Today, my workday included printing and cutting this year’s Christmas cards with its accompanying year-end letters. We send out cards intending to reconnect with many dear friends and relatives.
At lunch, my husband brought in the mail. As I went through the various envelopes, it brought my attention to bills to pay and a bank statement from which to balance our account.
After all the indoor desk-type work I decided to take my daily walk around the farm. I am not particularly fond of taking walks, but as I do, the thoughts of thankfulness and praise to God flood my consciousness. How wonderful it is to be able walk!
So I donned my old worn parka and headed outdoors. As I stepped out, I crossed through a wall of cold air. Still, despite the typical December temperature, with no wind to speak of, my walk was rather pleasant.
I visited our Black Angus cattle which hovered around the barnyard and the manger where they savor their rations of hay.
Down the road, sat the farm felines with their fur puffed up against the chilled air. Some of them busily picked through wayward corn kernels lying near the corn crib. Those cats considered the corn a healthy snack.
The hens and Mr. Rooster are no longer inside the chicken coop fence. Now they have free range. You may remember Mr. Rooster from my last article. He is improving. He has a full set of feathers for us to admire. He roams the farmyard more placidly with his girlfriends. And just the other day I heard a moderately loud, “Cock-a-doo,” from him. He is still learning to broadcast his roosterly crow. He has not yet figured out how to add, “doodle-doo.” It will come, I hope.
Since only a dusting of snow edged my path, I continued walking the farm roads. I was even able to go into the calf pasture. Several logs are piled there. My husband worked diligently gathering 2025 firewood. The drone of the chain saw wafted across the farm as he cut his logs down to size.
The sun began to hang low in the sky. So after a considerable amount of time in the fresh air and the taking of plenty of steps, I headed for the house. I reached out for the door latch, and, as I entered the farmhouse, once again I crossed through a wall, a wall of warmth. The wood furnace keeps us cozy.
With the coming of Christmas, cards, parties and gift giving, let me share with you a very special gift. It is a truth from the Holy Bible. Revelation 1:5 says, “And from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings of earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood…”
Did you catch that? Jesus Christ, the Ultimate Gift-giver, loves us and has released us from our sins by giving up His life so that we can live eternally. By believing in Him we can be released from the sins that otherwise cling so closely. He is worthy of our lives and our worship. I encourage you to believe and entrust your life to Him. Because of Him, not only will Christmas be merry, but every day can be new.
Turkey Divan
2 10 ounce packages frozen broccoli spears or 1½ – 2 pounds fresh broccoli
1 or 2 cups diced turkey
1 can cream of mushroom soup
¼ cup milk
Grated sharp cheese
Cook broccoli till tender; drain. Layer broccoli and turkey in a shallow 1½ quart baking dish. Combine soup and milk. Pour soup mixture on turkey and broccoli. Sprinkle with cheese.
Slide under broiler and broil till hot and bubbly OR bake at 375°F for about 20 minutes or till hot and bubbly.
You may substitute any kind of creamed soup. Ham, chicken or family-sized can of tuna may also be substituted for turkey. Serves 4
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