A Net in Time

Curriculum and book reviews, faith, homeschooling and more!

Christmas

How Great Our Joy

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A happy, quick moving song, How Great our Joy is only sorta familiar to me.  I’ve had the pleasure of singing it often enough to recognize it but not enough to have it memorized. It’s a lovely hymn that walks you through the angels’ conversation with the shepherds.

How Great Our Joy

Lyrics

While by the sheep we watched at night,
Glad tidings brought an angel bright.

Refrain

How great our joy! Great our joy!
Joy, joy, joy! Joy, joy, joy!
Praise we the Lord in heaven on high!
Praise we the Lord in heaven on high!

There shall be born, so He did say,
In Bethlehem a Child today.

Refrain

There shall the Child lie in a stall,
This Child who shall redeem us all.

Refrain

This gift of God we’ll cherish well,
That ever joy our hearts shall fill.

Refrain

Author and History

We actually don’t know who wrote this hymn, it is a tra­di­tion­al Ger­man ca­rol. In fact you might know this other German Christmas carol as well.  O come Little Children.    Theodar Baker translated the first two verses into English.  In fact, if you want to know about this Christmas song, Celebrating Holidays did a write up that might intrigue. 

Pondering How Great Our Joy

Don’t you just love songs that speak scripture back to you?  Sometimes in not exact words, but in the overall telling.  It’s lovely to sing God’s word back to him!  

In this one we start with the shepherds and quickly move to the angels.  The angels tell the glad tidings of a child to be born in Bethlehem.  It closely with how this child is a gift of God, and we sing of our great joy. 

It’s so true isn’t it? That joy we have in the hope given to us?  It’s just marvellous and worth singing about.  🙂

Stille Nacht (Silent Night)

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Originally I wanted to find a Christmas song from Austria/Hungary.  Or Bulgaria… and then I sussed out Great Britain.   I had no success in my first two searches, and Great Britain only provided me with more modern songs which I didn’t really want.  I got to thinking about other European countries affected by the war and thought… The Netherlands!  My mom, being of Dutch origin was a natural for me to call, she suggested I do Stille Nacht.

I’ve already done Germany, Italy, Poland and Russia. 

Stille Nacht (Silent Night)

Here it is in Dutch

And now in English. 

 

Lyrics in English

Silent night, holy night!
All is calm, all is bright.
Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child.
Holy infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace

Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight.
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia,
Christ the Savior is born!
Christ the Savior is born

Silent night, holy night!
Son of God love’s pure light.
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth

Lyrics in Dutch. 

I’m including these because as I was looking for information I learned there are two versions in Dutch.  This one and the Roman Catholic version.

Stille nacht, Heilige nacht,
David’s zoon lang verwacht.
Die miljoenen eens zaligen zal,
Wordt geboren in Bethlehems stal.
Hij, der schepselen heer,
Hij, der schepselen heer.

Hulp’loos kind, Heilig kind,
Dat zo trouw zondaars mint.
Ook voor mij hebt G’U rijkdom ontzegd,
Werd G’in stro en in doeken gelegd.
Leer m’U danken daarvoor,
Leer m’U danken daarvoor.

Stille nacht, Heilige nacht,
Heil en vree wordt gebracht.
Aan een wereld, verloren in schuld,
God’s belofte wordt heerlijk vervuld.
Amen, Gode zij d’eer,
Amen, Gode zij d’eer.

Four Ways to Remember the Reason for the Season

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4 Ways to Remember the Reason for the Season

Tis the season to be jolly fa la la la la la la la la.

It is the season to be jolly, it’s great time of the year, this time of hope that we are in.  There is so much to see, do and be involved in.  But think.. What’s the real reason?  It’s the hope of the Saviour… not coming as a baby, as important as that is, but as the Saviour of the world. We so need to remember and to contemplate what that really means,.  🙂

It’s hard not to get caught up in the busyness of the seasons.  In this post I will talk about some of my joys of the season, as well as some ways to remember the reason for the season. 

My Joys:

In the baking of cookies.  Papernauten anyone?

In the putting up of a Christmas village.. I do have to admit this year, I’ve reduced my Christmas village.  We are trying to light our load abit and I’ve needed to cut my village.  A hard decision but it all needs to fit into ONE bin.

Sometimes it’s hard to remember, to focus on the fact that Christ came to earth FOR US.  And not just for a generic us but for a specific ME.

Four ways to Remember the Reason For the Season

So the question arises.   Just how does one remember what truly is the reason for the season?

These are things that help me
1. Doing a daily advent activity.   Often we have used a Lego Advent Calendar.  🙂    What can I say… it’s fun to put together Lego as one thinks about the events of Christmas.  But lately we just have those dollar store chocolate Advent Calendars and read scripture daily.  Different passages that speak to the true meaning of Christmas, and the story of Jesus’ birth. 

2. Spending time alone.   YES.. alone… in fact sometimes I will squirrel myself away like a little spider, getting away from the noise and bustle of the world and just stay within my own cozy home.  Reading a book, going out for a walk when no one is around, getting lost in the world of colouring and a Christmas movie.   Just stuff for me alone.  🙂

3. Christmas music and books!  In the past I read lots of books (like Alabaster’s song).  Now I play Christmas music as I bake cookies, pumpkin spice muffins, and meals) and even while I’m sweeping the floor or doing laundry.  Bring music that I like into the house.  🙂

4. Spend time with the Lord in church services, readings from the bible and Christmas poetry that reminds me of the season.      There are some you might want to check out here and here.

We all have ways that help us to remember what is important about the Christmas season.  

So tell me then, what’s important to you?   How do you focus on that importance?  How do you remember the reason for Christmas?

Victoria Park at Night

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This post is making me smile, it’s our tip to Victoria Park at Night.

Victoria Park, London, On.

I am remembering the fun we had in 2017 when we went to Victoria Park at night, the lights were one, people were skating, and it was such a gorgeous night.  Cold but not too cold, just perfect for twinkling lights and I just wanted to share a few of those pictures with you.  Because I can and I need a smile today!

Victoria Park, London, lit up Christmas trees.

I remember not having to have my hands in my pockets the whole time.  This random statue caught my eye.  I think he wants to go skating on the outdoor rink.

victoria park, London, ontario, statue

The Christmas trees were absolutely gorgeous.  My pictures simply don’t do them justice.

Victoria Park, London, On. Christmas trees.

I remember struggling to take pictures of the garland?  They had strung up around the park.  It was hard to get a clear image.  This one didn’t turn out half bad.

Victoria Park, London, On.

I do have other pictures but they turned out a bit too blurry.  Some days I take better pictures than others, and night time, cold, shiny is apparently NOT my time to be taking pictures.  🙂

It was good to smile though, and I hope you smiled too!

Christmas Cookies

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Mom came in,
All gingery smells.
Wafting from the bin

She carried in her arms.
Gingersnaps.
A boy wipes his hands Flour patterns to show

The cookies are made His eyes all aglow.
Sugar Cookies
Mmmm.. the spices they rise

And added they are
a double amount
for a favourite friend

An old Dutch recipe
from mom to girl
Papernauten.

Something old, something new
What will a man make?
How about a new marshmallow bake?

Nutella use up,
chocolate goodness share
Fudge marshmallow squares.  

Christmas Baking, The New and The Old

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EVERY Single year I make papernauten for Christmas. The very odd occasion I will make them other times of the year, but to me they are the best Christmas cookie EVER.  🙂  BAR NONE!

So here’s my recipe:

Papernauten

Here’s how to make them.

Beat three eggs until frothy
Add 1 cup white sugar and 1 cup brown sugar (packed) Beat until very light and fluffy about 5-6 minutes. Set aside.

Mix together the following:
2 3/4 cup flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 cup ground almonds

Then add the following

In our family we double the amount of spices,  This is the doubled amount, if you don’t want them as strong tasting cut all this in half. 🙂
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp allspice
1 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp pepper
3 tsp grated lemon rind …or add some lemon juice to the eggs and sugar mix

Mix together the wet and dry ingredients. It is a VERY dry mix.

Pick some up and knead it in your hands for a bit, if needed dip your fingertips in water to make it more pliable.

Then form it into a rope about 1/2 inch in diameter. Break into bite-sized chunks (about 1/2 inch) and then cook in preheated 325 degree oven for 15 minutes (until lightly browned)

YUMMY.  Your children will be begging for more (at least mine does).

 

AND… Like my boy I decided to try something new this year.

Geertsma Family Spiced Egg Cookies.

Two bowls needed.  Preheat oven to 400F

Bowl one:

1 cup flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/8 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp baking soda

Bowl two
3 eggs
3/4 c white sugar
1 1/2 tsp corn syrup
3/4 tsp almond extract
1/4 c toasted sliced almonds (we fiddled with this a bit)

Instructions. 
Preheat oven to 400F
1. Mix all dry ingredients in bowl one.  Set aside.
2. Mix all wet ingredients in bowl two until creamy.   Takes about 6 minutes.
3. Slowly add dry to wet until well combined.
4. Drop onto parchment paper, leave about 2 inches between.  About a good tablespoon each. 
5. Sprinkle almonds on top. 
6. Bake for 8 minutes until light browned. They tend to stick so store with wax paper between.

Christmas Baking, The Boys

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The boys did some baking!   It’s always good to have the boys help out.  AND it’s fun to watch skills develop (in the lad) and creativity happen in my man!   I just thoroughly enjoy it. 🙂

So the lad made some Sugar Cookies today.  He saw how much they made and promptly cut the recipe in half.  MOM!  We don’t need to eat THAT many cookies!!!!!!!   Made dad and I laugh in agreement.  🙂  I decorated half of them, he did the rest.  I taught him a couple things to make it easier (like rolling out half the dough at a time)

Chocolate Pretzels.

The other day he made pretzels.  VERY easy for a lad to make.  Take some milk chocolate, melt it slowly in the microwave, dip the pretzels.    I told him what to do and off he went.  They turned out a bit more chocolatey than I expected, but it’s all good cause… WE LIKE CHOCOLATE.  🙂

 

 

Then Dad found a recipe and said “Think we should try it?”  I told him.. “Go ahead, looks good”.

Fudgey Marshmallow Squares. 

Ingredients
½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
½ cup Nutella (or smooth nut butter of choice)
¼ cup salted butter
½ tsp vanilla
¼ cup sweetened flaked coconut
4 cups mini rainbow marshmallows

Instructions
Line 8” x 8” pan with wax paper, letting the ends hang over the edges. You will use these as handles later.
In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the chocolate chips, Nutella and butter. Heat, stirring constantly, until melted and smooth. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Let cool until pan is safely touchable on the bottom but still smooth to stir.
Stir in coconut to combine well. Stir in marshmallows to cover.
Spread mixture evenly in prepared pan. Place a sheet of clear wrap over the top and press mixture firmly and evenly down into pan to make an even top.
Chill in refrigerator, covered with the plastic wrap, for at least 3 hours before cutting into squares. Remove from refrigerator just before serving.

Anyways, if you make them… let me know!   Take a pic and send it to me.  Always good to share eh?