God: "I looked for someone to take a stand for me, and stand in the gap" (Ezekiel 22:30)
Here are some reasons it is okay to celebrate Christmas:
1. The day itself is not really the day Christ was born. Nobody actually has the exact day down, but most believe it was not during this time of year at all. Probably it took place in the spring, not on a “cold winter's night that was so deep.”
2. Diversity over the years has taken away much of the “Romish” flavor to the holiday. Our Catholic friends do as they wish on the night before and the day of Christmas, that is granted. But we do not have a state church. There are so many other ways Christmas is celebrated that no one really thinks about it the way the Puritans did so many years ago. The problem is not so acute because of so many years of varied expressions. At least this is true in our part of the world.
3. God can be honored in gift-giving and generosity as well as in singing carols and telling the story. They’re both important if done in the right spirit. We don't have to make something spiritual out of giving gifts. You may make a birthday cake to Jesus if you wish, but you don't have to. We do need to be Christian, however, about everything we do. Emphasizing the giving part of the day can heal lots of wounds, open calcified hearts, stir up gratefulness, and just be plain fun. God's not against fun is He?
4. There may be better things to be different about. In other words, we might show our radical difference better in the way we treat other shoppers, the kindness we show to retail clerks, the warmth of our hearts, the largeness of our generosity, the thankfulness we express and really feel.
5. There are admittedly some great opportunities to make Christ known during Christmas. With all that is bad about it, we can still make our point. And we will have some sympathy for our message. For years I've led Christmas Eve services, short ones of only 45 minutes, but packed with meaning. The building will be full and all kinds of our friends and family will hear the truth as clearly as we are willing to express it.
Jim Elliff
Cheddar Cheese Potatoes
0
(0)
CATEGORY
CUISINE
TAG
YIELD
Dairy
6
Servings
INGREDIENTS
6
md
Baking potatoes
2 1/2
c
Grated sharp Cheddar cheese
4
tb
Butter
1
c
Sour cream; at room temperature
1/3
c
Minced onion
Salt and pepper to taste
Paprika
INSTRUCTIONS
In this posting you'll find three recipes that have been tried and tested
by myself from time to time. I found all of these from a website called the
Mining Company, great place for many recipes in every category. The best
thing I enjoy about these three potato recipes are they are fast and easy
to make..so not hot slaving over the stove!!
A rich, delicious side dish, good enough for company. This recipe is from a
ten year old issue of Bon Appetit, and I still make it regularly.
Boil potatoes until tender. Drain, cool slightly and peel. Shred into a
bowl. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter an 8 inch square baking dish.
Cook 2 cups cheese and butter in heavy small saucepan over low heat until
almost melted, stirring constantly, about 1 minute. Remove from heat. Stir
in sour cream and onion. Season with salt and pepper. Fold into potatoes.
Pour into prepared dish. Top with remaining cheese, sprinkle with paprika.
Bake until bubbly, about 30 minutes.
Yield: 6 servings
Posted to TNT Recipes Digest by "Cynthia" <babycakes@webshoppe.net> on May
8, 1998
A Message from our Provider:
“WARNING: Exposure to the Son may prevent burning.”
How useful was this recipe?
Click on a star to rate it!
Average rating 0 / 5. Vote count: 0
No votes so far! Be the first to rate this recipe.
We are sorry that this recipe was not useful for you!