• Barbara Robinson, “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.” Some unusual children take part in a church’s traditional Sunday school Christmas program.

12. New Year’s Eve and Day — Pass out paper, pencils, and envelopes for each person to write a personal goal for the new year. Write the name on the envelope. Insert the goal and seal the envelope. Collect the envelopes and store them in a jar or box in a safe place. Next year, distribute the envelopes to their owners. Repeat each year.

Share answers to the question “What was the best thing that happened to you this year?”

 

Unwrap a large family calendar. Mark with red marker all of the known special events for the year ahead: birthdays, anniversaries, family celebrations suggested in this book, and vacation dates.

 

Recipes for Easy Entertaining

 

Oven Omelet

Brown:

Bits of ham (or cooked bacon)

2 or 3 green onions

Green pepper

Mushrooms

Broccoli

Sprinkle in an 11×7 1/2×2 baking dish.

Beat:

9 eggs

2 tablespoons half & half

1/4 teaspoon salt

Pour beaten mixture over contents in baking dish. Arrange tomato slices over the top. Sprinkle 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese over the top. Bake uncovered at 325° F for 25 minutes. Garnish with sour cream and black olives.

Cheese Spread

1 lb. margarine

1/2 lb. sharp cheddar cheese

1/2 teaspoon paprika

3 oz. grated Romano cheese

1 teaspoon Worcestershire

pinch of garlic powder

Have all ingredients at room temperature. Beat slowly with an electric mixer. Spread on bread and broil. (Can be frozen in small containers.)

Hot Cranberry Drink

Combine:

1 lb. fresh or frozen cranberries

2 sticks cinnamon

6 whole cloves

Cover with water. Boil 10 minutes. Strain through a cloth.

Add:

6-oz. can frozen orange juice

6-oz. can frozen lemonade

To one cup of this concentrate add:

4 cups water

1/2 cup sugar (or less)

Heat and serve. Concentrate will stay fresh in refrigerator.

Hot Spiced Apple Cider

Heat cider (do not boil) with a stick of cinnamon and 6 whole cloves. Simmer 10 minutes. Remove spices. Float thin slices of orange and lemon for a nice flavor.

 

Excerpted from: "Celebrating the Christian Year" by Martha Zimmerman, Copyright © 1994, Martha G. Zimmerman. ISBN 1556613490. Published by Bethany House Publishers

Used by permission. Unauthorized duplication prohibited.