.

Then I came across this blog post about making a twig Christmas tree from At Home With K. This tree is displayed in a frame. It would be perfect for placing on my entertainment center in one of those frame holders.

Of course I did an Internet search to see how else a twig Christmas tree could be made. I found 2 other ideas.

• I LIKE this 7 foot (or so?) wall mounted twig tree I found on The Art of Doing Stuff. I don’t have that much wall space. And to be so impressive it HAS to be this big! This project is definitely on my someday holiday to-do list. It uses free materials or things I have on hand. And it is off the floor so my dog would not run into it nor be tempted to pee on it.
• And I am equally in-like with this hanging twig tree from Michele Made Me. The size is of this tree would be perfect to hang from the inside of my front door. The polka dots grabbed my attention. But I don’t have a drill so making this tree was postponed as I wanted to make a twig tree NOW.

So in the end I went with a style more like option 1.

Here’s how I made my tree.

Step 1. Grab a flashlight and scour the grounds around your home. I was able to find a nice pile of sticks due to a recent wind storm. Sorry no picture of the sticks.

Front of tree. Notice the different colours and textures.

Step 2. Choose a stick or two for the spine of the tree. Lay it on your work surface.

Step 3. Sort leftover sticks according to the thickness of the stick. I wanted the thinker ones to be on the bottom of the tree. Since I don’t have a saw or floral cutters either, if I couldn’t break the stick with my hands, it was discarded.

Step 4. Look for branches with unusual colourations like moss or unusual bumps. I think these details add texture and visual interest.

Step 5. Work from the bottom to the top, placing the sticks on top of the spine, breaking them to fit as needed.

Step 6. Once you like the look of it, hot glue it all together.

Back of tree. Notice the "planter box" that keeps the tree upright.

GLITCH in Progress. I made the tree too big to fit the frame I already had. I was going to cover the mat with burlap.

I held the completed twig tree up to my front door to see how it would look hanging there. Didn’t like that look.

Then it hit me: make my tree stand up! So I glued some sticks to the back of the bottom trunk to make a “planter.” I like how this is coming together.

Step 7. Glue on twine with the intent to make it into a garland.

Glitch TWO. After doing half the tree this way, I decided I did not like the look.

Step 8. Take off the twine garland.

Step 9. Go back outside with your flashlight and scour the ground for dingleberries and greenery with red berries. The dingleberries will be the ornaments  for the tree.

This twig tree is as perfectly at home decorating the planter box as on the entertainment centre.

Step 10. Paint the dingleberries with watered down acrylic paints. I really like how these turned out.

NOTE: Apparently my family is the only one who calls these (former) seed pods “dingleberries.” A friend, Lorna, confirmed my Google search:  not even one hit for this term. She said they are called gum tree balls. Her family calls them “spiny balls.”

Step 11. Hot glue the “sweet gum ornaments” onto the tree with springs of leaves with their red berries. (I have no idea what these are called.)

Step 12. Admire. Take a bunch of photos; post them to Facebook so others can admire your work. Make said photo your profile picture.

Step 13. Take off all the glue strings in preparation for spraying sealer all over your creation, front and back (Krylon or polyurethane). I am hoping this will preserve the fresh leaves and berries.

Step 14. Put finished Christmas Twig Tree in a place of honour!

Your Turn . . . Share photos and comments about trees and other Christmas decorations you have made.

Related Posts . . . 

• Christmas Table of Contents from Fruitfulwords
• 2nd Annual Haul Out The Holly  -  featuring fifteen original holiday-themed tutorials from fifteen different bloggers.
• 26 DIY Holiday Projects from the Forest - I found some more trees

4 Types of Home-Made Ornaments Using Decoupage, Dough, Clay, & Fabric

This year our church is decorating the church tree with home-made ornaments. We want ornaments from the kiddos as well as from the adults. Coming up with ornament prototypes for the Sunday school PreK’s through 5th graders has been a blast.

Over Thanksgiving break I spent 3 days with my daughter, Elizabeth. 3 of my nieces also stayed with her. For a majority of that time we made ornaments. We covered Elizabeth’s tree with home-made ornaments and we each got to take some home.

Below are the types of ornaments the church kiddos, my nieces, my daughter, and I made. NOTE: The clay, decoupage, and dough ornaments were sealed with Krylon crystal clear spray finish.

 Tissue-Decoupage

• This stain glass look-alike and single-colour ball were made using smallish pieces of tissue paper dipped in liquid starch. The tissue covered the gold balls quite nicely.
• The Cinnamon Salt Dough Star (more info below) was made with tissue decoupage and puffy paint.

NOTE: (1) Start layering with the lightest colours first, ending with the darkest colour on top.

(2) If you don’t have liquid starch you can use modge podge or craft glue thinned with some water.

Cinnamon Salt Dough

The dough is made by mixing together the following:

• 2 Cups Flour
• 1 Cup Cinnamon
• 1 Cup Salt
• 1 1/2 Cups Warm Water

Roll out dough, cut with coolie cutters, poke a hole in the top, and bake in a 325 degree F oven for about 1 hour. The precise directions are at this link. 

NOTE: (1) Thinner is better for these ornaments. The thick ones had a tendency to puff out and form cracks.

(2) Be sure to watch that you don’t overbake as the bottoms will burn. Just saying – lol.

 

 

 

You can cover the cooked dough with glitter or puffy paint! See the tissue-decoupaged ornament peeking through just off-center?

 

 

 This star was painted with white paint to look like frosting. Then I covered the “frosting” with cake sprinkles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Cinnamon Salt Dough does well with acrylic paint.

(1) Aren’t Patrick and Pooh cute?

(2) The bright blue shows up nicely on the tree. The red/white candy cane is explained down below.

(3) Ninjas look good on the tree too.

Sculpey Oven Baked Clay Projects

Snowman Plaque

(1) For the base we cut a 3″x4″ rectangle from white foam board. We covered it with a thin layer of the Sculpey clay.

(2) We cooked the plaque with the half circle heads, hats, scarves, and noses as one piece at 250 degrees F for 15 minutes. 

NOTE: (1) Put a bit of wire in the nose, under the clay. Otherwise it will break off.

(2) I made the one on the left. My daughter made the one on the right.

 

 (1) The foil-lined cookie sheet is full of our baked projects.

(2) My son made the snowman on the right. He wasn’t shy about being the only male. 

 

 

 

 (1) Kate’s snowman is small, about 4 inches tall and reminds me of The Snowman.

(2) Em’s snowman is BIG about 7 inches tall. Love those blue eyes.

(3) Sammi made a snowman too. I am not showing her art because some are presents and at this moment I cannot remember which ones are. So best not to post any.

Snowman on Star

This technique combined the cinnamon salt dough and Sculpey clay.

 

 

 

 

 

Fabric Wrapped Candy Cane 

We raided my daughter’s rag basket for this ornament. We cut pieces about one inch in width. As we wrapped it around the candy cane we’d periodically dabble some hot glue.

NOTE: (1) We used real candy canes because that’s what we had on hand.

(2) I was inspired to try this craft because of reading this post on Eyeballs by Day Crafts by Night. Maggie uses homespun fabric in one colour per cane. So cute!

 

Hope you enjoyed seeing our creations. All the “kiddos” from young to old enjoyed doing these projects.

 

Your Turn . . . What have you created lately? Any ornaments?

 

Related Posts . . . 

• 6 Ways to Decommercialize Christmas
• A Charlie Brown Christmas Quiz
• Decorations Can be Emotional Bombs
• How to Make a Christmas Card Wreath for $2
• Traditions: Getting Past the Meaningless to Find the Meaning

How to Make a Christmas Card Wreath for $2.00

Christmas cards are too meaningful and too pretty to NOT enjoy all season long.

How do you normally display your Christmas cards? I’ve taped them to the wall, stood them up on top of my entertainment center, feathered them in a big bowl, and lined them on twine.

An internet search showed how people are displaying their cards . . .

• on a vertical ribbon
• from garland
• hanging from a yardstick with clothespins
• turn them into a crocheted greeting bowl
• a branch tree holds them nicely

I recently saw this cork photo wreath and thought THIS is what I’ll do with my cards this year!

But I wanted to do so with a smaller budget. I visited The Dollar Tree to see what would be good substitutes for a roll of cork liner and a cardboard circle (both can be found at any craft store).

My $2 idea is one foam board (20″x30″) and one 16″ wreath (any kind would do since it’ll be covered).

Additional Supplies You’ll Need

• Adhesive to stick wreath to foam board (hot glue, tacky glue, wood glue)
• “Adhesive” to attach cards to wreath (tacks, hot glue, tacky glue, double-sided tape, or scrapbook adhesive pop dots)
• Pen and scissors
• 15-20 Christmas cards

Directions

 Drawing the foam circle.

1.  Lay your wreath on top of foam board.

 2. Trace a circle on the inside and outside of wreath.

 3. I made the circle 1-2 inches bigger than the wreath. I wanted there to be plenty of room to attach the cards.

4. Cut out the foam circle by cutting along the lines you’ve drawn.

This is the wrong side of the wreath.

5. Attaching foam to the wreath. Glue the wreath to the foam circle using the adhesive of your choice. I used wood glue and put books on top until the glue was dry. I did this in the evening and it was dry the next morning.

NOTE: Be sure to have glue dry in this upside-down position. Otherwise the glue will run through the vines of the wreath. Yes, I learned the hard way.

6. Gather Christmas cards you want to display. Lay out your 15-20 Christmas cards and arrange them in a pleasing pattern on top of the foam board.  Attach the cards using tacks, sticky pop dots, double-sided tape, or hot glue.

I used the sticky pop dots. On average I used 3 dots per card.

NOTE: I used some of the pop dots to close the cards. I did not want them swinging open every time I opened/shut the door.

7. Hang up your wreath. My wreath is in my bedroom hanging from an over-the-door hanger.

Related Posts . . . 

• 6 Ways to Decommercialize Christmas
• 10 Creative, Clutter-free Ideas for Displaying Christmas Cards (Apartment Therapy; lovely photos)
• Christmas Table of Contents from Fruitfulwords
• Christmas Card Display Ideas from Modern Country Style

CNC Women’s Party Features Traditional Christmas Food: 1-3 pm, Sat. Rudat Hall, Dec. 3rd

What are some favorite foods you have each Christmas time?

Perhaps it’s . . . 

• Gingerbread Reindeer cookies. A novel use for a gingerbread woman cookie cutter.
• Chicken and Black Bean Green Enchilada Rice Bake. Substitute turkey for the chicken and it’s a great way to use up turkey leftovers.
• Bacon and Cheese Egg McMuffin Cups or try Crème BrûléeFrench Toast. Great ideas for a memorable and easyish breakfast.

My family, like yours, has ideas about what makes up Christmas Dinner. Baked orangey-yams with butter and a sprinkle of sea salt, mashed potatoes with gravy, and sliced ham are a few of my family’s savory favorites. On the sweeter side we like Green Stuff (similar to Orange Stuff but you use pistachio pudding and no jello), pumpkin pie, and fudge.

Bring one of your family’s dishes to share at our annual women’s CNC Christmas party. We will invite some of you to share a story that goes along with your traditional dish.

Our 2 hours together will fly by. In addition to eating and visiting with one another, we will play a traditional British party game, Pass the Parcel. And in keeping with tradition at our Christmas parties, we will have a devotional.

Not just a fun time. Women’s ministry hopes that all who attend will have fun with friends old and new, put aside worries, and leave with the peaceful truth that God is in control.

P.S. Bring a friend.

Related Posts

• Christmas Purse Game
• How to Host Brunch & Still Sleep In 
• Table of Contents for Christmas Posts

5 Reasons I Love Fall

Each season has its own beauty. Even though the seasons where I live are not always distinct, there is a different feel and function for each one.

While Fall is not my favourite season, I bet if I think hard enough, I can come up with reasons to love the season and to even be grateful for it.

 

Doing this “thinking” exercise is not merely a writing tool. It is a way to enhance my gratitude and my happiness.

 

If you’d like to join this gratitude-thinking exercise, go to Susanne’s blog and link up your post of 5 blessings about Fall or anything from this past week.

 

“It is not happy people who are thankful; it is thankful people who are happy.” (Quote and a decorating idea with the quote from this website.)

 

 

1. Thankfulness. Of all the seasons, I think Fall reminds me most about being thankful. Harvests, Thanksgiving, and Christmas all point me to the attitude of gratitude. There are events, people, and organizations that I am grateful for because of how they impact the world we all live in. Of course, I am extra grateful to God because of the above.

2. Orange. Right now the colour orange is one of my favourite colours (not to wear though). It is cheery and bold. The colour tends to make me feel invigorated. I love seeing it in Autumn’s nature (mums, squash, oranges, pumpkins, leaves, sunsets).

When I was in high school my room was decorated in orange. My soft-sided luggage was even orange. I was always able to pick it out very quickly when claiming my luggage at the airport.

3. Holidays. I like the official time off and attention dedicated to holidays. They help me make time for expressing gratitude in words and actions and for spending quality time with those I love. The Fall has most of my favourite holidays: Veterans Day, Halloween, and Thanksgiving.

4. Christmas. Even though Christmas is in the winter season, most of the prep is done in the Fall. I like doing the activities that are a prelude to the actual Christmas Day.

• I like the card and gift shopping because it is a small way to tell others “thank you” for their presence in my life.
• I like the events (religious choir/chorale performances, church services, door-to-door singing) that remind me about the Reason for the Season.
• At these events I often have an opportunity to express my gratitude to God.

5. Food.  The Fall season has the best food of all the seasons. Their tastes, smells, and look all thrill my senses.

• Pumpkin flavoured and pumpkin pie spiced everything: pie, drinks, soup/stews, and breads to name a few things.
• There are also the elaborate and countless recipes for cookies, candies, and cakes that get made during this season in preparation for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Not only are they are a sensory delight, but I have many wonderful memories of baking with family and friends.
• And lastly the meats served at this season fill the bill for home-cooked contentment (turkey, roast, honey-baked ham).

I see that I have some deep feelings for the Fall season. I know I could add more items to this list.

Your Turn . . . What are your feelings about Fall? Go ahead and list some of  your favourite things.

This is the 15^th post in the “5 Reasons I Love . . .” Series. Go here for the original post which explains how this idea came about. The next post in this series is 5 Reasons I Love Winter and then I’ll write one about my Religion.

Related Posts . . .

• 5 Reasons I Love Summer
• 12 Things Happy People Do Differently
• 31 Days: Inspired for the Holidays 2011. This is a series for Fall and Christmas ideas.
• Memories of Christmas Cards
• My Fall Bucket List

Perfect Gift Takes Reflection and Sacrifice

Have you purchased or made all your Christmas gifts yet? What do you get that one person who means the most to you? Ever have a hard time figuring out the perfect present?

I have all the Christmas gifts on my list – all except for one. I’ve been thinking about what to get ever since Pastor Mike told us we would be giving presents at church on Sunday, December 26^th. These presents are not for mere mortals, but for Jesus, the King, and Saviour of the world.

Last night I watched a movie that also talked about giving a gift to Jesus. The movie, The Bishop’s Wife, has David Niven as the bishop. Loretta Young is the bishop’s wife. And Cary Grant? He is the … No, you have to see the movie to found out who he is.

Anyway, at the end of the movie, the Bishop gives his Christmas Eve sermon. This is a sermon that could be preached at our church this coming Sunday. In fact, it could be a “trailer” for Pastor Mike’s sermon. Read on for the Bishop’s admonition and suggestion for a gift.

David Niven’s Introduction to Pastor’s Sermon on Sunday

Tonight I want to tell you the story of an empty stocking. Once upon a midnight clear there was a child’s cry. A blazing star hung over a stable and wisemen came with birthday gifts.

We haven’t forgotten that night down the centuries. We celebrate it with stars on Christmas trees, with the sound of bells, and with gifts. But especially with gifts.

You give me a book. I give you a tie. Aunt Martha has always wanted an orange-squeezer. And Uncle Henry could do with a new pipe. But we forget nobody, adult or child. All the stockings are filled.

All that is except one. And we have even forgotten to hang it up. A stocking for the child born in a manger. It’s His birthday we are celebrating. Don’t let us ever forget that. Let us ask ourselves what He would wish for most. And then let each one put in his share. Loving kindness … warm hearts … and the stretched out hand of tolerance. All the shining gifts that make peace on earth.

Have you thought about what gift you will bring to the Blessed Child on Sunday? Will it be loving kindness, a warm heart, or the stretched out hand of tolerance? An improved attitude? A material possession?  An action? A new habit?

During my walks this week I’ve been reflecting upon this same question. I have a general sense of what I think would please Jesus most. I also sense it will require sacrifice on my part. A giving up of my will for His. I am trying to narrow down the idea into a sentence or two. I am confident that by Sunday, I will be ready to present my gift to the Lord of Lords and King of Kings.

Will you be ready too?

Related Posts . . .

• Hate Your Name, Job and Life? So Did This Guy Until . . .
• Christmas Posts – Table of Contents

7 More Ways to Decommercialize Christmas

Click the following link for the first 6 ideas about 6 Ways to Decommercialize Christmas

Do you feel that the true meaning of Christmas has become lost in the wrappings, trappings and political fights? Read on for 7 more ways to put Christ back into Christmas.

1. Memorize the Christmas Story from Luke 2: 1-20 and/or prophecy from Isaiah 9:6.

Meditating upon and memorizing these words will strengthen your resolve to have a meaningful Christmas.

2. Watch Christmas movies and read Christmas books that reinforce the vision you have for the Christmas season.

Talk about the themes and how and why certain characters act as they do. Movies like It’s a Wonderful Life and A Charlie Brown Christmas, and books like The Legend of the Poinsettia or Christmas in the Big Woods with the Ingalls family might be ones you’d enjoy. What would you add to this list?

3. Learn some of the old Christmas songs and the back story as to why they were written.

Or learn more modern Christmas songs like Mary Did You Know? Listen to Precious Jesus. While not a Christmas song, it definitely uplifts. Filling your mind, mouth and home with such melodies will bring you truth and encouragement. Learning these songs and back stories will let you know again how intimately involved God is with mankind. They will show you how blessed we are to have a Saviour like Jesus. Have any other song suggestions?

4. Make this Christmas about worshipping God.

How can you do that? Brainstorm some ideas. Maybe you could …

• Attend church more often …
• Tithe – maybe for the first time in a long time or give to the benevolent fund at your church …
• Sing worship songs to the Lord. Here is a sampling of songs …
• Thank God every day for your blessings …
• Participate in a Christmas program or live nativity at church, in the community, or at home …
• Ask God what you can do to worship Him more fully …

What are some ideas you came up with?

5. Make this Christmas about helping the less fortunate.

There are many ways to do this.

• Give to a Salvation Army bell ringer …
• Give a meal or practical present to a neighbour in need …
• Give to your church …
• Samaritan’s Purse, World Vision and CAMA Services all provide worthwhile help to the underserved …

You probably won’t have to look far to find a need. So what did you decide to do?

6. Practice gratitude.

Christ probably wasn’t born on December 25th, but that doesn’t take away from the intent of Advent or the meaning of December 25th. The world may view Christmas through the haze of advertisements and an adherence to external delights, “but, for the church, Christmas is an excuse for us to exalt Jesus Christ in the face of a world that is at least tuned in to his name” (M.P. Green). Let us thank God and Jesus Christ for the many gifts we have because of Christ’s birth, death and resurrection. We can do this through daily prayers, writing on our blogs, and by living in such a way that men will praise God because of our lives.

7. Celebrate Jesus’ Birth.

Whenever one of my kiddos had a birthday, we celebrated. Ok – we celebrated the adult birthday’s too!! So why do less for Jesus? Have a cake, decorations, and presents. Get creative with the presents you give to Jesus. Will it be something you’ll give up like a bad habit or something you’ll do more of like pray 10 minutes a day. Or will you give presents to others in Jesus’ name like give money to the local crisis pregnancy center. See #5 for more ideas.

Charlie Brown in A Charlie Brown Christmas became fed up with the folks he was surrounded by. Sally wanted “her fair share” from Santa, Lucy was ungrateful to the point of depression, and Snoopy decorated his home to win the prize not to share the magic with others.

At first, Charlie Brown was also depressed. Then he threw off that depression and started celebrating on his own terms. He bought a tree that needed a home. He listened to The Christmas Story. He let it impact his heart. He extended forgiveness to the “blockheads” around him. Finally he joined with the others in singing and worshipping God through the song, Hark! the Herald Angels Sing.

Friends, refuse to follow the expectations and actions of others, the advertising aims of multi-national corporations, the agenda set by our polytheist culture, or even the claims that familial tradition has upon us. It’s not too late to make this a commercial-free Christmas.

Your Part . . .

• Do you think commercialism in Christmas is a problem today?

• What would you add to this list? Detract from the list?

• Is there something that you are going to do or are already doing differently to make it a commercial-free Christmas Season?

• Or are you satisfied with your traditions and balance for this holiday season?

Related Post . . . Christmas Posts Table of Contents