We all welcome tried-and-true, reliable and wonderful recipes…especially those that are a proven hit at Christmas and all year long. Here are some that meet that criteria, and they are sent with our wishes for a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!

- Authors Unknown

RECIPE FOR A DAY

Take a little dash of water, and a little leaven of prayer,

Add a little bit of morning gold, dissolved in the morning air;

Add to your meal some merriment, and a thought for kith and kin,

And then, as a prime ingredient, a plenty of work thrown in,

But spice it all with the essence of love and a little whiff of play;

Let the wise old Book, and a glance above, complete the well-made day.

A GOOD RECIPE

1 cup Good Thoughts

2 cups Sacrifices

3 cups Forgiveness for others

1 cup Kind Deeds

1 cup Consideration

1 cup of Faults, well-beaten

Mix together thoroughly. Add tears of joy, sorrow and sympathy. Flavor with love and kindly services. Fold in four cups of prayer and faith. Spread and then blend all into your daily life. Mix in with human kindness. Serve with a warm smile that melts a heart;

It will satisfy the hunger of many people less fortunate than yourself.

FRIENDSHIP CAKE

1 cup greetings

1/2 cup of smiles

1/2 cup of love

1 tsp. sympathy

2 large handshakes

2 cups hospitality

Cream greetings and smiles. Add handshakes, beaten slightly. Add love slowly. Sift sympathy and hospitality. Serve with humility.

RECIPE FOR CHRISTMAS JOY

1/2 cup Hugs 

4 tsp. Kisses 

4 Cups Love 

1 Cup Special Holiday Cheer 

1/2 Cup Peace On Earth 

3 tsp. Christmas Spirits 

2 Cups Goodwill Toward Man 

1 Sprig Of Mistletoe 

1 Medium-Size Bag Of Christmas Snowflakes (The Regular Kind Won't Do!!) 

Mix hugs, kisses, smiles, and love until consistent. Blend in holiday cheer, peace on earth, Christmas spirits and good will toward men. Use the mixture to fill and warm the heart, where it can be stored for a lifetime. (It never goes bad!) Serve as desired under mistletoe, sprinkle liberally with special Christmas snowflakes. It is especially good when accompanied by Christmas carols and family get-togethers. Serve to one and all. 

RECIPE FOR THE NEW YEAR

Take 365 days, trim off all the old memories of hate and discord. Soak and wash thoroughly in plenty of love and courage. Cut these days into 12 parts, cooking only one day at a time. Be sure the fire is hot with enthusiasm and your kettle is bright with hope.

Season each kettleful with some kindness for others and add patience, for small trials that come up every day.

Add a little earnestness and willingness. Serve with smiles, praise and plenty of heartwarming joy, with your chin up.

RECIPE FOR HAPPINESS

2 heaping cups of patience

1 heart, full of love

2 handfuls of generosity

Plenty of faith

1 handful of understanding

Dash of laughter

Generous sprinkle of kindness

Combine patience, love and generosity with understanding. Add a dash of laughter and sprinkle generously with kindness. Add plenty of faith and mix well. Spread over a period of a lifetime. Serve everyone you meet!

RECIPE FOR FOREVER

Gather all of the ingredients together, so that they are close at hand!

Get a clean cloth and wipe the bowl clean of any lingering dust from the past.

Take maturity, respect and friendship, and stir gently.

Add unlimited amounts of compassion and kindness, and mix well.

To this, add caring by the handfuls and fold in trust.

Continue stirring gently, adding listening, honesty, and large amounts of communication.

Slip in some dreams, goals, and firm pieces of keeping promises.

Bake in a home filled with peace, beauty and serenity.

Before you taste the finished product, sprinkle liberally with patience, love, and a touch of spice.

Serve very hot, with imagination on the side.

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Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8 ESV

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. Romans 12:9-13 NKJV