An Angelic Christmas Gift You Can Make!

If Grandma has everything and you have a limited Christmas present budget, you can make a Grandma's Little Angel Photo Ornament for her Christmas gift this year! Yes Mom, you can make this Christmas present very easily. Depending on the age of your child, perhaps your child can help.

With a few tools most of us already have and some reasonably priced and readily available supplies, a Grandma's Little Angel Photo Ornament makes a unique gift that Grandma will love!

Here's what you will need:

A Wallet Size Photo of Your Child
A Sheet of T-shirt Transfer Paper (Inkjet or Laser)
An Inkjet or Laser Printer
White Polymer Clay
An Angel Shape Cookie Cutter
A Non-porous Rolling Pin (Marble, Metal)
A Metal BBQ Skewer
An Oven
Gold Metallic Craft Paint
A Thin Paint Brush
Gold Metallic Ribbon

Here are the Directions:

Print your picture on the T-shirt transfer paper. Cut out the child's head leaving one edge that can be turned up to make it easier to remove the paper from the clay.
Pre-Heat your oven to the temperature that is recommended for your brand of clay.
Roll the clay flat and even with the rolling pin. Cut an angel shape from the clay with the cookie cutter. Cut a hole in the top of the angel with the BBQ Skewer. Lay your child's head picture on the clay angel's head. Rub the image gently into the clay making sure to smooth out any air bubbles so the entire picture fully adheres to the clay. If it doesn't, the entire picture will not print and you will have white areas. Be careful when you pick up the clay that the paper does not lift anywhere.
Place the piece into in the oven for five to seven minutes. You may want to experiment with timing to get the best result.
Take the piece out of the oven and carefully remove the paper. You'll see your bright image.
Place the piece back into the oven and complete the full baking time. Let the piece cool in the oven. The result will be a brightly colored transfer that will be water proof.
Paint a gold halo around your child's head on the angel ornament.
Insert a piece of gold ribbon and tie at the ends.

Repeat the process for as many children as you have and have each child wrap and present their gift to Grandma.

*Remember, your final transfer will only be as good as the picture you use. If your photo or picture print is dull, then your transfer will be also.

My Little Drummer Boy

I asked my son to write a letter to Santa and tell Santa what he wanted for Christmas. His letter was short and sweet;

Dear Santa

DRUMS

Brandon

He elaborated by telling me he wanted four drums, one really big drum and two cymbals, not a small drum and only one cymbal. I told him Santa has so many little boys and girls to deliver presents for, maybe he will only bring one drum and one cymbal. My son sat down and wrote another letter to Santa;

Dear Santa

BIG DRUM
2 CYMBALS

Brandon

I was up all night Christmas Eve. First wrapping presents and then anticipating my sons awakening. After the, "WOW! look at all the presents Santa brought for me!" and my son checked to make sure Santa ate his big cookie and drank his water (my son said Santa likes water not milk) my son went straight for the biggest box. Before he even opened it, he knew it was the really big drum with the two cymbals. After an hour of assembling the entire set, including the seat, my son began to play very enthusiastically. That's when I realized, I should have wrote a letter to Santa;

Dear Santa,

Ear Plugs

Mommy

I thank God every day that I have a happy, healthy, energetic little boy. I wouldn't trade him for anything in the world. Although right now, I would trade almost anything else for those ear plugs!

To Be or Not To Be a Shepherd

For the Christmas play, scheduled for this evening at our church, all the little boys in my son's Sunday school class were asked to dress-up as and play the parts of shepherds. My son was not thrilled. He wanted to be Joseph.

I explained to him that there was only one Joesph and he was a grown-up. That is why one of the older boys was going to dress-up as and play the part of Joseph. But there were many little boys who were shepherds. That is why more than one little boy can dress-up as and play the parts of shepherds. My son still wanted to be Joseph.

I began to wonder how could I make my son want to be a shepherd. I went over the story of the nativity in my head, and I thought I had figured it out.

I explained to my son that the shepherds were very special to God. The only people that God sent an angel to, to tell them that the baby Jesus was born, was the shepherds. My son said, "OK Mommy. . . I'll be a shepherd, because if I'm not God won't have anybody to send His angel to."

The Poinsettia Christmas Flowers

Everywhere you go as Christmas approaches, you see poinsettias. In my home, on people's porches and steps, poinsettia adorned clothes and jewelry and filling the church on Christmas eve. As lovely as they are in brilliant red, soft rose or creamy white, you have to wonder just why they are so prevalent and considered the Christmas flower. I discovered this wonderful story which so beautifully tells the legend of the poinsettia Christmas flower.

There once was a poor Mexican girl who had no gift to present to the Christ Child at Christmas Eve Services. As Pepita walked slowly to the chapel with her cousin Pedro, her heart was filled with sadness rather than joy.

Pedro tried to console her saying, "I’m sure, that even the most humble gift, if given in love, will be acceptable in His eyes."

Then Pepita saw a patch of weeds growing at the side of the road Not knowing what else to do, she knelt down and gathered a handful of the weeds and fashioned them into a small bouquet. Looking at the scraggly bunch of weeds, Pepita felt more saddened and embarrassed than ever by her offering. As Pepita fought back a tear, she entered the small village chapel.

Pepita approached the alter remembering Pedro's kind words; "Even the most humble gift, if given in love, will be acceptable in His eyes." She felt her spirit lift as she knelt to lay her bouquet of weeds at the foot of the nativity scene.

Suddenly, the bouquet of weeds burst into blooms of brilliant red! All who saw them were certain that they had witnessed a Christmas miracle right before their eyes. From that day on, the bright red flowers were known as the Flores de Noche Buena, or Flowers of the Holy Night, for they bloomed each year during the Christmas season.

Interestingly enough, poinsettias were first introduced in the United States in 1825 by Joel Roberts Poinsett. While serving as the first United States Ambassador to Mexico, he visited Taxco and found the flowers growing on the adjacent hillsides.

By an Act of Congress, December 12 was set aside as National Poinsettia Day. The date marks the death of Joel Roberts Poinsett who died in 1851.

On this day I will enjoy the beauty of the poinsettia and be reminded of the greatest love of all, that bestowed upon us by Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

Frankincense and Myrrh for Her!

I was lucky enough to visit a fellow Mom Packer's web site recently and discovered her handmade Frankincense and Myrrh soap. With Christmas coming, I couldn't wait to try it! Just as I suspected,

this handmade Frankincense and Myrrh soap will make the perfect inspirational Christmas gift for all the ladies on your list.

A Little Frankincense and Myrrh History:

Frankincense and Myrrh were rare and precious fragrances given to the baby Jesus by the wise men. Frankincense has a fresh, woody, slightly spicy and fruity fragrance. Myrrh has a sweet, pleasing fragrance. During the time of Jesus' birth, Frankincense and Myrrh were used as incense, in religious rites, as medicine, as a perfume and in embalming.

Today Haven's Sweet Scents brings these two divine fragrances together in a handmade soap that is simply Heavenly! The combination of Frankincense and Myrrh fragrance oils, all natural ingredients and Haven's love and attention to detail create a skin softening soap bar with a lovely, lightly, lingering scent in a charming hand written soap bar wrapper. I know I tried it!

I am pretty sure you won't find Frankincense and Myrrh soap in commercial stores this Christmas season and you just can't get the quality with manufactured soaps that you get from handmade soaps.

This Christmas show your wife, mom, sister, daughter or girlfriend just how special they are! Give them each a few bars of Frankincense and Myrrh Soap for her! The ladies in your life will know you put time and special meaning into selecting their gift when you give them Frankincense and Myrrh in the same way that the three wise men gave them as gifts to the King of Kings, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

At Christmas we remember God

"At Christmas we remember God’s greatest gift to the World, His only begotten Son. Sadly multitudes will receive no gift this Christmas, but the greater tragedy

is in having nothing to give. Let us remember the words of our Lord, "It is more blessed to give than to receive".

The closing words of Pastor’s Christmas sermon struck a chord deep within my soul. Boy, had I been giving out this Christmas. There was the extra Christmas cake for Mrs. G. The stroke had left her paralyzed, and baking was out of the question for her. Then there was the Christmas cake for newly widowed Mr. B. The look on his face when he unwrapped the parcel. I smiled inwardly… Oceans of shortbread endless heaps of rocky road, and truffles, tied up with cellophane and ribbon. My brow creased in concentration. No….no I hadn’t forgotten a single family in the Church. And I’d put my whole heart into the Christmas Shoebox appeal. Last, but not least yet another mission jumble sale, and thankfully we had exceeded our target yet again! What a busy time it had been – but well worth the effort. I shut my eyes and began to bask in a warm glow of self – satisfaction.

Without warning the memory of a rather forlorn figure sitting on a suitcase appeared before my eyes.
On one side were two overstuffed laundry bags, and standing at her other side were two small children. The memory did not fade and I began to feel uncomfortable.

I began to excuse myself ... after all there was no chance of stopping, I was in traffic.
My small children were in the car too, they needed my attention right now.
Maybe she was just going on a trip, and didn’t need help
Anyhow taking in the homeless was not my ministry.
It was no use. I slid to my knees, groaning.
" O God, I’m sorry I was too busy doing stuff for you, to be directed by you. Help me be more sensitive, and somehow bless that lady, Amen"

Two small hands clasping mine interrupted my reverie.
"Come on Mummy they’re starting to give out the Sunday school prizes. We don’t want to miss out". I nodded my head in agreement.
"Please hurry Mummy!"
My pace quickened as we headed toward the Church hall . Two figures were leaving the hall and heading my way. One was the Pastor’s wife, the other a shabbily dressed lady I didn’t recognize.
"Ann, I’d like you to meet Laurie. She’s visiting with us for a few days over Christmas. Her kids are about the same age as yours. They might like to sit together in the hall."
I glanced at the children, and then back at their mother. Could it be? Surely this was the lady I’d seen!
" And the greatest thing has happened Ann, Laurie has just received Jesus as her Lord and Saviour, praise the Lord! There’s always room in God’s heart for one more in the family." My eyes started to brim over with tears.
"That’s the best news I’ve heard this Christmas. Welcome to God’s family Laurie!"
"Thank you" she whispered and a shy smile eased worry lines that appeared too early on her thin face.
A loud "Come on Mum " from the door startled us.
"Oops we’d better go in."

My heart filled with happiness and gratitude to a Saviour who answers every prayer, and meets the needs of all his kids.

May we all have the eyes of our heart opened this Christmas to meet the needs He entrusts as with. We all have so much to give with Christ in our hearts.

Julie Shapland
DiggerWellBooks.com

Make Gold, Frankincense & Myrrh Christmas Decorations

The 3 wise men brought gifts to the baby Jesus to represent and honor the meaning of his life on earth. Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh.

Gold a valuable possession of the wealthy was given to the baby Jesus to represent and honor Christ as King of Kings on earth.

Frankincense was a rare, precious, sweet fragrant incense that was used in religious rites, as medicine and as perfume and was given to the baby Jesus to represent and honor Christ’s power to heal.

Myrrh is a rare, precious, aromatic known for its bitter taste that was associated with suffering. It was used chiefly in embalming for its perfuming and preserving ability. Myrrh was given to baby Jesus to recognize Christ’s suffering upon the cross and gift of everlasting life.

King of Kings Gold Christmas Ornament

Clear Plastic Christmas Ball Ornament you Can Fill
Gold Glitter Glue Pen
Fake Gold Coins
Gold Ribbon

Fill the plastic ornament with the fake gold coins about ½ way. The on the top empty part of the ornament with gold glitter glue pen write King of Kings and let dry. Tie a gold ribbon bow around the top of ornament and hang on the tree.

Frankincense Scented Tea Pot Mat

Nativity Scene Print Cotton Fabric (Look for a pot holder size scene)
Gold Metallic Thread
Sheet Wadding
Frankincense Powder

Cut out 2 nativity scenes from the fabric leaving a ½" seam allowance all around. Cut sheet wadding the same shape and size as the nativity scene. Sew 3 sides of your fabric closed and slip in the sheet wadding through the opening. Sprinkle about a teaspoon of frankincense powder into the opening. Hand sew the open end closed with a matching thread that will not show. Finish by machine sewing around the nativity scene pad with the gold metallic thread about ¼" in from edge to keep the wadding in place. If you like, you may sew a few diagonals throughout the pad. This quilting gives the pad a decorative look. Fill you teapot ½ way with water and boil. When you place your HOT tea pot on top of your mat, the fragrance of frankincense will come wafting through filling the air with a beautiful aroma.

Myrrh Scented Cross Decoration

Myrrh Oil
Unscented Potpourri
White Lace
White Ribbon
Metal Bowl with Plastic Sealing Lid or Clean Coffee Can

Soak unscented potpourri in myrrh oil in sealed bowl or coffee can. Cut 2 large cross shapes from white lace. Sew cross sides together leaving all 4 short ends open. Reverse lace cross so seams are on the inside. Fill cross with myrrh scented potpourri and tie all 4 ends together with ribbon creating a bow. Leave ribbon bow ends longer on top of cross than the 2 sides and bottom. Tie the top bow ribbon ends together to hang the cross on the wall.

I hope you have fun celebrating the true meaning of Christmas in these unique ways!