Come Let Us Adore Him ....It's His Birthday

In Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus tells us, “19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

This Christmas let’s be mindful of this scripture as we share with others what we want, and they share with us what they want in preparation for the celebration of our Dear Savior’s birth. Yes, it’s his birthday, yes…. sometimes we act like it’s our birthday. Jesus asked that we not focus on the material things, because they are temporary. As I get older and take inventory of my “stuff” and consider getting rid of it and downsizing, I look at things and say to myself, “it’s just dust” and put them in the Goodwill bag or the trash bag.

We are getting older and doing a better job, building our hope on things eternal. When we lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven, like He has directed us to do, we give our money, our time, and our talents to serve Him, and we invest in the hearts and lives of our family and friends…our true treasures.

One of my favorite hymns is, O I Want to See Him, and the first verse and the chorus says, “As I journey through the land singing as I go, pointing souls to Calvary– to the crimson flow, many arrows pierce my soul from without, within; but my Lord leads me on, through Him I must win. (Chorus): Oh, I want to see Him, look upon His face, there to sing forever of His saving grace; on the streets of Glory let me lift my voice; cares all past, home at last, ever to rejoice.

And, when I sing this song, I get excited about one day seeing Him. And in Luke 2: 15-18, the shepherds went into Bethlehem to find the baby Jesus. They found Him and they are so excited. They began to spread the good news. They were excited to look upon His face and we will be too. We like the shepherds will be filled with adoration for Jesus.

Come and let’s adore Him because He is Lord, and it is His birthday. He is our treasure; He is our gift from God. Where our treasure is, is where our hearts are, and we want our hearts to be focused on love and adoration for our Savior this season.

This Christmas season, as we love on our spouses and our family and friends, let’s remember to carve out some one-on-one time to worship God and show Him that we adore Him, and express our appreciation for our only perfect gift…..Jesus.

O Come Let Us Adore Him, https://youtu.be/j25wYtN1EIA?si=hV_DhyXgXX0_Ndy9

With Love, Peace, and Joy,

Paula and Sherman Newman

·        Fire up your fire pit (we have a portable one) and sit on the porch and roast marshmallows or make smores. Don’t have one….you can find one really inexpensive and it’s fun to use for a date in the yard, on the porch…..Check out these fire pits, https://www.homedepot.com/b/Outdoors-Outdoor-Heating-Fire-Pits/Portable/N-5yc1vZc6naZ1z0r4fw

·        Go for a walk in the woods: Eno State Park trails, https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/eno-river-state-park/trails ; William B. Umstead State Park trails, https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/william-b-umstead-state-park/trails, and others.

·        Go ice-skating: Check out Polar Ice Raleigh, 2601 N Raleigh Blvd Raleigh, NC 27604; Polar Ice Cary, 1410 Buck Jones Rd Raleigh, NC 27606; and Polar Ice Garner, 103 New Rand Rd Garner, NC 27529. And last but not least THE RINK presented by UNC Health in Downtown Raleigh again this year, https://www.redhatamphitheater.com/the-rink

·        Enjoy Christmas karaoke or make a playlist and find the lyrics to your favorite songs and just sing together, see these Christmas Carols and just sing together acapella, C:\Users\Paula's PC\OneDrive\Desktop\Christmas Carols.pdf

·        Decorate a gingerbread house…try a new thing…teach each other new skills. Order them from Amazon, today, https://www.amazon.com/Create-Treat-Gingerbread-Houses-2-Pack/dp/B08NC14SRL/ref=asc_df_B08NC14SRL/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=475718188056&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1879773969908149735&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9009747&hvtargid=pla-1028976432655&psc=1&mcid=0ee13e76559c3c6983da178307abf96d&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIzeWe_tyQgwMVrJ9aBR1xaA3rEAQYBiABEgK0XfD_BwE

·        Snuggle on the sofa and enjoy a Christmas movie marathon: This Christmas (2007), Almost Christmas (2016), Friday After Next (2002), Christmas in Compton (2012), The Best Man Holiday (2013), Last Holiday (2006), The Perfect Holiday (2007), Tyler Perry’s A Madea Christmas (2013), Holiday Rush (2019), Black Nativity (2013), Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey (2020), Merry Liddle Christmas (2019), Our Christmas Journey (2021), and Christmas Belles (2019).

·        Have a Christmas cook-off…cook some appetizers together. Try…

Grape Jelly Meatballs:

INGREDIENTS

Grape Jelly: Use store-bought or homemade grape jelly.

Chili sauce: You’ll need two bottles of tomato-based chili sauce (e.g., Heinz Chili Sauce)

Meatballs: Frozen cocktail-sized meatballs (We get ours from Sam’s Club)

DIRECTIONS

Cook the first three ingredients until warm.

Place the meatballs in a slow cooker and cover with the jelly mixture.

Cook on Low for 3 to 4 hours.

OR

Buffalo Chicken Dip

INGREDIENTS

2 cups shredded cooked chicken.

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened.

1/2 cup Frank's RedHot® Original Cayenne Pepper Hot Sauce

1/2 cup ranch dressing

1/2 cup blue cheese crumbles

DIRECTIONS

PREHEAT oven to 350°F. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl. Spoon into shallow 1-quart baking dish.

BAKE 20 minutes or until mixture is heated through; stir. Sprinkle with green onions, if desired, and serve with chips, crackers and/or cut up veggies.

·        Start a Couples or Family Christmas album on Shutterfly, https://www.shutterfly.com/t/photo-book-styles/?CID=SEGOO.BRAND.21700000001930203_71700000092514550_58700007756493743&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIy93lyeKQgwMVWV5HAR3GgQ9VEAAYASAEEgKBr_D_BwE

·       Create a Christmas cocktail:

Grinch Punch

Ingredients

Lemon-Lime Kool-Aid Packets or you can use the premade Green Hawaiian Punch

Sugar

Pineapple Juice – This gives it an overall sweet, tropical flavor and helps get the color more of the Grinch green.

Frozen Lemonade Concentrate, thawed.

Sprite – Any lemon-lime soda will work. You can also use ginger ale.

Ice

Red Sanding Sugar for Glass Rim – Optional but it gives a fun look to the glasses.

Directions

STEP 1: Pour 2 quarts of water in a 1-gallon pitcher (you can also use a large punch bowl). Of course, you can double or even triple this recipe if needed.

STEP 2: Add the Kool-Aid mix and sugar and stir until the sugar is dissolved.

STEP 3: Add the pineapple juice and lemonade concentrate and stir well. You’ll notice it will turn into that nice pretty Grinch Green color.

STEP 4: To top the rim of the glass, dip the top of the glass in water then dip into the red sugar crystals. Just before serving, add the Sprite and ice and serve and enjoy! Don’t add the red sanding sugar until you are about ready to drink the punch as getting it wet will cause it to dissolve and melt. Another option is to rub the rim of a glass lightly with corn syrup before dipping in the red sanding sugar, if you prefer.

OR

Grinch Mimosas

Ingredients

Orange Juice – I prefer the zero pulp, 100% orange juice but you can use any you’d like.

Champagne – A dry champagne works best typically for mimosas, and it doesn’t have to be expensive.

Blue Curacao – Blue curacao is necessary for this ingredient since it is tined blue, it gives us the perfect Grinch green color when mixed with the orange juice.

Maraschino Cherries- These are optional.

Directions:

 Start by adding your ingredients individually in a large cocktail glass.

Stir, serve and enjoy!

· Make a Christmas tree ornament to give to family and friends, or some other homemade gift, for example...

Mom's Secret Christmas Eve Chex Mix (from halfbakedharvest.com):

Ingredients

o  3 cups Corn Chex

o  3 cups Rice Chex

o  2 cups Whole Wheat Chex

o  2 cups mixed nuts

o  2 cups bite-size pretzels

o  2 cups garlic-flavor bite-size bagel chips or regular bagel chips

o  1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) salted butter, melted

o  4 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

o  2 teaspoons seasoned salt

o  3/4 teaspoon garlic powder

o  1/2 teaspoon onion powder

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.

2. In a large bowl, mix the Chex cereals, mixed nuts, pretzels and bagel chips. Set it aside.

3. Melt the butter in a bowl and mix in the Worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt, garlic powder, onion powder and a good pinch of pepper. Pour the butter over the cereal mixture, tossing well for 3-5 minutes or until the cereal mixture is evenly coated.

4. Bake for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Spread on paper towels to cool, about 15 minutes (or just start eating!!). Store in airtight container.

·        Create a Christmas bucket list (see some of the items on my list, below):

o  Make a hot chocolate bar and invite kids in the neighborhood over for hot cocoa

o  Coordinate a white elephant/Dirty Santa gift exchange with friends and neighbors

o  Take a family photo

o  Send Christmas cards

o  Make homemade eggnog

o  Adopt a family in need

o  See the Nutcracker Ballet

o  Go for a ride with my love at night to look at Christmas lights and decorations

o  Go to Sacred Heart Church for Christmas Eve Mass

4:00 PM | English (Family Mass)

6:00 PM | English (Spiritual Choir)

8:00 PM | Spanish

11:00 PM | English (Choir Prelude)

·        Take a dance class together. Check out the Capital City Steppers, https://www.capitalcitysteppers.com/classes-events/

·        Get away, right away, like today….plan a weekend getaway…for example.....reserve a cabin at Goose Creek State Park for the weekend, https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/goose-creek-state-park/camping#CamperCabins-5343

·        Stage a Christmas photoshoot:

·        Volunteer together, https://yguides.ymcatriangle.org/resources/tribe-activities-and-ideas/service-project

·        Go see Christmas lights, https://triangleonthecheap.com/best-christmas-light-displays-triangle/

·        Write a Christmas love letter or make each other a homemade Christmas card, https://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=Husband%20christmas%20card&rs=srs&b_id=BGXlpUXS7dA9AAAAAAAAAABjEfXEW5yahSlyx8pnshZC9WWjwrOwWOZddvHk6JT126_Ik0-bj9hzagzERY4tdM4&source_id=rlp_UydjI8Vx

·        Set up a festive scavenger hunt. Get some help from Etsy, https://www.etsy.com/listing/1341929060/christmas-scavenger-hunt-christmas?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_d-paper_and_party_supplies-party_supplies-party_favors_and_games-party_games&utm_custom1=_k_EAIaIQobChMI0t-sl-2QgwMVY1BHAR0nPwo8EAQYBCABEgI92PD_BwE_k_&utm_content=go_12573361400_119572670357_507799178385_pla-507803002032_c__1341929060_533066614&utm_custom2=12573361400&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0t-sl-2QgwMVY1BHAR0nPwo8EAQYBCABEgI92PD_BwE

·        Have your picture taken with Santa…. I did! (See below!)

·        Put up Christmas decorations together (and prepare to host a party)

Thoughtful Gifts to Give to Couples

(Oprah's picks)

Samsung Freestyle FHD HDR Smart Portable Projector

·         Solo Stove Pi Pizza Oven

·        Sur La Table Cooking Class for Two

·        Samsung Freestyle FHD HDR Smart Portable Projector

·        Date Night in a Box

·        Apollo Walker Store Picnic Backpack Bag for two

·        Minted Custom House Portrait with Text

·        YC DGYCASI Pickleball Set

·        Schweek Super Soft Blanket

·        Sophistiplate Charcuterie Board with Placement Guide

·        Linum Home Personalized 100 Percent Turkish Cotton Terry Bath Robe

·        Bose Portable Home Bluetooth Speaker

·        BOND TOUCH Long Distance Touch Bracelets

·        MasterClass Subscription

·        Cozy Earth Bamboo Sheet Set, Queen

·        GoSports Regulation Size Wooden Cornhole Boards Set

·        Google Nest Hub

·        Dyson V8 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner

·        Ninja AF101 Air Fryer

·        Merideth and John Jaskowski Couple’s Split Comforter, Queen

·        Bey-Berk Vino Leather Wine Caddy & Corkscrew Set

6 cups of sugar

4 cups wine

1 bottle liquid pectin (4 oz. pectin = Certo or Sure Jell)

Yields (6) 8 oz. jars (half pint jars)

1. Combine sugar and wine in a large saucepan
2. Mix well
3. Cook over medium heat, stirring continuously, until sugar is dissolved
4. Remove from heat
5. Add liquid pectin and mix well; Optional: add 4 drops green food coloring for dark green or 2 drops green food coloring for light green
6. Skim off any foam and discard
7. Pour immediately into hot, sterilized jars and seal
8. Let cool

Date Ideas:



Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC), https://www.dpacnc.com/events/all :

·        A Christmas Carol, Saturday- Sunday, December 16-17, 2023

·        Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet- Wednesday, December 20, 2023

·        On Your Feet!: The Story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan- Wednesday-Thursday, January 17-18, 2024

·        Eddie B- Saturday, January 20, 2024

·        Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations, Tuesday-Sunday, February 6- 11, 2024

·        Durham LoveRaiser: Nnenna & Pierce Freelon and Paperhand Puppets- Wednesday, February 14, 2024

·        Dancing with the Stars LIVE- Saturday, February 17, 2024

·        Gregory Porter- Thursday, February 22, 2024

·        Peter Pan- Tuesday- Sunday, February 27- March 3, 2024

·        Celtic Woman- Saturday, March 12, 2024

·        Neil DeGrasse Tyson: Astronomy Bizarre- Tuesday, March 12, 2024

·        Ledisi: The Good Life Tour with Special Guest Raheem DeVaughn- Sunday, March 17, 2024

Raleigh Improv, https://improv.com/raleigh/calendar/ :

·        Rickey Smiley- Sunday, December 17, 2023

·        Smooth Jazz at the Improv Presents: Kirk Whalum- Wednesday, December 20, 2023

·        Godfrey- Friday- Sunday, December 29-31, 2023

·        Lil Duval- Friday- Sunday, January 12-14, 2024

·        Tony Rock- Thursday- Saturday, February 8-10, 2024

·        Sheryl Underwood- Friday-Saturday, March 1-2, 2024

Goodnight’s Comedy Club, https://www.goodnightscomedy.com/calendar :

·        Mojo Brookzz- Sunday, December 17, 2023

·        Lemaire Lee- Friday- Saturday, December 22-23, 2023

·        Marlon Wayans- Thursday- Saturday, December 28-30, 2023

·        Darryl Charles- Sunday, December 31, 2023

·        Shuler King- Friday- Sunday, January 5-7, 2024

·        DC Curry- Friday- Sunday, January 19- 21, 2024

·        Justin Silva- Sunday, January 28, 2024

·        Akeem Woods- Friday- Saturday, January 2-3, 2024

·        Faizon Love- Friday- Sunday, February 16-18, 2024

·        Tim Meadows- Friday- Sunday, February 22-24, 2024

• David James- Friday- Saturday, February 23-24, 2024

Carolina Theater, https://carolinatheatre.org/events/ :

Denitia- Thursday, January 25, 2024

Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts, https://www.martinmariettacenter.com/event-calendar :

·        Elf The Musical- December 9-17, 2023

·        The Nutcracker Ballet- December 14- 24, 2023

·        The Dessertery Holiday Dessert Café- December 16-23, 2023

·        A Candlelight Christmas: NC Symphony- December 22-23, 2023

Koka Booth Amphitheater, https://www.boothamphitheatre.com/ :

·        NC Chinese Lantern Festival- November 17, 2023- January 14, 2023

__________________________________

Seven Springs Farm and Vineyard, https://sevenspringsvineyards.com/

Seven Springs says SAVE THE DATE

for the following 2024 events....

Aggies in the Vineyard- Saturday, April 27, 2024

NeoSoul Festival 2024- Saturday, April 20, 2024

Tribute to Prince!- Saturday, May 4, 2024

So, you can’t make it to any of the big ski resorts in the country this year?

·        Breckenridge, Colorado

·        Park City, Utah

·        Vail, Colorado

·        Steamboat, Colorado

·        Lake Tahoe, California

·        Aspen, Colorado

·        Big Sky Resort- Montana

Visit North Carolina’s very own Sugar Mountain Resort in Sugar Mountain, NC (near Boone, NC). They have Snow Skiing, Snowboarding, Tubing, Ice Skating, and Snowshoeing. See www.skisugar.com for more information.

Christmas Soul Playlist, https://youtu.be/OXfnxkdJlww?si=s5yuhU8GP37WhjyM

Finance Matters

New York Life’s Newlywed Guide to Budgeting Finances in Marriage

·        Be honest and transparent about your finances.

·        Set financial goals (and limits) together.

·        Create a budget- it’s important to know where your money’s coming from and where it’s going every month.

·        Establish joint and individual bank accounts. While joint bank accounts are common in marriages, it's also important to maintain separate bank accounts. This is called the “yours, mine, ours” approach, in which you each have some autonomy over an agreed-upon portion.

·        Set a let’s talk spending threshold. You don’t need to have a conversation before one of you spends $20 on lunch. But $500? Or $1,000? It would be best to discuss that first. Figure out what the “let’s talk” amount is for you as a couple and agree that neither of you will ever be left out if the other makes a big purchase.

·        Be aware of your spouse’s debt. When you apply for a loan as a married couple, banks assess both of your credit scores. If one person is carrying significant debt, your application could be denied. Be aware of both your credit scores and think through how you can look your best on an application.

·        Purchase life insurance. Don’t wait until you get old. You don’t want to be stressed about how to manage financially if something were to happen to your spouse, while you are grieving.

·        Don’t feel pressured to buy a home right away. Be realistic about when and what you can buy. If you live in an expensive housing market, buying a home may not be realistic for a while. That’s okay. If renting makes the most sense on a cost level, rent, but contribute to an investment fund that builds equity over time, just as mortgage payments would.

·        Prepare for retirement before you prepare for your future children’s education.

·        Start saving for your child’s education.

·        Decide how to approach family and money. If a close friend or a family member approaches you for a personal loan, how will you respond? You and your partner should agree on a policy.

·        Prepare and sign a will.

·        Seek help when needed.



See the article for more details, https://www.newyorklife.com/articles/financial-tips-marriage#:~:text=Honesty%20is%20the%20best%20policy,and%20discuss%20your%20shared%20finances. 

Communication is Key...



Have a Conversation about Romance

Take turns asking each other the following questions:

1.      How do you define romance?

2.      What is romantic to you?

3.      Were your parents romantic?

4.      How often do you think we should experience romance?

5.      Do you think romance has changed in our relationship?

6.      Do you think we should be equally responsible for creating opportunities for romance?

7.      Do you think one of us is more romantic than the other?

8.      Do you feel more romantic when we are away from home?

9.      What was the last romantic moment you remember us having?

10.  What can I do to create more romance in our relationship?

Now give each other a hug and thank each other for taking the time to focus on each other and improve the connection in your relationship.

Prompts by Kathleen Mates-Youngman, LMFT