Quote from Forum Archives on December 1, 2006, 10:11 am

Posted by: hopechestnews <hopechestnews@...>

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The Hope Chest Home School News  

with Virginia Knowles

December 1, 2006

Christmas Treasury 2006

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Dear Hope Chest friends,

This Christmas Treasury is a bunch of tidbits culled from several holiday issues I have done in past years.  I think you'll enjoy them!    Feel free to pass this along to your friends!   

Before I start, I want to mention that there is a terrific concert tonight at Metro Life Church in Casselberry, Florida (northeast  of Orlando).  Keith and Kristyn Getty, two very talented musicians and hymn writers from Belfast, Ireland, are presenting a Celtic Christmas at 7:30 this evening.  Two of my daughters, Rachel and Joanna, are singing in the adult backup choir.  The tickets are $12 at the door.  For more information you can call the church office at 407-740-0561 or log on to the web site at www.metrolife.org.  For those of you who don't live in the Orlando area, you can find out more about the Gettys at www.gettymusic.com and their two year American tour at http://www.gettydirect.com/tours.asp.  I am pasting in one of their songs (off of their web site) somewhere in this issue. 

Advent Blessings,

Virginia Knowles

www.TheHopeChest.net

 

In this issue you will find:

• Christmas Memories
• A Simplified Christmas
• A Bittersweet Advent    
• Christmas Web Sites 
• "Joy Has Dawned" by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend
• "The Shepherd's Tale" 
• "The Paradox" 
• "Christmas Once is Christmas Still" by Phillips Brooks
• Chocolate Chip Cheese Balls
• Holiday Wassail
• Advent Adventure Unit Study
• Gifts Worth Giving
• Christmas Gift Tips from Shopping to Shipping

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CHRISTMAS MEMORIES

by Virginia Knowles

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Taking a trip through old photo albums evokes childhood Christmas memories for me. One year, when we lived in the Midwest, we traveled to Grandma and Grandpa Hess' Pennsylvania homestead. We all had the chicken pox, but we had so much fun playing with our many cousins in the teepee that the grownups had constructed in the living room. In the guest room with pull-down Murphy beds, Grandma always kept a drawer full of toys for our visits. I can just smell the wood furnace, taste the fresh peas from Grandpa's garden that we would shell on the porch, hear the cuckoo clock, and feel the leaves crackling under my feet as I tromped through the woods out to the smooth boulder where I received the gift of the Savior in 1976.

Christmas 1968 holds the memory of the little red wagon Mom and Dad gave me. I must have been in the "pretty princess" stage of childhood, because I instantly rejected it as being "for a boy." My Mom, perennial fount of wisdom, merely smiled and responded that SHE would be glad to have my red wagon. She piled her own Christmas presents into it, climbed aboard in her short plaid skirt, and scooted into the kitchen. Oh, how that kindled my desire to have it back! And of course she gave it to me.

Whatever fond Christmas memories you cherish, this year I ask God to bless you with close relationships, a heart of service, and the thrill of discovering anew, with a child's heart, the Reason for the Season.   

(Update in 2006:  Grandpa Hess, who is 94, has been in the hospital in Maryland for two weeks.  He was admitted with a pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lung) and since he is also chronically anemic, they've been trying to get his blood balanced out since then.  Last night, he also had a vertebroplasty done to repair a very painful compression fracture in his spine.  At one point, we thought he wasn't going to live long enough to come home, but things are looking up.  My Mom, Dad, and Grandma Hess hope to have him home with them again within a few days.  Please pray for him!  We can tell that he's in good spirits because he sent my mom home to replant the asparagus in her garden.  She had done it upside down, and he told her they would sprout in China if she left it that way.) 

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 A SIMPLIFIED CHRISTMAS

by Virginia Knowles

from 2005 

 

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In the interest of making the most of the Christmas season, let's focus on the essentials and not get frazzled running around too much.   Speaking as a busy mama of 10, I know how easy it is to lose joy and peace in the very season that it is supposed to be abundant!   But here's a simple fact:  You don't have to fill your calendar or empty your wallet to have a truly merry Christmas! 

 

Let's try a simple assignment.  Label three pieces of paper with the following headings:

• How we can worship God in gratitude for the gift of Jesus....
• How we can spend special, relationship-building, memory-making time with our loved ones...
• How we can minister to the poor, the lonely, and the lost out of the abundance God has given us...

Sit down with your family and brainstorm to fill these pages.  (Listen to the dinky dudes and the hubbies, too!)  Write down all of your great ideas -- whether they are old traditions or something totally new.   Then carefully prioritize and choose what you really want to do in each area.   Plan your month accordingly.   Of course, you'll schedule in selected activities others have invited you to do -- but it will be because you want to do it and it fits in with your family's goals.  Keep it simple!   (And don't forget that you still  have to do the laundry, dishes and other menial stuff, just like January through November!)

 

Do try to be very purposeful in what give as presents.    A huge pile of fancy gifts does not make for a contented child or a tidy house.   Go for quality and creativity.   Since Jesus is the Reason for the Season, I always like to find at least one gift to encourage them in their faith -- whether it is a book, a CD, a video or a piece of art.  

 

Oh, and please don't forget to just sit quietly once in a while, focus your heart, and say, "Thank you, Jesus!  I love you, too!" 

 

 

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A BITTERSWEET ADVENT

by Virginia Knowles

from 2002

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[Virginia's note: This was written in December 2002 -- and still as applicable as ever!  As many of you know, my mother-in-law passed away the following September,  full of Jesus.]

 

It's Christmastime, and life is supposed to be jolly!  But it's not, at least not always.  For many of us, this Advent season brings a strong sense of the bittersweet aspects of real life. 

 

Several weeks ago, as I was speaking to a home school group, I commented my family is "swimming in stress soup" right now,  with unemployment,  an exhausting pregnancy, and all the other niggling challenges of life in a large home schooling family.  Little did I know what was to come!  My wonderful mother-in-law, who has been quite ill this past month, was diagnosed with a second case of cancer, this time inoperable.  My dear husband Thad has been taking care of her and tending to her business matters almost full-time since she has been sick, which actually makes me thankful for this period of "unemployment."  As we await more test results, and then see her through chemotherapy and radiation, the future remains uncertain.

 

I know that we aren't the only ones in the midst of trials.  I hear from so many of you who are facing illness or death, either for yourself or in your  families.  Some of you sorely miss loved ones who have passed away, or are just far away in other cities.  Some of you have spouses who are being deployed to the Middle East or other far-flung locations for our national defense.  (And God bless you for it!)  Some of you have simmering and even boiling conflicts with family or friends, which alienate you during this season of supposed "peace on earth, goodwill to men."  Some of you are on what could charitably be called a "tight budget," and like us, are doing your Christmas shopping at the dollar store and the clearance bins.  And some of you are just plain tired from running all over town searching for just the right gifts, or chauffeuring children to endless holiday events that require hours of preparation and fancy clothes that will only be worn once. 

 

Yes, the Advent season can be bittersweet, even in the middle of jolly parties, holiday baking, tree trimming and gift wrapping.

 

May I offer a few observations and encouragement?

 

The manger was not filled with tinsel, and I don't think there were any candy canes or mistletoe hung overhead either!  That first Christmas, joyous as it was, spangled with the Star of Bethlehem, heralded by an angelic chorus -- was still bittersweet.  Imagine being God the Son, leaving the glory of Heaven, and being plopped into a scratchy, smelly barn to be raised by lowly humans, and later, mocked and crucified by those you came to save.  That's a real life Christmas.  Life on earth was no vacation for our Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ.  He came to serve, not be served.  Likewise, we should be about our Father's business, not just expecting everything to be automatically perfect just because it is December.   As we face the challenges, we should have a multi-faceted approach. 

 

First, we trust that God has allowed each circumstance to enter our lives for our enrichment in the faith.  If we have confidence in the sovereign grace of God, who controls all things, we can not only survive the trials, but learn and grow through them.  At least they will cause us to learn harder on our gracious Lord, who wants us to depend on Him and not ourselves anyway.

 

Second, we look for practical ways to minimize the extra stress by dealing with the realities of life.  For example, we can reduce our expectations of what Christmas needs to be.  Much of our overload is caused because we are trying to create unrealistic images or experiences for our children.  This causes us to overspend and overschedule, just cramming it all in.  Slow down!   Spend less!   Learn to savor the relationships you have with family and friends -- you never know when this will be the last Christmas you will see or talk to a loved one!  If those relationships are ailing, we must seek to repair and restore them, rather than shoving the problems under the carpet.  Preferably this could be done right now, so you aren't trying to hastily patch things up over the sweet potato casserole at the Christmas dinner table. 

 

Third, we should find little ways to follow Jesus' example of serving.   If you are not personally going through trials right now, I can assure you that someone you know is suffering, perhaps in silence.   Please be sensitive to this, so that you won't blithely blunder through the holidays!  Find a way to extend the healing grace of God.  For some, this will be as simple as writing a sweet note to a discouraged friend  or a check to a charitable organization.  Other families might be involved in some sort of service project -- caroling at the nursing home, serving food at the homeless shelter, or delivering gifts to a needy family.  It takes our minds off our own troubles when we help those who may be even less fortunate than we are.  It can remove the root of selfishness that clamors for our own needs to be met, and instead plant the seeds of compassion. 

 

Above all, let us seek to glorify the One whom we celebrate in this Advent season, bittersweet as it may be.

 

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CHRISTMAS WEB SITES

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My friend Mary Lou Graham sent this site to me a couple of years ago.  It is a Christmas quiz with several questions about holiday traditions, then leads into the last question which is something like:  "If Santa was going over his list, would you be marked as naughty or nice?"  There is an answer key on the back which presents the Gospel message clearly.  http://www.livingwaters.com/christmas/#quiz 

Here are the instructions for making "Snowman Soup" gifts.  We've been doing this for years!http://organizedchristmas.com/article64.html

Oh yes!  How about the Harvest of Hope Gift Catalog?  You can give gifts to needy folks around the world!  Piglets, anyone?  www.partnersintl.org 

Pamela Smith's nutrition newsletter -- this time on the holidays!   http://www.pamsmith.com/Newsletter/nov_2006.htm

And, last but not least for the web sites, is the "All About Jesus Christmas Welcome Center" with lots of Christ-centered goodies: http://www.homeschooled-kids.com/christmas.html 

 

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JOY HAS DAWNED

by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend

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Joy has dawned upon the world,
Promised from creation—
God's salvation now unfurled,
Hope for ev'ry nation.
Not with fanfares from above,
Not with scenes of glory,
But a humble gift of love—
Jesus born of Mary.

Sounds of wonder fill the sky
With the songs of angels
As the mighty Prince of Life
Shelters in a stable.
Hands that set each star in place,
Shaped the earth in darkness,
Cling now to a mother's breast,
Vuln'rable and helpless.

Shepherds bow before the Lamb,
Gazing at the glory;
Gifts of men from distant lands
Prophesy the story.
Gold—a King is born today,
Incense—God is with us,
Myrrh—His death will make a way,
And by His blood He'll win us.

Son of Adam, Son of heaven,
Given as a ransom;
Reconciling God and man,
Christ, our mighty champion!
What a Savior! What a Friend!
 What a glorious myst'ry!
Once a babe in Bethlehem,
Now the Lord of hist'ry. 

 

(This is one of the songs that will be sung at the Celtic Christmas concert at Metro Life Church tonight!  I pasted it in from http://www.gettydirect.com/lyrics.asp?id=41 where you can also hear a sample.  ) 

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SHEPHERD'S TALE

by Virginia Knowles

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Shepherd's Tale

by Virginia Knowles from Luke 2:8-20

 

A prayer I make to stay awake,

To watch the sheep safe in my keep,

When I should see, in front of me,

An angel bright in darkest night.

"Be not afraid!" the angel bade.

"Good news of joy!  A baby boy

Is born today, on bed of hay.

The Savior mild, the Lord's a child!"

Now in the sky the angels fly,

And gladly sing of newborn King.

"Give God high praise, hosannas raise,

And peace on earth through Jesus' birth!"

All shepherds know that they should go,

To follow them to Bethlehem.

Where baby rests is not the best,

A scratchy stall holds Lord of All.

But God above sends Gift of Love.

Forgiving sin, he lives within.

Now spread the word, till all have heard

Amazing story, to God be glory! 

 

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THE PARADOX

by Virginia Knowles

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Come, see where He lays, 

 Good Shepherd and Little Lamb

King of Kings and Servant of All

Prophet and Prophecy Fulfilled

Physician and Wounded One

High Priest and Atoning Sacrifice

Counselor and Rejected One

Builder and Foundation Stone

Righteous Judge and Condemned Prisoner

Ancient of Days and Newly-born Babe

God and Man

 

Jesus is a paradox, a seeming contradiction in terms.  Who is he?  What is his nature?  And why did he come?  If you have ever wondered how to understand or explain the mystery of Jesus, I invite you to look up the following passages, which correspond line by line to the facets expressed in the poem, The Paradox.

• Lying in a manger: Luke 2:12
• Shepherd:  John 10: 11 / Lamb: John 1:29
• King: Revelation 19:16 / Servant: Mark 10:43-45, Philippians 2:7
• Prophet: Luke 7:16 / Prophecy: Matthew 1:22, Luke 4:16-21, Isaiah 61:1-3
• Physician: Matthew 15:30 / Wounded: Isaiah 53:4-6
• Priest: Hebrews 7:23-28 / Sacrifice: Hebrews 9:11-14, 10:19-22
• Counselor: Isaiah 9:6 / Rejected: Isaiah 53:3, John 10:22-33
• Builder: Hebrews 3:3, Matthew 16:18 /
• Foundation: 1 Peter 2:4-9
• Judge: John 8:1-11, Acts 10:42-43 & 17:30-31 / Prisoner: Mark 14:60-65
• Ancient: Daniel 7:13-14 / Newborn: Luke 2:8-20
• God: John 1:1-5, Hebrews 1:3, Colossians 1:19-20 / Man: 1 Timothy 2:5, Romans 1:1-4 

   

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CHRISTMAS ONCE IS CHRISTMAS STILL

by Phillips Brooks

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The silent skies are full of speech,

For who hath ears to hear;

The winds are whispering each to each,

The moon is calling to the beach,

And stars their sacred mission teach

Of Faith, and Love, and Fear.

 

But once the sky its silence broke,

And song o'erflowed the earth,

The midnight air with glory shook,

And angels mortal language spoke,

When God our human nature took

In Christ the Saviour's birth.

 

And Christmas once is Christmas still;

The gates through which He came,

And forests wild and murmuring rill,

And fruitful field and breezy hill,

And all that else the wide world fill

Are vocal with His name.

 

Shall we not listen while they sing

   This latest Christmas morn,

And music hear in everything,

And faithful lives in tribute bring

To the great song which greets the King

Who comes when Christ is born.

 

       ~~Phillips Brooks

 

Phillips Brooks (1835-1893) was an influential Episcopal minister who is famous for his hymn, O Little Town of Bethlehem.

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CHOCOLATE CHIP CHEESE BALLS

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Mary and I went to a "Homes for Christmas" event sponsored by the ladies' ministry at our church one year, and one recipe we sampled was so delicious that Mary made it to take to a friend's surprise birthday party.  It's not exactly the healthiest recipe in the world, but yummy!  To cut down on calories, you can try a reduced fat cream cheese like Neuchatel.  This recipe came from Charity Bianchi.

Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball

Ingredients:

• 1 package (8 ounces) softened cream cheese
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) softened butter (no substitute)
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup confectioner's sugar
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 3/4 cup mini chocolate chips
• 3/4 cup finely chopped pecans
• graham crackers

 

Beat cream cheese, butter and vanilla until fluffy. Gradually add sugars; beat just until combined. Stir in chocolate chips. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours. Place cream cheese mixture on a large piece of plastic wrap and shape into a ball. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.  Roll cheese ball in pecans just before serving. Serve with graham crackers (chocolate and/or honey flavored).

 

Yield: 1 cheese ball

 

 

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HOLIDAY WASSAIL
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Ingredients:

64 oz. apple cider or juice
32 oz. cranberry or cran-raspberry juice
4-6 tbs. white sugar
3 cinnamon sticks or several liberal shakes of ground cinnamon
1 tsp. allspice
1 tsp. ground cloves or a dozen dried whole cloves
1/2 cup orange juice

Simmer for about 30 minutes on medium in a large pot.  Serve in mugs.

 

This is a family favorite in our house, for both Thanksgiving and Christmas!

 

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ADVENT ADVENTURE UNIT STUDY

by Virginia Knowles

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Many families lay aside much of their traditional school routine during the month of December. They use the extra time for an "Advent Adventure" unit study.

• Read and write Christmas stories and poems.
• Learn about holiday traditions in other cultures and time periods.
• Say Christmas greetings in other languages. (Feliz Navidad!)
• Publish an annual family newsletter for relatives and friends.
• Practice addressing envelopes for Christmas cards or invitations.
• Make crafts for fun and/or for gifts.
• Host a Christmas Craft Day for neighborhood children.
• Listen to holiday music.
• Attend a community sing-along of Handel's Messiah.
• Go see the Nutcracker Ballet.
• Perform in church Christmas pageants.
• Make a video of Christmas preparations and celebrations.
• Participate in community service projects.
• Make or display a collection of nativity sets.
• Decorate the house.
• Do price comparisons for Christmas shopping.
• Plan menus / entertainment for a party or company meal.
• Bake cookies and other holiday goodies.
• Visit relatives.

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GIFTS WORTH GIVING

by Virginia Knowles

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GREAT GIFTS FOR KIDS TO RECEIVE

• Uplifting books and videos: Pick your kid's favorites or introduce them to a wholesome new series.
• CD or tape player with music or stories: for listening at bedtime or playtime in the bedrooms. 
• Educational toys and games: Legos, wooden blocks, construction toys, puzzles, computer software, Rummikub, Scrabble, Boggle, chess, Mancala, etc.
• Art and craft supplies: sewing and needlecraft kits, crayons, colored pencils, markers, paints, art paper, stickers, rubber stamps, yarn, craft sticks, pipe cleaners, play clay, instruction books, etc. These make great stocking stuffers, or you can assemble a basket or plastic box full of these.
• Hobby and motif items: Encourage your child's personal interests by finding related items, such as a tote bag decorated with musical notes for your pianist, a butterfly net for your amateur entomologist, a puppy poster for your dog lover or an apron for the chef.
• Nice clothes: (beyond underwear and socks!) and hair things

GREAT GIFTS KIDS CAN MAKE FOR OTHERS

• Pomander balls: Roll a foam ball in glue, then add spices. Pin on ribbon, lace, silk flowers. OR Push whole cloves into an orange and then decorate.
• Soap:  Cut soap glycerine into chunks, put into a glass measuring cup, melt it in the microwave, mix in the dyes and soap scents (if desired), pour into molds, wait about 15 minutes, and pop them out.  Very easy to make, and very easy to clean up!  You can get all of the supplies at a craft store.
• Potpourri sachets: Wrap potpourri (scented dried flowers) in a square of net and tie shut with a pretty ribbon OR sew the potpourri into little fabric pouches.
• Painted plaques: Buy a plain wooden plaque, cover with a coat of acrylic paint, then add decorative details with contrasting colors. You can use a gold metallic marker to write a poem or Bible verse.
• Decorative pillows: Buy a pillow form, then make a decorative cover for it using your sewing machine. You might try making a patchwork design for one side.
• Hair scrunchies: These are basically a short piece of elastic in a tube of fabric, sewed into a circle. You may need to experiment a little bit.
• Coupon books good for personal services: a back rub, household chores, babysitting, etc.
• Cookies, candy or other food items

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CHRISTMAS GIFT TIPS FROM SHOPPING TO SHIPPING

by Virginia Knowles

from 2002

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With so many children, I've really had to get organized when it comes to buying, storing, and shipping Christmas gifts. Here are several miscellaneous tips:

1. Ask each family member to write a Wish List and mark each item whether it is "gotta have", "would be great" or "nice but not necessary". Make sure they are specific if they want a certain brand or title of something. Have them copy their final version onto an index card.  Using the Wish Lists and your budget (made with your husband), write out a list of what you plan to buy or make for each one. Do each person's list on a separate index card or notebook page. Also, list relatives and friends, and what you intend to do for them. Finally, list Christmas extras, such as outdoor lights, craft supplies, etc. Estimate prices and add it all up to make sure you won't go over budget. Allow some buffer for special deals, bad estimates, forgotten items, etc.   Then make a list of items for each store that you intend to visit.
2. Make a Christmas shopping organizer for your purse. Take a manila file folder and open it up so that the crease goes vertically up the middle. Now fold about four inches of the bottom edge up so that makes a pocket. Tape the edges of the pocket on the left and right hand sides. Next, fold the left side in almost half way, and do the same with the right side. Now you have a four panel pocket folder that will probably fit in your purse. Use one section for Wish List index cards, another section for your Shopping Plan index cards, another section for Coupons and Ads and the final section for Receipts. As you buy things, you can check them off your list and add them to a running total.
3. Wear an extra large hip pack on your shopping trips. This takes stress off your shoulder (if you usually wear a purse) or reduces risk of theft (if you usually leave it in your cart or on your stroller). I like the hip pack because it keeps my hands free for dealing with purchases, packages and children.
4. If at all possible, go shopping without your children. If you don't have a teenager or nearby relative who can babysit for you, try arranging with another mom to trade childcare for a few hours at a time. When you do go shopping with children (like when THEY are doing some shopping), remember that stores are very busy and that there may be criminals lurking about waiting for an opportunity to snatch a child. Keep your young ones with you!
5. Christian books, music and videos make excellent holiday gifts since they can encourage someone in the faith. I have always done a major chunk of my shopping at Family Christian Store because I save up my "Family Perks Card" which gives a 25% discount off of everything (including sale prices). They give you this certificate after every 10 purchases in their stores, which are nationwide. I also shop a local Christian outlet which offers 30-70% discounts. If you want to get great Christian stuff for a good price on-line, try CBD at http://www.christianbooks.com.
6. When you get your goodies home, you have to store them out of sight and out of reach! I label a large paper bag for each family member (either a grocery bag or an old gift bag), open it up so that it stands by itself, and put it on my closet shelf. When needed, I can take it all down and see what I have and what I still need.
7. Establish a Christmas wrapping station stocked with paper, tape, ribbons, gift tags, scissors, etc. Give your kids lessons on how to wrap efficiently so they don't waste too much paper. Or design your own paper and tags with finger paints or rubber stamps. Let your older children assist your younger ones with wrapping presents for Mom and Dad. If you will be mailing packages, be sure to have cardboard boxes and something like bubble wrap to protect the contents.
8. A few words about postage: You can call the post office at 1-800-ASK-USPS or log on to the web site at www.usps.gov to find out the cost for mailing any package. You will need to know the weight in pounds and ounces (use your kitchen scale for this), your zip code and the zip code of the destination. If you stock up on lots of postage stamps ahead of time ($1, 10 cent and 1 cent), you can avoid lots of trips to the post office this way. You can also let your children practice "place value" math concepts by deciding which stamps to use. If your package contains ONLY "media", which includes bound printed matter (books, magazines, calendars, and such, but not catalogs or loose papers), audio cassettes, CDs or videos, then you can send it "Special Standard Rate" which is cheaper but may take a little longer to deliver. You must mark these packages as "MEDIA RATE". Also check the price of Priority Mail -- sometimes it costs only a few pennies more than First Class. And always be sure to allow plenty of time for your packages to get there! If the contents of your package are valuable, check into insuring it. It doesn't cost that much extra.

I hope these ideas help make your Christmas shopping season a little easier!

~*~*~*

I trust that you have found this Christmas Treasury helpful in some way!

Blessings,

Virginia Knowles

 

Visit my web site at www.TheHopeChest.net

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