FOOD...for the soul and the body!

CAN WE SEE...THE CHRIST IN CHRISTMAS?

Not being able to see the sacred either with your eyes or with the heart has been fault of the human condition since the beginning. Sometimes the most precious and sacred things are right in front of us, in plain sight, but we cannot or will not see them.
This may be especially true during the season of Christmas. All of these spectacular displays and decorations that compete for our attention can be beautiful and uplifting, but if it's all we see, then we're missing something thats in plain sight.
Sometimes, despite our best intentions, commitments, and the stress of our many tasks that we fail to see with our hearts, that which is essential and most sacred.

Even many who lived during the time of the Savior's mortal ministry could not see Him, though He walked among them in plain sight. Jesus was born in a stable surrounded by lowly animals. He did not go though the pattern of worldly education. The sophisticated and the proud, those who placed their trust in worldly learning, could not see Him.
Jesus was not wealthy, nor did He hild a political office. The wealthy and the influential, those who were caught up in their busy affairs of commerce and government, could not see Him.
The Scribes and Pharisees were so steeped in their own traditions and so blinded by their own narrow interpretation of scriptures that they could not see Jesus, the humble man who walked among them. The self-righteous and unteachable, those whose hearts were closed to the Spirit, could not see Him.
So who saw Him? Humble fishermen and laborers saw Him. The ailing, the distraught saw Him, and recognized Him as the Salvation of Israel. But there were those among the rich and powerful who were teachable and therefore could see the Christ.
When we read about people who could not see the Savior for who He was, we marvel at their blindness. But, do WE also let distractions obstruct our view of the Savior~during this Christmas season and throughout the year?
Some are external distractions...the gifts we worry about, the decorations, or the clamorous advertising...but often it is what in inside us that blinds us fron seeing the Christ. Some may feel a certain level of intellectual aloofness that distances them fron Christ...Some are caught up in the details of running their lives that they don't make time for much else...Some, like the Pharisees, seek for the Christ, but their hearts are set upon their own theories, spiritual hobbies and opinions that fail to recognize Him...
This is a season of rehoicing. A season of celebration. A wonderful time when we acknowledge that our Almighty God sent His Only begotten Son...Jesus Christ, to redeem the world...to redeem each of us.
(from a talk by Pres. Dieter F. Uchtdorf)
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Several have asked for this cake recipe from my last post, so here it is...I hope it will be a fun gift from you to your neighbors too. I have 6 Bundt pans so I can really get them going...I usually make atleast 20 of these and they go pretty fast.

" CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT CAKE"

1 Chocolate Cake Mix
4 Eggs
1/2 Cup Oil
1 Cup Water
1 tsp. Peppermint extract
1 Small package instant Chocolate Pudding
Mix all this for 4 minutes. Pour into a Pam
sprayed Bundt pan.
Bake at 350'~45 minutes
Cool 15 min. in pan...set plate over cake
and let it fall out and onto the plate.

While slightly warm...frost with;

1 Cup Powdered Sugar
2 T. soft butter
1 T. Lemon juice
(you can use the peppermint extract instead
but it's a little too much to me...I like the lemon.)
Decorate with crushed candy canes
or sprinkles

(If you want to spend even less..buy the 98 cent cake mixes
and just prepare and bake them as it says on the box... adding
the 1 tsp. of peppermint extract)
Along with the clear wrap and a ribbon and a cheap plate...
it makes a lovely gift for not a lot of money!
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Christmas is nearly here...I hope your life is at the point where it feels "uncluttered"...and that now you can sit back and take it all in with a joyous heart. Remember to "look for the Savior" with all of your heart...then you will have really found Christmas...Love and hugs to all of you!