Apologies for the delay in posting the 4th week of devotions. Here are the pages provided by congregation members. If you wish to receive the parts of the devotion covered by copyright, please email the church. THIS WEEK OUR FOCUS IS ON SEEING GOD IN EACH OTHER. Bless you in your mediation and gathering.
Meditation on ‘The Sheep of Christmas’
When I see sheep in the nativity setting it takes me back to my preschool days. We had sheep on our home farm in those days. I remember climbing up on a gate in the sheep shed and watching my dad and uncle shearing the sheep. Then they would stuff the wool into the biggest bags I had ever seen, taller than a man. I guess the huge bags were taken to one of the wool mills at Blyth to be made into warm clothing. Later, our sheep got a disease, I believe it affected their liver and we had to get rid of them.
Fast forward about 55-60 years and our son’s family had purchased a farm East of Clifford. He started a small herd of sheep with 25-30 ewes. When the ewes were lambing it was always fun to go there to the barn with our grandchildren and watch the lambs play. They could stand still and jump straight up, what seemed like a foot high. Sometimes if the mother was lying down her lamb would jump up on her side and stand there until something else caught its attention and it would jump down for more playing with the rest. Recently the sheep were sold so that may be the end of my sheep memories other than seeing them in pasture fields by the road. The sheep in the Christmas story remind me of the gifts of wool to be woven into warm clothes. The playfulness of the lambs reminds me of the seemingly endless energy and innocence of young creatures and children and the wonderful gifts they are to their parents. Written by Glenn Jacques
Old Mrs Ewe Knits in Blue by Joan Rooney
Old Mrs. Ewe’s hard at work
knitting woollies for her flock.
Maybe a scarf to warm a neck
perhaps a pair of cozy socks.
Clickety-clack, clickety-clack
needles ‘n’ wool do swiftly fly
their rhythm steady and sure
as cooler days go quickly by.
Her lambs will be nicely warm
all snug as a bug in a rug,
since long before the snows fall
all will be wrapped in a big woolly hug.
Gracious God, the sheep that night in Bethlehem were safe in the care of shepherds. Give us faith to know that you show up and are our shepherd, and you care for us unconditionally. Amen
Recipe for Cream Puffs: Enjoy these with family and friends for a special gathering at the table.
This scrumptious recipe comes from Dorothy Frook.
Dorothy says: I grew up on the farm where we milked cows by hand, so cream was available. Having said that the cream from the cows was a source of income, therefore Cream Puffs were only made for special occasions like Christmas and Easter or if there was extra cream. As a source of interest back then the cream was whipped using a hand mixer. This is my Mother’s recipe. I make these for special occasions and special events. Always a great dessert.
Ingredients: ½ cup butter 1cup water 1 cup flour 3 eggs
- Boil butter and water until butter is dissolved.
- Add flour, stir while boiling.
- Boil until it forms a ball. Let cool (about ½ hour)
- Add eggs, one at a time and stir well (you may beat with electric mixer) after each egg.
This makes 12 medium puffs. Put the Batter in tart tin or drop by teaspoon full on a cookie sheet covered with parchment. Bake at 452°F. For 15 to 20 minutes, reduce heat to 350°F and bake another 15 to 20 minutes.
Let cool and fill with whipped cream that is sweetened to taste.
You can bake these and freeze (without filling) for use at a later date.
finding Grace in Surprising Ways 