²⁶ In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, ²⁷ to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. ²⁸ The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

²⁹ Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. ³⁰ But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. ³¹ You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. ³² He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, ³³ and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

³⁴ “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

³⁵ The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. ³⁶ Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month.³⁷ For no word from God will ever fail.”

³⁸ “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

[Luke 1:34-48] 

Below is a short animation a youth group here did about 10 years ago (or more!) about how the impossible is not impossible for God. 

Christmas Bake - Bobbie's Mincemeat

INGREDIENTS 

1lb. Currants, 1 lb. Sultanas, 1 lb. Raisins

¾ lb. sugar

¾ lb. shredded suet (I use vegetable suet, less fat!)

2lbs. peeled and cored cooking apples

Juice of one lemon

6 desert spoons brandy (very optional, just helps to keep the mincemeat)

Mince dried fruit and apples, add sugar, suet, lemon juice and brandy (if used)

Mix well and put into jars.

We now have an electric mincer but used to do it with a hand one, which is a bit laborious but it gets there! If you do not have a mincer at all maybe the dried fruit could be left whole and apples very finely chopped.

No candid peel in the receipe but if you like it could add some.

Since Ernie has been Type 2 diabetic I don’t put sugar in and we haven’t noticed the difference

Makes about 5 lbs of mincemeat. 

Today's Christmas Jumper, worn by Jill, proves that Christmas jumpers don't need to be garish to be stylish! The modest hues and soft textures of these two adorable residents of the North Polar region conjure that sense of curling up with a hot mug of something and some really big snug slippers. Maybe a fluffy hot water bottle too.