Christmas Reflections

By Pat

A friend of mine asked me to write a devotional about Christmas; memories, lessons learned, etc. Where could I start? What could I say? Like most of us, I have enough Christmas memories to fill an entire notebook. Baking cookies, wrapping gifts, decorating trees. Family, friends, food. Lovely, warm memories that bring a smile to my heart when called to mind.

There have been lean holidays, and more prosperous ones. Some hectic, and some, more peaceful. We have, through the years, said sad goodbyes to loved ones, and have also happily welcomed new little lives into our family.

Times have changed, things have changed, we have changed, and certain aspects of the fabric of our family have changed. But one thing that for me has never changed, except to grow stronger, is the feeling that overcomes me this time of year, no matter what else is going on around me, and that is the feeling of hope.

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Tasty Christmas Bites: Molasses Spice Cookies

By Beth V

It’s only fitting that the final recipe in the Christmas Bites series is for a delicious cookie. This is one of the most delicious cookie recipes ever. I’ve made them for the past several years. They do not even contain an ounce of chocolate. They do contain a very odd-sounding ingredient, for a cookie.

Black pepper. Wait, black pepper cookies don’t sound quite as appealing as chocolate, do they? Well, black pepper is just one of the many ingredients that make for the very complex collection of flavors in these Molasses Spice cookies.  These are big, flavorful cookies that really do taste amazing. They are a little crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside, and spicy with a teeny bit of heat from the black pepper. They are almost like a big, soft gingersnap. These are SO good that it is bad for me to make them because I feel compelled to eat them. I sacrificed for my faithful blog readers. I promise more waist-line friendly recipes will be coming in the New Year!

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Tasty Bites: Father Tim's Christmas Morning Breakfast Casserole

By Beth V

Several years ago, my mom gifted me with a copy of Jan Karon’s Mitford Cookbook and Kitchen Reader. In Jan Karon’s books,  Father Tim and the other characters are always whipping up delicious meals, so she published a cookbook of those recipes.  One recipe in particular has worked it’s way into our family’s Christmas tradition - Father Tim’s Christmas Morning Breakfast Casserole. My husband began making this one year and now even my nephew makes it some years, but someone always makes it every  year. This is perfect for Christmas morning because it is assembled the night before and allowed to sit in the refrigerator, ready to bake. 

Start by browning a pound of pork sausage in a skillet. While it is browning, thinly slice three green onions, using the white and most of the green parts, and throw them in when the sausage is almost done browning. Use a slotted spoon to transfer this to a paper towel-lined plate.

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The Greatest Gift

By Chuck (Sharing Compassion)

I will be upfront and state that this article is directly tied into our current worship series at Fork Christian Church. We are doing a study called the Advent Conspiracy. In a nutshell we are trying to go against the tide of our culture and to make a difference this season. Rather than just buying to buy and giving to give we want to get back to basics and make it about relationships. It is about making a difference both locally and globally. Think back on that first Christmas. A simple birth changed history and lives. What if this season we tried to make Christmas another life changing event??

It has been said many times that the greatest gift ever given was the gift of Jesus Christ. God freely gave of himself, through his Son, to save us. God wanted a relationship that was free from sin with us. God wanted to love us fully and for us to love him back fully. God gave us his Son in order to accomplish this. Simply put Christmas is about love and relationships. That is the meaning of the first Christmas.

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Every Day Life: All I Want For Christmas...

By Beth M

People constantly ask me what I want for Christmas, here are a few things I tell them:

All I want for Christmas is a day off, seriously, this whole working full time, being a grown-up is overrated.

All I want for Christmas is for my car to last the winter, that's all, just until I can save for a new-to-me one.

All I want for Christmas is a husband, but not really, I'm way too independent for that. How about just someone to go to movies with and snuggle with on the couch? I know…..

…..All I want for Christmas is a puppy! Oh, wait, you can't take them to the movies. Never mind.

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