Christmas

Breath Breeze Biddings

By: Jonathan Noble

Over the seas and through the valleys blows numinous breeze;

Over mountains grand and great forest stands, band of angels

Whisper sing to bring an extraordinary message from up above

In love expressed from an esoteric pool to school us in serenity;

There is a long song in the air to prepare us for a spiritual affair,

An Immanuel flare to repair the broken, which we dare not miss!

As Father Christmas bids New Year come, then let there be cheer

Among all who are near and dear without any thought of fear . . .

Season’s greetings and happy holy days with shining heart rays!

Note: Previously published on noblethemes. The copyrights on the article belong to the author. The responsibility for the opinions expressed in the article belongs exclusively to the author.

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Merry Christmas from Nubble Light

nubble-light-close

Located in York, Maine. Nubble Light. It sits just off the coast and was decorated for the holidays. Photo by Christopher O’Keefe.

Note: The copyrights on the article belong to the author. The responsibility for the opinions expressed in the article belongs exclusively to the author. Please view more of O’Keefe’s wonderful work at Milford Street!

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Looking for Long-Lasting Peace?

dove symbol of peace

By: Jonathan Noble

Like a lightning bolt of realization to jolt us out of our stupor:
We call ‘peace and goodwill to all,’ but before we can have peace,
We have to be peace ourselves from the inside-out and about all
Of the world around us, abounding in heavenly love from above!
Peace is not something grand you lease for some period of time,
Oh no! This is more than some vaudeville show, we should know;
This is real reality, not carefree game or some tawdry marquee
In which we’re free to simply do as we please;
No! This action takes place first on our knees!
And before we cry in any protest, we have to say goodbye
To anger and lust, hatred and all danger to genuine peace;
It is then wars shall cease, the end of cruelty just round the bend
As love will send serenity to the hearts of one ‘n all everywhere!
Do you really want peace? Then be peace and live out peace . . .

Note: Previously published on noblethemes. The copyrights on the article belong to the author. The responsibility for the opinions expressed in the article belongs exclusively to the author.

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Pumpkin Spice Muffins

 

By: Jingle Bell Junction

I recently came across the easiest recipe for pumpkin muffins that I’ve ever tried. With just two simple ingredients you can whip up a dozen pumpkin muffins, and probably have them gobbled down, in less than half an hour. Since they are so easy to make, you might want to whip up several batches to give as gifts to friends and neighbors.

All you need is a yellow cake mix, I used Betty Crocker Super Moist Yellow Cake Mix 15.25oz and 1 can of Pumpkin, I used Libby’s Pumpkin: 100% Pure, 15 Oz.

Just those two things are all you need for some great tasting pumpkin muffins. Don’t worry what the directions on the cake mix box says. Trust me. No oil, no eggs, no nothing, just the pumpkin and the cake mix.

I decided to add ½ a tablespoon of pumpkin pie spice to mine, for an extra zing!

To make them, preheat your oven to 350°, and line 12 muffin cups with paper liners.

Just mix all ingredients together with a large fork. I used an ice cream scoop to fill my muffin cups. Bake them for 22 – 25 minutes. These are great right out of the oven, and just as good the next day. They have a wonderful pumpkin taste, they are super moist and have a ‘banana bread’ like consistency. These are a great breakfast treat – or any other time of the day – my whole family loves them, and I’m sure yours will too.

Update

Christy Carol from over at Talk Christmas suggested I try this with a spice cake… oh boy! It’s even better, and no need to add the pumpkin pie spice!

Note: The copyrights on the article belong to the author. The responsibility for the opinions expressed in the article belongs exclusively to the author.

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Yuletide Plea and Prayer

 

By: Jonathan Noble

Now let there be Yuletide cheer for all near and dear
And those far away, too, without any reason for fear!
No tears or mocking jeers, let peace and joy appear
For sheer enjoyment; no sneers or smears, only love
In which each person is a compeer – small and great,
Short and tall – everyone is hailed at the grand ball!
Let war and violence cease and let goodwill increase
With mother, father, daughter, brother, sister, niece
And everyone without restraint or taint of misdeeds;
Yes, and let all needs be met – the hungry finely fed,
And beds for the homeless, and medicine for the sick
As a grand gesture from ole Saint Nick – with a prick
Of conscience to inspire those who can give to give
That others might truly live everyday along this way,
And let not be for just one day but all the year round;
Let the Yuletide spirit abound in sight and sound . . .
One born long ago was torn and died; and Mary cried;
Let us tear no more but dare to begin to repair now!
Give birth to mirth this Yuletide in cheer, my dearest,
And let love once again descend from up high above!

Note: The copyrights on the article belong to the author. The responsibility for the opinions expressed in the article belongs exclusively to the author.

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Gingerbread People Recipe for Holidays

Originally published as “Gingerbread People” in Taste of Home December/January 2009, p73

gingerbread

Ingredients

  • 6 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup molasses
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1-1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • Decorating icing and assorted candies

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in molasses, egg, vanilla and lemon peel. In another bowl, whisk flour, ginger, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, salt and cloves; gradually beat into creamed mixture. Divide dough in half. Shape each into a disk; wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate 30 minutes or until easy to handle.
  2. Preheat oven to 350°. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut with a floured 4-in. gingerbread man cookie cutter.
  3. Place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Bake 7-9 minutes or until edges are firm. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely. Decorate as desired.Yield: 2-1/2 dozen.

To decorate with Royal Icing: In a bowl, combine 2 cups confectioners’ sugar, 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons water, 4-1/2 teaspoons meringue powder and 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar; beat on low speed just until combined. Beat on high 4-5 minutes or until stiff peaks form. If desired, tint with food coloring and pipe with a pastry bag and small pastry tips. Keep unused icing covered at all times; beat again on high to restore texture as necessary. Yield: 1 cup icing.

Note: Recipe and photo accessed at Taste of Home December 23, 2016.  The copyrights on the article belong to the author. The responsibility for the opinions expressed in the article belongs exclusively to the author.

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Work of Christmas Begins

By: Howard Thurman (adapted)

When the song of the angels is stilled,
when the star in the sky is gone,
when the kings and princes are home,
when the shepherds are back with the flocks,
then the work of Christmas begins:
to find the lost,
to heal those broken in spirit,
to feed the hungry,
to release the oppressed,
to rebuild the nations,
to bring peace among all peoples,
to make a little music with the heart…

And to radiate the Light of Christ,
every day, in every way, in all that we do and in all that we say.
Then the work of Christmas begins.

As previously published on GodWeb

Note: The copyrights on the article belong to the author. The responsibility for the opinions expressed in the article belongs exclusively to the author.

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Gingerdoodle Cookies

By: Betty Crocker

gingerdoodle

Can’t decide between a snickerdoodle and a gingersnap? Now you don’t have to! These cookies combine both cookies in one.

Ingredients

Gingersnap Cookie Dough

1              cup packed brown sugar

¾           cup shortening

¼           cup molasses

1              egg

2 ¼        cups Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour

2             teaspoons baking soda

1              teaspoon ground cinnamon

1              teaspoon ground ginger

½           teaspoon ground cloves 

¼           teaspoon salt

Snickerdoodle Cookie Dough

¾           cup granulated sugar

½           cup butter, softened 

1              egg

¾           cup plus 1 tablespoon Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour

½           cup Gold Medal™ whole wheat flour

1              teaspoon cream of tartar

½           teaspoon baking soda

½           teaspoon salt

Cinnamon-Sugar

¼           cup granulated sugar

2             teaspoons ground cinnamon

Directions

  1. Heat oven to 375ºF. Line cookie sheet with cooking parchment paper.
  2. In large bowl, mix brown sugar, shortening, molasses and egg. Stir in remaining Gingersnap Cookie Dough ingredients.
  3. In another large bowl, beat 3/4 cup sugar, the butter and eggs with electric mixer on medium speed until well mixed. Stir in remaining Snickerdoodle Cookie Dough ingredients.
  4. For each cookie, shape a level tablespoon of Gingersnap Cookie Dough and a rounded teaspoon of Snickerdoodle Cookie Dough into a ball. In small bowl, mix 1/4 cup sugar and 2 teaspoons cinnamon. Roll dough balls in cinnamon sugar; place on cookie sheet.
  5. Bake 9 to 11 minutes or until light golden brown around edges. Cool 2 minutes on cookie sheet. Remove to cooling rack to cool completely.

Note: The copyrights on the article belong to the author. The responsibility for the opinions expressed in the article belongs exclusively to the author.

 

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