The Patriot Press
December 16th, 2022
Christmas is a magical time of year. Celebrating the birth of Our Savior, Jesus Christ, gives us a boost of excitement during the holiday season. Baking with family, looking at Christmas lights, decorating, singing carols, attending church, going to Christmas concerts and gifting others gives us a sense of happiness. Members of "The Patriot Press" wanted to give you some ideas on how to find JOY this holiday season, so we hope that our last newsletter of 2022 gives you and your family some ideas on how to do that.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from your CCA family!
The Christmas Story: Luke 2: 1-20
In those days, Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in clothes and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. There were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
CCA Chapel Today
Local Christmas Church Services
First Baptist Church has a candlelight service on Christmas Eve at 5:30pm. Then on Christmas Day, services will be at 9:30am and 10:45am.
Trinity Lutheran Church, 1267 E Hwy 7, Clinton, MO 64735, will have the regular Saturday Service at 6:00 pm, and our 9:30 am service on Sunday.
Allen Street Baptist Church, 210 W Allen St, Clinton, MO 64735, has a candlelight service on Christmas Eve at 5:30 PM and 11:30 PM. This is their 25th annual candlelight service.
Northeast Baptist Church, 619 E Lincoln St, Clinton, MO 64735, has a candlelight service on Christmas Eve at 6 PM. --Kennedy Vaughn
CCA Christmas Program
Holiday Light Displays
Open through January 2nd
It is open 5-11pm every night
700 Expressway Lane Branson, Mo 65616
Open through December 26th
It is open 5:30-9pm every night
116 S County Line Rd, Windsor, MO 65360
Open through January 9
It is open 5pm-3am
4706 Broadway Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64112
Open through January 2
600 N 126th St, Bonner Springs, KS 66012
- Open through December 30
- It is open 4-10pm
- 1609 NW US Hwy 50, Kingsville, MO 64061
- Open through January 7
It is open 5-11pm
13800 Switzer Overland Park, KS 66221
Open through December 31
It is open 5-11pm
2751 Shepherd of the Hills Expy, Branson, MO 65616
Open through January 2
It is open 6-9pm
8400 Blue River Rd., Kansas City, MO
Open through December 31
It is open Sun-Thurs 5:30 -10 pm, Fri-Sat 5:30-11 pm
3901 SW Longview Park Drive, Lee’s Summit, MO 64081
Open through January 17
It is open 6-11pm
Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park, 87th Street Parkway & Lackman Road, Lenexa, KS 66215 --Kennedy Vaughn
Publication's Class Christmas Trees
Last Minute Shopping in Clinton
Around Christmas time, procrastination is common. Some on your list might not need anything or be hard to buy for, and others might just need a little something extra special. Clinton has some great shops available if you are needing a last minute gift…
Crave Boutique411 Kansas Ave, Clinton, MO 64735, (660)-223-2420
107 S Washington St, Clinton, MO 64735, (660)-383-1810
112 E Green St, Clinton, MO 64735, (660)-885-3441
130 S Main St, Clinton, MO 64735, (660)-885-2909
111 W Franklin St, Clinton, MO 64735, (660)-885-8322
511 Hillcrest Dr, Clinton, MO 64735, (660)-885-4436
- 114 S Main St, Clinton, MO 64735, (660) 383-9383
- 102 N Main St, Clinton, MO 64735, (660) 924-8423
- 113 W Franklin St, Clinton, MO 64735, (660) 885-2447
- 135 W Franklin St., Clinton, MO 64735, (660) 383-1405
- Check out their Facebook Page to order
- Check out their facebook page or call 660-679-1194 to order
Favorite Christmas songs of CCA music classes
- This is Christmas- by Kutless
- The Little Drummer Boy- by For King and Country
- Glory-by Matt Maher
- I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day- by Casting Crowns
- Silent Night by Listener Kids
- Noel- by Lauren Daigle
- Away in a Manger by The Church at Clawson Media
- Angels We Have Heard on High by Tara Eang
Common Christmas Traditions
Christmas time is a time full of traditions and memories. Some common family traditions during the Holiday season are:
Picking out new Christmas ornaments
Advent calendar countdown & Bible readings
Hiding a Christmas pickle in the Christmas tree
Making homemade hot chocolate
Going ice skating
Driving to see neighborhood Christmas lights
Secret Santa gift exchange
Decorating Sugar Cookies or Gingerbread Men
Putting together a gingerbread house
Holiday traditions are memorable & special. If you don't have any traditions of your own, it's not too late to start one. Just pick something and start making memories with your family!
The Magic Tree
Ice Skating
If you are looking for some places to go ice skating, we’ve got you covered!
Crown Center Ice Terrace, Kansas City, MO, opens at 10:00 am, closes at 9:00 pm every day except Friday and Saturday, which closes at 11:00 pm
Summit Ice, Lee’s Summit, MO, Open 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm from Monday to Friday, 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm on Saturday, and 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Sunday
Independence Community Ice Rink, Independence, MO, General Admission is $8, Child admission is $6, Senior (55 and older) $6, Group (20 or more) is $7, 10 Session pass is $50, and Skate Rentals are $3. www.independencecommunityice.com
CCA Christmas Traditions
I asked a few of our CCA students what their favorite Christmas traditions are. Audrey from 10th grade said, “When we play white elephant and everyone brings fun gifts.” Marlee from 11th grade said her favorite Christmas tradition is making shaped Christmas sugar cookies on Christmas Eve. Dakoda from 10th grade said, "My family’s Christmas tradition is watching A Christmas Story and we make pancakes, bacon, and eggs.” Merry Christmas to everyone!- Maddie
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Publication's Favorite Recipes
Oreo Balls:
- 38 Oreo Cookies
- 8 oz cream cheese at room temperature
- 1 cup white chocolate or milk chocolate
- Crushed peppermint, Oreos, or melted chocolate to decorate (optional)
Directions: Crush Oreos in food processor or by hand. Combine crushed cookies and cream cheese and mix until combined. Roll mixture into balls and place on wax paper lined baking sheet and freeze for 15 minutes. Melt the chocolate in small microwave safe bowl. remove balls from the freezer and dip into the chocolate. Drizzle chocolate on top with coatings if desired.
Rolo Pecan Pretzels:
- One bag of rolos
- One bag of regular mini or square pretzels
- One bag of whole pecans, I use unsalted, but you can use salted
Directions: Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line an ungreased baking sheet with pretzels, add an unwrapped rolo on top (you will use the whole pkg of rolos) and bake for 2 minutes (these get hot fast). Remove from oven and lightly push a pecan on top. Put in the freezer for 10 minutes, then enjoy!
Cranberry Orange Cookies:
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
½ cup packed brown sugar
1 large egg
2 tablespoons orange juice
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
2 cups chopped cranberries.
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
Make the cookies: Cream butter, white sugar, and brown sugar in a mixing bowl until smooth. Beat in egg until well blended. Mix in orange juice and zest.
Whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl. Stir flour mixture into the butter mixture until combined. Mix in cranberries and walnuts until evenly distributed.
Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets.
Bake in the preheated oven, switching racks halfway through, until edges are golden, 12 to 14 minutes. Transfer cookies to wire racks to cool completely.