Countdown To Christmas

Growing up my parents would send us to bed early Christmas Eve. First we'd put out our stocking and the treats for Santa. Then they would tuck the gifts under the tree after we had all fell asleep. They then turned on Christmas music and came into our rooms and woke us up saying "Santa Came!" We got all excited and we would go into the Living room and open our gifts. Christmas morning we would get up and play with our gifts if we wanted and my parents enjoyed sleeping in! ...haha We then would have Christmas Day brunch *YUM* After brunch we would open up our stockings and Mom or Dad would read us the Christmas Story from the Bible to remind us of the true meaning of Christmas. Then Dad loved to play Scrabble!

Now all grown up, we still celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve night. I Love it....I think it makes it more magical with the Christmas tree lights on, the fireplace roaring and the music. They all set that magical mood.

When I met my husband, his family too celebrated Christmas on Christmas Eve. Now we usually go to his family on Christmas Eve and my Family on Christmas Day. His family also reads the Christmas Story from the Bible. Then a "mini concert" where his mom plays the piano or organ and his brother plays the violin. Singing and Listening to the traditional Christmas music!

'Twas The Night Before Christmas

By Clement Clarke Moore

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;

"Now! Dasher, now! Dancer, now! Prancer, and Vixen!
On! Comet, on! Cupid, on! Dunder and Blixem!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

CLICK Picture to Visit my TSO Lens

"The Christmas Shoes" is an excellent movie for the whole family to watch, whether it is Christmas time or not.

This movie is quite a tearjerker . It is a beautiful story of how you can get caught up in everyday "life" and forget about what really matters. It is a movie that drives me to tears but in a much needed way.

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Why are Christmas trees like bad knitters ?
They both drop their needles !

What do elves learn in school?
The Elf-abet

What did the bald man say when he got a comb for Christmas ?
Thanks, I'll never part with it !

What do you get if you cross an apple with a Christmas tree ?
A pineapple !

Knock... Knock
Who's there ?
Mary
Mary who ?
Mary Christmas !

What do snowmen eat for lunch ?
Icebergers !

What do snowmen eat for breakfast?
Frosted Flakes

What do you get when you cross a snowman with a vampire ?
Frostbite

Why was Santa's little helper depressed?
Because he had low elf esteem.

What do you call people who are afraid of Santa Claus?
Claustrophobic.

What do sheep say to each other at Christmastime?
Merry Christmas to ewe!

How do sheep say Merry Christmas in Mexico?
Fleece Navidad!

What did Adam say on the day before Christmas?
It's Christmas, Eve!

Why is it so cold at Christmas?
Because it's in Decembrrrr!

What do lions sing at Christmas?
Jungle bells!

How do snowmen get around?
On their icicles

What do you call a cat on the beach at Christmastime?
Sandy Claus!

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Embrace, Laugh, Learn & Discover

Christmas Polish Tea Cookies
From a 1993 Martha Stewart Living magazine

1 stick unsalted butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg yolk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
Jam, for filling

Mix ingredients. Bake at 325 degrees for 20 mins. Cool slightly.
Fill centers with jam.....and enjoy!

Almond Snowflake Sugar Cookies

Best Linzer Cookies

Nestlé Crunch Snowball Cookies

'Tis the Season Coconut Macaroons

Spicy Gingerbread Men

KELLOGG'S* RICE KRISPIES* Peanut Butter Balls

Not a Cookie....But so Cute! Chocolate Christmas Mice

(Luke 2:1-20)

The Birth of Jesus

1And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. 2(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels

8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

15And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

16And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 18And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. 20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Coca Cola was the first beverage company to use Santa for a winter promotion.

Kris Kringle is the German words for "Christ's Child"

The first Animal Crackers were not made for eating...
they were made as Christmas tree decorations!

Holly berries are poisonous.

In Mexico, wearing red underwear on New Year's Eve is said to bring new love in the upcoming year.

"Jingle Bells" was originally written for Thanksgiving in 1857...and then became one of the most popular Christmas songs.

Electric Christmas lights were first used in 1854.

Alabama was the first state to recognize Christmas as an official holiday. This tradition began in 1836.

In 1907, Oklahoma became the last US state to declare Christmas a legal holiday.

The first Christmas card was created in England on December 9, 1842.

The practice of putting a lump of coal in the stockings of naughty children originated in Italy.

If you received all the gifts in the song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas," you'd get 364 presents.

Christmas trees are edible. Many parts of pines, spruces and firs can be eaten.

"The Nutcracker" is the most famous Christmas ballet.

More diamonds are sold around Christmas than any other time of the year.

At one point, tinsel was banned by the government because it contained lead. Now it's made of plastic.

Top 10 Things To Say

About A Christmas Gift

You Don't Like




10. Hey! There's a gift!

9. Well, well, well ...

8. Boy, if I had not recently shot up 4 sizes that would've fit.

7. This is perfect for wearing around the basement.

6. Gosh. I hope this never catches fire! It is fire season though. There are lots of unexplained fires.

5. If the dog buries it, I'll be furious!

4. I love it -- but I fear the jealousy it will inspire.

3. Sadly, tomorrow I enter the Federal Witness Protection Program.

2. To think -- I got this the year I vowed to give all my gifts to charity.

And the Number One Thing to say about a Christmas gift you don't like:

1. "I really don't deserve this."

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