The

Jenny Phillips

Newsletter
Christmas 2006

E n r i c h

Y o u r

L i f e

T h r o u g h

M u s i c

here is no better gift we can give our children and ourselves during Christmas than to give service. I remember some of the favorite gifts I got for Christmas as a child--a real cooking toy oven, a gymnastics mat, and an art farm--but I dont remember the dozens and dozens of other toys that I got over the years. But etched into my memory, perhaps forever, are the moments of service that we gave to others. Doing secret santa for others is one of my favorite memories. I smile to think of the feelings of excitement and happiness that filled me while secretly dropping gifts and notes off to people with my brothers and parents. I remember clearly as a teenager the Christmas that my mom asked us all to pick a wrapped present under the tree with our name on it, before we opened it, to give to a family in need. I dont remember one gift I got that year, but Ill never forget the wonderful feeling of charity my mother created in us. My grandmother passed away a couple of years ago, and my grandfather is often very lonely. Last Christmas, every time I saw my grandpa, he seemed to have a special twinkle in his eye. There was a family in his ward that was secretly doing the 12 days of Christmas for him. He told us the details almost everyday of what they dropped off, the notes they left, etc. He looked forward to that everyday. I remember almost being moved to tears as I realized the joy this family was brining to my grandfather. Its so important that we go beyond the decorations, the lights on the house, and the gifts and stockings. Christmas will be most memorable and special for your family when you reach out and do something special for someone else. Here is one idea your family could do for a special family, widow, or single person in your ward or neighborhood.

12 Days of the
Secret Song Santa
Description:

Choose a family or person in your ward to be secret song santas for. Include the whole family in deciding upon the family or person so everyone feels involved. On the first day, you will leave a miniature Christmas tree on their porch with the song O, Christmas Tree and a note explaining that they have been chosen by the Secret Song Santa to receive the 12 days of Christmas. Each day, theyll receive an ornament to put on the tree that corresponds with a Christmas song. You can also choose to include a small gift or goodie with all or some deliveries. Makes sure that the deliveries are anonymous and that the person or family is going to be in town over the holidays. On the very last day, you may choose to ring the doorbell with your whole family there, and sing We wish you a Merry Christmas when you present them the last ornament, a star for their tree.

Items Needed:
, Small, artificial Christmas Tree (like 16 high) with stand or in a pot. , Notes for each day. Print the notes out from this newsletter in color. You can roll each note up and tie it with a bow. The following ornaments: (They can be home-made or store bought. Try your local $1 store.) , Snowflake , Bell , Angel , Candy Cane (Shepherds Crook) , Snowman , Drum , Reindeer , Mistletoe , Candle , Santa Clause , A star for the top of the tree

Day #1: December 14th: O Christmas Tree Leave the small Christmas tree on the porch with the following note. You may choose to buy a pre-lit tree, or include a small set of lights on this first day. (Goodie idea: Christmas Tree shaped sugar cookies.

You have been chosen by the Secret Song Santas to receive the 12 days of Christmas! Everyday until Christmas, you will receive a song and an ornament for your tree. Merry Christmas! Love, the Secret Song Santas
Day #1

Snow is the symbol of purity. Nothing has been more pure on this earth than the life of the Savior, whose birth we now celebrate.
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger . . . (Luke 2:7)

O Christmas Tree
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree! How are thy leaves so verdant! O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, How are thy leaves so verdant! Not only in the summertime, But even in winter is thy prime. O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, How are thy leaves so verdant! O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, Much pleasure doth thou bring me! O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, Much pleasure doth thou bring me! For every year the Christmas tree, Brings to us all both joy and glee. O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, Much pleasure doth thou bring me! O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, Thy candles shine out brightly! O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,

Day #2

Let it Snow
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Oh the weather outside is frightful But the fire is so delightful And since we've no place to go Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! It doesn't show signs of stopping And I've bought some corn for popping The lights are turned way down low Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! When we finally kiss goodnight How I'll hate going out in the storm! But if you'll really hold me tight All the way home I'll be warm The fire is slowly dying And, my dear, we're still goodbying But as long as you love me so Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Day #4, December 17th: Angels We Have Heard on High Leave an angel ornament and the note for Angels We Have Heard on High. (Goodie idea: Angel food cake) Day #5, December 18th: While Shepherds Watched Their Fields by Night Leave a candy cane (shepherds crook) ornament and the note for While Shepherds Watched Their Fields by Night. (Goodie idea: Candy canes)

Day #2, December 15th: Let is Snow Leave a snowflake ornament and the note for Let it Snow. (Goodie idea: Snowball cookies. You can find a recipe for snowball cookies at the end of this newsletter.

Day #3, December 16th: I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day Leave a bell ornament and the note for I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day (Goodie idea: Bell shaped chocolates)

God is not dead, nor doth he sleep.

Come Adore on Bended Knee.

Day #4

Angels We Have Heard on High

Day #3

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

I heard the bells on Christmas day Their old familiar carols play And mild and sweet the words repeat, Of peace on earth, good will to men. I thought how as the day had come, The belfries of all Christendom Had roll'd along th' unbroken song Of peace on earth, good will to men. And in despair I bow'd my head: "There is no peace on earth," I said, "For hate is strong, and mocks the song Of peace on earth, good will to men." Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: "God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, With peace on earth, good will to men." 'Til ringing, singing on its way, The world revolved from night to day, A voice, a chime, a chant sublime, Of peace on earth, good will to men! Day #6, December 19th: Frosty the Snowman Leave a snowman ornament and the note that goes with Frosty the Snowman. (Goodie idea: Marshmallow snowman (recipe at the end of the newsletter.) Day #7, December 20th: Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer Leave a reindeer ornament and the note for Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. (Goodie idea: A bag of red hots tied with a bow, or a bag of round chocolates wrapped in red tin foil). Day #8, December 21st: Candlelight Carol Leave a candle ornament and the note for Candlelight Carol (Gift idea: A small Christmas candle). Day #9, December 22nd: The Little Drummer Boy Leave a drum ornament and the note for The Little Drummer Boy. Day #10, December 23rd: Holly Jolly Christmas Leave mistletoe that can be hung on the tree and the note for Holly Jolly Christmas.

Angels We Have Heard On High Angels we have heard on high, Sweetly singing o'er the plains And the mountains in reply Echoing their joyous strains. Chorus:Gloria, In Excelsius Deo Shepherd why this jubilee, Why your joyous strains prolong What the gladsome tidings be, Which inspire your heavenly song? Come to Bethlehem and see, Him whose birth the angels sing Come adore on bended knee, Christ the Lord the newborn king. See him in a manger laid, Whom the choirs of angels praise Mary, Joseph, lend your aid, While our hearts in love we raise.

Good will henceforth from heaven to man, Begin and never cease!
Day #5 While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night
While shepherds watched their flocks by night, All seated on the ground, The angel of the Lord came down, And glory shone around. "Fear not!" said he; (for mighty dread Had seized their troubled minds), "Glad tidings of great joy I bring,To you and all mankind. "To you, in David's town, this day Is born of David's line, The Savior, who is Christ the Lord;And this shall be the sign: "The heavenly babe you there shall find To human view displayed, All meanly wrapped in swathing bands,And in a manger laid." Thus spake the seraph; and forthwith Appeared a shining throng Of angels, praising God, who thus addresses their joyful song: "All glory be to God on high, And on the earth be peace:

Good will henceforth from heaven to man, Begin and never cease!"While our hearts in love we raise.

Day #8

Candlelight Carol
How do you capture The wind on the water? How do you count all the stars in the sky? How can you measure The love of a mother Or how can you write down A baby's first cry? Candlelight, angel light Firelight and star glow Shine on his cradle till breaking of dawn Gloria, Gloria in excelsis Deo! Angels are singing The Christ child is born Shepherds and wise men Will kneel and adore him Seraphim round him their vigil will keep Nations proclaim him Their Lord and their Saviour But Mary will hold him And sing him to sleep Candlelight, angel light Firelight and star glow Shine on his cradle till breaking of dawn Gloria, Gloria in excelsis Deo! Angels are singing The Christ child is born Find him at Bethlehem laid in a manger Christ our Redeemer asleep in the hay Godhead incarnate and hope of salvation A child with his mother That first Christmas Day Candlelight, angel light Firelight and star glow Shine on his cradle till breaking of dawn Gloria, Gloria in excelsis Deo! Angels are singing The Christ child is born Angels are singing The Christ child is born

Day #6

Frosty the Snowman

Frosty the snowman was a jolly happy soul With a corncob pipe and a button nose and two eyes made out of coal Frosty the snowman is a fairy tale they say He was made of snow but the children know how he came to life one day There must have been some magic in that old silk hat they found For when they placed it on his head he began to dance around O, Frosty the snowman was alive as he could be And the children say he could laugh and play just the same as you and me Thumpetty thump thump thumpety thump thump Look at Frosty go Thumpetty thump thump thumpety thump thump Over the hills of snow

Day #7

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer Had a very shinny nose, and if you ever saw it you would even say it glows. All of the other reindeer used to laugh and call him names, they never let poor Rudolph join in any reindeer games. Then one foggy Christmas eve, Santa came to say "Rudolph with your nose so bright, wont you guide my sleigh tonight?" Then how the reindeer loved him, as they shouted out with glee, Rudolph the red nosed reindeer, youll go down in history.

Day #9

Day #11

The Little Drummer Boy

Come they told me pa rum pum pum pum A new born King to see, pa rum pum pum pum Our finest gifts we bring pa rum pum pum pum To lay before the King pa rum pum pum pum rum pum pum pum rum pum pum pum So to honor Him pa rum pum pum pum,when we come. Little Babypa rum pum pum pum I am a poor boy too,pa rum pum pum pum I have no gift to bring pa rum pum pum pum That's fit to give our King pa rum pum pum pum rum pum pum pum rum pum pum pum Shall I play for you! pa rum pum pum on my drum. Mary nodded pa rum pum pum pum The ox and lamb kept time pa rum pum pum pum I played my drum for Him pa rum pum pum I played my best for Him pa rum pum pum pum rum pum pum pum rum pum pum pum Then He smiled at me pa rum pum pum pum me and my drum. .

The Night Before Christmas

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there; The children were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads; And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap, Had just settled down for a long winter's nap, When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash, Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash. The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below, When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer, With a little old driver, so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick. More rapid than eagles his coursers they came, And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name; "Now! Dasher, now! Dancer, now! Prancer, and Vixen! On! Comet, on! Cupid, on! Dunder and Blixem! To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall! Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!" As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky, So up to the house-top the coursers they flew, With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too. And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof The prancing and pawing of each little hoof. As I drew in my hand, and was turning around, Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound. He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot, And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot; A bundle of toys he had flung on his back, And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack. His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry! His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry! His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow; The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth, And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath; He had a broad face and a little round belly, That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly. He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself; A wink of his eye and a twist of his head, Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread; He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk, And laying his finger aside of his nose, And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose; He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, And away they all flew like the down of a thistle. But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight, "Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

Day #10

Holly Jolly Christmas

Have a holly, jolly Christmas; It's the best time of the year I don't know if there'll be snow, but have a cup of cheer. Have a holly, jolly Christmas; And when you walk down the street Say Hello to friends you know and everyone you meet. Oh, ho, the mistletoe hung where you can see; Somebody waits for you; Kiss her once for me. Have a holly jolly Christmas, and in case you didn't hear, Oh by golly, have a holly, jolly Christmas this year. .

Day #11, December 24th: The Night Before Christmas Leave a Santa ornament and the note for The Night Before Christmas

Day #12, December 24th: Star of Bethlehem Leave a Star to put on top of the tree and the note for Star o Bethlehem. (Goodie idea: Star shaped sugar cookies). You may also choose to leave a personal note wishing them a Merry Christmas. You may also choose to reveal yourselves on Christmas Day and sing a carol or two.

Day #12

Star of Bethlehem
Song: Star Of Bethlehem Lyrics Star of Bethlehem shining bright bathing the world in heav'nly light, Let the glow of your distant glory fill us with hope this Christmas night. Star of innocence, star of goodness gazing out since time began, You who've lived through endless ages view with love the age of man. Star of beauty hear our plea, whisper your wisdom tenderly. Star of Bethlehem set us free make us a world we long to see. Star of Bethlehem, star up high, miracle of the midnight sky, Let your luminous life of heaven better our hearts and make us fly. Star of happiness, star of wonder you see everything from afar, Cast your eye upon the future make us wiser than we are. Star of gentleness, hear our plea, whisper your wisdom tenderly. Star of Bethlehem set us free make us a world we long to see.

Christmas Recipes for the 12 days of Secret Song Santa, FHE, or any Christmas Event.
Snowball Cookies 1 c. powdered sugar 2 c. flour 1 c. butter 1 c. chopped nuts 1 tbsp. milk 1 tsp. vanilla Blend nuts with butter, add sugar, milk, vanilla and flour. Roll into small balls. Bake at 300, do not over bake. While still hot, roll in powdered sugar.

Holly Berry Punch

1 (6 oz.) can frozen lemonade 1 (6 oz.) can frozen orange juice 5 c. water 2/3 c. grenadine syrup 1 qt. ginger ale Combine all ingredients except ginger ale and mix well. Add ginger ale and pour over ice in a bowl. Float slices of lemon or orange if desired. Makes 2 1/2 quarts.

Christmas Hollies
3/4 stick butter 24 lg. marshmallows 1 1/2 tsp. green food coloring 3/4 tsp. vanilla 2 1/2 c. corn flakes Melt butter and marshmallows. Add vanilla and food coloring. Fold in corn flakes, carefully coating all corn flakes. Drop by teaspoon onto wax paper while hot. Immediately press red cinnamon candies onto hollies. Let dry. Store lightly covered.

Marshmallow Snowman 1. Cut strip of fruit leather for scarf. Gently push a pretzel stick through 2 marshmallows. Wrap scarf around end of pretzel. Add another marshmallow for head. 2. Use another pretzel to attach gumdrop hat. Make face with cloves and rolled fruit leather. Make arms with pretzels and mini-marshmallows.