JEAN'S CHRISTMAS POST, WREATHS AND CHRISTMAS COFFEE

I thought I would tell you of how we spend our Christmas.  One of the questions asked was if we put candles in our windows.  We use to, but this year we bought electric candles that we have in our windows.  With three small ones, we were afraid that one of the candles might get knocked down and cause a fire so we went electric this year. 

When David and I went to school, we would not get time off from school except Christmas Day and the next day, but that has changed.  The children will be off school this year from Wednesday until Friday.  On Monday, December 30th, they will return to school.  We do not make a special day of New Year's Day like the public schools do.  It is just another day, but we change the calendar. 

We start our Christmas on Christmas Eve, where David will do a reading from the bible on the Birth of the Christ Child.  He explains what this means to all of us.  Then we will have prayer.

On Christmas morning, David, Michael, Edward and I fast, but I make breakfast for Katie, Susan and David Jr. After their breakfast we go to meeting (church).  When we return, we will open the presents among us.  Outside of our immediate family, the only other people coming are Katie's great-grandparents.  David will again, read the Bible telling of the Birth of the Christ Child and we will have dinner.  After dinner, we will open presents from Katie's great grand-parents and give them the gifts we have for them. 

Depending on the snow we have, the children may go sleding, or ice skating or skiing or if no snow play games inside.  Us adults will  probably be talking in the living room.  Before dinner, Katie's great-grandparents will leave as they do not see well at night.  We will make sure Katie is there when they leave to say good by. 

On Christmas we only do the chores that we have to do.  We don't do any chores that we don't have to.  So after the milking, we have our dinner.  Before going to bed David again reads about the Birth of Christ and we have prayers.

December 26th is second Christmas.  This is a day with our family.  My parents are having at their house this year where all the family goes. David's parents will be there, too. Again, we do not do chores that we do not have to.  We will exchange gifts.  My Father will read about the Birth of Christ before dinner.  Dinner will be served at 12 noon on the dot.  My Mother serves meals at a set time for lunch and dinner.  Noon for lunch and six o'clock sharp for supper.  We have to laugh sometimes as my Mother will not change the time - no matter what.  She does give on the time breakfast is served.

After dinner, the children will play.  The men will chat in the living room and we ladies in the kitchen.  We will get the kitchen cleaned up.  When milking time comes, we all go to our homes. 

After dinner, before bed time David reads in the Bible about Jesus dying on the cross.  David explains that we must realize that Jesus not only was born to teach us and lead us, but He gave His life for our sins.  If Jesus can forgive us, we must forgive others.  Also we must not celebrate Jesus Birth and Death just on Christmas and Easter, but every day.

December 27th, we take down our decorations.  We go back to doing all our chores.  At evening David asks us if we have kept Jesus in our hearts.  He encourages us  not to let the religious bible readings of Christmas and Easter leave our hearts. 

So this is how we celebrate our Christmas.  We hope you have a very Blessed and Merry Christmas.

Be With God,
Jean and Family




JEAN'S CHRISTMAS WREATH


30 Marshmallows
1/2 c. butter
1 tsp vanilla
3 1/2 c cornflakes
2 tsp green food color
small red candies for decorating

Combine marshmallows, butter, vanilla and food coloring in double boiler.  Heat until marshmallows are melted.  Gradually stir in flakes.  Drop from teaspoons on wax paper.  With hands shape into wreath.  Decorate with red candies and/or maraschino cherries.  You can also make about 30 smaller wreaths about 2 inches in diameter. 

JEAN'S CHRISTMAS COFFEE

8 cups of hot coffee
1/2 cup sugar
4 tsp chocolate syrup
1 cup heavy cream
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
whipped cream
candy canes

Mix first five ingredients.  Pour into steamed glasses or Irish coffee mugs.  Place generous helping of whipped cream in each mug and garnish with a candy cane.  Serves 10-12

Children enjoy helping to make the Christmas Wreaths.