CHRISTMAS IS THE HARDEST TIME
Christmas is the hardest time
When in the bosom of kith and kin
Amidst the exited chatter
And rustle of discarded paper
Punctuated by the joyous laughter of children
And over exited grown ups
I made all the right noises
As I wore my painful smile
I opened my presents when prompted
“Oh isn’t that lovely” I cooed
“That’s just what I wanted” I lied
But what I actually wanted
Was to be somewhere else
Where there was no need of false delight
Or insincere thankful exclamations
Anywhere else but there
They are well meaning souls
Who thought to help me,
By including my in their joyous celebrations
But they don’t understand my grief
Or the empty ache of a shattered heart
Each innocent Christmas ritual cut me like a knife
The familiar songs, once loved, now hurt
And each merry Christmas was a fresh cut
Losing you, my partner in life
Was like having a conjoined twin cut away
And among that happy crowd
My loneliness was most keenly felt
When all the excitement died away
I sat in silent contemplation
When sweet memories of happier days
Flooded into my mind to torture me
I hide it from the crowd
Keeping the pain and sorrow within
But so intertwined were our lives
I am left incomplete
I am in torment every day for the want of you
But Christmas is the hardest time
POLITICAL FIGURES BORN ON CHRISTMAS DAY
Muhammed Ali Jinnah, first Governor-General of Pakistan 1876
Anwar Sadat, Egyptian president 1918
Atal Behari Vajpayee, Prime Minister of India 1924
Ingrid Betancourt, Colombian senator 1961
ITS CHRISTMAS WHEN
Its Christmas when
Outside its cold and snowing
But away from the cold
Malls are full to overflowing
And all the children’s faces
Are happy and glowing
Its Christmas when
Noddy Holder screams
Its Christmas when
Its time to fulfil dreams
When life just may be
As wonderful as it seems
Its Christmas when
All the gifts are picked
The cards are written
The stamps are licked
And all the Christmas lists
Have all been neatly ticked
Its Christmas when
All are safely home within
Everything has been prepared
The kiddies are all tucked in
Then mums and dads sit back
And festivities can begin
THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – MATCHMAKER SANTA
Matchmaker Santa is a delightful Christmas Romantic comedy in which
Santa Claus in the form of Chris (Donavon Scott) sets out to fulfil a long term Christmas wish, made when Melanie was a little girl, to find her, her own Prince Charming.
The grown up Melanie (Lacey Chabert) however is getting serious with Justin (Thad Luckinbill) until Chris intervenes to steer her in the direction of Dean (Adam Mayfield).
Apart from the main characters Florence Henderson is a delight as the wonderfully scatty hotel clerk and John Ratzenberger cameos as the laid back inept auto mechanic.
ON CHRISTMAS DAY 1947
The Constitution of the Republic of China went into effect.
CHRISTMAS IN LALIBELA
On Christmas Eve the city of Lalibela In Ethiopia is packed with pilgrims from the four corners of the country.
They spend the whole night outside praying and chanting and then on Christmas morning they form into a colorful procession which is led by Three young men, lashing whips left and right as it makes its way to a nearby hilltop where a special service takes place.
The congregation is fed with bread and wine blessed by priests then when the service is over the remainder of the day is spent feasting, dancing and playing or watching sport.
CHRISTMAS FOLLY
Merriment abounds
And music fills the air
And in the cosy room
I’d hoped to see you there
Friends and loved ones
Surround me, old and new
I wished that one of them
Might have been you
Outside its cold
On this Christmas Eve
When the party's over
I won’t want to leave
But I will head home
Trudging through the snow
And in my loneliness
I’ll wonder how I let you go
AN ARDENNES CHRISTMAS
The next time you’re whining on about what a crap Christmas you had because your mother in law over did it on the sherry and told everyone what she really thinks about you or when your wife’s uncle Stan spent Christmas afternoon asleep on the sofa breaking wind with monotonous regularity.
Or your brothers new girlfriend who kept hitting on your wife or your Gran who said “just a small dinner for me I don’t have much of an appetite” then spent the afternoon eating all the chocolate Brazils.
If this strikes a chord think again and Spare a thought for the half a million or so men of the allied forces and six hundred thousand Germans who spent Christmas 1944 outside in the snow in the Ardennes forest during the battle of the bulge.
Men like My father sheltering in foxholes scratched out of the frozen earth with no hot food or drink.
Unable to light fires for fear of giving their position away and regularly coming under enemy fire or being shelled
Then once you’ve hewn out a decent sized foxhole and settled down into it out of the icy wind an order comes down the line to move out and you move a hundred yards or less and dig another hole.
Go and tell your petty gripe's to them and see if you get any sympathy.
HE SLEEPS A KINGLY SLEEP
Oh prince of peace
Humbly lain on hay
Born to the world
On this special day
Shepherds, beasts
And kings of earth
Pay homage
At the saviours birth
While the Christ child
With angelic face
Sleeps a kingly sleep
In this humble place
ON CHRISTMAS DAY 1950
The Coronation Stone, taken from Scone in Scotland by Edward I in 1296, was stolen from Westminster Abbey and smuggled back to Scotland.
FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS CAROL # 11
THE COVENTRY CAROL
Music and lyrics traditional
Lully, lullay, Thou little tiny Child,
Bye, bye, lully, lullay.
Lullay, thou little tiny Child,
Bye, bye, lully, lullay.
O sisters too, how may we do,
For to preserve this day
This poor youngling for whom we do sing
Bye, bye, lully, lullay.
Herod, the king, in his raging,
Charged he hath this day
His men of might, in his own sight,
All children young to slay.
That woe is me, poor Child for Thee!
And ever mourn and sigh,
For thy parting neither say nor sing,
Bye, bye, lully, lullay.
I COULD BE YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE
I could be your Christmas tree,
Strung with tinsel and lit, brightly
You can trim me with ribbons and bows
Baubles and bells anything goes
I shall be greeted with gasps and wows
And you can hide gifts beneath my boughs
You wont regret it if you buy me
So let me be your Christmas tree
INSCRIBED
In the cemetery of St. John in Syracuse, Sicily an early inscription to Lucia has recently been discovered.
ON CHRISTMAS DAY 1953
An Avalanche of lava killed 150 people after the volcano Ruapehu erupted in New Zealand.
FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS SONG # 14
Despite the general awfulness of the Christmas song there are however always exceptions to the rule and I have a short list of personal favourites.
Without exception all my choices not only include the song but the best performer of that song and so in no particular order here is my fourteenth selection.
"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" written by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane Performed by Katie Melua
Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Let your heart be light
From now on,
our troubles will be out of sight
Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Make the Yule-tide gay,
From now on,
our troubles will be miles away.
Here we are as in olden days,
Happy golden days of yore.
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more.
Through the years
We all will be together,
If the Fates allow
Hang a shining star upon the highest bough.
And have yourself A merry little Christmas now
CHRISTMAS HILL
Christmas Hill is situated in the Silverton Hills of Oregon where you will find the Christmas Hill tree farm which perhaps naturally specializes in the production of conifers grown commercially for the Christmas tree market.
SEASONAL GREETINGS FROM ASIA
Afghanistan (Pushto)
Christmas Aao Ne-way Kaal Mo Mobarak Sha
Bahasa Malaysia
Selamat Hari Natal
China (Cantonese)
Gun Tso Sun Tan'Gung Haw Sun
China (Mandarin)
Kung His Hsin Nien bing Chu Shen Tan
Indonesia
Selamat Hari Natal
Japan
Shinnen omedeto. Kurisumasu Omedeto
Korea
Sung Tan Chuk Ha
Rapa-Nui (Easter Island)
Mata-Ki-Te-Rangi. Te-Pito-O-Te-Henua
Sri Lanka (Singhalese)
Subha nath thalak Vewa. Subha Aluth Awrudhak Vewa
Thailand
Sawadee Pee Mai
Vietnam
Chung Mung Giang Sinh
ON CHRISTMAS DAY 1868 a
Despite bitter opposition United States President Andrew Johnson granted unconditional pardons to all persons involved in the Southern rebellion.
TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS # 2
Twas the night before Christmas and all thru the flat,
Not a creature was stirring not even the cat
The mince pies had been eaten every one and all
And the dog had thrown up on the carpet in the hall
CHRISTMAS ACROSS THE SEA
I am of occidental origin
And I should make it clear
That I have lived all my life
In the northern hemisphere
And every year, except this one
I’ve spent Christmas in blighty
This year, I was invited to my daughters
I tried to decline, politely
She doesn’t live in Britain
But in the land of the kangaroo
Christmas day in high summer
Oh what an awful to-do
The hot sun was like the Grinch
Not a cloud in the sky since dawn
It ruined the day for me
And it made the eggnog warm
Flies buzzed round the turkey
My hat was stuck to my head
No queen’s speech on the telly
I wish I’d stayed home instead
Showing posts with label Père Noël. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Père Noël. Show all posts
Friday 18 November 2016
Wednesday 16 November 2016
Stocking Stuffers # 2
MELCHIOR, CASPAR AND BALTHAZAR
Three kings from the east
Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar
Enlightened kings of wisdom
On their great quest travelled far
Three wise men from the east
Who followed a bright star
Three kings bearing gifts
Gold, frankincense and myrrh
Three kings from the east
Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar
Three kings of great wealth
Bowed low before the saviour
ROBIN
Crimson breasted
Perching on a gate
Robin red breast
Looking for a mate
A hardy suitor
Courting and wooing
Proudly displaying
In ritual pursuing
Trying to impress
To attract a wife
So in the spring
There’d be new life
And for his efforts
Amidst winter hard
He gets to appear
On a Christmas card
SYMBOLIC
The symbol of St Thomas is the builder's square, which comes from an ancient story that built a palace for King Guduphara in India.
THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS 2007
10 year old Jesse Armstrong (Jimmy 'Jax' Pinchak) is anxious to help his struggling widowed mom Sara (Gail O'Grady) so he enters a national video contest.
His entry “All I Want for Christmas is a Husband for my Mom” wins the contest which then has unforeseen consequences as Sara is vaulted into the national spotlight and dazzled into accepting a proposal from a wealthy man Roger Nelson (Greg Germann) who she doesn’t love.
Family friend and neighbour Ben Grant (Robert Mailhouse) is the real romantic interest and a suitable father figure for Jesse in this enjoyable Christmas RomCom.
ON THE EVE
A hearty Christmas greeting
Merry Christmas to one and all
Tonight excitement fills the air
The night Santa comes to call
With gifts galore for everyone
To be piled high beneath the tree
Christmas Eve anticipation never fails
To fills our hearts with glee
ON CHRISTMAS DAY 1939
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer was introduced by Montgomery Ward stores to become the 9th reindeer.
A GAME OF GANNA
Ganna is the name for an Ethiopian Christmas but the name originated as a form of hockey with sticks and ball which the shepherds played while awaiting news of the savior’s birth.
The game of Ganna is still played today and forms a big part of the Christmas day festivities.
WRITTEN WARNING
Beware of what you write
In your Christmas letter to Santa
Ask yourself if you’ve been good
But be honest when you answer
If you’re naughty and say you’re nice
Santa may erupt with laughter
He may even laugh so violently
That you end up killing Santa
SEASONAL GREETINGS FROM THE OLD RUSSIAN REPUBLIC
Armenia
Shenoraavor Nor Dari yev Pari Gaghand
Azerbaijan (Azeri)
Tezze Iliniz Yahsi Olsun
Estonia
Ruumsaid juulup|hi
Latvia (Lettish)
Priecigus Ziemassvetkus
Latvia
Prieci'gus Ziemsve'tkus un Laimi'gu Jauno Gadu
Lithuania
Linksmu Kaledu
Russia
Pozdrevlyayu s prazdnikom Rozhdestva is Novim Godom
Ukraine
Srozhdestvom Kristovym
SAVIOUR, AT YOUR BIRTH
Saviour, at your birth
The angels softly sang
Heralding your arrival
To save the fate of man
Now your birthday is near
We hear the church bells rang
Calling your children hither
To sing the thanks of man
WHILE BROKERS WATCHED THEIR STOCK BY NIGHT
While brokers watched
Their stock by night
In the heart of London town
The angel of the Lord came down
And turned off the power
And turned off the power
While brokers looked
Into their blank monitors
Stop messing she was bade
There’s lots of money to be made
Turn on the bloody power
Turn on the bloody power
You seem to be missing
The true meaning of Christmas
The angel calmly explained
In the darkness of the exchange
They did not listen to her
They wanted only power
I am not hear for god
I am hear at my own bidding
The angel was ranting and raving
You lost my bloody savings
When they told to her the risks
She fried them to a crisp
FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS CAROL # 12
IN DULCI JUBILO
Words by Heinrich Suso and Traditional Music
In dulci jubilo
Let us our homage show
Our heart's joy reclineth
In praesepio
And like a bright star shineth
Matris in gremio,
Alpha es et O!
O Jesu parvule,
My heart is sore for Thee
Hear me, I beseech Thee
O puer optime
My praying let it reach Thee!
O princeps gloriae.
Trahe me post te.
O patris caritas!
O Nati lenitas!
Deeply were we stained
Per nostra crimina
But Thou for us hast gained
Coelorum gaudia,
Qualis gloria!
Ubi sunt gaudia,
If that they be not there?
There are Angels singing
Nova cantica;
And there the bells are ringing
In Regis curia.
O that we were there!
TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS # 1
Twas the night before Christmas and all thru the house,
Not a creature was stirring not even a mouse
As earlier that night with the aid of cheese and a trap
I bad Mr. Mouse Merry Christmas as the spring went snap
NICHOLAS PATRON SAINT OF
St Nicholas of Myra is the patron saint against imprisonment, against robberies and robbers he is also patron of apothecaries, bakers, barrel makers, boatmen, boot blacks, boys, brewers, brides, captives, children, coopers, dock workers, druggists and fishermen.
Also the patron saint of Greece, the Greek Catholic Church in America, the Greek Catholic Union, grooms, judges, and lawsuits lost unjustly, longshoremen, Lorraine, maidens, mariners, merchants, murderers, newlyweds, old maids, parish clerks and paupers.
As well as pawnbrokers, perfumeries, perfumers, pharmacists, pilgrims, poor people, Portsmouth England, prisoners, Russia, sailors, scholars, schoolchildren, shoe shiners, Sicily, spinsters, students, thieves, travelers, unmarried girls and watermen
ON CHRISTMAS DAY 1941
Japan announced the surrender of the British-Canadian garrison in Hong Kong to the forces of Japan.
FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS SONG # 13
Despite the general awfulness of the Christmas song there are however always exceptions to the rule and I have a short list of personal favourites.
Without exception all my choices not only include the song but the best performer of that song and so in no particular order here is my thirteenth selection.
"It's Beginning to Look a Lot like Christmas" written by Meredith Wilson. Performed by Perry Como and The Fontane Sisters
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Everywhere you go;
Take a look in the five-and-ten, glistening once again
With candy canes and silver lanes aglow.
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas,
Toys in every store,
But the prettiest sight to see is the holly that will be
On your own front door.
A pair of hopalong boots and a pistol that shoots
Is the wish of Barney and Ben;
Dolls that will talk and will go for a walk
Is the hope of Janice and Jen;
And Mom and Dad can hardly wait for school to start again.
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Everywhere you go;
There's a tree in the Grand Hotel, one in the park as well,
The sturdy kind that doesn't mind the snow.
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas;
Soon the bells will start,
And the thing that will make them ring is the carol that you sing
Right within your heart.
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas,
Toys in every store,
But the prettiest sight to see is the holly that will be
On your own front door.
Sure it's Christmas once more.
ON CHRISTMAS DAY 1837
The United States forces defeated the Seminole Indians at the Battle of Okeechobee.
CAROL OF THE BELLS
Pulled with violence
To break the silence
Choring, drawing
Mechanism priming
Ready for chiming
Banging, clanging
Momentum gaining
Timbers straining
Creaking, speaking
Mechanical timing
With rhythm climbing
Swaying, obeying
The peel resounding
A sound astounding
Ringing, singing
The call goes out
Around and about
Voicing, rejoicing
Come says the calling
Come one and all in
Morning, morning
Christ born this day
The Christmas bells say
Rejoicing, rejoicing
REPRESENTING ST LUCY
St Lucy is represented by cord, eyes on a dish, lamp, swords, and as a woman hitched to a yoke of oxen
She is also represented as a woman in the company of Saint Agatha, or Saint Agnes of Rome, Barbara, Catherine of Alexandria, and Saint Thecla and finally as woman kneeling before the tomb of Saint Agatha.
CHUCKLING WITH DELIGHT
Chuckling with delight
At the twinkling tree lights
You giggle and smile
And yet all the while
You really don’t know
Why your sweet face is aglow
And you gurgle excitedly
At everything you see
It’s a very special time
When Christmas bells chime
And Santa’s on his way
With presents on his sleigh
For every little lad and lass
To have a special Christmas
But for you my darling one
Just enjoying all the fun
Chuckling with delight
At the twinkling tree lights
When Santa comes this way
It’s for your first Christmas Day
Three kings from the east
Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar
Enlightened kings of wisdom
On their great quest travelled far
Three wise men from the east
Who followed a bright star
Three kings bearing gifts
Gold, frankincense and myrrh
Three kings from the east
Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar
Three kings of great wealth
Bowed low before the saviour
ROBIN
Crimson breasted
Perching on a gate
Robin red breast
Looking for a mate
A hardy suitor
Courting and wooing
Proudly displaying
In ritual pursuing
Trying to impress
To attract a wife
So in the spring
There’d be new life
And for his efforts
Amidst winter hard
He gets to appear
On a Christmas card
SYMBOLIC
The symbol of St Thomas is the builder's square, which comes from an ancient story that built a palace for King Guduphara in India.
THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS 2007
10 year old Jesse Armstrong (Jimmy 'Jax' Pinchak) is anxious to help his struggling widowed mom Sara (Gail O'Grady) so he enters a national video contest.
His entry “All I Want for Christmas is a Husband for my Mom” wins the contest which then has unforeseen consequences as Sara is vaulted into the national spotlight and dazzled into accepting a proposal from a wealthy man Roger Nelson (Greg Germann) who she doesn’t love.
Family friend and neighbour Ben Grant (Robert Mailhouse) is the real romantic interest and a suitable father figure for Jesse in this enjoyable Christmas RomCom.
ON THE EVE
A hearty Christmas greeting
Merry Christmas to one and all
Tonight excitement fills the air
The night Santa comes to call
With gifts galore for everyone
To be piled high beneath the tree
Christmas Eve anticipation never fails
To fills our hearts with glee
ON CHRISTMAS DAY 1939
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer was introduced by Montgomery Ward stores to become the 9th reindeer.
A GAME OF GANNA
Ganna is the name for an Ethiopian Christmas but the name originated as a form of hockey with sticks and ball which the shepherds played while awaiting news of the savior’s birth.
The game of Ganna is still played today and forms a big part of the Christmas day festivities.
WRITTEN WARNING
Beware of what you write
In your Christmas letter to Santa
Ask yourself if you’ve been good
But be honest when you answer
If you’re naughty and say you’re nice
Santa may erupt with laughter
He may even laugh so violently
That you end up killing Santa
SEASONAL GREETINGS FROM THE OLD RUSSIAN REPUBLIC
Armenia
Shenoraavor Nor Dari yev Pari Gaghand
Azerbaijan (Azeri)
Tezze Iliniz Yahsi Olsun
Estonia
Ruumsaid juulup|hi
Latvia (Lettish)
Priecigus Ziemassvetkus
Latvia
Prieci'gus Ziemsve'tkus un Laimi'gu Jauno Gadu
Lithuania
Linksmu Kaledu
Russia
Pozdrevlyayu s prazdnikom Rozhdestva is Novim Godom
Ukraine
Srozhdestvom Kristovym
SAVIOUR, AT YOUR BIRTH
Saviour, at your birth
The angels softly sang
Heralding your arrival
To save the fate of man
Now your birthday is near
We hear the church bells rang
Calling your children hither
To sing the thanks of man
WHILE BROKERS WATCHED THEIR STOCK BY NIGHT
While brokers watched
Their stock by night
In the heart of London town
The angel of the Lord came down
And turned off the power
And turned off the power
While brokers looked
Into their blank monitors
Stop messing she was bade
There’s lots of money to be made
Turn on the bloody power
Turn on the bloody power
You seem to be missing
The true meaning of Christmas
The angel calmly explained
In the darkness of the exchange
They did not listen to her
They wanted only power
I am not hear for god
I am hear at my own bidding
The angel was ranting and raving
You lost my bloody savings
When they told to her the risks
She fried them to a crisp
FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS CAROL # 12
IN DULCI JUBILO
Words by Heinrich Suso and Traditional Music
In dulci jubilo
Let us our homage show
Our heart's joy reclineth
In praesepio
And like a bright star shineth
Matris in gremio,
Alpha es et O!
O Jesu parvule,
My heart is sore for Thee
Hear me, I beseech Thee
O puer optime
My praying let it reach Thee!
O princeps gloriae.
Trahe me post te.
O patris caritas!
O Nati lenitas!
Deeply were we stained
Per nostra crimina
But Thou for us hast gained
Coelorum gaudia,
Qualis gloria!
Ubi sunt gaudia,
If that they be not there?
There are Angels singing
Nova cantica;
And there the bells are ringing
In Regis curia.
O that we were there!
TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS # 1
Twas the night before Christmas and all thru the house,
Not a creature was stirring not even a mouse
As earlier that night with the aid of cheese and a trap
I bad Mr. Mouse Merry Christmas as the spring went snap
NICHOLAS PATRON SAINT OF
St Nicholas of Myra is the patron saint against imprisonment, against robberies and robbers he is also patron of apothecaries, bakers, barrel makers, boatmen, boot blacks, boys, brewers, brides, captives, children, coopers, dock workers, druggists and fishermen.
Also the patron saint of Greece, the Greek Catholic Church in America, the Greek Catholic Union, grooms, judges, and lawsuits lost unjustly, longshoremen, Lorraine, maidens, mariners, merchants, murderers, newlyweds, old maids, parish clerks and paupers.
As well as pawnbrokers, perfumeries, perfumers, pharmacists, pilgrims, poor people, Portsmouth England, prisoners, Russia, sailors, scholars, schoolchildren, shoe shiners, Sicily, spinsters, students, thieves, travelers, unmarried girls and watermen
ON CHRISTMAS DAY 1941
Japan announced the surrender of the British-Canadian garrison in Hong Kong to the forces of Japan.
FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS SONG # 13
Despite the general awfulness of the Christmas song there are however always exceptions to the rule and I have a short list of personal favourites.
Without exception all my choices not only include the song but the best performer of that song and so in no particular order here is my thirteenth selection.
"It's Beginning to Look a Lot like Christmas" written by Meredith Wilson. Performed by Perry Como and The Fontane Sisters
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Everywhere you go;
Take a look in the five-and-ten, glistening once again
With candy canes and silver lanes aglow.
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas,
Toys in every store,
But the prettiest sight to see is the holly that will be
On your own front door.
A pair of hopalong boots and a pistol that shoots
Is the wish of Barney and Ben;
Dolls that will talk and will go for a walk
Is the hope of Janice and Jen;
And Mom and Dad can hardly wait for school to start again.
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Everywhere you go;
There's a tree in the Grand Hotel, one in the park as well,
The sturdy kind that doesn't mind the snow.
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas;
Soon the bells will start,
And the thing that will make them ring is the carol that you sing
Right within your heart.
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas,
Toys in every store,
But the prettiest sight to see is the holly that will be
On your own front door.
Sure it's Christmas once more.
ON CHRISTMAS DAY 1837
The United States forces defeated the Seminole Indians at the Battle of Okeechobee.
CAROL OF THE BELLS
Pulled with violence
To break the silence
Choring, drawing
Mechanism priming
Ready for chiming
Banging, clanging
Momentum gaining
Timbers straining
Creaking, speaking
Mechanical timing
With rhythm climbing
Swaying, obeying
The peel resounding
A sound astounding
Ringing, singing
The call goes out
Around and about
Voicing, rejoicing
Come says the calling
Come one and all in
Morning, morning
Christ born this day
The Christmas bells say
Rejoicing, rejoicing
REPRESENTING ST LUCY
St Lucy is represented by cord, eyes on a dish, lamp, swords, and as a woman hitched to a yoke of oxen
She is also represented as a woman in the company of Saint Agatha, or Saint Agnes of Rome, Barbara, Catherine of Alexandria, and Saint Thecla and finally as woman kneeling before the tomb of Saint Agatha.
CHUCKLING WITH DELIGHT
Chuckling with delight
At the twinkling tree lights
You giggle and smile
And yet all the while
You really don’t know
Why your sweet face is aglow
And you gurgle excitedly
At everything you see
It’s a very special time
When Christmas bells chime
And Santa’s on his way
With presents on his sleigh
For every little lad and lass
To have a special Christmas
But for you my darling one
Just enjoying all the fun
Chuckling with delight
At the twinkling tree lights
When Santa comes this way
It’s for your first Christmas Day
Tuesday 15 November 2016
Stocking Stuffers # 1
ALL THE CHRISTMAS SAINTS AND ANGELS
All the Christmas Saints and Angels
Work behind the scenes
To orchestrate the season
Like precision built machines
They make the tinsel sparkle
They make the music play
They fill out hearts with love
As we wait for the saviours day
All the Christmas Saints and Angels
Pulling the strings unseen
Their purpose is a simple one
To fulfil all our Christmas dreams
ON CHRISTMAS DAY 1938
The great American film director, George Cukor, announced that Vivien Leigh would play Scarlett O'Hara in the epic Gone with the Wind.
THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – MRS. MIRACLE 2, MIRACLE IN MANHATTAN
Mrs. Merkle (Doris Roberts) as if by holiday magic pops up in a family-owned New York City department store as a sassy saleswoman, but no one remembers hiring her.
She gets to work quickly on her boss Jake (Eric Johnson) and his dad, JR (Tom Butler) who have a strained relationship to say the least.
Her mission is to help JR rediscover the magic of Christmas while helping along a romance with Jake and Holly (Jewel Staite).
Holly is a beautiful but put upon assistant to a fashion designer, Lindy Lowe (Lauren Holly), and is also the legal guardian to her nephew, Gabe, while her brother is overseas with the army.
But before long with her unquenchable and infectious spirit, she has things under control at the store but Mrs. Miracle still had a lot work ahead of her in order that it is a magical Christmas for all.
LUCY BRIDE
Every year the Lucy bride in Stockholm's is crowned by the winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature.
BORN ON CHRISTMAS DAY # 3
The famous German painter Hans von Bartels was born on Christmas day in 1856 and another artist was born the same day in
1883, Maurice Utrillo, one of the "Montmartre" artist’s.
Bandleader Cab Calloway way born on the savior’s day in 1907
Sir Lew Grade the famous film producer was first produced on Christmas day 1906 and fellow movie producer Ismail Merchant made his festive debut in 1936.
SEASONAL GREETINGS FROM SOUTHERN EUROPE
Corsica
Pace e salute
Malta
IL-Milied It-tajjeb
Italy
Buone Feste Natalizie
Portugugal
Feliz Natal
Sardinia
Bonu nadale e prosperu annu nou
Spain
Feliz Navidad
Spain (Basque)
Zorionak eta Urte Berri On
Spain (Catalan)
Bon Nadal i un Bon Any Nou
Spain (Galician)
Bo Nada
CHRISTMAS IS NIGH
The snow lays deep and crisp
And though the frost is keen
In the clear night sky, the heavens
In all their glory can be seen
And bright there shines a star
Standing out from the jewelled sky
A star that seems to call out
Sweetly “Christmas is nigh”
ON CHRISTMAS DAY 1939
Charles Dickens' story of redemption “A Christmas Carol” was read on radio for the first time. It was broadcast on CBS radio.
MR GLISTEN COMES TO TOWN
The snow has come its falling fast
Its time to dance about and cheer
Soon it will be time to build a snowman
I build the same one every year
When the snow is lying deep and fresh
I go to the cupboard in my room
Where I get his hat, gloves and scarf
And of course his Birchwood broom
Mum says “don’t you stay out long”
But she knows that I don’t listen
She knows that it takes some time
To build the perfect Mr Glisten
I always start in the same place
And make the body large and round
For his head I roll a smaller ball
Rolling it on the snowy ground
Soon he stands up taller than me
Rising up from the fallen snow
Each year it takes a little longer
As like me each year he grows
Down his front go pebble buttons
From his neck down to the floor
His stick arms wear his gloves
Which don’t really fit him anymore
Then I put on his scarf and hat
His birch broom stands by his side
Marbles to make his eyes shine
And a stick mouth smiling wide
Last the carrot nose goes in place
And I step back and a moment spend
Gazing at the happy snowman face
Then I say “Hello my old friend”
GOLDEN BALLS
St Nicholas is the patron saint of pawn brokers and outside of a pawn brokers you will see the symbol of three gold balls which are representations of the three bags of gold.
He gave to the poor father to save his daughters from prostitution.
SCROOGE AND GRINCH
Scrooge and Grinch
Don’t believe in Christmas
When the carolers come along
They start to swear and cuss
Ebenezer Scrooge is a skinflint
A mean and grasping old miser
Who buys from the pound shop
And sells them at a fiver
Little more than a grouch
Is the Christmas stealing Grinch
Who to miserable to be happy
He steals your Christmas by the inch
The tale is told of redemption
After the ghostly haunting stunt
The Grinch whole-hearted and loving
Says merry Christmas with a grunt
Scrooge and Grinch never changed
They were just putting on a front
FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS CAROL # 14
IL EST NE, LE DIVIN ENFANT
Music and lyrics traditional (French)
Chorus:
Il est ne, le divin Enfant,
Jouez, hautbois, resonnez, musettes;
Il est ne, le divin Enfant;
Chantons tous son avenement!
Verse 1
Depuis plus de quatre mille ans,
Nous le promettaient les Prophetes;
Depuis plus de quatre mille ans,
Nous attendions cet heureux temps. Chorus
Chorus:
Il est ne, le divin Enfant,
Jouez, hautbois, resonnez, musettes;
Il est ne, le divin Enfant;
Chantons tous son avenement!
Verse 2
Ah! qu'il est beau, qu'il est charmant,
Que ses graces sont parfaites!
Ah! qu'il est beau, qu'il est charmant,
Qu'il est doux le divin Enfant! Chorus
Chorus:
Il est ne, le divin Enfant,
Jouez, hautbois, resonnez, musettes;
Il est ne, le divin Enfant;
Chantons tous son avenement!
Verse 3
Une etable est son logement,
Un peu de paille, sa couchette,
Une etable est son logement,
Pour un Dieu, quel abaissement! Chorus
Chorus:
Il est ne, le divin Enfant,
Jouez, hautbois, resonnez, musettes;
Il est ne, le divin Enfant;
Chantons tous son avenement!
Verse 4
O Jesus! O Roi tout puissant!
Tout petit enfant que vous etes,
O Jesus! O Roi tout puissant!
Regnez sur nous entierement! Chorus
REPRESENTING ST STEPHEN
St Stephen is represented as a deacon carrying a pile of rocks, as a deacon with rocks gathered in his vestments or as a deacon with rocks on his head.
He is also represented as a deacon with rocks or a book at hand, by stones or by a palm.
JINGLE BELLS
Jingle bells, jingle bells,
Jingle all the way.
I’ve got a gun and a clever disguise
To rob the bank on its busiest day
Jingle bells, jingle bells,
Jingle all the way.
We got caught do you know why?
Because we only had a getaway sleigh
FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS SONG # 12
Despite the general awfulness of the Christmas song there are however always exceptions to the rule and I have a short list of personal favourites.
Without exception all my choices not only include the song but the best performer of that song and so in no particular order here is my twelfth selection.
"I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday" Music and lyrics by Roy Wood performed by Wizzard
When the snowman brings the snow,
Well he just might like to know.
He’s put a great big smile on somebody’s face.
If you jump into your bed,
Quickly cover up your head,
Don’t you lock the doors you know that sweet Santa Claus is on the way.
Well I wish it could be Christmas every day.
When the kids start singing and the band begins to play.
Oh I wish it could be Christmas every day.
Let the bells ring out for Christmas.
When we’re skating in the park,
If the storm cloud paints it dark,
Then your rosy cheeks going to light my merry way.
Now the frostiness appear
And they’ve frozen up my beard,
So we’ll lie by the fire till the sleep simply melts them all away.
Well I wish it could be Christmas every day.
When the kids start singing and the band begins to play.
Oh I wish it could be Christmas every day.
So, let the bells ring out for Christmas.
When the snowman brings the snow,
Well he just might like to know,
He’s put a great big smile on somebody’s face.
So if Santa brings that sleigh
All along the milky way,
I’ll sign my name on the rooftop in the snow then he may decide to stay.
Well I wish it could be Christmas every day.
When the kids start singing and the band begins to play.
Oh I wish it could be Christmas every day.
So, let the bells ring out for Christmas.
You lot Take It
Chorus, sung by children
Well I wish it could be Christmas every day.
When the kids start singing and the band begins to play.
Oh I wish it could be Christmas every day.
Let the bells ring out for Christmas.
Why don’t you give your love for Christmas
CHRISTMAS WITHOUT HARRY
It was early when the children woke up
With their squeals of joy and delight
They hadn’t woken me though
I’d been awake half the night
Christmas held no joy for me this year
I was not looking forward to the day
And I always loved Christmas
This year I didn’t want to play
It was the first Christmas since I lost Harry
And each moment was a fresh agony
Everything we used to do together
Now had to be done by me
When you are the perfect partnership
It’s so hard when you lose one of the team
He was the cream cheese on my bagel,
I was the coffee to his cream
Its six months since he was taken from me
But the wound has barely healed
It takes just the slightest remembrance
And a fresh scar is then revealed
The children have all adjusted well
I’m so proud of the way they’ve coped
They’ve gotten on with their lives
And not sat around and moped
I’ve lain awake most of the night
Reliving Christmases gone by
I laughed at all the happy memories
And then the laughter turned to cries
It was going to be a difficult day to bear
And I would be glad when it was done
But I didn’t want to be a Grinch
And pour water on the children’s fun
Having Christmas without Harry
Was like having an undecorated tree
He was my best friend and soul mate
He was just everything to me
So for the kid’s sake I had to grin and bear it
Put on a brave face, smiled through the pain
I thought it would never end but end it did
And it won’t be that hard again
ON CHRISTMAS DAY 1831
Louisiana and Arkansas were the first states to observe Christmas as holiday.
CHRISTIANS OF ST. THOMAS
There is still a large native population on Malabar Coast in India who call themselves "Christians of St. Thomas."
DO YOU BELIEVE IN SANTA?
Do you believe in Santa?
It’s a yes or no answer
Have you never seen him?
He is there none the less
He is in the smiling faces
Or people that you meet
And in the children’s laughter
As they rush along the street
He is in the hearty handshakes
And the heart felt hellos
He is at the happy reunions
And the tearful farewells
He is in the choirs voices
Singing praise to the lord
And in the hearts of volunteers
Who feed the homeless
He is the presence of good
He is the Christmas spirit
MERRY CHRISTMAS SIR
Merry Christmas sir, I’m your paper boy
I bring you daily tidings of peace and joy
I know that at 6am that no one knocks
But how else would I get my Christmas box
All the Christmas Saints and Angels
Work behind the scenes
To orchestrate the season
Like precision built machines
They make the tinsel sparkle
They make the music play
They fill out hearts with love
As we wait for the saviours day
All the Christmas Saints and Angels
Pulling the strings unseen
Their purpose is a simple one
To fulfil all our Christmas dreams
ON CHRISTMAS DAY 1938
The great American film director, George Cukor, announced that Vivien Leigh would play Scarlett O'Hara in the epic Gone with the Wind.
THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – MRS. MIRACLE 2, MIRACLE IN MANHATTAN
Mrs. Merkle (Doris Roberts) as if by holiday magic pops up in a family-owned New York City department store as a sassy saleswoman, but no one remembers hiring her.
She gets to work quickly on her boss Jake (Eric Johnson) and his dad, JR (Tom Butler) who have a strained relationship to say the least.
Her mission is to help JR rediscover the magic of Christmas while helping along a romance with Jake and Holly (Jewel Staite).
Holly is a beautiful but put upon assistant to a fashion designer, Lindy Lowe (Lauren Holly), and is also the legal guardian to her nephew, Gabe, while her brother is overseas with the army.
But before long with her unquenchable and infectious spirit, she has things under control at the store but Mrs. Miracle still had a lot work ahead of her in order that it is a magical Christmas for all.
LUCY BRIDE
Every year the Lucy bride in Stockholm's is crowned by the winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature.
BORN ON CHRISTMAS DAY # 3
The famous German painter Hans von Bartels was born on Christmas day in 1856 and another artist was born the same day in
1883, Maurice Utrillo, one of the "Montmartre" artist’s.
Bandleader Cab Calloway way born on the savior’s day in 1907
Sir Lew Grade the famous film producer was first produced on Christmas day 1906 and fellow movie producer Ismail Merchant made his festive debut in 1936.
SEASONAL GREETINGS FROM SOUTHERN EUROPE
Corsica
Pace e salute
Malta
IL-Milied It-tajjeb
Italy
Buone Feste Natalizie
Portugugal
Feliz Natal
Sardinia
Bonu nadale e prosperu annu nou
Spain
Feliz Navidad
Spain (Basque)
Zorionak eta Urte Berri On
Spain (Catalan)
Bon Nadal i un Bon Any Nou
Spain (Galician)
Bo Nada
CHRISTMAS IS NIGH
The snow lays deep and crisp
And though the frost is keen
In the clear night sky, the heavens
In all their glory can be seen
And bright there shines a star
Standing out from the jewelled sky
A star that seems to call out
Sweetly “Christmas is nigh”
ON CHRISTMAS DAY 1939
Charles Dickens' story of redemption “A Christmas Carol” was read on radio for the first time. It was broadcast on CBS radio.
MR GLISTEN COMES TO TOWN
The snow has come its falling fast
Its time to dance about and cheer
Soon it will be time to build a snowman
I build the same one every year
When the snow is lying deep and fresh
I go to the cupboard in my room
Where I get his hat, gloves and scarf
And of course his Birchwood broom
Mum says “don’t you stay out long”
But she knows that I don’t listen
She knows that it takes some time
To build the perfect Mr Glisten
I always start in the same place
And make the body large and round
For his head I roll a smaller ball
Rolling it on the snowy ground
Soon he stands up taller than me
Rising up from the fallen snow
Each year it takes a little longer
As like me each year he grows
Down his front go pebble buttons
From his neck down to the floor
His stick arms wear his gloves
Which don’t really fit him anymore
Then I put on his scarf and hat
His birch broom stands by his side
Marbles to make his eyes shine
And a stick mouth smiling wide
Last the carrot nose goes in place
And I step back and a moment spend
Gazing at the happy snowman face
Then I say “Hello my old friend”
GOLDEN BALLS
St Nicholas is the patron saint of pawn brokers and outside of a pawn brokers you will see the symbol of three gold balls which are representations of the three bags of gold.
He gave to the poor father to save his daughters from prostitution.
SCROOGE AND GRINCH
Scrooge and Grinch
Don’t believe in Christmas
When the carolers come along
They start to swear and cuss
Ebenezer Scrooge is a skinflint
A mean and grasping old miser
Who buys from the pound shop
And sells them at a fiver
Little more than a grouch
Is the Christmas stealing Grinch
Who to miserable to be happy
He steals your Christmas by the inch
The tale is told of redemption
After the ghostly haunting stunt
The Grinch whole-hearted and loving
Says merry Christmas with a grunt
Scrooge and Grinch never changed
They were just putting on a front
FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS CAROL # 14
IL EST NE, LE DIVIN ENFANT
Music and lyrics traditional (French)
Chorus:
Il est ne, le divin Enfant,
Jouez, hautbois, resonnez, musettes;
Il est ne, le divin Enfant;
Chantons tous son avenement!
Verse 1
Depuis plus de quatre mille ans,
Nous le promettaient les Prophetes;
Depuis plus de quatre mille ans,
Nous attendions cet heureux temps. Chorus
Chorus:
Il est ne, le divin Enfant,
Jouez, hautbois, resonnez, musettes;
Il est ne, le divin Enfant;
Chantons tous son avenement!
Verse 2
Ah! qu'il est beau, qu'il est charmant,
Que ses graces sont parfaites!
Ah! qu'il est beau, qu'il est charmant,
Qu'il est doux le divin Enfant! Chorus
Chorus:
Il est ne, le divin Enfant,
Jouez, hautbois, resonnez, musettes;
Il est ne, le divin Enfant;
Chantons tous son avenement!
Verse 3
Une etable est son logement,
Un peu de paille, sa couchette,
Une etable est son logement,
Pour un Dieu, quel abaissement! Chorus
Chorus:
Il est ne, le divin Enfant,
Jouez, hautbois, resonnez, musettes;
Il est ne, le divin Enfant;
Chantons tous son avenement!
Verse 4
O Jesus! O Roi tout puissant!
Tout petit enfant que vous etes,
O Jesus! O Roi tout puissant!
Regnez sur nous entierement! Chorus
REPRESENTING ST STEPHEN
St Stephen is represented as a deacon carrying a pile of rocks, as a deacon with rocks gathered in his vestments or as a deacon with rocks on his head.
He is also represented as a deacon with rocks or a book at hand, by stones or by a palm.
JINGLE BELLS
Jingle bells, jingle bells,
Jingle all the way.
I’ve got a gun and a clever disguise
To rob the bank on its busiest day
Jingle bells, jingle bells,
Jingle all the way.
We got caught do you know why?
Because we only had a getaway sleigh
FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS SONG # 12
Despite the general awfulness of the Christmas song there are however always exceptions to the rule and I have a short list of personal favourites.
Without exception all my choices not only include the song but the best performer of that song and so in no particular order here is my twelfth selection.
"I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday" Music and lyrics by Roy Wood performed by Wizzard
When the snowman brings the snow,
Well he just might like to know.
He’s put a great big smile on somebody’s face.
If you jump into your bed,
Quickly cover up your head,
Don’t you lock the doors you know that sweet Santa Claus is on the way.
Well I wish it could be Christmas every day.
When the kids start singing and the band begins to play.
Oh I wish it could be Christmas every day.
Let the bells ring out for Christmas.
When we’re skating in the park,
If the storm cloud paints it dark,
Then your rosy cheeks going to light my merry way.
Now the frostiness appear
And they’ve frozen up my beard,
So we’ll lie by the fire till the sleep simply melts them all away.
Well I wish it could be Christmas every day.
When the kids start singing and the band begins to play.
Oh I wish it could be Christmas every day.
So, let the bells ring out for Christmas.
When the snowman brings the snow,
Well he just might like to know,
He’s put a great big smile on somebody’s face.
So if Santa brings that sleigh
All along the milky way,
I’ll sign my name on the rooftop in the snow then he may decide to stay.
Well I wish it could be Christmas every day.
When the kids start singing and the band begins to play.
Oh I wish it could be Christmas every day.
So, let the bells ring out for Christmas.
You lot Take It
Chorus, sung by children
Well I wish it could be Christmas every day.
When the kids start singing and the band begins to play.
Oh I wish it could be Christmas every day.
Let the bells ring out for Christmas.
Why don’t you give your love for Christmas
CHRISTMAS WITHOUT HARRY
It was early when the children woke up
With their squeals of joy and delight
They hadn’t woken me though
I’d been awake half the night
Christmas held no joy for me this year
I was not looking forward to the day
And I always loved Christmas
This year I didn’t want to play
It was the first Christmas since I lost Harry
And each moment was a fresh agony
Everything we used to do together
Now had to be done by me
When you are the perfect partnership
It’s so hard when you lose one of the team
He was the cream cheese on my bagel,
I was the coffee to his cream
Its six months since he was taken from me
But the wound has barely healed
It takes just the slightest remembrance
And a fresh scar is then revealed
The children have all adjusted well
I’m so proud of the way they’ve coped
They’ve gotten on with their lives
And not sat around and moped
I’ve lain awake most of the night
Reliving Christmases gone by
I laughed at all the happy memories
And then the laughter turned to cries
It was going to be a difficult day to bear
And I would be glad when it was done
But I didn’t want to be a Grinch
And pour water on the children’s fun
Having Christmas without Harry
Was like having an undecorated tree
He was my best friend and soul mate
He was just everything to me
So for the kid’s sake I had to grin and bear it
Put on a brave face, smiled through the pain
I thought it would never end but end it did
And it won’t be that hard again
ON CHRISTMAS DAY 1831
Louisiana and Arkansas were the first states to observe Christmas as holiday.
CHRISTIANS OF ST. THOMAS
There is still a large native population on Malabar Coast in India who call themselves "Christians of St. Thomas."
DO YOU BELIEVE IN SANTA?
Do you believe in Santa?
It’s a yes or no answer
Have you never seen him?
He is there none the less
He is in the smiling faces
Or people that you meet
And in the children’s laughter
As they rush along the street
He is in the hearty handshakes
And the heart felt hellos
He is at the happy reunions
And the tearful farewells
He is in the choirs voices
Singing praise to the lord
And in the hearts of volunteers
Who feed the homeless
He is the presence of good
He is the Christmas spirit
MERRY CHRISTMAS SIR
Merry Christmas sir, I’m your paper boy
I bring you daily tidings of peace and joy
I know that at 6am that no one knocks
But how else would I get my Christmas box
Monday 14 November 2016
Christmas Stocking Fillers # 12
THE GIFT GIVER
The Christmas trees are trimmed
And all the halls are decked
Santa has made his list
And all the names are checked
The reindeer have been harnessed
The sleigh is loaded high
Santa climbs into his seat
And they’re off into the sky
Santa goes from roof to roof
From city to city and town to town
He finds the chimney pot
Then takes the presents down
And the gift giver goes about his work
So that every girl and boy
Can awake on Christmas morning
And unwrap that wanted toy
THE GOOD LIFE - SILLY, BUT IT'S FUN
For those who are visiting from another planet the Good Life, Written by John Esmonde and Bob Larbey was about a man who on reaching his fortieth birthday decides to give up the rat race and become self-sufficient.
The man having the midlife crisis is Tom Good played by Richard Briers who with the help and support of his long suffering wife Barbara, Felicity Kendal turns his detached Surbiton home into an urban farm.
This doesn't go down too well with their good friends and neighbours, Jerry Leadbetter played by Paul Eddington and his snooty wife Margot, Penelope Keith.
The Christmas episode, Silly, But It's Fun, first broadcast 26th December 1977 is in my opinion the funniest Christmas sitcom ever made.
Most Christmas sitcoms highlight the most negative aspects of the day creating a kind of nightmarish microcosm of family life at Christmas.
The good life was the story of contrasts with the Good’s making the best of the resources they had while the Leadbetter’s just bought the best of everything and lots of it.
It “ Silly, But It's Fun” Margo ordered Christmas to be delivered from Harrods on Christmas eve but refused delivery when the tree was six inches shorter than the one she had ordered.
As she rejected the tree she also rejected everything else including Jerry’s gin under the impression that Harrods would redeliver Christmas including a tree of the requisite height for her later that day.
She was sadly mistaken and on Christmas day she had to phone around canceling all their Christmas engagements under the pretext that Jerry has Chicken pox.
Jerry was unperturbed at having political chicken pox but horrified when he discovered that there was no more gin.
Enter the Goods who save the day by inviting the Leadbetter’s to their house for the day and a good time was had by all.
They all got plastered on pea pod burgundy and played silly games.
The moral of the tale being that you can’t buy Christmas you have to make it yourself.
SEASONAL SNIPPET # 11
Candlemas was originally a Pagan festival to celebrate purification but now it is part of the Christian calendar.
The feast of the presentation is celebrated on February 2nd the 40th day after Christmas and it is a day honoring Christ and Mary's purification in the temple.
THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – HOME ALONE 2: LOST IN NEW YORK
The family McCallister are gathering in preparation of Christmas in Miami, at Peter (John Heard) and Kate's (Catherine O'Hara) home in a suburb of Chicago.
Ten-year-old son Kevin (Macaulay Culkin) is unimpressed with the prospect of Christmas in Miami and on the night before their flight after a family argument he storms off to the third floor bedroom of the house where he wishes he had his own money so he could go on his own vacation.
Peter unknowingly resets the family's alarm clock, which causes them to oversleep.
In the resulting panic and confusion of the rush to make their flight their youngest son Kevin gets on the wrong flight and is bound for New York.
It’s only when the family arrive in Florida that they realise Kevin is missing.
Kevin meanwhile is touring New York is checking into the Plaza Hotel.
In Florida, the McCallister's discover Kevin has been found using Peter's credit card in New York so the family flies to New York and Kate desperately tries to find her son.
Sadly after visiting Duncan's Toy Chest Kevin crosses the paths of The Wet Bandits, Harry Lyme (Joe Pesci) and Marv Merchants (Daniel Stern), who are planning to break into Duncan's Toy Chest and steal the proceeds which are due to go to a children’s charity.
The story follows the bad guys attempts’ to rob the Store and Kevins efforts to thwart them while Kate takes extreme measures to find him.
There is slapstick galore, humour in abundance, sentimentality and a happy ending.
FREYA
When Christianity reached Scandinavia St Lucia dethroned a pagan goddess to become the most revered female figure.
In Norse mythology the pagan goddess Freya was the most beautiful goddess of love and fertility to whom sacrifices were offered at Yule.
She was the daughter of the god Njord and the sister of Freyr and married to the mysterious god Od who disappeared, she mourned so much for the loss of her husband that she wept tears of gold.
Freya wore the bright necklace of the Brisings and a cloak of bird feathers which allowed her to change into a falcon, and her chariot was pulled by two cats.
20 PEOPLE WHO ARRIVED IN THE WORLD ON DECEMBER 26TH
1194 Frederick II, Iesi Italy, German Emperor and King of Sicily
1618 abbess Elisabeth Paltsgravin of Rhine
1716 Thomas Gray, English poet
1792 Charles Babbage, English inventor of the calculating machine
1805 Joseph-Leon Gatayes, composer
1855 Arnold Ludwig Mendelssohn, composer
1891 Henry Miller, author
1894 Antonio Molina, composer
1902 Elisha Cook Jr, San Francisco California, actor
1914 Richard Widmark, Sunrise Michigan, actor
1921 Steve Allen, New York City, comedian and TV host
1927 Denis Quilley, London English actor
1930 Donald Moffat, Plymouth English actor
1932 Walter Leblanc, Belgian painter
1939 Harvey Phil Spector, record producer
1944 Jane Lapotaire, actress
1951 Richard Skinner, British Disc Jockey
1953 Matthew Harding, businessman and Chelsea football supporter and director
1972 Jared Leto, Bossier City Louisiana, actor
1985 Steven Hartman, Westlake California, actor
ST THOMAS DAY
Although July 3rd has been the feast day for St Thomas for many centuries December 21st was given as a feast day to Thomas for no significant historical reason throughout the Middle Ages undoubtedly to divert attention from the pagan rites associated with the day.
CHRISTMAS HERALD
The Christmas lights are up
The shops play Christmas tunes
The Santa’s are out in force
In their red and white platoons
Christmas goodies are on display
The best selections ever seen
Which sends the message out
That it’s nearly Halloween
FRUMENTY
Frumenty is a traditional Christmas meal from the middle ages made principally from Kibbled or cracked wheat admittedly this dish was more popular amongst the have not’s than the have’s.
LUCIA BRIDE
Tales of the courageous Lucia of Syracuse were first taken to then pagan land of Sweden by Christian missionaries.
She became known in Sweden as the Lucia Bride and the tales told that the Lucia Bride, dressed in white robes and her head adorned by a crown of light, would take food and drink to the poor early in the morning.
THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – SECRET SANTA 2003
If you like schmaltzy then this is for you.
An unfulfilled newspaper reporter Rebecca Chandler (Jennie Garth) is looking forward to a Hawaiian Christmas getaway with her fiancé Ryan but she gets dumped instead.
Then to add insult on to injury her editor dumps the annual romantic non-news feel good-story on her which she reluctantly accepts.
She is sent to the small-town of Hamden in pursuit of the elusive Secret Santa who every year bestows whatever is desired by a needy recipient.
She is dogged by bad luck along the way when her car breaks down and the only lodgings she can get are at a home for the elderly where she meets Miss Ruthie (Barbara Billingsley) who tries to revive her Christmas spirit.
From there Rebecca pursues Mr. John Martin Carter (Steven Eckholdt) the rich local philanthropist whom she supposes to be the Secret Santa.
A definite feel good movie.
THE HONEST SANTA FAIRY
A sorry old drunk is walking
Down the street one morning
Together with Santa Claus
The tooth fairy and of course
Honest John the Solicitor
When suddenly on their tour
At the very same moment
They spot on the pavement
Someone’s discarded wallet
So who was it who got it?
The old drunk obviously
Because all of the other three
Only exist in mythology
ST NICHOLAS ISLAND
There is an island off the coast of California used as a research and observation facility by NASA.
FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS CAROL # 15
SUPERNATURAL
Written by Julia A'Bell, David Wakerley & Beci Wakerley
Verse 1
These are the days when
We can see miracles
Your wonders everywhere
Here is my life Lord
You can use me
To show the world You care
Pre-Chorus
You made me, You saved me Lord
You called me, and gave me Jesus
Chorus
Supernatural, supernatural God
All things are possible
Supernatural, supernatural God
I'm gonna praise You
Verse 2
You are my healer
And my salvation, thank you for your grace
Your name is higher
Than any other, greatly to be praised
(Repeat Pre-Chorus & Chorus)
Bridge
We can see miracles
We can see miracles
I know that technically this is not a Christmas Carol but we always sing it in our Church at Christmas.
IT’S A SNOW DAY
The motorway is closed
All the schools are shut
It’s a snow day, it’s a snow day
The kids can stay and play
The buses aren’t running
The car won’t start
It’s a snow day, it’s a snow day
We can stay and play
The gritter’s never did the job
The salt’s still in the bin
It’s a snow day, it’s a snow day
No work for us today
It’s bad for the economy
For us all to stay at home
It’s a snow day, it’s a snow day
Hip, hip hooray
STEPHEN PATRON SAINT OF
St Stephen the Martyr is the patron saint of casket makers, coffin makers, deacons, headaches, horses, masons, diocese of Owensboro Kentucky and stone masons
ON CHRISTMAS DAY 1776
George Washington crossed the Delaware River and surprised and defeated 1,400 Hessians.
REPRESENTING ST THOMAS
St Thomas is simply represented by either a spear or a T-square.
SNOWFLAKE
What a perfect creation
Are the snowflakes
Beauty and geometry
Each precisely fashioned
They float to earth
Filling the air
Like cotton in a mill shed
Haphazardly drifting
Individual and unique
The crystals fall
Like pieces in an Impossipuzzle
To make a perfect picture
FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS SONG # 11
Despite the general awfulness of the Christmas song there are however always exceptions to the rule and I have a short list of personal favorites.
Without exception all my choices not only include the song but the best performer of that song and so in no particular order here is my eleventh selection.
“Keeping The Dream Alive” music written by Stefan Zauner and Aron Strobel and Lyrics by Tim Touchton and Curtis Briggs performed by Freiheit
Tonight the rain is falling
Full of memories of people and places
And while the past is calling
In my fantasy I remember their faces
The hopes we had were much too high
Way out of reach but we had to try
The game will never be over
Because we're keeping the dream alive
I hear myself recalling
Things you said to me
The night it all started
And still the rain is falling
Makes me feel the way
I felt when we parted
The hopes we had were much too high
Way out of reach but we have to try
No need to hide no need to run
'Cause all the answers come one by one
The game will never be over
Because we're keeping the dream alive
I need you
I love you
The game will never be over
Because we're keeping the dream alive
The hopes we had were much too high
Way out of reach but we had to try
No need to hide no need to run
'Cause all the answers come one by one
The hopes we had were much too high
Way out of reach but we had to try
No need to hide no need to run
'Cause all the answers come one by one
The game will never be over
Because we're keeping the dream alive
The game will never be over
Because we're keeping the dream alive
The game will never be over
BORN ON CHRISTMAS DAY # 2
Born on Christmas day 1901 was Her Royal Highness Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester.
While on Christmas day 1742 Charlotte von Stein the girlfriend of Goethe was born.
The telecommunications pioneer Claude Chappe the inventor of semaphore lines was born on Christmas day 1763
Christmas day 1821 Clara Barton the founder of the American Red Cross was born.
While on December 25th 1886 Kid Ory, jazz musician made his first entrance and.
Noel Redding, bassist with The Jimi Hendrix Experience was born 1945.
SEASONAL GREETINGS FROM NORTHERN EUROPE
Belgium (Flemish)
Zalig Kerstfeest en Gelukkig nieuw jaar
England
Merry Christmas
Esperanto
Gajan Kristnaskon
France
Joyeux Noel
Frisian Islands
Noflike Krystdagen en in protte Lok en Seine yn it Nije Jier!
Germany
Froehliche Weihnachten
The Netherlands
Vrolijk Kerstfeest en een Gelukkig Nieuwjaar!
or Zalig Kerstfeast
THE SILENT DAWN
The six o’clock alarm
Breaks my slumber
I swat at the clock
Like an unwelcome bug
A single gesture brings silence
And I lie in the quiet hush
Silence! Why is it silent?
Where is the traffic noise?
The clinking milk float?
The boy racers?
The early morning bussle?
I leap from my bed
And rush to the window
I pause for a moment
Hold my breath in anticipation
Then pull back the curtain
And what a sight to behold
Snow! Snow! Snow!
As far as the eye could see
A vista of pure virgin white
The whole scene cloaked
In a deep shroud of snow
Shapes rose up here and there
From the thick carpet
Disguising what lay below
I search the scene for signs of life
And found none
The snow was fresh and unsullied
Just lying there, waiting
I turned and dragged the duvet
Off my sleeping wife
And responded to her protests
Saying “Snow! Snow! Snow!”
Half an hour later
We were fully dressed
And on the way out of the door
Thirty seconds we were back
We had forgotten to wake the children
DIED ON CHRISTMAS DAY # 2
Adrian I a well-regarded Pope and friend to Charlemagne died Christmas day 795.
Samuel de Champlain the French explorer and founder of Quebec City died in Canada in 1635.
Czech author and inventor of the word robot Karel Čapek died December 25th 1938
Harry T. Moore the black civil rights activist was murdered along with his wife Harriet in their home in Florida Christmas day 1951.
English snooker player John Pullman passed away on December 25th 1998.
NICE
Making your way in life, it’s nice
To know you can, once or twice
Rely on other people in a trice
For assistance, guidance or advice
They’ll be no shortage of advice
But knowing what piece or slice
Of advice or guidance will suffice
You might just as well roll a dice
This axiom though it be concise
Won’t be bettered to be precise
So you take heed or pay the price
“Don’t eat yellow snow or ice”
The Christmas trees are trimmed
And all the halls are decked
Santa has made his list
And all the names are checked
The reindeer have been harnessed
The sleigh is loaded high
Santa climbs into his seat
And they’re off into the sky
Santa goes from roof to roof
From city to city and town to town
He finds the chimney pot
Then takes the presents down
And the gift giver goes about his work
So that every girl and boy
Can awake on Christmas morning
And unwrap that wanted toy
THE GOOD LIFE - SILLY, BUT IT'S FUN
For those who are visiting from another planet the Good Life, Written by John Esmonde and Bob Larbey was about a man who on reaching his fortieth birthday decides to give up the rat race and become self-sufficient.
The man having the midlife crisis is Tom Good played by Richard Briers who with the help and support of his long suffering wife Barbara, Felicity Kendal turns his detached Surbiton home into an urban farm.
This doesn't go down too well with their good friends and neighbours, Jerry Leadbetter played by Paul Eddington and his snooty wife Margot, Penelope Keith.
The Christmas episode, Silly, But It's Fun, first broadcast 26th December 1977 is in my opinion the funniest Christmas sitcom ever made.
Most Christmas sitcoms highlight the most negative aspects of the day creating a kind of nightmarish microcosm of family life at Christmas.
The good life was the story of contrasts with the Good’s making the best of the resources they had while the Leadbetter’s just bought the best of everything and lots of it.
It “ Silly, But It's Fun” Margo ordered Christmas to be delivered from Harrods on Christmas eve but refused delivery when the tree was six inches shorter than the one she had ordered.
As she rejected the tree she also rejected everything else including Jerry’s gin under the impression that Harrods would redeliver Christmas including a tree of the requisite height for her later that day.
She was sadly mistaken and on Christmas day she had to phone around canceling all their Christmas engagements under the pretext that Jerry has Chicken pox.
Jerry was unperturbed at having political chicken pox but horrified when he discovered that there was no more gin.
Enter the Goods who save the day by inviting the Leadbetter’s to their house for the day and a good time was had by all.
They all got plastered on pea pod burgundy and played silly games.
The moral of the tale being that you can’t buy Christmas you have to make it yourself.
SEASONAL SNIPPET # 11
Candlemas was originally a Pagan festival to celebrate purification but now it is part of the Christian calendar.
The feast of the presentation is celebrated on February 2nd the 40th day after Christmas and it is a day honoring Christ and Mary's purification in the temple.
THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – HOME ALONE 2: LOST IN NEW YORK
The family McCallister are gathering in preparation of Christmas in Miami, at Peter (John Heard) and Kate's (Catherine O'Hara) home in a suburb of Chicago.
Ten-year-old son Kevin (Macaulay Culkin) is unimpressed with the prospect of Christmas in Miami and on the night before their flight after a family argument he storms off to the third floor bedroom of the house where he wishes he had his own money so he could go on his own vacation.
Peter unknowingly resets the family's alarm clock, which causes them to oversleep.
In the resulting panic and confusion of the rush to make their flight their youngest son Kevin gets on the wrong flight and is bound for New York.
It’s only when the family arrive in Florida that they realise Kevin is missing.
Kevin meanwhile is touring New York is checking into the Plaza Hotel.
In Florida, the McCallister's discover Kevin has been found using Peter's credit card in New York so the family flies to New York and Kate desperately tries to find her son.
Sadly after visiting Duncan's Toy Chest Kevin crosses the paths of The Wet Bandits, Harry Lyme (Joe Pesci) and Marv Merchants (Daniel Stern), who are planning to break into Duncan's Toy Chest and steal the proceeds which are due to go to a children’s charity.
The story follows the bad guys attempts’ to rob the Store and Kevins efforts to thwart them while Kate takes extreme measures to find him.
There is slapstick galore, humour in abundance, sentimentality and a happy ending.
FREYA
When Christianity reached Scandinavia St Lucia dethroned a pagan goddess to become the most revered female figure.
In Norse mythology the pagan goddess Freya was the most beautiful goddess of love and fertility to whom sacrifices were offered at Yule.
She was the daughter of the god Njord and the sister of Freyr and married to the mysterious god Od who disappeared, she mourned so much for the loss of her husband that she wept tears of gold.
Freya wore the bright necklace of the Brisings and a cloak of bird feathers which allowed her to change into a falcon, and her chariot was pulled by two cats.
20 PEOPLE WHO ARRIVED IN THE WORLD ON DECEMBER 26TH
1194 Frederick II, Iesi Italy, German Emperor and King of Sicily
1618 abbess Elisabeth Paltsgravin of Rhine
1716 Thomas Gray, English poet
1792 Charles Babbage, English inventor of the calculating machine
1805 Joseph-Leon Gatayes, composer
1855 Arnold Ludwig Mendelssohn, composer
1891 Henry Miller, author
1894 Antonio Molina, composer
1902 Elisha Cook Jr, San Francisco California, actor
1914 Richard Widmark, Sunrise Michigan, actor
1921 Steve Allen, New York City, comedian and TV host
1927 Denis Quilley, London English actor
1930 Donald Moffat, Plymouth English actor
1932 Walter Leblanc, Belgian painter
1939 Harvey Phil Spector, record producer
1944 Jane Lapotaire, actress
1951 Richard Skinner, British Disc Jockey
1953 Matthew Harding, businessman and Chelsea football supporter and director
1972 Jared Leto, Bossier City Louisiana, actor
1985 Steven Hartman, Westlake California, actor
ST THOMAS DAY
Although July 3rd has been the feast day for St Thomas for many centuries December 21st was given as a feast day to Thomas for no significant historical reason throughout the Middle Ages undoubtedly to divert attention from the pagan rites associated with the day.
CHRISTMAS HERALD
The Christmas lights are up
The shops play Christmas tunes
The Santa’s are out in force
In their red and white platoons
Christmas goodies are on display
The best selections ever seen
Which sends the message out
That it’s nearly Halloween
FRUMENTY
Frumenty is a traditional Christmas meal from the middle ages made principally from Kibbled or cracked wheat admittedly this dish was more popular amongst the have not’s than the have’s.
LUCIA BRIDE
Tales of the courageous Lucia of Syracuse were first taken to then pagan land of Sweden by Christian missionaries.
She became known in Sweden as the Lucia Bride and the tales told that the Lucia Bride, dressed in white robes and her head adorned by a crown of light, would take food and drink to the poor early in the morning.
THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – SECRET SANTA 2003
If you like schmaltzy then this is for you.
An unfulfilled newspaper reporter Rebecca Chandler (Jennie Garth) is looking forward to a Hawaiian Christmas getaway with her fiancé Ryan but she gets dumped instead.
Then to add insult on to injury her editor dumps the annual romantic non-news feel good-story on her which she reluctantly accepts.
She is sent to the small-town of Hamden in pursuit of the elusive Secret Santa who every year bestows whatever is desired by a needy recipient.
She is dogged by bad luck along the way when her car breaks down and the only lodgings she can get are at a home for the elderly where she meets Miss Ruthie (Barbara Billingsley) who tries to revive her Christmas spirit.
From there Rebecca pursues Mr. John Martin Carter (Steven Eckholdt) the rich local philanthropist whom she supposes to be the Secret Santa.
A definite feel good movie.
THE HONEST SANTA FAIRY
A sorry old drunk is walking
Down the street one morning
Together with Santa Claus
The tooth fairy and of course
Honest John the Solicitor
When suddenly on their tour
At the very same moment
They spot on the pavement
Someone’s discarded wallet
So who was it who got it?
The old drunk obviously
Because all of the other three
Only exist in mythology
ST NICHOLAS ISLAND
There is an island off the coast of California used as a research and observation facility by NASA.
FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS CAROL # 15
SUPERNATURAL
Written by Julia A'Bell, David Wakerley & Beci Wakerley
Verse 1
These are the days when
We can see miracles
Your wonders everywhere
Here is my life Lord
You can use me
To show the world You care
Pre-Chorus
You made me, You saved me Lord
You called me, and gave me Jesus
Chorus
Supernatural, supernatural God
All things are possible
Supernatural, supernatural God
I'm gonna praise You
Verse 2
You are my healer
And my salvation, thank you for your grace
Your name is higher
Than any other, greatly to be praised
(Repeat Pre-Chorus & Chorus)
Bridge
We can see miracles
We can see miracles
I know that technically this is not a Christmas Carol but we always sing it in our Church at Christmas.
IT’S A SNOW DAY
The motorway is closed
All the schools are shut
It’s a snow day, it’s a snow day
The kids can stay and play
The buses aren’t running
The car won’t start
It’s a snow day, it’s a snow day
We can stay and play
The gritter’s never did the job
The salt’s still in the bin
It’s a snow day, it’s a snow day
No work for us today
It’s bad for the economy
For us all to stay at home
It’s a snow day, it’s a snow day
Hip, hip hooray
STEPHEN PATRON SAINT OF
St Stephen the Martyr is the patron saint of casket makers, coffin makers, deacons, headaches, horses, masons, diocese of Owensboro Kentucky and stone masons
ON CHRISTMAS DAY 1776
George Washington crossed the Delaware River and surprised and defeated 1,400 Hessians.
REPRESENTING ST THOMAS
St Thomas is simply represented by either a spear or a T-square.
SNOWFLAKE
What a perfect creation
Are the snowflakes
Beauty and geometry
Each precisely fashioned
They float to earth
Filling the air
Like cotton in a mill shed
Haphazardly drifting
Individual and unique
The crystals fall
Like pieces in an Impossipuzzle
To make a perfect picture
FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS SONG # 11
Despite the general awfulness of the Christmas song there are however always exceptions to the rule and I have a short list of personal favorites.
Without exception all my choices not only include the song but the best performer of that song and so in no particular order here is my eleventh selection.
“Keeping The Dream Alive” music written by Stefan Zauner and Aron Strobel and Lyrics by Tim Touchton and Curtis Briggs performed by Freiheit
Tonight the rain is falling
Full of memories of people and places
And while the past is calling
In my fantasy I remember their faces
The hopes we had were much too high
Way out of reach but we had to try
The game will never be over
Because we're keeping the dream alive
I hear myself recalling
Things you said to me
The night it all started
And still the rain is falling
Makes me feel the way
I felt when we parted
The hopes we had were much too high
Way out of reach but we have to try
No need to hide no need to run
'Cause all the answers come one by one
The game will never be over
Because we're keeping the dream alive
I need you
I love you
The game will never be over
Because we're keeping the dream alive
The hopes we had were much too high
Way out of reach but we had to try
No need to hide no need to run
'Cause all the answers come one by one
The hopes we had were much too high
Way out of reach but we had to try
No need to hide no need to run
'Cause all the answers come one by one
The game will never be over
Because we're keeping the dream alive
The game will never be over
Because we're keeping the dream alive
The game will never be over
BORN ON CHRISTMAS DAY # 2
Born on Christmas day 1901 was Her Royal Highness Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester.
While on Christmas day 1742 Charlotte von Stein the girlfriend of Goethe was born.
The telecommunications pioneer Claude Chappe the inventor of semaphore lines was born on Christmas day 1763
Christmas day 1821 Clara Barton the founder of the American Red Cross was born.
While on December 25th 1886 Kid Ory, jazz musician made his first entrance and.
Noel Redding, bassist with The Jimi Hendrix Experience was born 1945.
SEASONAL GREETINGS FROM NORTHERN EUROPE
Belgium (Flemish)
Zalig Kerstfeest en Gelukkig nieuw jaar
England
Merry Christmas
Esperanto
Gajan Kristnaskon
France
Joyeux Noel
Frisian Islands
Noflike Krystdagen en in protte Lok en Seine yn it Nije Jier!
Germany
Froehliche Weihnachten
The Netherlands
Vrolijk Kerstfeest en een Gelukkig Nieuwjaar!
or Zalig Kerstfeast
THE SILENT DAWN
The six o’clock alarm
Breaks my slumber
I swat at the clock
Like an unwelcome bug
A single gesture brings silence
And I lie in the quiet hush
Silence! Why is it silent?
Where is the traffic noise?
The clinking milk float?
The boy racers?
The early morning bussle?
I leap from my bed
And rush to the window
I pause for a moment
Hold my breath in anticipation
Then pull back the curtain
And what a sight to behold
Snow! Snow! Snow!
As far as the eye could see
A vista of pure virgin white
The whole scene cloaked
In a deep shroud of snow
Shapes rose up here and there
From the thick carpet
Disguising what lay below
I search the scene for signs of life
And found none
The snow was fresh and unsullied
Just lying there, waiting
I turned and dragged the duvet
Off my sleeping wife
And responded to her protests
Saying “Snow! Snow! Snow!”
Half an hour later
We were fully dressed
And on the way out of the door
Thirty seconds we were back
We had forgotten to wake the children
DIED ON CHRISTMAS DAY # 2
Adrian I a well-regarded Pope and friend to Charlemagne died Christmas day 795.
Samuel de Champlain the French explorer and founder of Quebec City died in Canada in 1635.
Czech author and inventor of the word robot Karel Čapek died December 25th 1938
Harry T. Moore the black civil rights activist was murdered along with his wife Harriet in their home in Florida Christmas day 1951.
English snooker player John Pullman passed away on December 25th 1998.
NICE
Making your way in life, it’s nice
To know you can, once or twice
Rely on other people in a trice
For assistance, guidance or advice
They’ll be no shortage of advice
But knowing what piece or slice
Of advice or guidance will suffice
You might just as well roll a dice
This axiom though it be concise
Won’t be bettered to be precise
So you take heed or pay the price
“Don’t eat yellow snow or ice”
Sunday 13 November 2016
Christmas Stocking Fillers # 11
MY CHRISTMAS FRIEND
Merry Christmas
Yuletide friend
Cherished memories of
Heartfelt love and
Remembered moments
Instantly recalled
Special moments of
Time spent together
Merry Christmas’s
And happy new years
Special friend of mine
For me always
Remembering your smile
Instantly helps me
Each time I’m down at
Not being with you
During the season
FESTIVE FACT # 04
It was in Germany in 1531 that the first printed reference to Christmas trees appeared.
SILVER STRANDS
It sparkles there for all to see
Threaded round the Christmas tree
Silver tinsel shinning bright
Silver strands of Christian light
It shines and sparkles as a symbol
Of the love Christ has for us all
A strand of love, looped and curled
Threaded all around the world
And when you look at a Christmas tree
Silver strands of love you’ll see
THOMASSING
In England on St Thomas day, poor women and children went from door to door "a-Thomassing".
They would beg for the ingredients or “goodenings” for a Christmas feast, such as wheat for frumenty and flour for Yule bread.
THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – HOME ALONE
The family McCallister are gathering in preparation of spending Christmas in Paris, at Peter (John Heard) and Kate's (Catherine O'Hara) home in a suburb of Chicago.
On the night before their flight their eight-year-old son Kevin (Macaulay Culkin) is sent to the third floor bedroom of the house as punishment for fighting with his brother.
While in solitary confinement he wishes his family would disappear.
During the night a power cut resets all the alarm clocks and causes the entire group to oversleep.
In the resulting panic and confusion of the rush to make their flight their youngest son Kevin is left home alone.
Its only when the family are airborne that they realise and immediately on arrival in Paris they desperately try to book a flight home.
Kevin is overjoyed to find that his wish came true when he wakes up to find everyone gone and the house to himself and able to do anything he wanted.
The downside to all this are The Wet Bandits, Harry Lyme (Joe Pesci) and Marv Merchants (Daniel Stern), who are planning to break into vacant houses in the neighbourhood.
There is also another danger that of Old Man Marley (Roberts Blossom) who Kevin believes murdered his whole family.
The story follows the bad guy’s attempts’ to rob the house and Kevin’s efforts to thwart them while Kate takes extreme measures to get home.
There is slapstick galore, humour in abundance, sentimentality and a happy ending.
ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS # 2
I don’t want a present
That’s very practical
Or a gift home made
Or something musical
Something for wearing
Thoughtful or twee
Things for the garden
Or things fragrant or smelly
Nothing expensive when
The value is shocking
I just want something shapely
In a Christmas stocking
20 PEOPLE WHO LEFT THE WORLD ON DECEMBER 26TH
267 Dionysius, bishop of Rome and saint
1476 Galeazzo Maria Sforza, duke of Milan, murdered
1627 Gonzaga, Italian monarch of Mantua and Monferrato
1776 Johann Gottlieb Rall, mercenary Hessian colonel killed in battle
1862 in Mankato Minnesota, 38 Santee Sioux Indians were hanged
1890 Heinrich Schliemann, German archaeologist aged 86
1956 Holmes Herbert, actor 74
1966 Noel Gallon, composer 75
1971 Robert Lowery, actor aged 57
1972 Harry Truman the 33rd President of the U.S. died in Kansas City aged 88
1973 William Haines, actor 73
1974 Jack Benny, comedian aged 80
1977 Howard Hawks, director, aged 81
1985 Dian Fossey, zoologist specializing in Gorillas, murdered aged 53
1986 Elsa Lanchester, actress 84
1988 John Loder, actor aged 90
1992 Constance Carpenter, actress, dies of stroke aged 87
1993 Jeff Morrow, actor aged 80
1994 Robert Emhardt, actor, 80
1997 John Whitley, air-Marshal, aged 92
IT WAS CHRISTMAS EVE
It was Christmas Eve
We were preparing for Christmas day
Stuffing the bird and peeling veg
Singing of Santa on his sleigh
When the phone call came
I thought great Dads on his way
Or maybe it will be Gran
With another Christmas cliché
A happy Christmas call
Full of happiness and cheer
In truth it was the very opposite
It was the call we all fear
The death of a loved one
The voice says so very clear
“I’ve lost my best friend”
And I had no words only tears
Out of the blue so unexpected
Certainly not on Christmas Eve
Christmas should be a celebration
Certainly not a time to grieve
But Christmas Eve or not
It seems it was his time to leave
So farewell dear brother
Life without you I cannot conceive
For my Brother Peter who died on Christmas Eve 2008
STEPHEN THE MARTYR
St. Stephen was one of the first seven deacons selected and specially ordained by the Apostles to take care of the temporal relief of the poorer members of the community.
The Apostles appointed the deacons as they were Dissatisfied with the distribution of alms from the community's fund.
Stephen's life prior to his appointment is something of a mystery in is believed as his name is Greek that he was a Hellenist, which means he was a Jew who had been born in a foreign land and his native tongue was Greek.
However it is believed that the Aramaic form of the name Stephen, Kelil was inscribed on a slab found in his tomb which may indicate that was his original name.
Other evidence suggests that Stephen was not a proselyte (a stranger, a comer to Palestine or a sojourner in the land) in fact Nicolas is the only one of the seven referred to as such indicating that the other six were Jews by birth.
It is unclear under what circumstances he became a Christian but he was obviously suited to his calling in order that the apostles should select him.
He spent much of his ministry as deacon among the Hellenist converts which is where he came into conflict meeting opposition from the synagogues of the "Libertines" the “Cyrenians, the “Alexandrians”, and those from Cilicia and Asia.
He was regarded as a good character and as a man of good reputation, a man full of faith, and full of grace and fortitude.
A great speaker capable of causing the most vehement opponent to doubt his own convictions.
It was after such an incident when cavilers of the various synagogues, Libertines, Cyrenians, Alexandrians, Cilician’s and Asian’s, had challenged Stephen to a dispute.
After Stephen had defeated all their arguments and twisted their own words back them the cavilers came out with the pride wounded and with such hatred in their hearts they bore false witnesses against him claiming to have heard him speak words of blasphemy against Moses and God.
The ancients and the scribes had long been waiting for a chance to stop Stephens preaching and had him arrested and taken before the Sanhedrin.
He was accused of many blasphemies his clever words now fired back at him like arrows each wounding him.
Finally he said: "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God"
No other words could have angered the mob more they violently set upon him and dragged him outside the city and stoned him to death in 33 AD.
Stephen's funeral was a large affair and many made great mourning over him.
However for centuries the location of St. Stephen's tomb was lost until in 415 AD a priest named Lucian learned by revelation that the sacred body was in Caphar Gamala, some distance to the north of Jerusalem.
St Stephens’s relics were then exhumed and carried first to the church of Mount Sion and then, in 460AD, to the basilica erected by Eudocia on the spot where, according to tradition, the stoning had taken place outside the Damascus Gate.
FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS SONG # 10
Despite the general awfulness of the Christmas song there are however always exceptions to the rule and I have a short list of personal favorites.
Without exception all my choices not only include the song but the best performer of that song and so in no particular order here is my tenth selection.
“Santa baby” written by Joan Javits, Philip Springer and Fred Ebb and performed by Eartha Kitt
Santa baby, slip a sable under the tree,
For me.
been an awful good girl,
Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight.
Santa baby, a 54 convertible too,
Light blue.
I'll wait up for you dear,
Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight.
Think of all the fun I've missed,
Think of all the fellas that I haven't kissed,
Next year I could be just as good,
If you'll check off my Christmas list,
Santa baby, I wanna yacht,
And really that's not a lot,
Been an angel all year,
Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight.
Santa honey, there's one thing I really do need,
The deed
To a platinum mine,
Santa honey, so hurry down the chimney tonight.
Santa cutie, and fill my stocking with a duplex,
And checks.
Sign your 'X' on the line,
Santa cutie, and hurry down the chimney tonight.
Come and trim my Christmas tree,
With some decorations bought at Tiffany's,
I really do believe in you,
Let's see if you believe in me,
Santa baby, forgot to mention one little thing,
A ring.
I don't mean on the phone,
Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight,
Hurry down the chimney tonight,
Hurry, tonight.
SEASONAL SNIPPET # 10
Kwanzaa is a non religious festival African festival beginning on December 26th and ending on January 1st the central practice is the lighting of the seven candles or mishumaa of Kwanzaa which
signifies each of the Seven Principles or Nguzo Saba.
CHRISTMAS AT THE PEAKS
Will it be a cold Christmas?
Joyless and bleak
This year in Manchester
For Mr. and Mrs. Peak
Amanda and Philip
Robbed of their pride and joys
By a drunken fool
Who murdered their dear boys
What words will comfort
The loss of Ben and Arron
What consolation is there?
To be found as the time goes on
Fathers chums, mothers pride
Funny, studious and mild
Our hearts bleed for them
No parent should outlive a child
They bear the mental scars
Of a life that isn’t fair
While Philip still broken
Sits confined to a wheelchair
I will think of the Peaks
As I spend Christmas with my family
And give thanks to God
They are all alive with me
It will be a sad Christmas
This year in Manchester
For Mr. and Mrs. Peak
The lonely mother and father
Ben and Arron will be there
If only in ethereal essence
Watching over mum and dad
I know they will feel their presence
REPRESENTING ST NICHOLAS
St Nicholas is represented by 3 balls, an anchor, a ship, a bishop with 3 children in a tub at his feet or 3 golden balls on a book.
He is also represented as a bishop calming a storm, 3 bags of gold, a bishop holding 3 balls, a bishop holding 3 bags of gold or a bishop with 3 children.
FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS CAROL # 13
O HOLY NIGHT
Lyrics by Placide Cappeau and Music by Adolphe Adam
O holy night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of our dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
'Til He appear'd and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! O hear the angels' voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born;
O night divine, O night, O night Divine.
Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here come the wise men from Orient land.
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friend.
Fall on your knees! O hear the angels' voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born;
O night divine, O night, O night Divine.
He knows our need, to our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King, Before Him lowly bend!
Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother;
Fall on your knees! O hear the angels' voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born;
O night divine, O night, O night Divine.
And in His name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever,
His power and glory evermore proclaim.
His power and glory evermore proclaim.
ON CHRISTMAS DAY 1741
The Astronomer Anders Celsius introduced the Centigrade temperature scale.
SEASONAL GREETINGS FROM EASTHERN EUROPE
Bohemia
Vesele Vanoce
Bulgaria
Tchestita Koleda;
Tchestito Rojdestvo Hristovo
Czech Republic
Prejeme Vam Vesele Vanoce a stastny Novy Rok
Hungary
Kellemes Karacsonyi unnepeket
Poland
Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia or Boze Narodzenie
Romania
Sarbatori vesele
Slovakia
Sretan Bozic
Vesele Vianoce
A stastlivy Novy Rok
Slovenia
Vesele Bozicne. Screcno Novo Leto
THE STARVING OF SYRACUSE
A terrible famine struck Sicily and hunger had weakened the people greatly.
So in Syracuse a large group went to the church and prayed to Santa Lucia for deliverance from the famine.
While they prayed a ship loaded with grain sailed into the harbor and they were saved.
So to celebrate Santa Lucia day and to commemorate the miracle the Italians feast on a boiled wheat dish they call Cuccia or Cuccidata.
ON CHRISTMAS DAY 1758
Farmer and amateur astronomer Johann George Palitzsch was the first to sight
Halley's Comet on its first predicted return.
SNOWMAN BLUES
Out of the snowy lawn
The snowman grew
Wearing a hat and scarf
The way that you do
With pebbles for eyes
Pressed into the snow
A smiley twig mouth
And a large carrot nose
He’s a magnificent site
The snowman that grew
But he’s just snow and ice
And no substitute for you
I wish you were here
To chase the blues away
I wish you’d come back
To me for Christmas day
TAKE CARE
A recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggested that “decking the halls” at Christmas can be dangerous. The report stated that an estimated 17,465 people were treated in American hospital E.R’s between 2000 and 2003 for falls related to putting up Christmas decorations.
CHRISTMAS IS A TIME OF JOY
Christmas is a time of joy
For every little girl and boy
All wishing for that special toy
That they can’t wait to enjoy
Christmas is a time of love
Given to us from the lord above
When we see with eyes of a dove
Christmas fits us like a glove
Christmas is a time for prayer
Christmas is a time to share
Christmas is a time to care
It’s also the time for festive fare
Christmas time is a special thing
A time to worship Christ the king
In his honour gifts we bring
And to the heavens high we sing
FESTIVE FEELING
Christmas is the time for living
Spreading love with the gift giving
So at the festive time of year
Fill your heart with Christmas cheer
A MOTHER’S GRATITUDE
It was Christmas Eve almost twenty years ago when paramedics Harry Tyler and Yvonne Hughes had to resuscitate a six month old baby boy who’d stopped breathing at its home in Chertsey.
It was touch and go for a while but all ended happily and Every Christmas since the day the baby's mother has delivered Sweets and Chocolates to the Ambulance station where the two paramedics worked.
These gestures of gratitude are not uncommon though it is unusual for them to continue for 20 years.
PREPARING THE BIRD
The best way to prepare
Your turkey this Christmas
Is to keep it simple
To minimize the fuss
To my way of thinking
The best method to apply
Is just be straight
And say “Turkey, you’re going to die”
A PEACEFUL NIGHT
One interesting and long held Scandinavian Christmas tradition was the belief that it was considered dangerous to sleep alone on Christmas Eve.
As a result the extended family and the servants would sleep together on a freshly prepared bed of straw.
Merry Christmas
Yuletide friend
Cherished memories of
Heartfelt love and
Remembered moments
Instantly recalled
Special moments of
Time spent together
Merry Christmas’s
And happy new years
Special friend of mine
For me always
Remembering your smile
Instantly helps me
Each time I’m down at
Not being with you
During the season
FESTIVE FACT # 04
It was in Germany in 1531 that the first printed reference to Christmas trees appeared.
SILVER STRANDS
It sparkles there for all to see
Threaded round the Christmas tree
Silver tinsel shinning bright
Silver strands of Christian light
It shines and sparkles as a symbol
Of the love Christ has for us all
A strand of love, looped and curled
Threaded all around the world
And when you look at a Christmas tree
Silver strands of love you’ll see
THOMASSING
In England on St Thomas day, poor women and children went from door to door "a-Thomassing".
They would beg for the ingredients or “goodenings” for a Christmas feast, such as wheat for frumenty and flour for Yule bread.
THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – HOME ALONE
The family McCallister are gathering in preparation of spending Christmas in Paris, at Peter (John Heard) and Kate's (Catherine O'Hara) home in a suburb of Chicago.
On the night before their flight their eight-year-old son Kevin (Macaulay Culkin) is sent to the third floor bedroom of the house as punishment for fighting with his brother.
While in solitary confinement he wishes his family would disappear.
During the night a power cut resets all the alarm clocks and causes the entire group to oversleep.
In the resulting panic and confusion of the rush to make their flight their youngest son Kevin is left home alone.
Its only when the family are airborne that they realise and immediately on arrival in Paris they desperately try to book a flight home.
Kevin is overjoyed to find that his wish came true when he wakes up to find everyone gone and the house to himself and able to do anything he wanted.
The downside to all this are The Wet Bandits, Harry Lyme (Joe Pesci) and Marv Merchants (Daniel Stern), who are planning to break into vacant houses in the neighbourhood.
There is also another danger that of Old Man Marley (Roberts Blossom) who Kevin believes murdered his whole family.
The story follows the bad guy’s attempts’ to rob the house and Kevin’s efforts to thwart them while Kate takes extreme measures to get home.
There is slapstick galore, humour in abundance, sentimentality and a happy ending.
ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS # 2
I don’t want a present
That’s very practical
Or a gift home made
Or something musical
Something for wearing
Thoughtful or twee
Things for the garden
Or things fragrant or smelly
Nothing expensive when
The value is shocking
I just want something shapely
In a Christmas stocking
20 PEOPLE WHO LEFT THE WORLD ON DECEMBER 26TH
267 Dionysius, bishop of Rome and saint
1476 Galeazzo Maria Sforza, duke of Milan, murdered
1627 Gonzaga, Italian monarch of Mantua and Monferrato
1776 Johann Gottlieb Rall, mercenary Hessian colonel killed in battle
1862 in Mankato Minnesota, 38 Santee Sioux Indians were hanged
1890 Heinrich Schliemann, German archaeologist aged 86
1956 Holmes Herbert, actor 74
1966 Noel Gallon, composer 75
1971 Robert Lowery, actor aged 57
1972 Harry Truman the 33rd President of the U.S. died in Kansas City aged 88
1973 William Haines, actor 73
1974 Jack Benny, comedian aged 80
1977 Howard Hawks, director, aged 81
1985 Dian Fossey, zoologist specializing in Gorillas, murdered aged 53
1986 Elsa Lanchester, actress 84
1988 John Loder, actor aged 90
1992 Constance Carpenter, actress, dies of stroke aged 87
1993 Jeff Morrow, actor aged 80
1994 Robert Emhardt, actor, 80
1997 John Whitley, air-Marshal, aged 92
IT WAS CHRISTMAS EVE
It was Christmas Eve
We were preparing for Christmas day
Stuffing the bird and peeling veg
Singing of Santa on his sleigh
When the phone call came
I thought great Dads on his way
Or maybe it will be Gran
With another Christmas cliché
A happy Christmas call
Full of happiness and cheer
In truth it was the very opposite
It was the call we all fear
The death of a loved one
The voice says so very clear
“I’ve lost my best friend”
And I had no words only tears
Out of the blue so unexpected
Certainly not on Christmas Eve
Christmas should be a celebration
Certainly not a time to grieve
But Christmas Eve or not
It seems it was his time to leave
So farewell dear brother
Life without you I cannot conceive
For my Brother Peter who died on Christmas Eve 2008
STEPHEN THE MARTYR
St. Stephen was one of the first seven deacons selected and specially ordained by the Apostles to take care of the temporal relief of the poorer members of the community.
The Apostles appointed the deacons as they were Dissatisfied with the distribution of alms from the community's fund.
Stephen's life prior to his appointment is something of a mystery in is believed as his name is Greek that he was a Hellenist, which means he was a Jew who had been born in a foreign land and his native tongue was Greek.
However it is believed that the Aramaic form of the name Stephen, Kelil was inscribed on a slab found in his tomb which may indicate that was his original name.
Other evidence suggests that Stephen was not a proselyte (a stranger, a comer to Palestine or a sojourner in the land) in fact Nicolas is the only one of the seven referred to as such indicating that the other six were Jews by birth.
It is unclear under what circumstances he became a Christian but he was obviously suited to his calling in order that the apostles should select him.
He spent much of his ministry as deacon among the Hellenist converts which is where he came into conflict meeting opposition from the synagogues of the "Libertines" the “Cyrenians, the “Alexandrians”, and those from Cilicia and Asia.
He was regarded as a good character and as a man of good reputation, a man full of faith, and full of grace and fortitude.
A great speaker capable of causing the most vehement opponent to doubt his own convictions.
It was after such an incident when cavilers of the various synagogues, Libertines, Cyrenians, Alexandrians, Cilician’s and Asian’s, had challenged Stephen to a dispute.
After Stephen had defeated all their arguments and twisted their own words back them the cavilers came out with the pride wounded and with such hatred in their hearts they bore false witnesses against him claiming to have heard him speak words of blasphemy against Moses and God.
The ancients and the scribes had long been waiting for a chance to stop Stephens preaching and had him arrested and taken before the Sanhedrin.
He was accused of many blasphemies his clever words now fired back at him like arrows each wounding him.
Finally he said: "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God"
No other words could have angered the mob more they violently set upon him and dragged him outside the city and stoned him to death in 33 AD.
Stephen's funeral was a large affair and many made great mourning over him.
However for centuries the location of St. Stephen's tomb was lost until in 415 AD a priest named Lucian learned by revelation that the sacred body was in Caphar Gamala, some distance to the north of Jerusalem.
St Stephens’s relics were then exhumed and carried first to the church of Mount Sion and then, in 460AD, to the basilica erected by Eudocia on the spot where, according to tradition, the stoning had taken place outside the Damascus Gate.
FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS SONG # 10
Despite the general awfulness of the Christmas song there are however always exceptions to the rule and I have a short list of personal favorites.
Without exception all my choices not only include the song but the best performer of that song and so in no particular order here is my tenth selection.
“Santa baby” written by Joan Javits, Philip Springer and Fred Ebb and performed by Eartha Kitt
Santa baby, slip a sable under the tree,
For me.
been an awful good girl,
Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight.
Santa baby, a 54 convertible too,
Light blue.
I'll wait up for you dear,
Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight.
Think of all the fun I've missed,
Think of all the fellas that I haven't kissed,
Next year I could be just as good,
If you'll check off my Christmas list,
Santa baby, I wanna yacht,
And really that's not a lot,
Been an angel all year,
Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight.
Santa honey, there's one thing I really do need,
The deed
To a platinum mine,
Santa honey, so hurry down the chimney tonight.
Santa cutie, and fill my stocking with a duplex,
And checks.
Sign your 'X' on the line,
Santa cutie, and hurry down the chimney tonight.
Come and trim my Christmas tree,
With some decorations bought at Tiffany's,
I really do believe in you,
Let's see if you believe in me,
Santa baby, forgot to mention one little thing,
A ring.
I don't mean on the phone,
Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight,
Hurry down the chimney tonight,
Hurry, tonight.
SEASONAL SNIPPET # 10
Kwanzaa is a non religious festival African festival beginning on December 26th and ending on January 1st the central practice is the lighting of the seven candles or mishumaa of Kwanzaa which
signifies each of the Seven Principles or Nguzo Saba.
CHRISTMAS AT THE PEAKS
Will it be a cold Christmas?
Joyless and bleak
This year in Manchester
For Mr. and Mrs. Peak
Amanda and Philip
Robbed of their pride and joys
By a drunken fool
Who murdered their dear boys
What words will comfort
The loss of Ben and Arron
What consolation is there?
To be found as the time goes on
Fathers chums, mothers pride
Funny, studious and mild
Our hearts bleed for them
No parent should outlive a child
They bear the mental scars
Of a life that isn’t fair
While Philip still broken
Sits confined to a wheelchair
I will think of the Peaks
As I spend Christmas with my family
And give thanks to God
They are all alive with me
It will be a sad Christmas
This year in Manchester
For Mr. and Mrs. Peak
The lonely mother and father
Ben and Arron will be there
If only in ethereal essence
Watching over mum and dad
I know they will feel their presence
REPRESENTING ST NICHOLAS
St Nicholas is represented by 3 balls, an anchor, a ship, a bishop with 3 children in a tub at his feet or 3 golden balls on a book.
He is also represented as a bishop calming a storm, 3 bags of gold, a bishop holding 3 balls, a bishop holding 3 bags of gold or a bishop with 3 children.
FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS CAROL # 13
O HOLY NIGHT
Lyrics by Placide Cappeau and Music by Adolphe Adam
O holy night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of our dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
'Til He appear'd and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! O hear the angels' voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born;
O night divine, O night, O night Divine.
Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here come the wise men from Orient land.
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friend.
Fall on your knees! O hear the angels' voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born;
O night divine, O night, O night Divine.
He knows our need, to our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King, Before Him lowly bend!
Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother;
Fall on your knees! O hear the angels' voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born;
O night divine, O night, O night Divine.
And in His name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever,
His power and glory evermore proclaim.
His power and glory evermore proclaim.
ON CHRISTMAS DAY 1741
The Astronomer Anders Celsius introduced the Centigrade temperature scale.
SEASONAL GREETINGS FROM EASTHERN EUROPE
Bohemia
Vesele Vanoce
Bulgaria
Tchestita Koleda;
Tchestito Rojdestvo Hristovo
Czech Republic
Prejeme Vam Vesele Vanoce a stastny Novy Rok
Hungary
Kellemes Karacsonyi unnepeket
Poland
Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia or Boze Narodzenie
Romania
Sarbatori vesele
Slovakia
Sretan Bozic
Vesele Vianoce
A stastlivy Novy Rok
Slovenia
Vesele Bozicne. Screcno Novo Leto
THE STARVING OF SYRACUSE
A terrible famine struck Sicily and hunger had weakened the people greatly.
So in Syracuse a large group went to the church and prayed to Santa Lucia for deliverance from the famine.
While they prayed a ship loaded with grain sailed into the harbor and they were saved.
So to celebrate Santa Lucia day and to commemorate the miracle the Italians feast on a boiled wheat dish they call Cuccia or Cuccidata.
ON CHRISTMAS DAY 1758
Farmer and amateur astronomer Johann George Palitzsch was the first to sight
Halley's Comet on its first predicted return.
SNOWMAN BLUES
Out of the snowy lawn
The snowman grew
Wearing a hat and scarf
The way that you do
With pebbles for eyes
Pressed into the snow
A smiley twig mouth
And a large carrot nose
He’s a magnificent site
The snowman that grew
But he’s just snow and ice
And no substitute for you
I wish you were here
To chase the blues away
I wish you’d come back
To me for Christmas day
TAKE CARE
A recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggested that “decking the halls” at Christmas can be dangerous. The report stated that an estimated 17,465 people were treated in American hospital E.R’s between 2000 and 2003 for falls related to putting up Christmas decorations.
CHRISTMAS IS A TIME OF JOY
Christmas is a time of joy
For every little girl and boy
All wishing for that special toy
That they can’t wait to enjoy
Christmas is a time of love
Given to us from the lord above
When we see with eyes of a dove
Christmas fits us like a glove
Christmas is a time for prayer
Christmas is a time to share
Christmas is a time to care
It’s also the time for festive fare
Christmas time is a special thing
A time to worship Christ the king
In his honour gifts we bring
And to the heavens high we sing
FESTIVE FEELING
Christmas is the time for living
Spreading love with the gift giving
So at the festive time of year
Fill your heart with Christmas cheer
A MOTHER’S GRATITUDE
It was Christmas Eve almost twenty years ago when paramedics Harry Tyler and Yvonne Hughes had to resuscitate a six month old baby boy who’d stopped breathing at its home in Chertsey.
It was touch and go for a while but all ended happily and Every Christmas since the day the baby's mother has delivered Sweets and Chocolates to the Ambulance station where the two paramedics worked.
These gestures of gratitude are not uncommon though it is unusual for them to continue for 20 years.
PREPARING THE BIRD
The best way to prepare
Your turkey this Christmas
Is to keep it simple
To minimize the fuss
To my way of thinking
The best method to apply
Is just be straight
And say “Turkey, you’re going to die”
A PEACEFUL NIGHT
One interesting and long held Scandinavian Christmas tradition was the belief that it was considered dangerous to sleep alone on Christmas Eve.
As a result the extended family and the servants would sleep together on a freshly prepared bed of straw.
Saturday 12 November 2016
Christmas Stocking Fillers # 10
MOTHER CHRISTMAS
The birth of Christ
Is the reason for the day
Santa Claus does his part
In his magical way
Rudolf and the other reindeer
Pull the loaded sleigh
Decorations and lights
Put Christmas on display
And festive songs and carols
Have a part to play
But it takes a mother
To make it a very special day
FESTIVE FACT # 06
It was Pope Julius I, In 320 AD, who selected 25th December as the official date of the birth of Jesus Christ.
EUDOCIAN BASILICA
The site of the Eudocian basilica, erected to honor St Thomas, was identified some twenty years ago, and a new edifice has been erected on the old foundations by the Dominican Fathers.
THOMAS PATRON SAINT OF
St Thomas the Apostle is the patron saint against doubt and of architects,
blind people, builders, carpenters, construction workers, Ceylon East Indies, geometricians, India, masons, Pakistan, people in doubt, Sri Lanka, stone masons, stonecutters and theologians.
THIS CHRISTMAS TIME
This Christmas Time
When you celebrate the day
With friends and family
Good spirits on display
When your dining table
Is full to overflowing
Everyone cosily warm
With the firelight glowing
And you sit in your armchair
With your waist band straining
Opening all the presents
When outside its cold and raining
When you have over indulged
To the point of gluttony
Take a moment to think
About the all too many
Spare a thought for the needy
For the tired and the weary
Or those who are just lonely
The cold and the hungry
The numerous homeless
The defenceless and the helpless
Enjoy this Christmas Time a lot
But think of those who cannot
20 PEOPLE WHO LEFT THE WORLD ON DECEMBER 6TH
1185 Afonso I, the Conqueror, king of Portugal (1143-85) aged 76
1352 Clement VI, [Pierre Roger], Pope (1342-52)
1779 Jean-Baptiste Simeon Chardin, French still life painter aged 80
1882 Anthony Trollope, writer
1889 Joseph H "Jozef" Neuhuys, painter, 48
1889 Jefferson Davis, President of Confederate States (1861-5), 81
1926 Claude [Oscar] Monet, French impressionist painter aged 86
1933 Auguste Chapuis, composer, 75
1943 Hermann Lohr, composer, 72
1946 Maximilian Oseyevich Shteynberg, composer, aged 63
1973 Robert A Watson-Watt, English physicist (radar), 81
1988 Roy Orbison, singer (Pretty Woman), dies of massive heart attack at 52
1989 John Paine, actor (Miracle on 34th St), aged 77
1992 Percy Herbert, actor, dies of heart attack at 72
1993 Prof Wolfgang Paul, German physicist, Nobel prize winner 1989, aged 80
1993 Don Ameche, actor, dies of prostate cancer at 85
1994 Alan Owen, English screenplay writer and actor (Hard Day's Night), 69
1995 Claire Polin, composer aged 69
1995 Kathleen Harrison, British actress (Mrs Thusday), dies aged 103
1997 Eliot Daniel, composer (I Love Lucy theme), aged 89
THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – MRS. MIRACLE
Seth Webster (James Van Der Beek) is a widowed single father who can’t find a housekeeper, or rather can’t keep a housekeeper, to manage his unruly and boisterous twin sons.
When Mrs. Merkle (Doris Roberts) a seemingly magical housekeeper arrives, whom the boys call "Mrs. Miracle" She helps Seth move on after his wife’s death and to find him a new love Reba Maxwell’s (Erin Karpluk) who also has wounds to heal.
But with her unquenchable and infectious spirit she strives to bring the family together.
OH NO HE ISN’T
My great uncle John was an actor on the stage
Who was best known as a pantomime dame
Famous for his ugly sister and widow twanky
But not anymore which is a great shame
He has gone to that great pantomime in the sky
No longer will he don grease paint and his regalia
I will still see him though from time to time
Because he’s not dead he’s just working for Ryan air
TRIVIAL TITBIT # 10
The Roman poet Virgil wrote about the decorating of pine trees in honor of Bacchus, the god of drinking and revelry.
NICHOLAS OF MYRA
Nicholas was the Bishop of Myra, Lycia modern day Turkey.
He was from a wealthy family and was known for his Generosity to the poor and a special protector of the innocent and the wronged.
He has spawned many stories such as giving three bags of gold to prevent a poor man from having to sell his three daughters into slavery or prostitution.
Many stories grew up around him prior to his becoming Santa Claus. Some examples:
He is also purported to have raised to life three young boys who had been murdered and then pickled in a barrel of brine to conceal the foul crime.
He Induced thieves to return their plunder and during a voyage to the Holy Lands when a fierce storm blew up which threatened the ship He prayed to calm the storm.
He died in 346 AD at Myra and his relics are held in Bari.
FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS CAROL # 9
SEE AMID THE WINTER SNOW
Words by Edward Caswall and Music by John Goss
See amid the winter's snow,
Born for us on earth below,
See the tender Lamb appears,
Promised from eternal years.
Hail, thou ever-blessed morn!
Hail, redemption's happy dawn!
Sing through all Jerusalem,
Christ is born in Bethlehem.
Lo, within a manger lies
He who built the starry skies;
He, who throned in height sublime
Sits amid the cherubim.
Hail, thou ever-blessed morn!
Hail, redemption's happy dawn!
Sing through all Jerusalem,
Christ is born in Bethlehem.
Say, ye holy shepherds, say
What your joyful news today;
Wherefore have ye left your sheep
On the lonely mountain steep?
Hail, thou ever-blessed morn!
Hail, redemption's happy dawn!
Sing through all Jerusalem,
Christ is born in Bethlehem.
"As we watched at dead of night,
Lo, we saw a wondrous light;1
Angels singing peace on earth
Told us of the Saviour's birth".
Hail, thou ever-blessed morn!
Hail, redemption's happy dawn!
Sing through all Jerusalem,
Christ is born in Bethlehem.
Sacred infant, all divine,
What a tender love was Thine,
Thus to come from highest bliss
Down to such a world as this.
Hail, thou ever-blessed morn!
Hail, redemption's happy dawn!
Sing through all Jerusalem,
Christ is born in Bethlehem.
Teach, O teach us , Holy Child,
By Thy Face so meek and mild,
Teach us to resemble Thee,
In Thy Sweet humility!
Hail, thou ever-blessed morn!
Hail, redemption's happy dawn!
Sing through all Jerusalem,
Christ is born in Bethlehem.
ST AGATHA
It is ironic that St Lucia of Syracuse revered St. Agatha so and prayed often at her tomb
as there were many parallels in their lives.
Agatha was born in Sicily and also belonged to a rich, important family and dedicated her life to God as a young person, and resisted both marriage and sex.
Agatha, Young, beautiful and rich, lived a life consecrated to God and When Decius announced the edicts against Christians she was brought before the magistrate Quinctianus who tried to profit by Agatha's sanctity.
He planned to blackmail her into sex in exchange for not charging her for her beliefs.
she refused his advances and was imprisoned in a brothel but she refused to accept customers so she was tortured and even had her breasts cut off then after further torture she was then rolled on live coals she was later comforted by a vision of St. Peter when she was near to death then an earthquake stuck and Agatha thanked God for an end to her pain, and died.
SEASONAL SNIPPET # 09
If you don't take your Christmas decorations down by twelfth night January 5th you should leave them up until the 2nd of February which is Candlemas.
TIME FOR CHRISTMAS
At last I have some time to spare
No more work until the New Year
Its nearly Christmas so beware
The weather's bitter so have a care
Peace and goodwill and never fear
A wish for one and all for the coming year
HARBINGER OF YULE
The advent calendars
Are first to appear
Heralding the headlong rush
Toward Christmas cheer
On trees baubles reflect
Flickers of candle light
From Novembers end
Right up to twelfth night
CHRISTMAS WRAP
When I was a kid and it came time for the “oldies” to open their presents I was always amazed by the fuss they would make about the wrapping paper.
They would first admire it then they would caress it tenderly and then they would gingerly begin to unwrap the gift.
Once unwrapped they would first set aside the gift while they carefully folded the wrapping paper so it could be used again the following year then they would examine the gift.
This ritual would be repeated with each subsequent present and would be performed by all.
I can only think that this was as a result of having been through the hard times.
The depression of the thirties, the shortages of the war years and the austerity of the fifties.
My mum would go through the whole ritual and would carefully tuck her pile of wrapping paper, Bows and ribbons away in the sideboard draw “Ready for next year”.
Come the next year and the fabulous treasures which had been so thoughtfully secreted away were nowhere to be seen only new wrapping paper, Bows and ribbons.
So I think to myself sanity has been restored this year it will be about the presents not what they were wrapped in.
But no, on Christmas day it’s the same thing all over again.
THE HAMLET OF CHRISTMAS PIE
Christmas Pie is a small hamlet between the villages of Normandy and Wanborough in Surrey.
Quite how the hamlet of Christmas Pie, got its name has been a puzzle for many generations.
17th century maps show a Christmas Farm and in an article in an addition of the Surrey Advertiser it stated there was once a Pie Farm.
Another story tells of a farmer whose name was Christmas, which was a fairly common name in West Surrey at the time.
The story tells that the man, who had a large family and no prospects of feeding them through the festive season went into the wood and trapped rabbits and other small game which his wife cooked into a pie and thus the name was coined.
If that tale is too farfetched for you another theory is that it takes its name from the popular Christmas pie church festivities.
The only flaw in this theory being that as Christmas Pie is a hamlet it has no church and never has done.
As there is documentary evidence of a Christmas farm and a Pie farm I think the most likely origin of the name is that at some point after the 17th century the two farms merged for whatever reason and became Christmas pie farm which in time became Christmas Pie.
A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS
Now once more
The year has turned
The advent candle
Long since burned
Hearts darken
As we count the cost
And the season’s spirit
Is all now lost
But it need not
All be dark and gloom
Light can again
Illuminate the room
So here is a philosophy
For all of us
God is for life
Not just for Christmas
FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS SONG # 9
Despite the general awfulness of the Christmas song there are however always exceptions to the rule and I have a short list of personal favorites.
Without exception all my choices not only include the song but the best performer of that song and so in no particular order here is my ninth selection.
“Ring Out Solstice Bells” written by Ian Anderson and performed by Jethro Tull
Now is the solstice of the year,
winter is the glad song that you hear.
Seven maids move in seven time.
Have the lads up ready in a line.
Ring out these bells.
Ring out, ring solstice bells.
Ring solstice bells.
Join together beneath the mistletoe.
by the holy oak whereon it grows.
Seven druids dance in seven time.
Sing the song the bells call, loudly chiming.
Ring out these bells.
Ring out, ring solstice bells.
Ring solstice bells.
Praise be to the distant sister sun,
joyful as the silver planets run.
Seven maids move in seven time.
Sing the song the bells call, loudly chiming.
Ring out those bells.
Ring out, ring solstice bells.
Ring solstice bells.
Ring on, ring out.
Ring on, ring out
DIED ON CHRISTMAS DAY # 3
Ismet Inonu Turkish statesman died at his home on 1973.
Tristan Tzara, poet and essayist and founder of Dada, the nihilistic revolutionary movement in the arts died in Paris1963
Joan Miró, Spanish Surrealist Painter and Sculptor died on Christmas day 1983.
Nicolae Ceauşescu the Romanian dictator was executed in his palace in 1989.
American baseball player and manager Billy Martin died on December 25th 1989.
CINNAMON
Cinnamon is a popular spice used in many Christmas favorites but it isn’t just a simple flavoring spice.
Cinnamon comes from the bark of a small Southeast Asian evergreen tree and
It is one of the oldest remedies in traditional Chinese medicine, prescribed for a number of complaints such as diarrhea, chills, influenza and intestinal worms.
MY CHRISTMAS WISH
Dear Santa Claus its that time once again
And not for the first time I have to complain
Last Christmas you once again failed miserably
In securing that one simple gift for me
Every Christmas I write and beg and plead
And I’ve been good, not perfect though I’ll concede
This is not the first complaint you’ve had from me
I’ve written since I was four and now I’m forty three
So once again I’m sending you my Christmas list
And ask you to fulfill my one and only wish
Please send me my own special red hot lover
Or at the very least my own significant other
ON CHRISTMAS DAY 1717
Floods ravaged the Dutch coastal provinces and many thousands were killed.
CHRISTMAS IS PAINLESS
There is a perception that more suicides occur at Christmas time than at any other time of the year.
However recent studies seem to indicate that the opposite is true.
It would seem the gathering of friends and relatives at Christmas combined with the greater availability of community resources for those in need, may serve to protect people vulnerable to suicide
JULENISSE - JOLLY BRINGER OF GIFTS
In the Christmas tradition of the Scandinavian countries are a variety of Christmas gnomes responsible for the gift giving and one of them is called Julenisse.
And the Children in Scandinavia wait for a little bearded gnome called Julenisse to put presents under the Christmas tree in the night.
The children must leave a bowl of porridge out for this jolly bringer of gifts with a sack on his back who rides a sleigh drawn by a reindeer.
If the children forget to put out the porridge he plays tricks on them.
The birth of Christ
Is the reason for the day
Santa Claus does his part
In his magical way
Rudolf and the other reindeer
Pull the loaded sleigh
Decorations and lights
Put Christmas on display
And festive songs and carols
Have a part to play
But it takes a mother
To make it a very special day
FESTIVE FACT # 06
It was Pope Julius I, In 320 AD, who selected 25th December as the official date of the birth of Jesus Christ.
EUDOCIAN BASILICA
The site of the Eudocian basilica, erected to honor St Thomas, was identified some twenty years ago, and a new edifice has been erected on the old foundations by the Dominican Fathers.
THOMAS PATRON SAINT OF
St Thomas the Apostle is the patron saint against doubt and of architects,
blind people, builders, carpenters, construction workers, Ceylon East Indies, geometricians, India, masons, Pakistan, people in doubt, Sri Lanka, stone masons, stonecutters and theologians.
THIS CHRISTMAS TIME
This Christmas Time
When you celebrate the day
With friends and family
Good spirits on display
When your dining table
Is full to overflowing
Everyone cosily warm
With the firelight glowing
And you sit in your armchair
With your waist band straining
Opening all the presents
When outside its cold and raining
When you have over indulged
To the point of gluttony
Take a moment to think
About the all too many
Spare a thought for the needy
For the tired and the weary
Or those who are just lonely
The cold and the hungry
The numerous homeless
The defenceless and the helpless
Enjoy this Christmas Time a lot
But think of those who cannot
20 PEOPLE WHO LEFT THE WORLD ON DECEMBER 6TH
1185 Afonso I, the Conqueror, king of Portugal (1143-85) aged 76
1352 Clement VI, [Pierre Roger], Pope (1342-52)
1779 Jean-Baptiste Simeon Chardin, French still life painter aged 80
1882 Anthony Trollope, writer
1889 Joseph H "Jozef" Neuhuys, painter, 48
1889 Jefferson Davis, President of Confederate States (1861-5), 81
1926 Claude [Oscar] Monet, French impressionist painter aged 86
1933 Auguste Chapuis, composer, 75
1943 Hermann Lohr, composer, 72
1946 Maximilian Oseyevich Shteynberg, composer, aged 63
1973 Robert A Watson-Watt, English physicist (radar), 81
1988 Roy Orbison, singer (Pretty Woman), dies of massive heart attack at 52
1989 John Paine, actor (Miracle on 34th St), aged 77
1992 Percy Herbert, actor, dies of heart attack at 72
1993 Prof Wolfgang Paul, German physicist, Nobel prize winner 1989, aged 80
1993 Don Ameche, actor, dies of prostate cancer at 85
1994 Alan Owen, English screenplay writer and actor (Hard Day's Night), 69
1995 Claire Polin, composer aged 69
1995 Kathleen Harrison, British actress (Mrs Thusday), dies aged 103
1997 Eliot Daniel, composer (I Love Lucy theme), aged 89
THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – MRS. MIRACLE
Seth Webster (James Van Der Beek) is a widowed single father who can’t find a housekeeper, or rather can’t keep a housekeeper, to manage his unruly and boisterous twin sons.
When Mrs. Merkle (Doris Roberts) a seemingly magical housekeeper arrives, whom the boys call "Mrs. Miracle" She helps Seth move on after his wife’s death and to find him a new love Reba Maxwell’s (Erin Karpluk) who also has wounds to heal.
But with her unquenchable and infectious spirit she strives to bring the family together.
OH NO HE ISN’T
My great uncle John was an actor on the stage
Who was best known as a pantomime dame
Famous for his ugly sister and widow twanky
But not anymore which is a great shame
He has gone to that great pantomime in the sky
No longer will he don grease paint and his regalia
I will still see him though from time to time
Because he’s not dead he’s just working for Ryan air
TRIVIAL TITBIT # 10
The Roman poet Virgil wrote about the decorating of pine trees in honor of Bacchus, the god of drinking and revelry.
NICHOLAS OF MYRA
Nicholas was the Bishop of Myra, Lycia modern day Turkey.
He was from a wealthy family and was known for his Generosity to the poor and a special protector of the innocent and the wronged.
He has spawned many stories such as giving three bags of gold to prevent a poor man from having to sell his three daughters into slavery or prostitution.
Many stories grew up around him prior to his becoming Santa Claus. Some examples:
He is also purported to have raised to life three young boys who had been murdered and then pickled in a barrel of brine to conceal the foul crime.
He Induced thieves to return their plunder and during a voyage to the Holy Lands when a fierce storm blew up which threatened the ship He prayed to calm the storm.
He died in 346 AD at Myra and his relics are held in Bari.
FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS CAROL # 9
SEE AMID THE WINTER SNOW
Words by Edward Caswall and Music by John Goss
See amid the winter's snow,
Born for us on earth below,
See the tender Lamb appears,
Promised from eternal years.
Hail, thou ever-blessed morn!
Hail, redemption's happy dawn!
Sing through all Jerusalem,
Christ is born in Bethlehem.
Lo, within a manger lies
He who built the starry skies;
He, who throned in height sublime
Sits amid the cherubim.
Hail, thou ever-blessed morn!
Hail, redemption's happy dawn!
Sing through all Jerusalem,
Christ is born in Bethlehem.
Say, ye holy shepherds, say
What your joyful news today;
Wherefore have ye left your sheep
On the lonely mountain steep?
Hail, thou ever-blessed morn!
Hail, redemption's happy dawn!
Sing through all Jerusalem,
Christ is born in Bethlehem.
"As we watched at dead of night,
Lo, we saw a wondrous light;1
Angels singing peace on earth
Told us of the Saviour's birth".
Hail, thou ever-blessed morn!
Hail, redemption's happy dawn!
Sing through all Jerusalem,
Christ is born in Bethlehem.
Sacred infant, all divine,
What a tender love was Thine,
Thus to come from highest bliss
Down to such a world as this.
Hail, thou ever-blessed morn!
Hail, redemption's happy dawn!
Sing through all Jerusalem,
Christ is born in Bethlehem.
Teach, O teach us , Holy Child,
By Thy Face so meek and mild,
Teach us to resemble Thee,
In Thy Sweet humility!
Hail, thou ever-blessed morn!
Hail, redemption's happy dawn!
Sing through all Jerusalem,
Christ is born in Bethlehem.
ST AGATHA
It is ironic that St Lucia of Syracuse revered St. Agatha so and prayed often at her tomb
as there were many parallels in their lives.
Agatha was born in Sicily and also belonged to a rich, important family and dedicated her life to God as a young person, and resisted both marriage and sex.
Agatha, Young, beautiful and rich, lived a life consecrated to God and When Decius announced the edicts against Christians she was brought before the magistrate Quinctianus who tried to profit by Agatha's sanctity.
He planned to blackmail her into sex in exchange for not charging her for her beliefs.
she refused his advances and was imprisoned in a brothel but she refused to accept customers so she was tortured and even had her breasts cut off then after further torture she was then rolled on live coals she was later comforted by a vision of St. Peter when she was near to death then an earthquake stuck and Agatha thanked God for an end to her pain, and died.
SEASONAL SNIPPET # 09
If you don't take your Christmas decorations down by twelfth night January 5th you should leave them up until the 2nd of February which is Candlemas.
TIME FOR CHRISTMAS
At last I have some time to spare
No more work until the New Year
Its nearly Christmas so beware
The weather's bitter so have a care
Peace and goodwill and never fear
A wish for one and all for the coming year
HARBINGER OF YULE
The advent calendars
Are first to appear
Heralding the headlong rush
Toward Christmas cheer
On trees baubles reflect
Flickers of candle light
From Novembers end
Right up to twelfth night
CHRISTMAS WRAP
When I was a kid and it came time for the “oldies” to open their presents I was always amazed by the fuss they would make about the wrapping paper.
They would first admire it then they would caress it tenderly and then they would gingerly begin to unwrap the gift.
Once unwrapped they would first set aside the gift while they carefully folded the wrapping paper so it could be used again the following year then they would examine the gift.
This ritual would be repeated with each subsequent present and would be performed by all.
I can only think that this was as a result of having been through the hard times.
The depression of the thirties, the shortages of the war years and the austerity of the fifties.
My mum would go through the whole ritual and would carefully tuck her pile of wrapping paper, Bows and ribbons away in the sideboard draw “Ready for next year”.
Come the next year and the fabulous treasures which had been so thoughtfully secreted away were nowhere to be seen only new wrapping paper, Bows and ribbons.
So I think to myself sanity has been restored this year it will be about the presents not what they were wrapped in.
But no, on Christmas day it’s the same thing all over again.
THE HAMLET OF CHRISTMAS PIE
Christmas Pie is a small hamlet between the villages of Normandy and Wanborough in Surrey.
Quite how the hamlet of Christmas Pie, got its name has been a puzzle for many generations.
17th century maps show a Christmas Farm and in an article in an addition of the Surrey Advertiser it stated there was once a Pie Farm.
Another story tells of a farmer whose name was Christmas, which was a fairly common name in West Surrey at the time.
The story tells that the man, who had a large family and no prospects of feeding them through the festive season went into the wood and trapped rabbits and other small game which his wife cooked into a pie and thus the name was coined.
If that tale is too farfetched for you another theory is that it takes its name from the popular Christmas pie church festivities.
The only flaw in this theory being that as Christmas Pie is a hamlet it has no church and never has done.
As there is documentary evidence of a Christmas farm and a Pie farm I think the most likely origin of the name is that at some point after the 17th century the two farms merged for whatever reason and became Christmas pie farm which in time became Christmas Pie.
A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS
Now once more
The year has turned
The advent candle
Long since burned
Hearts darken
As we count the cost
And the season’s spirit
Is all now lost
But it need not
All be dark and gloom
Light can again
Illuminate the room
So here is a philosophy
For all of us
God is for life
Not just for Christmas
FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS SONG # 9
Despite the general awfulness of the Christmas song there are however always exceptions to the rule and I have a short list of personal favorites.
Without exception all my choices not only include the song but the best performer of that song and so in no particular order here is my ninth selection.
“Ring Out Solstice Bells” written by Ian Anderson and performed by Jethro Tull
Now is the solstice of the year,
winter is the glad song that you hear.
Seven maids move in seven time.
Have the lads up ready in a line.
Ring out these bells.
Ring out, ring solstice bells.
Ring solstice bells.
Join together beneath the mistletoe.
by the holy oak whereon it grows.
Seven druids dance in seven time.
Sing the song the bells call, loudly chiming.
Ring out these bells.
Ring out, ring solstice bells.
Ring solstice bells.
Praise be to the distant sister sun,
joyful as the silver planets run.
Seven maids move in seven time.
Sing the song the bells call, loudly chiming.
Ring out those bells.
Ring out, ring solstice bells.
Ring solstice bells.
Ring on, ring out.
Ring on, ring out
DIED ON CHRISTMAS DAY # 3
Ismet Inonu Turkish statesman died at his home on 1973.
Tristan Tzara, poet and essayist and founder of Dada, the nihilistic revolutionary movement in the arts died in Paris1963
Joan Miró, Spanish Surrealist Painter and Sculptor died on Christmas day 1983.
Nicolae Ceauşescu the Romanian dictator was executed in his palace in 1989.
American baseball player and manager Billy Martin died on December 25th 1989.
CINNAMON
Cinnamon is a popular spice used in many Christmas favorites but it isn’t just a simple flavoring spice.
Cinnamon comes from the bark of a small Southeast Asian evergreen tree and
It is one of the oldest remedies in traditional Chinese medicine, prescribed for a number of complaints such as diarrhea, chills, influenza and intestinal worms.
MY CHRISTMAS WISH
Dear Santa Claus its that time once again
And not for the first time I have to complain
Last Christmas you once again failed miserably
In securing that one simple gift for me
Every Christmas I write and beg and plead
And I’ve been good, not perfect though I’ll concede
This is not the first complaint you’ve had from me
I’ve written since I was four and now I’m forty three
So once again I’m sending you my Christmas list
And ask you to fulfill my one and only wish
Please send me my own special red hot lover
Or at the very least my own significant other
ON CHRISTMAS DAY 1717
Floods ravaged the Dutch coastal provinces and many thousands were killed.
CHRISTMAS IS PAINLESS
There is a perception that more suicides occur at Christmas time than at any other time of the year.
However recent studies seem to indicate that the opposite is true.
It would seem the gathering of friends and relatives at Christmas combined with the greater availability of community resources for those in need, may serve to protect people vulnerable to suicide
JULENISSE - JOLLY BRINGER OF GIFTS
In the Christmas tradition of the Scandinavian countries are a variety of Christmas gnomes responsible for the gift giving and one of them is called Julenisse.
And the Children in Scandinavia wait for a little bearded gnome called Julenisse to put presents under the Christmas tree in the night.
The children must leave a bowl of porridge out for this jolly bringer of gifts with a sack on his back who rides a sleigh drawn by a reindeer.
If the children forget to put out the porridge he plays tricks on them.
Friday 11 November 2016
Christmas Stocking Fillers # 9
OH JESUS SON OF MARY
Its time to celebrate
Our saviour’s birth
Its time to mark
The day he came to earth
Its Christmas again
Its time to rejoice
Its time to sing
And to our praise give voice
So praise the Prince of peace
Our majesty of mercy
Hallelujah Son of God
Oh Jesus Son of Mary
PATHÉ NEWS AT CHRISTMAS
Charles Pathé was a French photographer and in 1909 He was the first to present newsreels as a regular attraction at a theater in Paris the following year in 1910 he introduced the newsreel to the United States.
He was born on Christmas day 1863 in Paris and died on Christmas day 1957 in Monte Carlo.
FESTIVE FACT # 07
Telesphorus, the second Bishop of Rome from 125 to 136 AD, declared that public Church services should be held to celebrate "The Nativity of our Lord and Saviour."
THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – THE CHRISTMAS CARD
The Christmas Card begins with Cody Cullen (John Newton) in the midst of war in Afghanistan.
He is touched by a Christmas card sent to him by Faith Spelman (Alice Evans) from the small, picturesque town of Nevada City, California. As the months pass, the card never leaves his side, giving him the strength to survive.
Then on his return stateside he sets off on a mission to find her.
He travels to Nevada City and meets the Spelman family and after saving her fathers life (played by Edward Asner) he is invited to stay with the family for the holiday.
And so the tale begins a lovely uncomplicated holiday treat of a film with a seasonal happy ending.
IT HAPPENED ON DECEMBER 13TH
863 Boudouin with the Iron Arm married Judith, daughter of Charles de Kales
1545 Council of Trente the 19th ecumenical council opens
1642 Dutch navigator Abel Tasman discovers New Zealand
1577 Sir Francis Drake sets sail from England to circumnavigate the world
1833 HMS Beagle with Charles Darwin aboard arrives in Port Deseado, Patagonia
1843 "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens first published
1903 Wright Brothers make maiden flight at Kittyhawk
1903 Italo Marcioni patents ice cream cone in New Jersey
1913 the Mona Lisa which was stolen in Aug 1911 returned to the Louvre
1916 Avalanche in the Tyrol kills 10,000 Austrian and Italian troops in 24 hrs
1918 U.S. Army of occupation crosses Rhine and enters Germany
1918 Wilson, becomes the first serving president to make a foreign visit (France)
1919 Ross and Smith land in Australia after flying from London
1920 League of nations establishes International Court of Justice in The Hague
1928 Clip-on tie designed
1938 Los Angeles freezes at 28ø F
1939 Battle of the River Plate between 3 British cruisers and the German Graf Spee
1941 U-81 torpedoes British aircraft carrier Ark Royal
1943 150 U.S. Marauders bomb Schiphol
1944 Japanese kamikaze pilot crashes into U.S. cruiser Nashville killing 138
1949 Knesset votes to transfer Israel's capital to Jerusalem
1951 Future British Prime Minister Margaret Roberts marries Denis Thatcher
1959 Archbishop Makarios elected first president of Cyprus
1966 U.S. bomb Hanoi for the first time
1967 Unsuccessful coup against Greek King Constantine II
1974 Malta becomes a republic
1976 Longest non-stop passenger flight 13hours 14mins (Sydney to San Francisco)
1977 14 University of Evansville basketball players die in plane crash
1978 the first U.S. coin to honor a woman, the Susan B. Anthony dollar is issued
1979 Strikes against price increases in Gdansk Poland
1981 Polish government declares martial law and arrests Solidarity activists
1982 a major Earthquake hits Northern Yemen killing 2,000
1990 Heavy earthquake strikes Sicily, 18 die
1993 Fire in textile factory in Fuzjou China, killing 60
1994 American eagle commuter plane crashes in North Carolina, killing 15
ST. LUCY'S FIRES
On the eve of her feast day People lit "St. Lucy's fires" they would throw incense into the flames and then bath in the smoke
This they believed would protect them against witchcraft, disease, and other evils.
FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS CAROL # 8
ANGELS FROM THE REALMS OF GLORY
Words by James Montgomery and Traditional Music
Angels from the realms of glory,
Wing your flight o'er all the earth;
Ye who sang creation's story,
Now proclaim Messiah's birth:
Come and worship,
Come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King!
Shepherds, in the fields abiding,
Watching o'er your flocks by night,
God with man is now residing,
Yonder shines the infant Light;
Come and worship,
Come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King!
Sages, leave your contemplations,
Brighter visions beam afar;
Seek the great desire of nations,
Ye have seen His natal star;
Come and worship,
Come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King!
Saints before the altar bending,
Watching long in hope and fear,
Suddenly the Lord, descending,
In His temple shall appear:
Come and worship,
Come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King!
TRIVIAL TITBIT # 09
From December 17th to the 23rd the Romans ornamented their temples and homes with green boughs and flowers for the Saturnalia.
THE TWELVE CHOSEN – DOUBTING THOMAS
St. Thomas is sometimes called Didymus the Twin or the Apostle of India or more often Doubting Thomas, he was a Jew and a carpenter and was one of the original twelve disciples chosen by Christ to preach his Gospels He was a dedicated follower of Christ even Ready to die with Jesus when Christ went to Jerusalem.
when Jesus announced His intention of returning to Judea to visit his sick friend Lazarus, Thomas immediately rallied his fellow disciples to go with Him on the trip which involved because of the mounting hostility of the authorities certain danger and possible death.
when Christ told His Apostles At the Last Supper, that He was going to prepare a place for them to which they also might come because they knew both the place and the way it was Thomas who said “Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?" and Christ assured them with the beautiful assurance that He was the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Thomas was not with the other disciples when Jesus came to them after the Resurrection. And on his Thomas’s return he refused to believe what had happened.
He continued to doubt the Resurrection until Eight days later he was allowed to touch Christ's wounds when The Lord came a second time.
Thomas was gently rebuked for his skepticism and then exclaimed: "My Lord and My God," thus making a public Profession of Faith in the Divinity of Jesus.
Thomas was also present at another Resurrection appearance of Jesus when a miraculous catch of fish occurred at Lake Tiberius.
After Pentecost the Apostles dispersed and Thomas was sent to evangelize and he preached to the Parthians, Medes, and Persians he formed many parishes and churches along the way and he eventually reached India, spreading the gospels as far as the Malabar Coast.
While in India he was stabbed to death with a spear around 72 AD at a place called Calamine.
Since the fourth century the celebration of the transference of his body to Edessa in Mesopotamia has been commemorated on his feast day on July 3rd.
THE SWAN LAKE CHRISTMAS HILL NATURE SANCTUARY
The Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary is located in the District of Saanich, near the city of Victoria, Canada.
It is an oasis of natural beauty Surrounded by the urban sprawl of Victoria and Swan Lake is only minutes from the downtown area.
The Nature Sanctuary consists of two distinct areas with Swan Lake and its surrounding marshy lowlands which provides good habitat for many birds and small animals such as muskrat, river otter and mink and the rocky, oak-forested highlands of Christmas Hill with its majestic view from the hilltop and the meadows blooming with a sea of wildflowers in the springtime.
The lake was formed when the last glacier receded 12,000 years ago but Swan Lake’s current status is due to much more recent events just a few decades ago.
Up until the 1970’s the area was a dumping ground for a mixture of raw sewage, farm waste and chemicals from a local winery.
But due to the cleanup which began in the 70's the area is a rich habitat for a variety of wildlife.
KIDS DON’T UNDERSTAND CHRISTMAS
All children think
Christmas just happens
But parents work tirelessly
To bring it about
Months in the planning
Putting things away
Things to add to a special day
Shopping and wrapping
Dressing and decking
Super market shopping
The prices heart stopping
Journeying from shop to shop
For the latest must have toy
All made worth while
To see a face lit with joy
CHRISTMAS PIE
Christmas Pie is not as the name might suggest a Christmas delicacy but is in fact an entertainment originating from the tradition of the mummers play’s and is performed in the church.
It has evolved over many years and now includes poetry and prose, religious readings, short sketches and seasonal music to become very much like the Christingle services.
CHRISTMAS SHOCKING
Well worn festive tunes
Blare out
Hapless faces
Stare out
Faces strained
Bemused, Confused
Lists gripped tight
Pens ticking or deleting
Then onward
Loaded trolleys
Wildly steering
Zig zagging
Aisle to aisle
Every item
Must be had
Gin for her
Beer for dad
Chocs and cakes
Chops and steaks
Turkey, stuffing
Nuts and fruit
Frozen this
Prepacked that
Pop and juice
Something’s loose
Everything ticked
On the tight gripped list
Nothing missed
Merry Christmas wished
Hundreds of pounds
Of Christmas bought
The festivities can begin
Relax in the knowledge
The shops will only be shut
For twenty four hours
SEASONAL SNIPPET # 08
The name "Santa Claus" is derived from the good Bishop "Saint Nicholas," patron saint of beggars and thieves and in the middle Ages, thieves were known as "clerks of St. Nicholas."
FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS SONG # 8
Despite the general awfulness of the Christmas song there are however always exceptions to the rule and I have a short list of personal favorites.
Without exception all my choices not only include the song but the best performer of that song and so in no particular order here is my eighth selection.
“That’ll Be Christmas” written and performed by Thea Gilmore-
Rain falling and a chance of snow
Jonah Louie on the radio
French beer and mistletoe
That'll be Christmas
Cars queueing on the edge of town
Afternoon with the blinds pulled down
It's just the way the deal goes round
That'll be Christmas
I was going to head for high ground
Just forget it all
But the line's busy I can't make that call
Oh no.
Join the others in the bar by ten
Peace and goodwill to men
Me missing you again
That'll be Christmas
A tired waiter in a stupid hat
Muddy boots on the welcome mat
You just can't say no to that
Hot wine and a Christmas tree
The Sound of Music and the family
Faith hope and gluttony
That'll be Christmas
There's a choir of angels
A choir of soaks
And there's drunk relations telling dirty jokes
Oh no
So I'll join the others in the bar by ten
Peace and goodwill to men
Me missing you again
That'll be Christmas
It's gonna be me missing you again
That'll be Christmas
That'll be Christmas
That'll be Christmas
CHRISTMAS RULES
Our Christmas fare
Tables heaving
Cupboards overflowing
Contrasts starkly
With our foreign brothers
With meager bowls
Of meal or rice
How would they react?
To our gluttony
The homeless survive
On handouts
Of soup and bread
Or half eaten burgers
Discarded in bins
Sleeping in doorways
Or In cardboard boxes
With news paper bedding
Should we feel guilt?
For having more than they
For our good fortune
No we shouldn’t
But we should not forget them
We should spare a thought
For the less fortunate
And be charitable
A kind word or deed
Celebrate Christmas
By Christ’s rules
CHRISTMAS IN SPACE
On December 21, 1068 Apollo 8 was launched with Frank Borman as the commander, James A. Lovell, the command module pilot and
William A. Anders the lunar module pilot.
After establishing Earth orbit Apollo 8 was set on a trajectory toward the moon.
On Christmas Eve Apollo 8 began orbiting the moon during the lunar orbits Broadcasts were made back to earth and Christmas greeting were exchanged.
After completing ten lunar orbits they left the moon being and headed back towards earth.
They returned safely to Earth on 27th December 1968.
CHRISTMAS MORNING
Heralding the special day
As sweet undisturbed the cherubs lay
Early as Christmas day is dawning
The birds sing out on Christmas morning
Halleluiah, halleluiah cheer
Christ the savior’s day is here
And as awakes every little dear
One by one the lights appear
Yellow light piercing the darkness
Like stars populating heavens blackness
Until every house across the land is lit
To make a constellation to quite befit
A celebration across the earth
To celebrate the Christ Childs birth
Then with giggles and boisterous shout
The whirlwind kinder sets about
The present sack with great delight
Throwing paper to the left and right
And when they see the gifts inside
They’re open mouthed and wide eyed
Then peace restored after the early rout
The church bells call, the bells ring out
Good morning they seem to say
Merry Christmas on this special day
With purposeful step and a happy heart
We make our way to play our part
To give hearty praise and uplift
Rejoicing at the first Christmas gift
CHRISTMAS CHILL
Enjoy your Christmas day in peace
Avoid any kind of quarrel or wrangle
Chill out, relax and enjoy the day
And don’t get your tinsel in a tangle
MEET THE KIDS
Meet the kids was a TV program in the 1960’s broadcast live from a Children’s hospital on Christmas morning.
It was hosted by well-known comedian Lesley Crowther who went from bed to handing out presents and chatting to the sick children.
He would also do lighthearted interviews with various members of staff but the show was principally about the children.
The whole show lasted little more than half an hour and it would normally end with a choir of nurses singing carols around the Christmas tree.
It was Heartwarming stuff but probably deemed to be to twee for sophisticated 21st century audiences.
ON CHRISTMAS DAY 1651
The Massachusetts General Court ordered a fine of five shillings for anyone who observed the day of Christmas
CHRISTMAS IS FOR CHILDREN
The snow softly falls on Christmas Eve
Excitement abounds for they who believe
Children’s faces gaze out from the light
Searching for Santa in the snowy night
Then off to bed skipping across the floor
After milk and cookies are left by the door
Snuggled under covers they say “night mum”
And think happy thoughts of the day to come
They lie too excited to sleep in their beds
But sleep they do then they dream instead
Dreams of Santa Claus and presents galore
Dreams of toys and sweets and so much more
Then they awake in the early morning gloom
Squeals of delight coming from their rooms
And so another Christmas day has come
A day of love and laughter and above all fun
SCANDINAVIAN YULETIDE
The Scandinavian’s are among many who claim to the Yule log tradition as their own.
Because of dark cold winters traditions concerned with warmth and light abounded.
Yuletide which means "the turning of the sun" was celebrated at the winter solstice and has long been a time of extreme importance to the Scandinavians.
Originally the Yule log was a whole tree carefully selected and with great ceremony was brought into the house.
One end was placed in the hearth and the rest of the tree stuck out into the room and was slowly fed into the fire timed to perfection to last the entire Yuletide season.
HEART FELT THANKS
About ten years ago an Ambulance responded to a call in a restaurant in Warwickshire after a 56 year old man was reported to have suffered a heart attack.
When the paramedic arrived they assumed the man was a customer and quickly set to work and revived the man and took him to the hospital.
When the man duly recovered it transpired that he was not a customer at the restaurant but the owner and to show his gratitude he invited a group of thirty hospital and ambulance staff to his restaurant for a grand meal.
YES THERE IS A SANTA CLAUS
If you want the great gift giver
To come on his sleigh and deliver
Then remember this simple rhyme
And recall it at Christmas time
“If in Santa you do not believe
Christmas gifts you will not receive”
Its time to celebrate
Our saviour’s birth
Its time to mark
The day he came to earth
Its Christmas again
Its time to rejoice
Its time to sing
And to our praise give voice
So praise the Prince of peace
Our majesty of mercy
Hallelujah Son of God
Oh Jesus Son of Mary
PATHÉ NEWS AT CHRISTMAS
Charles Pathé was a French photographer and in 1909 He was the first to present newsreels as a regular attraction at a theater in Paris the following year in 1910 he introduced the newsreel to the United States.
He was born on Christmas day 1863 in Paris and died on Christmas day 1957 in Monte Carlo.
FESTIVE FACT # 07
Telesphorus, the second Bishop of Rome from 125 to 136 AD, declared that public Church services should be held to celebrate "The Nativity of our Lord and Saviour."
THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – THE CHRISTMAS CARD
The Christmas Card begins with Cody Cullen (John Newton) in the midst of war in Afghanistan.
He is touched by a Christmas card sent to him by Faith Spelman (Alice Evans) from the small, picturesque town of Nevada City, California. As the months pass, the card never leaves his side, giving him the strength to survive.
Then on his return stateside he sets off on a mission to find her.
He travels to Nevada City and meets the Spelman family and after saving her fathers life (played by Edward Asner) he is invited to stay with the family for the holiday.
And so the tale begins a lovely uncomplicated holiday treat of a film with a seasonal happy ending.
IT HAPPENED ON DECEMBER 13TH
863 Boudouin with the Iron Arm married Judith, daughter of Charles de Kales
1545 Council of Trente the 19th ecumenical council opens
1642 Dutch navigator Abel Tasman discovers New Zealand
1577 Sir Francis Drake sets sail from England to circumnavigate the world
1833 HMS Beagle with Charles Darwin aboard arrives in Port Deseado, Patagonia
1843 "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens first published
1903 Wright Brothers make maiden flight at Kittyhawk
1903 Italo Marcioni patents ice cream cone in New Jersey
1913 the Mona Lisa which was stolen in Aug 1911 returned to the Louvre
1916 Avalanche in the Tyrol kills 10,000 Austrian and Italian troops in 24 hrs
1918 U.S. Army of occupation crosses Rhine and enters Germany
1918 Wilson, becomes the first serving president to make a foreign visit (France)
1919 Ross and Smith land in Australia after flying from London
1920 League of nations establishes International Court of Justice in The Hague
1928 Clip-on tie designed
1938 Los Angeles freezes at 28ø F
1939 Battle of the River Plate between 3 British cruisers and the German Graf Spee
1941 U-81 torpedoes British aircraft carrier Ark Royal
1943 150 U.S. Marauders bomb Schiphol
1944 Japanese kamikaze pilot crashes into U.S. cruiser Nashville killing 138
1949 Knesset votes to transfer Israel's capital to Jerusalem
1951 Future British Prime Minister Margaret Roberts marries Denis Thatcher
1959 Archbishop Makarios elected first president of Cyprus
1966 U.S. bomb Hanoi for the first time
1967 Unsuccessful coup against Greek King Constantine II
1974 Malta becomes a republic
1976 Longest non-stop passenger flight 13hours 14mins (Sydney to San Francisco)
1977 14 University of Evansville basketball players die in plane crash
1978 the first U.S. coin to honor a woman, the Susan B. Anthony dollar is issued
1979 Strikes against price increases in Gdansk Poland
1981 Polish government declares martial law and arrests Solidarity activists
1982 a major Earthquake hits Northern Yemen killing 2,000
1990 Heavy earthquake strikes Sicily, 18 die
1993 Fire in textile factory in Fuzjou China, killing 60
1994 American eagle commuter plane crashes in North Carolina, killing 15
ST. LUCY'S FIRES
On the eve of her feast day People lit "St. Lucy's fires" they would throw incense into the flames and then bath in the smoke
This they believed would protect them against witchcraft, disease, and other evils.
FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS CAROL # 8
ANGELS FROM THE REALMS OF GLORY
Words by James Montgomery and Traditional Music
Angels from the realms of glory,
Wing your flight o'er all the earth;
Ye who sang creation's story,
Now proclaim Messiah's birth:
Come and worship,
Come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King!
Shepherds, in the fields abiding,
Watching o'er your flocks by night,
God with man is now residing,
Yonder shines the infant Light;
Come and worship,
Come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King!
Sages, leave your contemplations,
Brighter visions beam afar;
Seek the great desire of nations,
Ye have seen His natal star;
Come and worship,
Come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King!
Saints before the altar bending,
Watching long in hope and fear,
Suddenly the Lord, descending,
In His temple shall appear:
Come and worship,
Come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King!
TRIVIAL TITBIT # 09
From December 17th to the 23rd the Romans ornamented their temples and homes with green boughs and flowers for the Saturnalia.
THE TWELVE CHOSEN – DOUBTING THOMAS
St. Thomas is sometimes called Didymus the Twin or the Apostle of India or more often Doubting Thomas, he was a Jew and a carpenter and was one of the original twelve disciples chosen by Christ to preach his Gospels He was a dedicated follower of Christ even Ready to die with Jesus when Christ went to Jerusalem.
when Jesus announced His intention of returning to Judea to visit his sick friend Lazarus, Thomas immediately rallied his fellow disciples to go with Him on the trip which involved because of the mounting hostility of the authorities certain danger and possible death.
when Christ told His Apostles At the Last Supper, that He was going to prepare a place for them to which they also might come because they knew both the place and the way it was Thomas who said “Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?" and Christ assured them with the beautiful assurance that He was the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Thomas was not with the other disciples when Jesus came to them after the Resurrection. And on his Thomas’s return he refused to believe what had happened.
He continued to doubt the Resurrection until Eight days later he was allowed to touch Christ's wounds when The Lord came a second time.
Thomas was gently rebuked for his skepticism and then exclaimed: "My Lord and My God," thus making a public Profession of Faith in the Divinity of Jesus.
Thomas was also present at another Resurrection appearance of Jesus when a miraculous catch of fish occurred at Lake Tiberius.
After Pentecost the Apostles dispersed and Thomas was sent to evangelize and he preached to the Parthians, Medes, and Persians he formed many parishes and churches along the way and he eventually reached India, spreading the gospels as far as the Malabar Coast.
While in India he was stabbed to death with a spear around 72 AD at a place called Calamine.
Since the fourth century the celebration of the transference of his body to Edessa in Mesopotamia has been commemorated on his feast day on July 3rd.
THE SWAN LAKE CHRISTMAS HILL NATURE SANCTUARY
The Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary is located in the District of Saanich, near the city of Victoria, Canada.
It is an oasis of natural beauty Surrounded by the urban sprawl of Victoria and Swan Lake is only minutes from the downtown area.
The Nature Sanctuary consists of two distinct areas with Swan Lake and its surrounding marshy lowlands which provides good habitat for many birds and small animals such as muskrat, river otter and mink and the rocky, oak-forested highlands of Christmas Hill with its majestic view from the hilltop and the meadows blooming with a sea of wildflowers in the springtime.
The lake was formed when the last glacier receded 12,000 years ago but Swan Lake’s current status is due to much more recent events just a few decades ago.
Up until the 1970’s the area was a dumping ground for a mixture of raw sewage, farm waste and chemicals from a local winery.
But due to the cleanup which began in the 70's the area is a rich habitat for a variety of wildlife.
KIDS DON’T UNDERSTAND CHRISTMAS
All children think
Christmas just happens
But parents work tirelessly
To bring it about
Months in the planning
Putting things away
Things to add to a special day
Shopping and wrapping
Dressing and decking
Super market shopping
The prices heart stopping
Journeying from shop to shop
For the latest must have toy
All made worth while
To see a face lit with joy
CHRISTMAS PIE
Christmas Pie is not as the name might suggest a Christmas delicacy but is in fact an entertainment originating from the tradition of the mummers play’s and is performed in the church.
It has evolved over many years and now includes poetry and prose, religious readings, short sketches and seasonal music to become very much like the Christingle services.
CHRISTMAS SHOCKING
Well worn festive tunes
Blare out
Hapless faces
Stare out
Faces strained
Bemused, Confused
Lists gripped tight
Pens ticking or deleting
Then onward
Loaded trolleys
Wildly steering
Zig zagging
Aisle to aisle
Every item
Must be had
Gin for her
Beer for dad
Chocs and cakes
Chops and steaks
Turkey, stuffing
Nuts and fruit
Frozen this
Prepacked that
Pop and juice
Something’s loose
Everything ticked
On the tight gripped list
Nothing missed
Merry Christmas wished
Hundreds of pounds
Of Christmas bought
The festivities can begin
Relax in the knowledge
The shops will only be shut
For twenty four hours
SEASONAL SNIPPET # 08
The name "Santa Claus" is derived from the good Bishop "Saint Nicholas," patron saint of beggars and thieves and in the middle Ages, thieves were known as "clerks of St. Nicholas."
FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS SONG # 8
Despite the general awfulness of the Christmas song there are however always exceptions to the rule and I have a short list of personal favorites.
Without exception all my choices not only include the song but the best performer of that song and so in no particular order here is my eighth selection.
“That’ll Be Christmas” written and performed by Thea Gilmore-
Rain falling and a chance of snow
Jonah Louie on the radio
French beer and mistletoe
That'll be Christmas
Cars queueing on the edge of town
Afternoon with the blinds pulled down
It's just the way the deal goes round
That'll be Christmas
I was going to head for high ground
Just forget it all
But the line's busy I can't make that call
Oh no.
Join the others in the bar by ten
Peace and goodwill to men
Me missing you again
That'll be Christmas
A tired waiter in a stupid hat
Muddy boots on the welcome mat
You just can't say no to that
Hot wine and a Christmas tree
The Sound of Music and the family
Faith hope and gluttony
That'll be Christmas
There's a choir of angels
A choir of soaks
And there's drunk relations telling dirty jokes
Oh no
So I'll join the others in the bar by ten
Peace and goodwill to men
Me missing you again
That'll be Christmas
It's gonna be me missing you again
That'll be Christmas
That'll be Christmas
That'll be Christmas
CHRISTMAS RULES
Our Christmas fare
Tables heaving
Cupboards overflowing
Contrasts starkly
With our foreign brothers
With meager bowls
Of meal or rice
How would they react?
To our gluttony
The homeless survive
On handouts
Of soup and bread
Or half eaten burgers
Discarded in bins
Sleeping in doorways
Or In cardboard boxes
With news paper bedding
Should we feel guilt?
For having more than they
For our good fortune
No we shouldn’t
But we should not forget them
We should spare a thought
For the less fortunate
And be charitable
A kind word or deed
Celebrate Christmas
By Christ’s rules
CHRISTMAS IN SPACE
On December 21, 1068 Apollo 8 was launched with Frank Borman as the commander, James A. Lovell, the command module pilot and
William A. Anders the lunar module pilot.
After establishing Earth orbit Apollo 8 was set on a trajectory toward the moon.
On Christmas Eve Apollo 8 began orbiting the moon during the lunar orbits Broadcasts were made back to earth and Christmas greeting were exchanged.
After completing ten lunar orbits they left the moon being and headed back towards earth.
They returned safely to Earth on 27th December 1968.
CHRISTMAS MORNING
Heralding the special day
As sweet undisturbed the cherubs lay
Early as Christmas day is dawning
The birds sing out on Christmas morning
Halleluiah, halleluiah cheer
Christ the savior’s day is here
And as awakes every little dear
One by one the lights appear
Yellow light piercing the darkness
Like stars populating heavens blackness
Until every house across the land is lit
To make a constellation to quite befit
A celebration across the earth
To celebrate the Christ Childs birth
Then with giggles and boisterous shout
The whirlwind kinder sets about
The present sack with great delight
Throwing paper to the left and right
And when they see the gifts inside
They’re open mouthed and wide eyed
Then peace restored after the early rout
The church bells call, the bells ring out
Good morning they seem to say
Merry Christmas on this special day
With purposeful step and a happy heart
We make our way to play our part
To give hearty praise and uplift
Rejoicing at the first Christmas gift
CHRISTMAS CHILL
Enjoy your Christmas day in peace
Avoid any kind of quarrel or wrangle
Chill out, relax and enjoy the day
And don’t get your tinsel in a tangle
MEET THE KIDS
Meet the kids was a TV program in the 1960’s broadcast live from a Children’s hospital on Christmas morning.
It was hosted by well-known comedian Lesley Crowther who went from bed to handing out presents and chatting to the sick children.
He would also do lighthearted interviews with various members of staff but the show was principally about the children.
The whole show lasted little more than half an hour and it would normally end with a choir of nurses singing carols around the Christmas tree.
It was Heartwarming stuff but probably deemed to be to twee for sophisticated 21st century audiences.
ON CHRISTMAS DAY 1651
The Massachusetts General Court ordered a fine of five shillings for anyone who observed the day of Christmas
CHRISTMAS IS FOR CHILDREN
The snow softly falls on Christmas Eve
Excitement abounds for they who believe
Children’s faces gaze out from the light
Searching for Santa in the snowy night
Then off to bed skipping across the floor
After milk and cookies are left by the door
Snuggled under covers they say “night mum”
And think happy thoughts of the day to come
They lie too excited to sleep in their beds
But sleep they do then they dream instead
Dreams of Santa Claus and presents galore
Dreams of toys and sweets and so much more
Then they awake in the early morning gloom
Squeals of delight coming from their rooms
And so another Christmas day has come
A day of love and laughter and above all fun
SCANDINAVIAN YULETIDE
The Scandinavian’s are among many who claim to the Yule log tradition as their own.
Because of dark cold winters traditions concerned with warmth and light abounded.
Yuletide which means "the turning of the sun" was celebrated at the winter solstice and has long been a time of extreme importance to the Scandinavians.
Originally the Yule log was a whole tree carefully selected and with great ceremony was brought into the house.
One end was placed in the hearth and the rest of the tree stuck out into the room and was slowly fed into the fire timed to perfection to last the entire Yuletide season.
HEART FELT THANKS
About ten years ago an Ambulance responded to a call in a restaurant in Warwickshire after a 56 year old man was reported to have suffered a heart attack.
When the paramedic arrived they assumed the man was a customer and quickly set to work and revived the man and took him to the hospital.
When the man duly recovered it transpired that he was not a customer at the restaurant but the owner and to show his gratitude he invited a group of thirty hospital and ambulance staff to his restaurant for a grand meal.
YES THERE IS A SANTA CLAUS
If you want the great gift giver
To come on his sleigh and deliver
Then remember this simple rhyme
And recall it at Christmas time
“If in Santa you do not believe
Christmas gifts you will not receive”
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