Good Morning and Happy Monday! It’s only two weeks until the weekend before Christmas which blows my mind. I thought I was really ahead of the game and ready, that I’d be able to spend the last couple of weeks just hanging out, baking cookies and watching Christmas movies. Um, not so much. We’re close to being ready, REALLY close, but not quite done. While I baked this weekend, Hubby wrapped the grandkids’ presents. There are still a couple of things that I need to buy, but for the most part everything except stocking stuffers are done. I’d had every intention of starting the Christmas cards yesterday, but I baked a couple of new kinds of cookies (well, new to us) instead. It will get there. I’m not feeling a huge rush or a huge amount of stress about it at this point. I’m ready for the new week, have a list of things I would like to accomplish each day of the week and for the moment, am comfortable with how relaxed the next couple of weeks should be.
Moose Wishes You a Happy Monday!
Verse of the Day
December 10, 2018
The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like [Moses] from among your own brothers. You must listen to him.
 Thoughts on the Verse of the Day
Jesus is that prophet like Moses. He has come and taught us God’s truth. He has taught us with his words recorded in the Gospels. He has taught us with his example, through the deeds he has done. He is teaching us through his abiding presence in us and through the Spirit he has given us. But he teaches us most effectively when we put into practice what he has said.
www.verseoftheday.com
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History of Christmas Traditions
Do you put a wreath on your door at Christmas time? Or maybe over the fireplace? If we take a look around wherever we go – in town, on homes, or even on the front of cars or buses – we see wreathes, or maybe swags. Wreathes are beautiful and fragrant and each year I pick one out and hang it on the door. I put a few little ornaments on it, and hang a strand of lights on it, and it hangs there happy and beautiful for the entire season. I never paused to wonder why we decorate with them though, did you?  The truth is that the history of the wreath is a few thousand years old, back to even before the Roman Empire, though it was during that great period that history really noticed them. They weren’t the same kind of wreathes that we have today, but of course like everything, change happens. It was common at that time, when recognizing a victor of a game, a war or a political challenge, to put a wreath on the head. The wreath could be made of gold or silver, or even flowers and leaves. It was a sign to honor the person who wore it. Over time the wreath became a symbol of completeness. A never-ending circle represents eternity, so it isn’t very surprising that the wreath was incorporated with Christmas to symbolize the eternal love God showed to us by sending us His son. We use evergreens for the most part because they are always beautiful and fresh all year round, and their fragrance reminds us of fires, hot cocoa and all things related to the holiday. To Christians, the Christmas season was a time to rejoice the birth of their Savior, and to proclaim His eternal promises, so the evergreen wreath was the perfect symbol of this. By shaping the evergreen boughs into a circle that never ended, that message is shown two ways, by the evergreen AND the circle. Today we see wreathes made out of many items besides greens – glass ornaments, wine corks, pinecones and even bark. The symbol of eternal life is still always clear through the circle shape. As you look around at all of the wreathes everywhere feel the assurance the symbol is meant to bring. There is such amazing promise proclaimed in every single one – the promise that began with the birth of a baby in the most simple of all surroundings, the promise that still holds true today, tomorrow and for all eternity.
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Dewey Decimal System Day – Do libraries even USE this system anymore? I know when I was in school, we had to learn it, but I’m not even sure if they do that now. So, for those of you who have never used the Dewey Decimal System, here is what it is . . . It is a library classification system that was first published by Melvil Dewey in 1876. It has been revised and expanded through 23 editions, with the latest issued in 2011. I guess that answers my question on if it is still used! It is a location system using three-digit Arabic numerals for main classifications of books, using decimals to expand it out to give more detail. This system makes it easy to locate any particular book in a library and return it to its proper place on the shelves. The system is used in 200,000 libraries in at least 135 countries.
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Jane Addams Day – Who was Jane Addams, and why does she hold an important place in our history? She was a role model for women and a feminist before anyone was called one. She did it the right way though – not out of a motivation to control anyone, or to reduce men’s importance in our lives, but to bolster up women who needed help. She started the settlement house named Hull House in 1889, which provided health care, day care and other services to poor people in the neighborhood. She started her work for justice and equality not long after she graduated from Rockford College. She created many programs for Hull House – nurseries, college courses, art classes and sports teams for people of all beliefs and ethnicities. During the 1890’s, Hull-House gained national and international fame as a radical, innovative, successful institution and Jane became known for a leader who was changing things in the nation. Amazing how change can be brought about in a good way – like Jane did – and in a bad one – as our current administration has done. The differences are mind boggling, aren’t they? She wanted America to respond to the terrible ills of industrial development – ills that included child labor, infant mortality, urban crowding and unsanitary conditions, unsafe workhouses, juvenile delinquency, unemployment and poverty wages. Sounds like some social issues don’t really change, doesn’t it? Her efforts led to Illinois’ first child labor law, the first eight-hour work day law for women, and the first juvenile court. She championed women’s right to vote, and devoted her life to causes of peace, freedom and justice. Sounds like we need more people like her in the world today!
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This Day in History –
1869 – Wyoming, a territory of the U.S., allowed women to vote and hold office.
1964 – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. received the Nobel Peace Prize.
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Food Celebration of the Day –
National Lager Day – A pint on its own is great, but lager works wonders in food, too. But beware! Depending on fermentation and alcohol levels, beers react differently when cooked.
- Snake Bite
- Grilled Tuna Beeriyaki
- Chicken in Beer
- Tavern Cheese Soup
- Midwestern Beer Brats
- Beer Bread
- Texas Chili
We are back to windy and rainy over the next few days, so for those of you who are getting snow – I’m jealous and want snow!!! For those who live in THIS area, stay safe and may all of your trees stay intact. It’s time to get this Monday started! I have my coffee and am ready to hit the door. God bless you and I’ll see you tomorrow!
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Celebration list sources:
www.verseoftheday.com  www.brownielocks.com  www.holidayinsights.com  www.thenibble.com  www.foodimentary.com