“Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace”–
That is how we speak at the manger in Bethlehem.
Our words rush out
at the sight of the divine child;
we try to put into language
what is implied in the one name: Jesus.
But at bottom these words are nothing
except a wordless silence of adoration
before the ineffable, before the [...]

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O Source of All Good,
What shall I render to thee for the Gift of gifts,
thine own dear Son begotten, not created,
my Redeemer, proxy, surety, substitute,
His self-emptying incomprehensible,
His infinity of love beyond the heart’s grasp.
Herein is wonder of wonders:
He came below to raise me above,
was born like me that I might become like Him.
Herein is love;
when [...]

Before the winter morn,
Before the earliest cock crow,
Jesus Christ was born:
Born in a stable,
Cradled in a manger,
In the world his hands had made
Born a stranger.
Priest and king lay fast asleep
In Jerusalem;
Young and old lay fast asleep
In crowded Bethlehem;
Saint and angel, ox and ass,
Kept a watch together
Before the Christmas daybreak
In the winter weather.
Jesus on his mother’s [...]

The people that in darkness sat
A glorious light have seen;
The light has shined on them who long
In shades of death have been.
To hail thee, Sun of Righteousness,
The gathering nations come;
They joy as when the reapers bear
Their harvest treasures home.
For thou their burden dost remove
And break the tyrant’s rod,
As in the day when Midian fell
Before the [...]

Who is He in yonder stall
At Whose feet the shepherds fall?
Who is He in deep distress,
Fasting in the wilderness?
Refrain:
’Tis the Lord! O wondrous story!
’Tis the Lord! the King of glory!
At His feet we humbly fall,
Crown Him! crown Him, Lord of all!
Who is He the people bless
For His words of gentleness?
Who is He to Whom they [...]

I’m getting a head start on the December 12 Recipe Roundup, hosted by Rebecca Writes. The theme: Cookies, Bars, and Candy!
Here are a couple of cookie recipes that I’ve posted previously. They’re family favorites, especially at Christmas time. Here’s the link for Gingerbread Cookies and here’s the recipe for Jam-Filled Cookies.
Jam-Filled Cookies [...]

Get out your cookie cutters and crank up your mixer! It’s the season for baking and candy making, and Rebecca is hosting this month’s Roundup of your best and favorite recipes. She says:
To join in the fun, just post your recipe on your blog sometime between now and next December 12 and send me the [...]

 
Visions of [...]