Christmas Memories from the friends & staff of BLM  

*Deb Treat, BLM Conference Attendee, MO.  

God has a special way of painting pictures of ones we love on our hearts and I am so blessed to have a heart filled with those pictures of love.

 

As I think about all the Christmas pictures of love, one my most cherished Christmas memory was celebrating Christmas with Grandpa and Grandma. There are so many great joys around this wonderful memory. As a child, waking with Christmas Eve anticipation was almost unbearable. The 4pm departure time was hours away, time went so slow, but time went by faster with each passing year, partly because I become more involved in the preparations of the Christmas Eve festivities; last minute baking, wrapping presents, and loading everything in the car became part of the excitement.

 

We lived on a farm outside a small town in Iowa. As we drove over the snow covered gravel roads, it was a special thrill to see Christmas lights shining from afar. But when we pulled into the town of Newton, where my grandparents lived, the excitement heightened. Every year my cousins seemed to pull into the driveway at the exact same time. (Little did I know, my dad and uncle planned all those years of "perfect timing.") As we ran into Grandpa and Grandma's house, Grandpa would be waiting at the door with outstretched arms. After "Grandpa Hugs", we would run to the kitchen for "Grandma Hugs" and at that moment, my joyful Christmas wishes were coming true. But because of what I was taught, if I was going to find true Christmas Joy, I must look to Jesus. So, attending Christmas Eve Candle light service as a family became "icing on the cake" baked with love. 

 

A meal; worshipping together; the giving and the receiving of gifts; seeing and feeling the love of family-the love of Christ ...Pictures of love-thanks be to God!

 

*Tyler Bakker, Student at Northwestern College, MN.  

 

My favorite Christmas memories all come from spending Christmas day at my

Grandma's house. My mom's whole family would be there which inevitably led
to a lively and amusing day. We would eat an amazing lunch and supper with
"tea time" in between, play games like "Apples to Apples" and "Nertz", carol in
the community, and hit a piñata before the night was through. I can honestly
say that there have not been many more joyous times in my life then those
Christmas' at Grandma's.


*Chandra Arne Hildebrand, BLM Staff, KS.

My favorite Christmas memories are those when I was younger and the celebration of Christmas was a fantasy lived through the eyes of a child.  My mother would always decorate our house to the nines with garland, lights, wreaths, bows, and brightly colored table settings.  She would play Christmas music as we decorated cookies and gingerbread houses.  On an evening leading up to Christmas, our family would travel downtown Minneapolis to see the beautiful window displays of the stores and head to Dayton's (now Macy's) to see the display on the 8th floor.  Back then, they'd switch the themes between various fairy tales (Peter Pan, Snow White, Cinderella, etc.) and at the end we each got a gingerbread man cookie to eat.

 

 

 

*Jonah Iskierka, age 4, MN.

 

 

When asked by his mother, Alexis, what his favorite thing about Christmas was, he answered

 

 1.    Thursday (I think he thought I asked him when Christmas was)

2.       Church

3.       The tree

 

After she talked with him, his father, Josh, read him his favorite story about Jonah   

(from the Bible).  Here's what Josh told us:

 

I read him his recent favorite book (story of Jonah) and said, " Goodnight, Jonah." Jonah said, " But Dad, I need something." Josh said "We will have to pray and ask for it then. " Jonah said "Dear Dod, please don't frow me off the boat.   Dod please give us a new house so  

I can get a new bed, and please don't make me mad.  Amen."

 

   

                          
           

BLM editor, Susan Snow's, Christmas pic circa 1956

       

 

Susan & the new dolls

Christmas Decorating Ideas  

When it comes to vintage, there is nothing more unique or refreshing, as using  old tin ornaments, vintage Christmas cookie cutters, or old Christmas cards.

While rummaging through my mother's closet, I found several boxes of a variety of old cards, and sorted through to find some lovely old Christmas cards from the 1950's-1970's era.  Joy!

Here's what you can do:

Items you will need:  a piece of 12 foot plain looking, Christmas garland (we purchased ours at Goodwill for $2.99). Clothespins (we borrowed from Grandma's sewing stash).  1-9 foot bolt of Christmas ribbon (Walmart $5.00).

Directions:   Tack garland up on one side of wood frame.  String up garland  underneath door entrance with a loose gap from wood trim (about 7").  Tack up other end to wooden frame.   Next, loosely twirl ribbon around garland.  With clothespins, clip old cards to garland.  Step back and enjoy a blast from the past.

The Christmas Candle Review
 By:  Kristine Klein

Rated:  PG

Running Time: 105 minutes

Setting: In the English countryside in the village of Gladbury

Watch For: A cameo appearance by author Max Lucado and the movie's anthem, an original single "Miracle Hymn" sung by Grammy award nominee, Susan Boyles

Review:  My family and I attended the movie "The Christmas Candle" on opening day.  I knew virtually nothing about the movie other than it was based on the book by author/pastor, Max Lucado.

The movie takes place in a small English village where every twenty-five years the candle maker's shop is visited by a Christmas angel who "blesses" one specific candle. The candle maker has to decide who in the village he deems most worthy of receiving a miracle. The candle recipient will see that miracle happen after lighting the candle and praying.

This particular year the anointed candle is lost. The candle maker and his wife don't know what to do.  They decide that each person wanting to receive a miracle; will receive a candle, not knowing which one is the anointed candle.  Each recipient believes he or she will receive a long awaited miracle.

The new minister to the village, who has lost faith in miracles, decides to take matters into his own hands to do what he can to fulfill the miracles that each person is hoping to receive.

This movie was a delightful change from the typical shallow Christmas movies that have absolutely nothing to do with the true meaning of Christmas.  The emphasis on miracles helps you to focus on the true miracle of Christmas - that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came to be born of a virgin and to save us from our sins.

The Bottom Line:  While introducing a new movie to our treasured Christmas Classics, this movie brings warmth, encouragement, beautiful music and is sure to become a favorite Christmas classic. 

Limited Seating 

 For 112 years, Frank Lake Covenant Church stood tall and strong, overlooking the nearby fields and waters of Frank Lake.

We rejoice, and we celebrate that God has blessed Dean and I, and our ministry, Best Life, with such a wonderful representation of God's goodness, His great work, and His dealings in our everyday lives.

Join us this December 24th, as we present drama, worship, and a candlelight celebration, as we remember all that God has done, by sending His Son, Jesus, to be born as a child in Bethlehem, to save us from our sins.

Seating is limited.  Call to reserve your spot today!  320-444-6082.

It's the Christmas season, the end of another year, and your chance to donate to our ministry, and we need your help.  Each year we present our conferences to churches, and your contribution helps us to travel and present the gospel of Christ to women everywhere.  We are an approved 501(c)(3) Ministry, so your contributions are tax deductible. 

Please consider putting us on your support list for 2014, and for this year-end reminder, donate today!  You can mail us a check to Best Life Ministries @PO Box 73, Benson, MN 56215, or use our paypal and your charge card.

For more information about donating, visit:

http://bestlifeministries.com/donate-to-best-life-ministries