Have a Merry Christmas!

Christmas or Christmas Day is the annual holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ on December 25. It is one of the two most important holidays of the Christian faith, with the other being Easter. Christmas marks the conclusion of the Advent season and the beginning of the 12 days of Christmas known as Christmastide. The period between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day is collectively known as "The Holidays" or "the Christmas Holidays." Christmas is definitely the most wonderful time of the year!

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." (KJV)

Christmas in Iraq - a Christmas Poem for Our Soldiers
A poem of encouragement for our military troops in Iraq and all over the world at Christmas

Christmas in Mayberry
It's Christmas in Mayberry, the mountains are white

Mayberry Sparkles - a Christmas Poem
Mayberry Shines like a Christmas Tree

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
Your branches green delight us!
written in 1824 by Ernst Anschütz

The earliest accounts of decorating an evergreen tree at Christmas were recorded in Livonia and in Germany in the 16th century. Some historians place the 1st Christmas tree at least as far back as Riga Latvia in year 1510 or Estonia 1441.

In the German Middle Ages, churches hosted mystery plays at Christmas time that often featured an evergreen "Paradise tree" from which an apple was plucked.

By the 16th century, trees were decorated with sweets, apples, nuts, dates, pretzels and paper decorations in guild halls to be enjoyed by the apprentices and their children.

Oh, Christmas Tree!
The season is CHRISTMAS and the tree is a CHRISTMAS TREE. The lights are CHRISTMAS light and the ornaments are CHRISTMAS ornaments.

TobyMac's 'Christmas in Diverse City' releases Oct. 5
Nashville Christian music artist and five-time GRAMMY® award-winner TobyMac released his first Christmas album ever, "Christmas in Diverse City," Oct. 5, 2011.

The Christmas Collection - Amy Grant
The Christmas Collection by Amy Grant features 18 songs, and I enjoyed 17 of them, so this is a Christmas project I highly recommend.

Five Christmas Projects to Consider in 2008
The angelic strains of "Star of Wonder" which introduce this project are just too short, way too short! I want to hear the full song performed like the short intro!

THE HELP BLU-RAY & DVD:
SOUTHERN STYLE HOLIDAY RECIPES
All recipes were created by THE HELP food stylist Lee Ann Fleming.

SPINACH-STUFFED SQUASH

Squash:
4 yellow crookneck squash
Melted butter
Salt and pepper
Grated Parmesan cheese

Spinach stuffing:
½ cup chopped onion
½ cup butter
2 (10 oz.) packages frozen chopped spinach, cooked and drained
1 tsp. salt
1 cup sour cream
2 tsp. red wine vinegar
Bread crumbs (garnish)

Directions:

Cook whole squash in boiling, salted water for about 10 minutes until tender.
Very carefully cut into halves and scoop out the seeds.
Sprinkle each shell with butter, salt, pepper, and Parmesan cheese.

Spinach Stuffing:
Sauté onions in butter until tender.
Add spinach, salt, sour cream, and vinegar and blend well.
Stuff each squash shell with spinach mixture. Sprinkle each with Additional Parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs.
Dot with butter.
Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until thoroughly heated to serve.

SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE
Ingredients: Casserole
3 cups cooked, mashed sweet potatoes
1 cup sugar
cup melted butter
2 eggs beaten
1 Tbsp. vanilla
½ cup raisins (optional)

Directions:
Mix well and pour into a butter casserole

Ingredients: Topping
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup chopped pecans
1/3 cup flour
1/3 cup melted butter

Directions:
Mix topping with fork and sprinkle crumbs on top of casserole
Bake 350 degrees F for 30 minutes.

CHEESECAKE PECAN PIE

Ingredients:
1 (15 oz.) pkg. refrigerated pie crusts
1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese
4 large eggs, divided
¾ cup sugar, divided
2 tsp. vanilla, divided
¼ tsp. salt
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup light corn syrup

Directions:
Unfold and stack 2 piecrust together. Gently roll or press together and fit into a 9 inch pie plate according to directions; fold edges under and crimp. Note: For a more homemade flavor, try Lee Ann's Homemade Pie Crust recipe (below)
Beat cream cheese, 1 egg, ½ cup sugar, 1 tsp. vanilla and salt at medium speed with a mixer until smooth.
Pour into piecrust and sprinkle with pecans.
Stir together corn syrup, 3 eggs, remaining 1/4 cup sugar and remaining 1 tsp. vanilla and pour mixture over pecans.
Bake at 350 degrees for 50-55 minutes until set.

Homemade Pie Crust

Ingredients:
1 ¼ cups plain flour
¼ tsp. salt
1/3 cup shortening (butter flavor shortening is great, too)
4-5 tbsp. cold ice water

Directions:
In a medium bowl, stir flour and salt together.
Using a pastry blender, cut in shortening until pieces are pea-size.
Sprinkle 1 tbsp. of water over part of the flour mixture; gently toss with a fork.
Push moistened dough to the side of the bowl. Repeat using 1 tbsp. of water at a time, until all the flour mixture is moistened.
Form dough into a ball; wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.
On a lightly floured surface, use your hands to slightly flatten dough. Roll dough from center to edges into a circle about 12 inches in diameter.
To transfer pastry, wrap it around the rolling pin.
Unroll pastry into a 9-inch pie plate. Ease pastry into pie plate without stretching it.
Trim pastry to ½ inch beyond edge of pie plate. Fold under extra pastry. Crimp edges as desired.

MAMAW'S HOMEMADE ROLLS

Ingredients:
1 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 cup boiling water
2 eggs
2 pkg. dry yeast
1 cup dry yeast
1 cup lukewarm water
6 cups sifted flour

Directions:
Soak yeast in the lukewarm water.
Pour boiling water over the shortening, sugar, and slat. Allow this mixture to cool to lukewarm.
Add yeast to this mixture.
Add eggs and flour. Stir and mix well.
Cover and store in the refrigerator overnight (or at least 3-4 hours). Note: The mixture will keep for a week in the refrigerator.
Remove the portion you wish to use and knead on a floured board.
Roll thin and cut with a biscuit cutter.
Dip half in melted butter and fold over for pocket rolls. Place in a greased pan and allow to rise 2-3 hours.
Bake at 425 degrees for 12-15 minutes.
This recipe can easily be cut in half.

MRS. WALTERS' FRUIT SALAD

Ingredients:
1 can mandarin oranges, drained
1 can pineapple chunks, drained
1 can flaked coconut
1 small jar red Maraschino cherries, drained
1 (8 oz.) carton sour cream

Directions:
Mix and refrigerate. Note: Save the drained juice from oranges and pineapples.
Add to orange juice to enhance your morning beverage.

Also see: 'The Help' on Skin, Health, Beauty & Criscoe

Christmas in July! 2010 Holiday Barbie dolls and Holiday Wishes Barbies now available

Christmas Barbie dolls and holiday Barbies, past and present

Christmas Candi dolls - Christmas cuties from the the past decade (with slideshow)

Candy Cane Carnival Eltin doll coming for the holidaze

American Girl, Disney, KB Toys make Christmas "Friend or Foe" naughty list

Amy Grant & Vince Gill bring 2011 The 12 Days of Christmas to Nashville
Christian music legend Amy Grant and her equally famous country music husband Vince Gill are preparing to head out on their sixth annual Christmas tour which culminates in a Nashville performance at the Ryman Auditorium.

Michael W. Smith joins Sean Hannity's Holiday Concert Salute to the Troops
Nashville award-winning Christian recording artist and author Michael W. Smith, will be joining Christian talk-show host Sean Hannity for Sean Hannity's Holiday Concert Salute to the Troops will be along with as combat-decorated Marine/best-selling author Oliver North and platinum-selling recording artist John Ondrasik (Five For Fighting).

Favorite Christmas Traditions of Gospel Artists
I thought I would ask some of the gospel artists what their favorite Christmas traditions are to give us a glimpse into what they enjoy at Christmas

Christmas - What's in a Name?
What does Christmas mean and how does it relate to other festivals and celebrations during December?

Christmas Memories - What Christmas Means to Me
Christmas is my favorite holiday -- in fact, the holiday season is my favorite time of the year. I have always loved Christmas, and fondly recall our family traditions at this time of year.

How to Be a Salvation Army Volunteer Bell Ringer at Christmas
A Guide to Successfully Volunteering to Be a Salvation Army Bell Ringer During the Holiday Season

Christmas Events in Nashville: What to See & Do in Nashville for the Christmas Holidays
What to See & Do in Nashville for the Christmas Holidays

Oh, Christmas Tree!
Just what DO you call an evergreen tree decked with lights and ornaments in December?

Conned at Christmas - a True Story
Cookies for Kids Charity Event Crumbles

Orla Fallon, Meav, David Archuleta, and Mark Wills Bring a Celtic Christmas to Nashville
Orla Fallon's Celtic Christmas Featuring Meav, David Archuleta, and Mark Wills Aired Thanksgiving Weekend 2010

Christmas Eve Church Services in Nashville, Tennessee
Music City Lives Up to Its Name at Christmas

A Tender Nashville Tennessee Christmas
Nashville/Davidson County is a large Metropolitan area full of free things to do for the holidays

The Mayberry Poem - A Tribute to Mayberry A Great Christmas Gift for Any Mayberry Fan!

How to avoid gaining weight over the holidays - top 6 weight loss tips
The holiday weeks between Thanksgiving and the New Year are the worst time of the year for weight gain.

Top 10 Ways to Avoid the Holiday Weight Gain Blues
Thanksgiving is over and Christmas is just ahead - the time for parties, shopping, friends and family and lots and lots of eating! What can you do to ensure that while your blessings overflow, your waistband doesn't? Here are Skin, Health & Beauty's top 10 tips for avoiding the Holiday weight gain blues.