For the young professionals group at West Huntsville it was about eight stops. A couple of them are recently widowed, one has terminal cancer, one is a recent convert, and one is a young boy who recently lost contact with his father. But the main beneficiaries were those of us who were singing, choreographing (not dancing, for sure =) the twelve days of Christmas, and bringing on the cheer. We, somehow in the process of belting out the blessings, found them ourselves; the blessings, that is,– in those yards, on those porches and in those little living rooms and apartments.
Here’s the recipe. Just have everybody bring some small item…a tube of lotion, a piece of fruit, a Bible workbook, or a pretty cupcake. Have someone map out the stops and call ahead to verify that people will be home. Have someone else bring sheet music–or at least lyrics–to any less familiar songs you plan to sing. Find folks at one of your stops who don’t mind you plugging in the coffee urn and serving up the cocoa. Then get going.
Be prepared. You will see a lot of genuine smiles, some emotional–even tearful–recipients, and you will hear laughter; sometimes uncontrollable laughter. Your gratitude for the amazing blessings in your life will be renewed at the end of each visit as you bow your head with people…all with different needs, yet all needing the same Thing.
Now, this doesn’t have to be a six-hour escapade, as ours was. (This group has to include eating out together in every activity. Maybe that’s why I love them so much!) It can just be two or three stops. It doesn’t have to involve lots of people. Sometimes the sweetest of the season’s songs are those from little families with children in training for service (…and what a great Family Bible Time project…a way to teach your kids as you are “walking by the way” Deut. 6:4).
So there’s the recipe for the joy. On our little tour, I brought along a batch of chai tea mix to go along with the cocoa. It was a hit, so I’ve included the recipe for that, too. Now, go spread the cheer!
“And we urge you,… encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.” I Thess. 5:14)
1 cup nonfat dry milk powder
1 cup powdered non-dairy creamer
1 cup French vanilla flavored powdered non-dairy creamer
2 1/2 cups white sugar
1 1/2 cups unsweetened instant tea
2 teaspoons ground ginger
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
Directions
In a large bowl, combine milk powder, non-dairy creamer, vanilla flavored creamer, sugar and instant tea. Stir in ginger, cinnamon, cloves and cardamom. In a blender or food processor, blend 1 cup at a time, until mixture is the consistency of fine powder.
To serve: Stir 2 heaping tablespoons chai tea mixture into a mug of hot water.
(But I do not do the blender thing. I just mix it up really good. That blender thing sent dust all over my house and made me cough! =)
…and don’t forget your contest entries. Monday is the deadline. See post for 12/08/10.
