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December, 2002
And There Were
Shepherds
IN AND AROUND THE WORD with Zita
He Had No Rights
AROUND THE GARDEN
with Margaret
Blessed be the Name
‘Twas the Night Before Christmas
IN
THE KITCHEN with June
Church Christmas
Banquet
An
ordinary night with ordinary sheep and ordinary shepherds.
And were it not for a God who loves to hook an “extra” on the front of
the ordinary, the night would have gone unnoticed. The sheep would have
been forgotten, and the shepherds would have slept the night away…And
the shepherds. Peasants they were. Probably wearing all the clothes they
owned. Smelling like sheep and looking just as woolly. They were conscientious,
willing to spend the night with their flocks…They were nameless and simple—God’s
most powerful tools are the simplest.
(Max Lucado)
In the grass-covered hills
of
Shepherds, watching their flocks by night,
Heard the sound of heavenly music
And their awe-stricken hearts filled with fright.
The glory of God shone about them
While the wonderful story was told,
“Born to you in the city of
Is the Christ who was promised of old.
“This is the sign given to you—
A manger will be His bed.”
Then a chorus of heavenly voices
In praise of the Savior said,
All glory to God in the highest
And peace be on earth among men!”
Like a dream, angels came and vanished,
Shepherds listened amazed at the scene.
From the grass-covered hills of
They hastened to find where He lay.
Angels brought them a special message
And a star would show them the way.
(Brenda Leigh)
This year, whatever we give, let it be accompanied
with genuine love and joy, in he spirit of Him whose birthday we are about
to celebrate. Let it be a part of ourselves that we give, for then the
receiver and the giver will be blest.
(Esther Baldwin York)
Let us pause to remember that gift of love God
sent to earth on that night so long ago, and to make room in our lives
for Him whose birthday we now celebrate.
(Esther York Burkholder)
IN AND AROUND THE WORD with Zita
“There were shepherds living out in the fields, keeping
watch over their flocks by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood
before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were
greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, do not be afraid, for I bring
you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For
there is born to you this day in the City of
In Psalm 23, David identifies the ways of this Shepherd’s ministry in a beautiful manner:
“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me
to lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside the still
waters. (He provides)
He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness
for His name’s sake. (He guides)
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death (threatened environment), I will fear no evil, for You are with me. Your rod and Your staff comfort me. (He protects)
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my
enemies. (He plans)
You anoint my head with oil, my cup runs over. (He blesses)
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
David knew that only those things that were good for His relationship with the Lord would happen to him, that he would be judged fairly, and that he would live for eternity with the Good Shepherd. The things of Psalm 23 also apply to the believer.
What is more important to the believer today is that Jesus proclaimed Himself to be our Good Shepherd. According to John 10:11, 15, and 17, Jesus tells each believer that He, as the Good Shepherd, will give His life for us, that He has an intimate relationship with us, that He will lead us through life, and that He will give us an abundant life. We, as believers, are privileged to be part of His flock.
He had no rights. And I?
No, but a right to the love of God for my pillow.
No, but a right to the security of being in His will.
No, but a right to the friendship of the One Who understands me better than I do myself.
No, but the right to serve, to be led by the One to Whom I have given my all, as is a little child, with its hand in the hand of its father.
No, not necessarily; but a right to dwell in the heart of God.
No, but oh, I have a right to Christ.
All that He takes I will give;
All that He gives will I take;
―He, the one right before which all other rights fade into nothingness.
I have full right
to Him; Oh, may He have full right to me.
(Author unknown; contributed by Joyce Wilhelmson)
OUR
It is Christmas time again, and with everyone busy doing Christmas things, we won’t be spending a lot of time in our gardens. The spring flowering bulbs are planted, the pansies are blooming, and the primroses are growing nicely, so let’s look at some other things.
If the weather is very wet and cold, the dahlias and gladioli should be dug up, the excess soil shaken off, and the bulbs stored in a dry, dark place until planting time.
For those who prefer not to “shepherd” herds of deer in their gardens, I have gone to our newest nurseryman, Jay Keye, for advice on deer-resistant perennials. His recommendations are sage, lavender, rosemary, mint, and lamb’s ears. All of these are readily available perennials in most of our local nurseries, and can be easily grown right in with roses, chrysanthemums, and your vegetable gardens. For a hedge around your flower and vegetable gardens he recommends germander, Russian olive, pyracantha, and even bamboo. Most of these plants are invasive, so must be kept under control. Deer do not like the oils in pungent plants, or the fuzzy leaves of others. They are not too wild about thorny ones either, unless, of course, they have roses on them!
I do hope this helps as you plan your next year’s garden. Our thanks to Jay, and we wish him well as he begins his business venture.
A wonderful Christmas to all and a very Happy New Year! May the love of God fill all our hearts with His joy and peace as this year ends and a new one begins. Maranatha!
Margaret
“His name shall be the Counselor,
The mighty Prince of Peace,
Of all earth’s kingdoms Conqueror,
Whose reign shall never cease.
“
Blessed be the name of the Lord!”
‘Twas the Night Before Christmas
Adapted by Patricia T. Warren
‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house,
Everyone was stirring-perhaps even the mouse!
Our Bibles lay on the shelf without care—
Who thought of Jesus? No time for Him there.
The children were dressing to crawl into bed,
Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head.
And Mom in a dither with presents to wrap
And dinner to fix…I yearned for a nap.
When at the front door there arose such a clatter,
I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters, and threw up the sash!
When what to my wondering eyes should appear?
But carolers singing about “Midnight Clear,”
Of a Savior in
“Hark,” how the angels sing; He is the Way!
The truth in their words made me bow my head,
To think of this Jesus Whom I thought was dead;
And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth,
I knew I missed something when I saw myself.
This baby Whom others had worshiped as God
Had come to be Savior and tread on this sod.
O come now, you mean all the ribbons and bows,
Have kept me from Jesus, the real Christmas Rose?
I’ve been caught up with Christmas, spent money galore;
But not seeing God’s gift, I simply ignored
The truth of that day, the reason He came,
To bear all my sin, to take all my shame.
They called Him a Savior; but such a small boy—
A babe in a manger, can He bring such joy?
He grew up, I’m sure,
walked
And now is He knocking at my heart’s door?
That night in dark
And later they killed Him, a cross and a tomb.
Why did they do that? Did they forget?
He healed their sick, fed them bread, and yet
No one remembered; they wouldn’t believe
That He is God’s Son Whom we should receive.
In spite of the miracles, they cried, “Crucify Him!”
They watched as He died, rejected by them.
But “Father, forgive them,” I remember He said,
Not malice but love He offered instead.
On that cross where He died, that true Christmas tree,
He died as a Savior, for all—even me.
He rose up to prove it; that’s why they still sing
Of a manger in
This Christmas so special I must make a change;
I must tell the children, “Take Mom from the range.”
We’ll worship the Savior, enjoy all the toys,
But won’t forget Jesus, no matter the noise.
We’ll shout from the housetops and sing it with glee,
Our recipe this month is one that dates back to Cliff Roberts’ mother, Flossie, and that Laura Roberts, two generations later, makes for her family. It is especially good for the holiday season because it is such a nice contrast to the usual cookies and candy. Laura serves it sliced, buttered, and put under the broiler until it is warmed or even crusty if you prefer it that way. This is a recipe that the whole family will enjoy—I know I did!
Sift together and set aside:
1 t. salt
1 t. nutmeg
1 t. cinnamon
2 t. baking soda
3 cups flour
Beat well:
3 cups sugar
1 cup oil
4 eggs
Blend together 1 cup persimmon pulp (puree in blender until
smooth) and cup water.
Combine all ingredients and pour into two oiled standard size bread pans.
(Cliff’s mother used to pour the batter into two 1 lb. coffee cans so
the slices would be round). Bake one hour at 350º. Test with toothpick
for doneness.
Fellowship Hall
Pictures:
