This is one of my favorite Christmas songs.  I tried to find just the song, but the best recording I could find has a movie clip with it.  So…

Here is my Christmas card to you for 2009:  (Lyrics are below)

Here With Us Lyrics

Verse 1

It’s still a mystery to me

That the hands of God could be so small,

How tiny fingers reaching in the night

Were the very hands that measured the sky.

Chorus

Hallelujah, hallelujah

Heaven’s love reaching down to save the world.

Hallelujah, hallelujah

Son of God, Servant King

You’re here with us,

You’re here with us.

Verse 2

It’s still a mystery to me, oh,

How his infant eyes have seen the dawn of time.

How his ears have heard an angel’s symphony

But still Mary had to rock her Savior to sleep.

Chorus

Jesus Christ, born in Bethlehem

A baby born to save, to save the souls of man.

Chorus (2x)

Appetizers:

• Cheese Ball

• Cheese Log
• Blackeye Pea Salsa
• Olive Garden’s Artichoke-Spinach Dip
• Mixed Nuts with Rosemary & Shallots (serve warm)
• Rolled Chicken and Asparagus
• Sausage Cheese Balls
• Sausage Rolls
• Spicy Hot Pretzels
• Southwest “Cheesecake” Dip

• Texas Stuffed Jalapenos

Beverages:

• Hershey’s Microwave Hot Chocolate (made from scratch)
• Spicy Apple Cider

Desserts, Muffins, & Breads:

• Cherry-Banana Bread (Low-fat)
• Chocolate Cake in a Mug in 5 Minutes (Microwave)
• Chocolate Chip Pie
• Chocolate Kiss – Peanut Butter Cookies
  
• Company’s Coming Cookies
• Crustless Pumpkin Pie
• Eggless Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies – Cookie Dough Safe to Eat!
• Frito Candy
• Harvest Pumpkin Muffins
• Holiday Pineapple Nut Bread
• Oreo Truffles
• Pecan Pie Muffins
• Pineapple Delight
• Sopapilla Cheesecake
• Sugar Cookies – Healthier Version (with a hint of orange flavor)
• Sugar Cookies – Old Fashioned (recipe from Central Market)

Entrees:

• Cranberry Chicken Breasts
• Crunchy Chicken Crescents (made with crescent roll dough)

Pie Crusts:

• Graham Cracker Pie Crust
• “Mix in the Plate” Pie Crust

• Never Fail Pie Crust (Make ahead of time)

Salads:

• Cherry Salad
• Green Pistachio Salad
• Mother’s Holiday Fruit Salad
• Peach Pie Salad
  
• Raw Cranberry Salad

Stuffing:

• Fritos Cornbread Stuffing

• Laura Bush’s Corn Bread Dressing

Veggies:

• Easy Sweet Potato Casserole
• Holiday Sweet Potatoes

• Holiday Vegetable Casserole
• Spicy Corn Casserole

This makes a delicious salad that could double for a dessert.  There are several versions of this salad.  The first five ingredients are common to all versions.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 can Eagle Brand Condensed Milk
• 1 can cherry pie filling
• 1 8-ounce can crushed pineapple, drained (or a 15 ounce can)
  
• 1 8-ounce carton Cool Whip
• 1 cup pecans
• 2-3 cups miniature marshmallows (optional)

Mix together and chill.

This salad would be pretty to have next to the Green Pistachio Salad.

This is a great salad for Christmas.  I think it would look pretty on the dining table or buffet to have this salad and Cherry Salad side by side.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 8-ounce can crushed pineapple, do not drain
• 1 6-ounce package Pistachio Instant Pudding Mix
• 1 8-ounce carton Cool Whip
• 1-2 cups miniature marshmallows
• 1 cup chopped pecans (optional)
• 1 small carton cottage cheese (optional)

Mix together and chill.

Here is an easy festive chicken dish:

INGREDIENTS:

• 10 large chicken breasts
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 can whole cranberry sauce
• 1 package onion soup mix
• 1 small bottle of Fat-free Catalina Salad Dressing

Brown chicken in olive oil.  While browning chicken, mix cranberry sauce, onion soup mix, and salad dressing.  Put chicken in 9 x 13 inch baking dish and pour sauce over the chicken.  Cover with foil.  Bake at 350 degrees for about 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours.

This is definitely a recipe for holiday occasions.  I’m not sure if this is a recipe they use in their bakery or one they recommend.  Either way, it sounds delicious!

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cup shortening
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 5 cups flour

Cream sugar and shortening in a large bowl.  Add eggs.  Blend in salt and vanilla.  Mix baking soda and buttermilk in a bowl.  Add flour and buttermilk to sugar mixture, alternating until the dough is stiff enough to handle.  Take some of the dough and roll out on a floured surface.  Roll it out to 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick, depending on how crisp you want the cookies.  Cut out with cookie cutters and place on cookie sheet that has been covered with parchment paper.  Sprinkle with colored sugar.  Bake at 350 degrees for a few minutes, until lightly browned.  Let cool on cookie sheet for 5 minutes before removing them.

This makes delicious hot chocolate to have during the holidays!

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup milk (we use 1% or 2% milk)
  
• 2 tablespoons Hershey’s Cocoa
• 2 tablespoons sugar (or 1/2 sugar & 1/2 Stevia equivalent)
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
• dash salt
• Canned Light Whipped Cream

Heat milk in the microwave on high for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes. (I use a microwave-proof mug.)  Add the rest of the ingredients and stir well.  Top with whipped cream.

I enjoy listening to awesome Christmas music on KLTY whenever I have a chance.   I listen every day while doing things at home, working on the computer, and when driving somewhere.  One thing I really like about KLTY is not only their great selection of Christmas music by well-known artists,  but also their “Christmas Wish” for families who have found themselves in an economic crisis.  They interview the person online who nominated the family and explain the family’s situation, and then they actually talk to the recipient of the gift (maybe $2,500 to catch up on mortgage payments, or money to make car payments they’re behind on or needed car repairs, or money to pay utilities, and always money to buy Christmas presents for the children).   The recipients are usually overwhelmed and so thankful, and to me, this is a very touching and heart-warming part of the program.

If someone is stuck at a computer all day or working from home on their computer, KLTY has an online radio player that makes their music easily accessible.

This is a delicious mix of vegetables:

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 cans asparagus
• 2 cans peas
• 1 8-ounce can water chestnuts
• 1 4-ounce can mushrooms, sliced
• 2 tablespoons minced onion
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, grated
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• Buttered bread crumbs OR Chinese noodles

Layer 1 can asparagus, 1 can peas, 1/2 of the water chestnuts, 1/2 of the mushrooms, 1 tablespoon onion, and 1/2 cup cheese.  Add 1/2 of the soup.  Repeat layers.  Top with bread crumbs or noodles.  Bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees.