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| Russ, Faye Landham, Linda |
December, the Most Wonderful Time of Year! It has been a month of non-stop Joy and blessings as we have prepared our home, served others, and received so many cards from family and friends that connect us together. We participated with the #LightTheWorld initiative this month and it truly helped us to focus on hope and brighter days ahead. "When Jesus Christ was born, angels proclaimed, 'Peace on earth, good will to men.' This December, the promise remains the same. As we serve others the way Jesus served, we can end 2020 on a hopeful note." I will share a few of the highlights from this experience.
We started December with Giving Tuesday. We donated to It's For Africa, a non-profit for friends who served a mission in Africa and have continued helping the people with water solutions. It has helped so many people to have access to water - Not only is Jesus Christ the living water, but they are also helping the people with a necessity of life.
the current conditions.
Treats times two was a fun day in the kitchen for me. I was inspired to make some authentic German cookies by Sarah Penner, one of the Sister missionaries we served with. She sent me a recipe and it got me started and I just kept going. I made shortbread cookies in a few varieties, Butterplatzchen and then Zimtsterne, a cinnamon cookie made from ground almonds, egg whites and cinnamon, I rounded out the plate with one of our favorite Lebkuchen, a chocolate covered ginger cookie. I got them at Aldi just like the ones I would get at Aldi in Germany. It took a lot of thought and prayer to decide who to give them to. That may sound funny, but we wanted to share with someone who would enjoy the cookies and also who would share the second plate with someone else. We think we found the perfect family and we enjoyed making the delivery.
I attached it to her front door and left. I know it brightened her day and brought a little of the Christmas Spirit into her home. I missed looking across the street and seeing her home lit up. Her husband always waited until he saw Russ put up our lights and he would come out and put up his lights. This year her house was dark and I hope we brought a little light into her life.
I was asked to participate in a Worldwide Virtual Nativity Display this year since many would not be able to have displays this year. I submitted about 20 photos and about 10 of them made the Video. It was beautifully done and DVD's were made and available for purchase. I purchased some and then we delivered some of them to a local nursing home for their residents to be able to watch and enjoy.
It is available on Youtube.com through Dec. 31
Another day was The Christ Child. Jesus's birth brought hope. Watch The Christ Child a Christmas message video on LDS.org. I had an amazing journey with this one. My friend, Faye commented to me that she had received a new Nativity this year and she really liked it because it had a shepherd that was a girl. I had studied a little about the Shepherds and had not followed that idea. So I began a journey of a study of the Shepherds. One of the sources was the video mentioned above. I watched a video on the making of the video and it talked about the shepherdess that was in the movie and her connection with Mary when they arrived at the stable. Now I was really interested to find out more. A really good read is Why Shepherds Were Invited to Witness Christ's Birth - and Not Somebody Else. LDS Living, Dec. 19, 2016 by Eric. D. Huntsman
He tells that there is a tendency to romanticize the shepherds, making them in our imagination good, gentle, humble figures. In actuality, shepherds at the time were often looked upon as unclean and outside the law, sometimes even as dishonest, because they often grazed their flocks on other people's lands. These particular Shepherds that the Angels visited on the night of Jesus' birth (Luke 2:9) were the ones who tended the flocks that were intended for temple sacrifices in Jerusalem. Jesus came as the LAMB OF GOD, to die for the sins of the world, and it was perhaps to the keepers of temple flocks that his birth was first announced. It was the priests' job to make sure the lambs were without blemish and completely unharmed before being sacrificed. The was an actual tower (Migdal Eder) just outside town and within the Temple priests' fields., It was a kind of lookout tower. It was the priest's job to stay in the Migdal Eder all night. So, with the tower being very tall, the shepherd was "watching over the flock by night" while the other shepherds were on the ground also keeping watch.
A Shepherd is symbolically, a person who cares for the Lord's children. The Bible has many references of women Shepherds or Shepherdess. Rachel came with her father's sheep, for she was a shepherd is found in Genesis 29:10. Moses' wife was also a Shepherdess. I read that many shepherds were men who were not married. Many families had one member that would be assigned to tend to the flock. Many times there would be no sons and the daughters would have that responsibility. It was not a glamorous job and was difficult. As a mother (Shepherdess) we teach our children that He wants to be their personal Savior and Shepherd. We watch over and take care of our flock.
Nancy Campbell in Above Rubies states: "It means befriending with an intimate relationship, binding and bandaging up the hurt and broken, bravely fighting off all enemies, bringing back the straying and wandering ones, carrying the lambs close to your heart, comforting, encouraging the weary, eliminating fear in the dark and anxious times, feeding, . . .protecting, providing, rescuing when they turn to by-paths, ...searching and seeking the lost ones, strengthening the weak and tenderly folding your flock. My, what an amazing mission you have a s a shepherdess. Embrace this beautiful role. It is not insignificant. "
So then I watched The Christ Child video and was touched by the young shepherdess and her connection with Mary. I had always understood the modern day application of being a "Shepherd" to someone, but just had not equated that with the Shepherd's in the fields. I am so grateful for a dear friend who made a simple comment that led me on a journey of study and learning.
A final experience from this month - Goodwill to Family. Jesus cared for His loved ones. Go around the dinner table tonight and tell each person why he or she is loved.
We had Emily, Ian, Logan and Preslee with us for Christmas. Our Night in Bethlehem is a tradition that everyone looks forward to. It is a simple meal that we eat from a table that is only 6 inch off the floor and we sit on the floor in candlelight and enjoy the atmosphere all around. We watch the Nativity Video to set the tone and then everyone is given chocolate money to pay their taxes. It is always a favorite event for what child gets to be the tax collector. Logan was excited to be chosen for that job this year. The nice part is that the tax collector gives out the money instead of taking it from the people. Then this year we went around the table and each person said why the person to their right was loved. It was a highlight of the evening. With kids you never know how it will go and it was very special. It was no coincidence who we chose to sit by without knowing this activity was going to happen. I was grateful to be able to tell Logan why he is loved. We then ate an amazing meal of grilled chicken in pita bread. One of the traditions is to go to the Middle Eastern Store in the afternoon and buy fresh pita hot out of the oven, olives, the best ever dates and Baklava for dessert. We also have cheese cubes, olives, roasted potatoes, dried fruit, dates, nuts, grapes and oranges. We end with fruit breads like pumpkin, zucchini, banana and the Baklava. The kids even ate the food and enjoyed it because it was so festive. We love bringing the simplicity of this tradition into our home and enjoying the spirit that it brings.
Another tradition is to make homemade Salsa and deliver to neighbors and other friends. I thought this year would be a smaller list with Covid, but we still ended up delivering 16 containers of Salsa. Our little street of 16 homes has changed in the past two years while we were gone. We have had 2 neighbors pass away, 1 moved and a few were gone for the Holiday. It is usually a really fun day as we walk the street and deliver chips and Salsa to each neighbor but this year we did not get to visit and catch up - just a quick delivery at their doors.
Brain and Beth and their two kids came for a quick visit the week before Christmas. We packed the days they were with us with lots of activities and fun times with the grandchildren.
We did the Dinosaur drive through tour that was in Arlington. The kids loved it and learned a lot as we listened to the audio tour and saw the different dinosaur statues. I would have like it in a more parklike setting than in a parking lot but it was an enjoyable drive.
Emily and Ian arrived on Saturday night after a two day drive from Utah.
They brought their dog, Chip and Brian has a new dog, Bailey. So the Dog Cousins met for the first time. It was so cute to see their reactions and after just a few minutes they were friends.
We were grateful to have about 5 hours with both families together. We went to Church for the Christmas service together. I volunteered to play a piano solo and then I accompanied two sisters singing. I choose to play an Austrian Christmas Hymn, Still, Still, Still. It took our thoughts back to Christmas last year in Vienna.
We then had a Sunday Dinner together before Brian and family had to hit the road and return to Wichita, Kansas. So glad to have the cousins see each other after two years and to be able to get a few pictures.
We went out to Lake Arlington to view the event. It was the most beautiful evening and a majestic sunset over the water. It was a perfect place. Preslee learned how to skip rocks while we were waiting. As the sun began to set, we walked out on the pier and watched as the night sky appeared. We did not have a telescope or a very good camera, but it was still an amazing experience. It was fun to see so many people that were there watching and listening to their excitement of the view.
We knew we could have had a better view of the planets at home watching it on TV, but there was nothing better than being out seeing the sunset and the night sky appear. The picture below is from a professional telescope and you can see how it truly resembled a Christmas Star. Light is so interesting and I have enjoyed my spiritual journey this year experiencing "Light" in many ways. I am so grateful for the Light of Christ that leads and guides me every day of my life. I am grateful for that guiding Star in my life.
Preslee's favorite activity with Grandma is making cinnamon rolls. She was so happy when she got to help make the dough and roll it out. She is a great helper and is learning how to bake. We then delivered them to a few friends. She helped me deliver them to the doors and she had so much fun dressed as a little elf.
Logan took a few minutes away from his games and made a ginger bread collection - it never made it into a house. He was just glad to frost it, top it with candy and eat it!
He was ready for Christmas and his face tells it all.
It is amazing to see so many different depictions of The Nativity from so many different countries. We asked the young Missionaries from Granbury to come and help us set up. They came and helped for a few hours and it was so good to serve with them. They loved it and took lots of pictures. They came back when it was open to the public and brought people with them. They then came back when we took down and did all of the loading of the truck with the bins of Nativities. I am go grateful for their help and service.
I enjoy this Cowboy scene as it depicts the family on the farm in the scene.
Top picture is a Willow Tree design.
As we end this year of 2020 and this wonderful Christmas Season, I would like to share a scripture that brings hope, peace, light and Joy:
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| Brian, Beth, Emily, Ian, Will, Nora and Preslee |
Monday, December 21 was an historic night. I hope all of you were able to see the planets align for the Christmas Star event.
After a very long day of preparations and wonderful family time it was time to settle in for a Hallmark Christmas movie and a delicious cup of Hot Chocolate. The Best Chocolate Ever!
Lindt Truffle Hot Chocolate
1 cup of Hot Milk
3 Lindt Truffles - Chocolate with Peppermint are a favorite
Stir until melted. Can top with Cream and grated Chocolate
I just want to end this month with my experience of serving my dear friend Faye Landham in Granbury, Texas at the AWAY IN A MANGER NATIVITY DISPLAY. Russ and I have made this a big part of our Christmas experience for the past 26 years. We were not sure about this year with so many reasons not to gather. The Mayor asked Faye to still have the event as everything else had been cancelled. We took a lot of precautions and took three days to set out her 1300 Nativity Sets.
A large Mexico set. Notice the variety of animals and the colors.
Beautiful Belgium Lace
The Bears are always one of the favorites of the visitors. She has penguins, dogs, cats, snowmen and just about anything you can imagine depicting the Nativity.
Oh, what an amazing gift to the community that Faye has given. She had about 700 people visit the display over the 10 days that it was open. It was a very different year for us as we had very few people helping - most of the time just 5 of us - social distancing and not eating at our favorite places in Granbury. We took most of our food and ate at our Hotel. Part of the fun every year is the food, visiting with the other helpers and enjoying all that Granbury has to offer. This year, it was all about The Nativity and that was special in its own way. This year has given us a lot to ponder on and reflect more on Jesus Christ.
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| PERU |
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| PHILIPPINES from Drift Wood |
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| Jemez Indian from New Mexico |
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| Alaska |
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| Cypress Knees from Louisiana |
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| Chili - made from marbles |
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| Israel and Jerusalem Olive Wood |
". . .I am the light of the world; he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." John 8:12
Four years ago my son, Josh made a Nativity for me. You cannot tell what it is in the daylight. When it is dark, the light inside comes on and illuminates the picture and then you can see what it is. It has had significant meaning to me this year as I look at what the light within each one of us can do for not only ourselves but others.
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| The Light Within |
I have been blessed with peace, hope and love as I have invited this Light of Jesus Christ into my life this year. I truly "Stand All Amazed at the Love Jesus offers me."
We are so grateful to all of the people in our lives - YOU - who bring light into our lives.
We know the future is bright we just need to have patience, hope and a resolve to learn from this time in our lives. 2020 will definitely go down in the history books. We look forward to 2021 with the hope that we will get to see our friends and family, gather at Church, and enjoy whatever is in store for us on this great journey of life.
The Grimmett's
