Christmas Kittens....

Twas the night before Christmas and all thru the flat

not a creature was stirring except for the cats

They ran and they played and they jumped 'round with glee

They played with the ornaments 'til they came off the tree

All bright and shiny the ornaments were, now all the ornaments

were just one big blur.

Then all of the sudden came a crash, bang and boom. Yes... it was Santa and not a moment too soon

So with a wink of his eye and a twitch of his nose... he magically fixed my tree; I suppose.

Now all bright and shiny my Christmas tree is - thanks to the magic of

Good Ol' St. Nick.

The kitties were bad but oh well I say - Geez after all... it is Christmas day.

 

The Legend of the Christmas Rose

Part of the color in celebration of the season is the blooming of Christmas roses. While a variety of plants over time have come to be called “Christmas Rose”, they all are steeped in a legend that dates back centuries.


The Legend of the Christmas Rose speaks of a young girl named Madelon who wanted to come worship the Christ Child. Seeing the gold, frankincense and myrrh brought by others who were drawn to the humble birthplace, she despaired that she had no gift to bring, for Madelon was poor indeed.



In vain she searched the countryside for a flower that she might bring, but the winter had been cold and harsh – and there were no flowers to be found. Saddened, the girl began to weep. An angel passing over her stopped to provide comfort and smote the ground that was wet from her tears. There did spring a beautiful bush that bloomed of white roses.


"Nor myrrh, nor frankincense, nor gold," said the angel, "is offering more meet for the Christ Child than these pure Christmas Roses." And thus young Madelon went her way and worshipped the Prince of Peace, bearing the gift of her heart and tears.

The Legend of the Christmas Rose also has some foundation in this 15th Century poem:






A Rose has sprung from a tender root,


From Jesus, as those of old have sung,


And it bore a flower,


In the middle of a cold winter,






When half spent was the night.


Isaiah foretold it, the Rose I have in mind;


Is Mary the pure, the little flower has brought us.


From God's eternal wisdom, she bore a child,


And remained pure.






The Flower, so small, whose sweet fragrance fills the air,


Dispels with glorious splendor the darkness everywhere;


True man and truer God, helps us out of all sorrows,


Saves from sin and death.






Oh Jesus, until we leave this misery,


Let your help guide us into joy,


In Your Father's Kingdom, where we eternally praise You.


Oh God, allow us this.






Translated from the early 15th century German poem "Es ist ein Ros' Entsprungen." Author unknown.

A letter from Santa Claus

Written by Mark Twain to his daughter, Susy








My Dear Susy Clemens,






I have received and read all the letters which you and your little sister have written me . . . . I can read your and your baby sister's jagged and fantastic marks without any trouble at all. But I had trouble with those letters which you dictated through your mother and the nurses, for I am a foreigner and cannot read English writing well. You will find that I made no mistakes about the things which you and the baby ordered in your own letters--I went down your chimney at midnight when you were asleep and delivered them all myself--and kissed both of you, too . . . . But . . . there were . . . one or two small orders which I could not fill because we ran out of stock . . . .

There was a word or two in your mama's letter which . . .I took to be "a trunk full of doll's clothes." Is that it? I will call at your kitchen door about nine o'clock this morning to inquire. But I must not see anybody and I must not speak to anybody but you. When the kitchen doorbell rings, George must be blindfolded and sent to the door. You must tell George he must walk on tiptoe and not speak--otherwise he will die someday. Then you must go up to the nursery and stand on a chair or the nurse's bed and put your ear to the speaking tube that leads down to the kitchen and when I whistle through it you must speak in the tube and say, "Welcome, Santa Claus!" Then I will ask whether it was a trunk you ordered or not. If you say it was, I shall ask you what color you want the trunk to be . . . and then you must tell me every single thing in detail which you want the trunk to contain. Then when I say "Good-by and a merry Christmas to my little Susy Clemens," you must say "Good-by, good old Santa Claus, I thank you very much." Then you must go down into the library and make George close all the doors that open into the main hall, and everybody must keep still for a little while. I will go to the moon and get those things and in a few minutes I will come down the chimney that belongs to the fireplace that is in the hall--if it is a trunk you want--because I couldn't get such a thing as a trunk down the nursery chimney, you know . . . .If I should leave any snow in the hall, you must tell George to sweep it into the fireplace, for I haven't time to do such things. George must not use a broom, but a rag--else he will die someday . . . . If my boot should leave a stain on the marble, George must not holystone it away. Leave it there always in memory of my visit; and whenever you look at it or show it to anybody you must let it remind you to be a good little girl. Whenever you are naughty and someone points to that mark which your good old Santa Claus's boot made on the marble, what will you say, little sweetheart?


Good-by for a few minutes, till I come down to the world and ring the kitchen doorbell.


Your loving Santa Claus


Whom people sometimes call


"The Man in the Moon"

Little Women - Chapter One

Louisa May Alcott wrote Little Women. This scene is set during the American Civil War.

"Christmas won't be Christmas without any presents," grumbled Jo, lying on the rug.



"It's so dreadful to be poor!" sighed Meg, looking down at her old dress.

"I don't think it's fair for some girls to have plenty of pretty things, and other girls nothing at all," added little Amy, with an injured sniff.



"We've got Father and Mother, and each other," said Beth contentedly from her corner.



The four young faces on which the firelight shone brightened at the cheerful words, but darkened again as Jo said sadly, "We haven't got Father, and shall not have him for a long time." She didn't say "perhaps never," but each silently added it, thinking of Father far away, where the fighting was.



Nobody spoke for a minute; then Meg said in an altered tone, "You know the reason Mother proposed not having any presents this Christmas was because it is going to be a hard winter for everyone; and she thinks we ought not to spend money for pleasure, when our men are suffering so in the army. We can't do much,but we can make our little sacrifices, and ought to do it gladly. But I am afraid I don't" And Meg shook her head,as she thought regretfully of all the pretty things she wanted.



"But I don't think the little we should spend would do any good. We've each got a dollar, and the army wouldn't be much helped by our giving that. I agree not to expect anything from Mother or you, but I do want to buy UNDINE AND SINTRAM for myself. I've wanted it so long," said Jo, who was a bookworm.



"I planned to spend mine in new music," said Beth, with a little sigh, which no one heard but the hearth brush and kettle holder.



"I shall get a nice box of Faber's drawing pencils. I really need them," said Amy decidedly.



"Mother didn't say anything about our money, and she won't wish us to give up everything. Let's each buy what we want, and have a little fun. I'm sure we work hard enough to earn it," cried Jo, examining the heels of her shoes in a gentlemanly manner.

Wrapped was the world in slumber deep,

By seaward valley and cedarn steep,

And bright and blest were the dreams of its sleep;

All the hours of that wonderful night-tide through

The stars out blossomed in fields of blue,

A heavenly chaplet, to diadem

The King in the manger of Bethlehem.

Out on the hills the shepherds lay,

Wakeful, that never a lamb might stray,

Humble and clean of heart were they;

Thus it was given them to hear

Marvellous harpings strange and clear,

Thus it was given them to see

The heralds of the nativity.

In the dim-lit stable the mother mild

Looked with holy eyes on her child,

Cradled him close to her heart and smiled;

Kingly purple nor crown had he,

Never a trapping of royalty;

But Mary saw that the baby's head

With a slender nimbus was garlanded.

Speechless her joy as she watched him there,

Forgetful of pain and grief and care,

And every thought in her soul was a prayer;

While under the dome of the desert sky

The Kings of the East from afar drew nigh,

And the great white star that was guide to them

Kept ward o'er the manger of Bethlehem.



The Legend of the Nutcracker

E.T.A. Hoffman wrote the famous ballet of the nutcracker, which was first performed in 1892. However, the story was considered to be too morbid for kids and thus, Alexander Dumas Pere rewrote it to infuse more optimism and happiness in it. The story is about a young girl named Clara. His doting uncle Drosselmeyer gifts her a magical and mysterious nutcracker that she always keeps by her side. One night, when she was sleeping, the evil Mouse King came and tried to take her to his kingdom.







Then, the Nutcracker Prince sprang to life and fought the Mouse King and rescued Clara. The ballet becomes even more interesting and fantasy runs wild from here. After his victory, Clara goes with the Nutcracker Prince to the land of magic and dreams. She visits the land of the dolls and that of the Snow Queen where she met snowflakes of all types. She also goes through the candy land and kids love to hear the sweets from all over the world that she met there. The beautiful flowers and the sugar plum fairy capture their imagination. It is only on the Christmas day that Clara wakes up to find herself back at home, surrounded by her family.






Marius Petipa, the first ballet master to the Tsar of Russia requested Piotr Tchaikovsky to compose the music for the ballet and he did an excellent work on it. Piotr used many different and unusual instruments such a celesta with its bell-like sound in the ballet and kept it very secret until it was first performed because he was worried that somebody might steal his idea before he could use it. The ballet became one of the most famous ballets of its time.

Kissing under the Mistletoe.....

Strictly speaking, kissing under the mistletoe was never to get out of hand, and often nearly did. To prevent abuses, the custom was defined as a man might steal a kiss under the hanging branch, but when he did, one berry was to be plucked from the plant and discarded. Once the berries were gone, the kissing charm of the mistletoe branch was spent, although that aspect of the custom is rarely recalled in these days. During the 19th century abuses of the kissing custom were prevalent, according to a verse written and called “The Mistletoe Bough.” Interestingly, during uptight Victorian times, the custom came into full bloom!

The Twelve Days of Christmas

The 12 Days of Christmas mentioned in the following carol starts with Christmas Day on 25th December and concludes with the Epiphany eve on 5th January. Though they were observed first by the English in the sixteenth century, the music of the carol is said to be French. It was first published in 1780 and all the symbols mentioned in the lyrics have a special religious significance.





On the first day of Christmas,

My true love sent to me

A partridge in a pear tree.



On the second day of Christmas,

My true love sent to me

Two turtle doves,

And a partridge in a pear tree.



On the third day of Christmas,

My true love sent to me

Three French hens,

Two turtle doves,

And a partridge in a pear tree.



On the fourth day of Christmas,

My true love sent to me

Four calling birds,

Three French hens,

Two turtle doves,

And a partridge in a pear tree.



On the fifth day of Christmas,

My true love sent to me

Five golden rings,

Four calling birds,

Three French hens,

Two turtle doves,

And a partridge in a pear tree.



On the sixth day of Christmas,

My true love sent to me

Six geese a-laying,

Five golden rings,

Four calling birds,

Three French hens,

Two turtle doves,

And a partridge in a pear tree.



On the seventh day of Christmas,

My true love sent to me

Seven swans a-swimming,

Six geese a-laying,

Five golden rings,

Four calling birds,

Three French hens,

Two turtle doves,

And a partridge in a pear tree.



On the eighth day of Christmas,

My true love sent to me

Eight maids a-milking,

Seven swans a-swimming,

Six geese a-laying,

Five golden rings,

Four calling birds,

Three French hens,

Two turtle doves,

And a partridge in a pear tree.



On the ninth day of Christmas,

My true love sent to me

Nine ladies dancing,

Eight maids a-milking,

Seven swans a-swimming,

Six geese a-laying,

Five golden rings,

Four calling birds,

Three French hens,

Two turtle doves,

And a partridge in a pear tree.



On the tenth day of Christmas,

My true love sent to me

Ten lords a-leaping,

Nine ladies dancing,

Eight maids a-milking,

Seven swans a-swimming,

Six geese a-laying,

Five golden rings,

Four calling birds,

Three French hens,

Two turtle doves,

And a partridge in a pear tree.



On the eleventh day of Christmas,

My true love sent to me

Eleven pipers piping,

Ten lords a-leaping,

Nine ladies dancing,

Eight maids a-milking,

Seven swans a-swimming,

Six geese a-laying,

Five golden rings,

Four calling birds,

Three French hens,

Two turtle doves,

And a partridge in a pear tree.



On the twelfth day of Christmas,

My true love sent to me

Twelve drummers drumming,

Eleven pipers piping,

Ten lords a-leaping,

Nine ladies dancing,

Eight maids a-milking,

Seven swans a-swimming,

Six geese a-laying,

Five golden rings,

Four calling birds,

Three French hens,

Two turtle doves,

And a partridge in a pear tree!

I've been getting ready for Christmas



I'm revving up for the great day


my credit card's cracked and my freezer is packed


'cause I started my shopping in May


The mistletoe's hanging in bunches


'cause the odd Christmas kiss isn't wrong


and the Vicar I've found - quite likes calling round


and exploring my crowns with his tongue


The bin men have gotten quite friendly


they're after a present I fear


they won't feel so chuffed when I tell them - get stuffed


'cause they don't speak the rest of the year


The family is coming for dinner


last year it was quite a good laugh


we ate fairly late - dished the veg on the plate


found the turkey was still in the bath


the Kids are all pink with excitement


'cause Santa will come so they say


their lists are extensive - extremely expensive


and they'll break it all by Boxing day


But it's worth all that fuss Christmas morning


when their little eyes are all aglow


when we're all feeling merry full of goodwill and sherry


and suffering from wind Ho Ho Ho


But please don't forget why we do it


why each year we must go to this fuss


for that guy up above who brought peace and brought love and who probably owns Toys R Us.........

Secrets of a Peaceful Mind

Do not drag others into our shoes


Most of us create our own problems by interfering too often in others’ affairs. We do so because somehow we have convinced ourselves that our way is the best way, our logic is the perfect logic and those who do not conform to our thinking must be criticized and steered to the right direction, our direction. God has created each one of us in a unique way. No two human beings can think or act in exactly the same way.






Forgive and forget


We often develop ill feelings inside our heart for the person who insults us or harms us. We nurture grievances. This in turn results in loss of sleep, development of stomach ulcers, and high blood pressure. This insult or injury was done once, but nourishing of grievance goes on forever by constantly remembering it. Get over this bad habit. Life is too short to waste in such trifles. Forgive, Forget, and march on. Love flourishes in giving and forgiving.






Change yourself, not change others


If you try to change the environment single-handedly, the chances are you will fail. Instead, change yourself to suit your environment. As you do this, even the environment, which has been unfriendly to you, will mysteriously change and seem congenial and harmonious.






Endure what cannot be cured by you


This is the best way to turn a disadvantage into an advantage. Every day we face numerous inconveniences, ailments, irritations, and accidents that are beyond our control. If we cannot control them or change them, we must learn to put up with these things. We must learn to endure them cheerfully. Believe in yourself and you will gain in terms of patience, inner strength and will power.






Do not bite off more that what you can chew


This maxim needs to be remembered constantly. We often tend to take more responsibilities than we are capable of carrying out. This is done to satisfy our ego. Know your limitations. Why take on additional loads that may create more worries? You cannot gain peace of mind by expanding your external activities. Reduce your material engagements and spend time in prayer, introspection and meditation. This will reduce those thoughts in your mind that make you restless. Uncluttered mind will produce greater peace of mind.






Never leave the mind vacant


An empty mind is the devil’s workshop. All evil actions start in the vacant mind. Keep your mind occupied in something positive, something worthwhile. Actively follow a hobby. Do something that holds your interest. You must decide what you value more: money or peace of mind. Your hobby, like social work or religious work, may not always earn you more money, but you will have a sense of fulfillment and achievement. Even when you are resting physically, occupy yourself in healthy reading or mental chanting of God’s name.






Do not waste time worrying over the past


You can never plan enough because you can never anticipate all future happenings. Value your time and do the things that need to be done. It does not matter if you fail the first time. You can learn from your mistakes and succeed the next time. Sitting back and worrying will lead to nothing. Learn from your mistakes, but do not brood over the past.

Ten Commandments

1. Thou shalt be happy.

2.Thou shall use thy talents to make others glad.

3. Thou shalt rise above defeat and trouble.

4. Thou shalt look upon each day as a new day.

5. Thou shalt always do thy best and leave the rest to God.

6. Thou shalt not waste thy time and energy in useless worry.

7. Thou shalt look only on the bright side of life.

8. Thou shalt not be afraid of tomorrow.

9. Thou shalt have a kind word and a kind deed for everyone.

10. Thou shalt say each morning — I am a child of God and nothing can hurt me

Helen Steiner Rice – 10 Commandments

The White Stocking

Twas 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, DONNER and BLITZEN!

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!"



Clement Clarke Moore

God's Peace

Though this maybe difficult, one thing I know is true.


That the God of Peace and Love, has His Angels watching over you.

When the pain is great and we cry with deep despair,

there is a peace that will some day come,

because I know God cares, and God still answers prayers.

All things that happen in our life, will work out for our good

and though we can not understand:

Even our agony has a place within God's master plan.

If we could see around the bend, a year ahead or maybe even two.

We may begin to understand the things, God has brought us through.

My heart does not ache and hurt quite as bad as yours;

but there is still pain within my heart

and a void to which there are no cures.

Time we are told, will heal the pain within our hearts we feel;

but I'm so glad to know until it does,

we can rest assured that God's love and peace are real.

God is watching us through His eyes of love and grace,

to give us peace and comfort, until we see His blessed face.

Please remember this my friend,

GOD HAS YOU IN HIS HANDS.

So close your eyes and climb right into the open hands of God, and as

you feel God's presence; may He fill you with His peace,

and grace and love.

God will never leave you, no matter what you go through.

God's love is there to guide you, no matter what the task.

One day when we can see all the trials, God has carried us through,

Then we will understand and know that we are finally home at last.

As God's angels hover around you, doing what God has said;

May you find the comfort you are seeking as you rest your weary head.

May God's peace fill your heart, as you rest within God's might hands,

to save and love and comfort you, is God's master plan.

Christmas in Heaven

I see the countless Christmas trees around the world below


With tiny lights, like Heaven’s stars, reflecting on the snow

The sight is so spectacular, please wipe away the tear

For I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

I hear the many Christmas songs that people hold so dear

But the sounds of music can’t compare

with the Christmas choir up here.



I have no words to tell you, the joy their voices bring,

For it is beyond description, to hear the angels sing.

I know how much you miss me, I see the pain inside your heart

But I am not so far away, we really aren’t apart.

So be happy for me, dear ones, you know I hold you dear.

And be glad I’m spending Christmas

with Jesus Christ this year.



I sent you each a special gift, from my heavenly home above.

I sent you each a memory of my undying love.

After all, love is a gift more precious than pure gold

It was always most important in the stories Jesus told.

Please love and keep each other, as my Father said to do

For I can’t count the blessing or love he has for each of you

So have a Merry Christmas and wipe away that tear

Remember, I am spending Christmas

with Jesus Christ this year.

( by Author Unknown)