Christmas

My Visions of Life

Christmas

"It was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us! And so, as Tiny Tim observed, "God Bless Us, Every One! "
--Charles Dickens

A meaningful holiday season

It has started. My little family and I are really feeling the Christmas spirit this year. We have put up our tree, and made it a family affair. Our lights are up, the halls are decked and my children and I are already dreaming of that magical night when Santa comes to our home, and leaves gifts for everyone.

I must admit it wasn`t always this way. For some reason the Spirit of Christmas had escaped me, and I had been very frustrated and sad trying to rekindle something that I thought I had lost. I guess with all the work I have been doing to get closer to my God, and grow spiritually, I remembered. I remembered how simple it really is. How simple Christmas is supposed to be.

The other night I sat with the kids and watched a timeless classic. A Charlie Brown Christmas. I think I will be celebrating my 37th year with Chucky and his friends, and admit that this little cartoon is more meaningful than I thought. You see the true meaning of Christmas, as described by Linus, is about the birth of Jesus. Its that simple. So the hustle bustle of the holidays can be bypassed if we sit and remember that Christmas is about love. Its about being with those we cherish. Its about traditions, giving, and yes....the ability to receive gracefully.

I cannot fathom another Christmas without the Spirit that resides inside me at this moment. I have looked deep inside to myself in order to pull it out of the rubble that had settled after the latest crash. So without further ado. I would like to give you a chance to find within yourself your Spirit, by sharing some poetry, stories and letters from readers around the world. I would also like to take this time to wish you The Best Christmas Ever...let us remember that we are blessed with love, abundance and peace. Amen.

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"And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace...' Goodwill towards men." - Luke 2:13-14

Visions of Christmas in Balance

Every year, as Christmas approaches, I often get a sense of foreboding form the people around me. Although Christmas can be a cause of stress for many, I must admit that all in all it is the most amazing, loving, and magical time of the year for me. In this fast paced world, one often loses sight of their inner child, and the real meaning of this Holiday season. So this year I have decided to share with you stories, poems and quotes, which may help you and your family re-kindle your Christmas Spirit.

Everyday, I will share with you some of my favourite excerpts from the book: The Little Book of Christmas Joys. 432 things to do for yourself and others that just might make this the best Christmas ever. Written by H. Jackson Brown Jr. Rosemary Brown & Kathy Peel. Published by Rutledge Hill Press, Nashville, Tenn. If you are able to implement one joy everyday from here to Christmas, your heart and visions of Christmas will be transformed for a lifetime! To order books by H. Jackson Brown Jr. clic here

Take a basket of Christmas goodies to a notoriously grumpy neighbor.

Buy a pair of red flannel pyjamas that you wear only on Christmas Eve.

Don`t schedule yourself too tightly during the holidays. Before making an appointment, ask yourself: "Can this wait until after the Holidays?"

Adopt a needy family for the holidays. Let members of your family buy a present for the person closest to their own age.

Fill your house with the holiday fragrance of cloves, orange peel and cinnamon sticks simmering on the kitchen stove. (I did the latter today and the house smelled wonderful. Its a must try! Kim)

Don't despair if you are short of cash. Be creative. Looking back, you'll discover that the Christmases when you had the least money were the ones that left you with the best memories.

Tie jingle bells on your kids shoelaces.

Watch Its a Wonderful Life, Frosty and A Charlie Brown Christmas.

End an evening with family and close friends by forming a circle, holding hands, and singing a favorite carol.

Enjoy Christmas music in your home, office and car to keep the holiday spirit.

When you are with a child and see a blinking red light in the sky, ask him/her, "Do you think thats Rudolf?" (trust me it works I tried it with my kids.)

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Some of My Favorite Christmas Joys

Take a walk on a crisp winter`s night and enjoy your neighbor`s Christmas lights.
Bake Christmas cookies by yourself or with the kids. Make sure your favorite Christmas music is on. Share your cookies with teachers, crossing gards or your neighbors. Make sure to add the recipe.
Write your Christmas cards by candlelight, using sparkled green and red gel pens. Add Holiday stickers to the envelopes.
Sleep under the Christmas tree with the lights on.
Give a fancy cup with a sachet of hot chocolate, a chocolate spoon and some marshmellows. Wrap it for a last minute comfort gift.

If you have any of your joys you want to share send me an e-mail. It would be my pleasure to add it here. The more, the merrier!

Almost like stopping and smelling the roses.

Last Saturday, my husband and went to our friends daughters art show. It was a couple of miles away from our home, and we followed the directions that were given to us. The invitation in my purse said 7pm, we wanted to be there on time, however, we were lost! After seeing a young man heading for his car, we stopped at his house and inquired about the address of our destination. He kindly pointed us in the right direction, which was, to our surprise, just down the road.

Yet, instead of feeling frustrated because we were lost, I personally enjoyed seeing this new neighbourhood. Almost every house was lit up with the most beautiful Christmas lights I have ever seen. This is one time that I was glad that we lost our way!

Pauline Lyons Stillman, Florida, U.S.A.

Pauline,

I noticed that getting lost in life is most often always a gift. On our way of finding whatever we are looking for we come across the most wonderful things.

It is how one perceives a situation that makes the biggest difference.

Joy to you

Kim

THE PINK SLIPPERS

      They brought her safely around the house
      From her bedroom where she had a view
     Of 'The Reek' and where she made good use

     Of her rosary-beads praying for me and you.


     Mum had a guardian angel watching over
     Each step she took on the stairs
     When she wore slippers of pink velour
     Embroidered with hearts, flowers and stars

    Now I keep them in a special box
    But took them out when I began to write
    Because I think it is a paradox
    That inside them is one word: 'Silentnight'.

Copyright: Pauline Lyons Stillman

Magical Thoughts

Magical thoughts are fleeting through my mind,

Creating whispers of words so empathetic and kind.

I cannot fathom this time of year

About people starving and living in fear.

So I wave my wand, thus the sparkles appear.

And I dream of the man in red and his tiny reindeer.

His image is one of compassion and love.

Like an angel with wings a smooth as a dove.

As he flies through the air his gifts packed up tight.

His image is fleeting in the dark winters night.

He sneaks in my home so carefully slow.

Leaves me a box under the fake-feathered snow.

I wait until he whips away, right off my roof.

I walked to the tree after last little hoof.

I opened the box and low and behold

Was my wishes granted and so I am told.

No more hunger, nor famine or violence or shame.

Just peace and love all given in my name.

Kim Larocque

December 11^th, 2003

Christmas Love And Peace

May Christmas love and peace abound,
May hope and joy reside in every heart,
May peace on earth be found,
And may each of us do our part;

May the spirit of Christmas live,
In our hearts the whole year through,
And may we continue gifts to give,
And our love share, and kind deeds do;

As we celebrate our dear Saviour's birth,
May we lift our thoughts above,
May we pray for peace on earth,
And may we all kneel in prayer and love.

Walter Westfall - Clickhere for more poetry by this author.

Reader Response

"Kim, thank you for your response. You did make me cry with your response and my son held me. But, a year ago I was holding her and singing, her favourite song I sang "somewhere over the rainbow"and continued on with her favourite Christmas Carol ..can you see me there..singing O' Holy Night my Mom's favourite carol and I knew she would never here it again and she loved my voice.

I did it for her that night and I wish she had been conscious to hear it."

Laura Stavro

Laura,

Thank you for sharing your touching anecdote. It is very important to remember those special moments in life, especially during the Holiday Season. It is never too late to say I love you.

Kim

"Somehow, not only for Christmas, But all the long year through, The joy that you give to others, Is the joy that comes back to you. And the more you spend in blessing, The poor and lonely and sad, The more of your heart's possessing, Returns to you glad. "
--John Greenleaf Whittier

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Illustration: Table for two

"Time was with most of us, when Christmas Day, encircling all our limited world like a magic ring, left nothing out for us to miss or seek; bound together all our home enjoyments, affections, and hopes; grouped everything and everyone round the Christmas fire, and make the little picture shining in our bright young eyes, complete." --Charles Dickens

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