Twas The Night Before Jesus Came... :) Shangy!
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*~* A REMINDER: PLEASE Send me sweet, interesting, funny,
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-<>-
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*~* May You Have A Very Merry, Safe And Blessed Christmas!
>-->HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :)
This super hottie comes from my son Victor. He sent me one
I couldn't resist doing up. 9-Year-Old Kenyon had only one
wish for Christmas. Check out this very heartwarming story
that happened not far from where I live. Also be sure to
see the video here - Sure to give you some Smiles...
Christmas Miracle
http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/blindsees2.html
-<>-
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>-->In The News: Speaking of a miracle...
>From BizarreNews:
Is it a Christmas tragedy or a Christmas miracle? For one
newborn in New York, today's story just might turn out to
be a miracle.
A maintenance worker at the Holy Child Jesus Catholic Church
was startled to hear the sounds of a baby crying coming from
the church's altar.
When the custodian investigated the sound he found a baby
crying inside the nativity scene, which had been set up as
usual for Christmas.
"The secretary burst in and said, 'Father, there's an
emergency in the church, you have to come,'" Rev. Christopher
Ryan Heanue said.
Inside Baby Jesus' spot in the manger was a newborn, a few
hours old at most. Bishop Octavio Cisnero, also there,
couldn't believe his eyes.
"There was a baby, wrapped in swaddling clothes, in a towel,"
said Cisnero. "The umbilical cord was still hanging from the
baby."
EMTs checked out the baby, and he appeared to be healthy.
Heanue said surveillance video captured an anonymous woman
entering the church about 20 minutes before the baby was
found.
While the mother obviously did not want the little bundle
of life, Rev. Heanue said the parish has taken a special
interest in the baby and some members have expressed an
interest in adopting.
"This child, we believe, is a gift, almost, to this parish,"
he said.
It is not clear if the woman will face charges if she is
identified.
-<>-
AND Not to be out done....
Is God Alive?
Are Angels Real?
After the following stories, if you are undecided, I think
you'll swing toward the affirmative!
From ConservativeTribune:
CHILLS: Strange Voice Gives Mom 1-Word Command...
Seconds Later She's Running to Her Baby
http://conservativetribune.com/strange-voice-mom-command/
>AND From Our Friend Melinda :)
Cokeville Miracle, True
http://www.slightlywarped.com/crapfactory/awesomemysteries/mirableofcokeville.htm
---
...Wowsers! Brings tears how awesome God is! Thanks Melinda!
This is a tremendous story and they even made a movie of it...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jn20a71m45M
Another more in-depth story of it here...
http://www.ldsliving.com/Cokeville-Miracle-Movie/s/79933
Reminds me of this teaching...
Are Angels Real?
http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/angelsreal.html
-<>-
>-->From Our Friend Linda :)
MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!
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>The Meaning Behind All Our Christmas Decorations
We ALL know about Christmas DECORATIONS.
Year after year, we PULL OUT the boxes, PUT UP the decorations,
then TAKE them DOWN, and store them away for NEXT YEAR.
(It’s a lot of WORK) If you’re going to go through all that
EFFORT every year, it’s going to be a LOT more MEANINGFUL if
you understand the HISTORY and the SYMBOLISM behind
those decorations.
Let’s EXPLORE them today...
The Colors Red and Green:
RED symbolizes the BLOOD of Christ, offered in sacrifice
for our sins. GREEN is the color of LIFE.
EVERGREENS in the middle of winter give us HOPE that new
life will come even after the cold of winter. To a world
that was DEAD to sin, Jesus Christ brings NEW LIFE.
WREATHS:
The CIRCLE symbolizes the ETERNAL nature of God. You trace
the LINE of a circle, and it NEVER ENDS. Jesus Christ is
the ETERNAL Son of God, without beginning and without end.
Also symbolizes the crown of thorns he endured on the cross
for our salvation.
Christmas Tree:
This custom comes from Germany. St. Boniface was a Catholic
archbishop in Germany in the 8th century. He helped to
replace PAGAN practices with CHRISTIAN faith. There was a
huge OAK TREE at Geismar, that was considered SACRED by the
pagans. It was dedicated to the god Thor. In the year 723 AD,
Boniface CHALLENGED that pagan practice, in the presence of
HOSTILE tribesmen, and CUT DOWN the oak tree and pointed to
a little FIR tree growing next to it, and said: “This humble
tree’s wood is used to build your homes: let CHRIST be at the
center of your households. Its leaves remain evergreen in the
darkest days: let CHRIST be your constant light. Its branches
reach out to embrace and its top points to heaven: let CHRIST
be your Comfort and Guide.”
So when you see a Christmas tree, let its EVERGREEN foliage
remind you that the love of God NEVER DIES, and let its SHAPE
remind you that HEAVEN is your ultimate goal.
Ornaments on the Tree:
Dec. 24 used to be observed on the Church calendar as the
Feast of Adam and Eve. In the Middle Ages, there were
religious plays called “Mystery plays”. They told story of
Creation and Adam and Eve. A PROP for those plays was a Tree
of Paradise: FIR tree with RED APPLES on it. These EVOLVED
into our tree ornaments.
Star:
It reminds us of the star that guided the Wise Men to where
Jesus was born in Bethlehem.
Poinsettia Flowers:
These are native to Mexico and Central America, and they
bloom in the short days of winter. The shape of the bloom is
like the STAR of Bethlehem. The colors are the traditional
Christmas red and green. Flores de Noche Buena – Flowers of
the Holy Night: In the Mexican Christmas tradition, a YOUNG
GIRL wished to bring a PRESENT to baby Jesus, but had no
MONEY. The girl, Pepita, could only pick WEEDS along the
road as she went to visit the Christ child. But as she
neared the ALTAR in the church to present her Christmas gift,
the simple weeds suddenly TRANSFORMED into the vibrant,
beautiful Flores de Noche Buena.
Candy Canes:
Their shape is that of a SHEPHERD’S staff: to guide the sheep.
This reminds us of the shepherds who were the first WITNESSES
of the birth of Christ. Also: Christ is our Good Shepherd.
The prophet Micah says in today’s First Reading: “He shall
stand firm and shepherd his flock.”
COLORS of the Candy Cane: WHITE: symbolizes the Virgin birth
and the purity of Christ, RED: symbolizes the blood of Christ,
offered in sacrifice for our sins. STRIPES: remind us of the
marks from his SCOURGING in his Passion, like it says in
Isaiah 53 and I Peter 2, “By his STRIPES we are healed.”
Christmas Holly:
Prickly, pointed LEAVES: are another reminder of Jesus’ Crown
of Thorns. Red BERRIES: a reminder of the drops of his BLOOD
shed in SACRIFICE for the sins of humanity. The Letter to the
Hebrews in today’s Second Reading says: “We have been
consecrated through the OFFERING of the BODY of Jesus Christ
once for all.
Candles:
Symbolize the fact that Christ is the LIGHT of the World. He
DISPELS the DARKNESS of sin.
Candles in Windows: Have a specific history in Ireland. During
the Penal Times, when the English government ruled Ireland,
they took over Catholic churches, tore down Catholic
monasteries, made it ILLEGAL to celebrate the Mass. Catholic
PRIESTS were expelled from the country, and were subject to
instant EXECUTION if they were FOUND. Priests traveled in
SECRET, and celebrated the Mass in HOMES at night. At Christmas
time, Irish Catholic families would leave their DOOR unlocked
and CANDLES in the windows, to signal to the PRIEST that he
could come and stay and pray with them.
The English SOLDIERS would ASK about the candles. The Irish
people would reply: “They are to let Mary and Joseph know that
they can come to stay here at our house.” The soldiers would
say, “SILLY Catholics!”
Nativity Scene:
It was invented by St. FRANCIS of Assisi for Midnight Mass in
the year 1223, in the little town of Greccio, Italy. They used
live ANIMALS, and local PEOPLE took the roles of the people in
the Gospel event. It was a very CREATIVE way to MEDITATE on
the mystery of Christmas.
So, THIS WEEK, as you sit and look at Christmas decorations,
PONDER the MEANING and the HISTORY of all those beautiful
CHRISTIAN customs.
They remind us of Jesus Christ, the last Adam, the only
begotten Son of God, born of the virgin Mary to be God's
sacrificial LAMB, who HUMBLED himself and gave His life for
ALL humanity on the cross so that we might be saved, have
eternal life and be reconciled back to God by His complete
SACRIFICE of LOVE to us who believe. See: 1 Cor.15:45,
John 3:18, Luke.1:25-32, John 1:29, Acts 8:32, 1 Pet.1:19,
Rom.5:10, and 2 Cor.5:18
By understanding the MEANING of these Christian symbols, you
can SHARE them with others, and DRAW HEARTS AND MINDS to Jesus
Christ our beloved living LORD AND SAVIOR.
Be Sociable, Share!
AT LEAST THE WORLD SHOULD KNOW THE TRUE REASON FOR CHRISTMAS.
---
...Aww, so beautiful! Thank You Linda!
Praise God for our Lord Jesus Christ!
===========================================================
>-->From Heartwarming:
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>A PARENT'S PRAYER
O Heavenly Father, make me a better parent. Teach me to
understand my children, to listen patiently to what they
have to say, and to answer all their questions kindly.
Keep me from interrupting them or criticizing them. Make
me as courteous to them as I would have them be to me.
Forbid that I should ever laugh at their mistakes or resort
to shame or ridicule when they displease me.
May I never punish them for my own selfish satisfaction or
to show my power.
Let me not tempt my child to lie or steal but guide me hour
by hour that I might demonstrate in everything that I say
or do that honesty produces happiness.
May I ever be mindful that my children are children and
that I should not expect of them the judgment of adults.
Let me not rob them of the opportunity to wait on themselves
and to make decisions.
Bless me with the bigness to grant them their reasonable
requests and the courage to deny them the privileges I know
could do them harm.
Make me fair, just and kind, and fit me, O Lord, to be loved,
respected and imitated by my children, and help me always
remember that better parents raise better children.
-<>-
>'Twas the Night Before Jesus Came
'Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house
Not a creature was praying, not one in the house.
Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care
In hopes that Jesus would not come there.
The children were dressing to crawl into bed,
Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head.
And Mom in her rocker with baby on her lap
Was watching the Late Show while I took a nap.
When out of the East there arose such a clatter,
I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash!
When what to my wondering eyes should appear
But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here.
With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray
I knew in a moment this must be The Day!
The light of His face made me cover my head
It was Jesus! returning just like He had said.
And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth
I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.
In the Book of Life which He held in His hand
Was written the name of every saved man.
He spoke not a word as He searched for my name;
When He said "It's not here" my head hung in shame.
The people whose names had been written with love
He gathered to take to His Father above.
With those who were ready He rose without a sound
While all the rest were left standing around.
I fell to my knees, but it was too late;
I had waited too long and this sealed my fate.
I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight;
Oh, if only I had been ready tonight.
In the words of this poem the meaning is clear;
The coming of Jesus is drawing near.
There's only one life and when comes the last call
We'll find that the Bible was true after all!
copyright 1993 Bethany Farms, Carrollton, IL
You can find a printable copy of this poem on WorldVillage.com.
===========================================================
>-->From Our Friend LouiseA :)
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>Remember Why
As the holiday season approaches
Excitement fills the air
Family dinners, friends together
So many things we share.
The hustle and bustle of shopping
Bright glitter fills each store
Ribbons and bows and lights
Trees and toys and more.
Santa is such fun for all
With children on his knee
But remember why we celebrate
As you decorate the tree.
For Christmas is a time for joy
A miracle on earth
A baby born in Bethlehem
We celebrate His birth.
-<>-
>I Love Christmas
The older I get ...
The closer I feel to old friends as
I write my Christmas cards...
The more I cherish old ornaments...
The more fondly I remember
Christmases past...
The longer I hold on to a
Christmas hug...
The more I realize Christmas
is a matter of the heart...
The tighter my throat gets when
I sing "Silent Night"...
The more I enjoy giving
than receiving...
The longer I sit at night
in the glow of the Christmas tree...
The more wondrously beautiful
the Christmas story...
The deeper my awe at
God's infinite love...
The more I love Christmas!
Merry Christmas!
-<>-
>Let's Give A Little Jesus
This Christmas...
Let's give a little Jesus,
a thoughtful word or deed,
an act of generosity for
someone who's in need.
Let's give a little Jesus,
to everyone we meet...
the salesclerk or the server,
the person on the street.
Let's give a little Jesus,
that's what really counts...
not what's spent or bought,
for whom, in what amounts.
Let's give a little Jesus,
to everyone, large and small,
for Jesus, the Messiah,
is the greatest gift of all.
---
...Aww, Favorite sweet ones! Thanks LouiseA!
===========================================================
>-->From Our Friend Fran :)
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>WHAT HAPPENS IN HEAVEN WHEN WE PRAY?
This is one of the nicest e-mails I have seen and is so true:
I dreamt that I went to Heaven and an angel was showing me around. We
walked side-by-side inside a large workroom filled with angels. My
angel guide stopped in front of the first section and said, ' This is
the Receiving Section. Here, all petitions to God said in prayer are
received.
I looked around in this area, and it was terribly busy with so many
angels sorting out petitions written on voluminous paper sheets and
scraps from people all over the world.
Then we moved on down a long corridor until we reached the second
section.
The angel then said to me, "This is the Packaging and Delivery Section.
Here, the graces and blessings the people asked for are processed and
delivered to the living persons who asked for them." I noticed again
how busy it was there. There were many angels working hard at that
station, since so many blessings had been requested and were being
packaged for delivery to Earth.
Finally at the farthest end of the long corridor we stopped at the door
of a very small station. To my great surprise, only one angel was
seated there, idly doing nothing. "This is the Acknowledgment Section,
my angel friend quietly admitted to me. He seemed embarrassed." How is
it that there is no work going on here? ' I asked.
"So sad," the angel sighed. "After people receive the blessings that
they asked for, very few send back acknowledgments"
"How does one acknowledge God's blessings? " I asked..
"Simple," the angel answered. Just say, "Thank you, Lord.. "
"What blessings should they acknowledge?" I asked.
"If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof
overhead and a place to sleep you are richer than 75% of this world. If
you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish,
you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy. "
"And if you get this on your own computer, you are part of the 1% in
the world who has that opportunity."
"If you woke up this morning with more health than illness .. You are
more blessed than the many who will not even survive this day. "
"If you have never experienced the fear in battle, the loneliness of
imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation . You
are ahead of 700 million people in the world.."
"If you can attend a church without the fear of harassment, arrest,
torture or death you are envied by, and more blessed than, three
billion people in the world."
"If your parents are still alive and still married ...you are very
rare."
"If you can hold your head up and smile, you are not the norm, you're
unique to all those in doubt and despair......."
Ok, what now? How can I start?
If you can read this message, you just received a double blessing in
that someone was thinking of you as very special and you are more
blessed than over two billion people in the world who cannot read at
all.
Have a good day, count your blessings, and if you care to, pass this
along to remind everyone else how blessed we all are.
Attn: Acknowledge Dept.
"Thank you Lord, for giving me the ability to share this message and
for giving me so many wonderful people with whom to share it, in the
name of Jesus Christ, Amen"
If you have read this far, and are thankful for all that you have been
blessed with, how can you not send it on ??? ?
I thank God for everything, especially all my family and friends.
---
...Amen! I sure am THANKFUL! Thank You Fran!
============================================================
>-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo:
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>A Place in Paradise
On Christmas Eve, a rich man sells his place in heaven to a poor
man to make a profit. But the joke's on him...
By Paulo Coelho, based on a Hasidic tale by David Mandel
Many years ago, in the northeast of Brazil, there lived a couple who
were very poor and whose only possession was a hen. They managed to
scrape a precarious living from the eggs laid by that one hen.
On Christmas Eve, however, the hen died. The husband, who only had
a few pennies to his name, which was certainly not enough to buy
food for that evening's meal, went to seek help from the village
priest. Instead of giving him money, the priest merely remarked:
'God never closes a door without opening a window. Your money will
buy you almost nothing, so go to the market and buy the first
thing you're offered. I will bless that purchase and, since
Christmas is the time for miracles, something will happen that
will change your life for ever.'
The man wasn't entirely convinced that this was the best solution,
but he went to the market anyway. One of the traders saw him
wandering aimlessly about and asked what he was looking for.
'I don't know. I don't have much money, but the priest told me
that I should buy the first thing I was offered.'
The trader was very rich, but even so he never let slip an
opportunity to make a profit, however small. He took the man's
few coins and in exchange gave him a note scribbled on a piece
of paper.
'The priest was quite right. Now I've always had a kind heart,
and so, on this festive day, I'm selling you my place in
Paradise. Here are the deeds!'
The other man took the piece of paper and moved off, while the
trader glowed with pride at having closed yet another excellent
deal. That night, while he was preparing for supper in his
house full of servants, he told the story to his wife, adding
that it was thanks to such quick thinking that he had become as
rich as he was.
'That's shameful!' said his wife. 'Fancy behaving like that on
the day Jesus was born! Go straight to that man's house and get
the piece of paper back, or you'll never set foot in this house
again!'
Alarmed by his wife's anger, the trader decided to do as she
said. After much asking around, he managed to find out where
the man lived. When he went in, he found the couple sitting at
a table that was completely bare apart from the piece of paper.
'I've come because what I did was wrong,' the trader said.
'Here's your money. Now give me back what I sold you.'
'You did nothing wrong,' replied the man.'I followed the
priest's advice and I know that what I bought from you is
blessed.'
'But it's just a piece of paper. Besides, no one can sell
someone else their place in Paradise. If you like, I'll give
you double what you paid for it.'
However, because he believed in miracles, the poor man refused
to sell. The trader gradually increased his offer, until he
reached the sum of ten gold coins.
'That's no good to me,' said the man. 'In order to give my
wife the life she deserves, I need one hundred gold coins.
That is the miracle I'm waiting for this Christmas Eve.'
In despair and knowing that if he lingered any longer, no one
in his own house would have supper or go to midnight mass,
the trader ended up paying one hundred gold coins to get the
piece of paper back. As far as the couple were concerned, the
miracle had happened. As for the trader, he had done as his
wife had asked. His wife, though, was filled with doubt. Had
she been too hard on her husband?
As soon as midnight Mass was over, she went to the priest and
told him the story.
'Father, my husband met a man who said that you had told him
to go to the market and buy the first thing he was offered.
My husband, seeing a chance to earn some easy money, wrote
him a note on a piece of paper, selling him his place in
Paradise. I told my husband that he wouldn't eat in our house
tonight if he didn't get that piece of paper back, and he
ended up having to pay one hundred gold coins for it. Did I
go too far? Could a place in Paradise really cost that much?'
'Firstly, your husband was able to show great generosity on
this, the most important day in the Christian calendar.
Secondly, he became the instrument of God through whom a
miracle was performed. But to answer your question: when he
sold his place in heaven for a few pennies, it wasn't even
worth that much; however, when he bought it back for one
hundred gold coins simply to make his wife happy, that, I
can assure you, made it worth much much more.'
-<>-
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>The Gift of the Magi (a Christmas classic)
by O.Henry
One dollar and eighty-seven cents. That was all. And sixty
cents of it was in pennies. Pennies saved one and two at a
time by bulldozing the grocer and the vegetable man and the
butcher until one's cheeks burned with the silent imputation
of parsimony that such close dealing implied. Three times
Della counted it. One dollar and eighty- seven cents. And
the next day would be Christmas.
There was clearly nothing to do but flop down on the shabby
little couch and howl. So Della did it. Which instigates
the moral reflection that life is made up of sobs, sniffles,
and smiles, with sniffles predominating.
While the mistress of the home is gradually subsiding from
the first stage to the second, take a look at the home. A
furnished flat at $8 per week. It did not exactly beggar
description, but it certainly had that word on the lookout
for the mendicancy squad.
In the vestibule below was a letter-box into which no letter
would go, and an electric button from which no mortal finger
could coax a ring. Also appertaining thereunto was a card
bearing the name "Mr. James Dillingham Young."
The "Dillingham" had been flung to the breeze during a
former period of prosperity when its possessor was being
paid $30 per week. Now, when the income was shrunk to $20,
though, they were thinking seriously of contracting to a
modest and unassuming D. But whenever Mr. James Dillingham
Young came home and reached his flat above he was called
"Jim" and greatly hugged by Mrs. James Dillingham Young,
already introduced to you as Della. Which is all very good.
Della finished her cry and attended to her cheeks with the
powder rag. She stood by the window and looked out dully at
a gray cat walking a gray fence in a gray backyard. Tomorrow
would be Christmas Day, and she had only $1.87 with which to
buy Jim a present. She had been saving every penny she could
for months, with this result. Twenty dollars a week doesn't
go far. Expenses had been greater than she had calculated.
They always are. Only $1.87 to buy a present for Jim. Her
Jim. Many a happy hour she had spent planning for something
nice for him. Something fine and rare and sterling--something
just a little bit near to being worthy of the honor of being
owned by Jim.
There was a pier-glass between the windows of the room.
Perhaps you have seen a pier-glass in an $8 flat. A very thin
and very agile person may, by observing his reflection in a
rapid sequence of longitudinal strips, obtain a fairly
accurate conception of his looks. Della, being slender, had
mastered the art.
Suddenly she whirled from the window and stood before the
glass. Her eyes were shining brilliantly, but her face had
lost its color within twenty seconds. Rapidly she pulled down
her hair and let it fall to its full length.
Now, there were two possessions of the James Dillingham Youngs
in which they both took a mighty pride. One was Jim's gold
watch that had been his father's and his grandfather's. The
other was Della's hair. Had the queen of Sheba lived in the
flat across the airshaft, Della would have let her hair hang
out the window some day to dry just to depreciate Her
Majesty's jewels and gifts. Had King Solomon been the janitor,
with all his treasures piled up in the basement, Jim would
have pulled out his watch every time he passed, just to see
him pluck at his beard from envy. So now Della's beautiful
hair fell about her rippling and shining like a cascade of
brown waters. It reached below her knee and made itself almost
a garment for her. And then she did it up again nervously and
quickly. Once she faltered for a minute and stood still while
a tear or two splashed on the worn red carpet.
On went her old brown jacket; on went her old brown hat. With
a whirl of skirts and with the brilliant sparkle still in her
eyes, she fluttered out the door and down the stairs to the
street.
Where she stopped the sign read: "Mne. Sofronie. Hair Goods
of All Kinds." One flight up Della ran, and collected
herself, panting. Madame, large, too white, chilly, hardly
looked the "Sofronie."
"Will you buy my hair?" asked Della.
"I buy hair," said Madame. "Take yer hat off and let's have
a sight at the looks of it."
Down rippled the brown cascade.
"Twenty dollars," said Madame, lifting the mass with a
practiced hand.
"Give it to me quick," said Della.
Oh, and the next two hours tripped by on rosy wings. Forget
the hashed metaphor. She was ransacking the stores for Jim's
present.
She found it at last. It surely had been made for Jim and
no one else. There was no other like it in any of the stores,
and she had turned all of them inside out. It was a platinum
fob chain simple and chaste in design, properly proclaiming
its value by substance alone and not by meretricious
ornamentation--as all good things should do. It was even
worthy of The Watch. As soon as she saw it she knew that it
must be Jim's. It was like him. Quietness and value--the
description applied to both. Twenty-one dollars they took
from her for it, and she hurried home with the 87 cents. With
that chain on his watch Jim might be properly anxious about
the time in any company. Grand as the watch was, he sometimes
looked at it on the sly on account of the old leather strap
that he used in place of a chain.
When Della reached home her intoxication gave way a little
to prudence and reason. She got out her curling irons and
lighted the gas and went to work repairing the ravages made
by generosity added to love. Which is always a tremendous
task, dear friends--a mammoth task.
Within forty minutes her head was covered with tiny, close-
lying curls that made her look wonderfully like a truant
schoolboy. She looked at her reflection in the mirror long,
carefully, and critically.
"If Jim doesn't kill me," she said to herself, "before he
takes a second look at me, he'll say I look like a Coney
Island chorus girl. But what could I do--oh! what could I do
with a dollar and eighty- seven cents?"
At 7 o'clock the coffee was made and the frying-pan was on
the back of the stove hot and ready to cook the chops. Jim was
never late. Della doubled the fob chain in her hand and sat
on the corner of the table near the door that he always
entered. Then she heard his step on the stair away down on
the first flight, and she turned white for just a moment. She
had a habit for saying little silent prayer about the simplest
everyday things, and now she whispered: "Please God, make him
think I am still pretty."
The door opened and Jim stepped in and closed it. He looked
thin and very serious. Poor fellow, he was only twenty-two--
and to be burdened with a family! He needed a new overcoat
and he was without gloves.
Jim stopped inside the door, as immovable as a setter at the
scent of quail. His eyes were fixed upon Della, and there was
an expression in them that she could not read, and it
terrified her. It was not anger, nor surprise, nor disapproval,
nor horror, nor any of the sentiments that she had been
prepared for. He simply stared at her fixedly with that
peculiar expression on his face.
Della wriggled off the table and went for him.
"Jim, darling," she cried, "don't look at me that way. I had
my hair cut off and sold because I couldn't have lived through
Christmas without giving you a present. It'll grow out again
--you won't mind, will you? I just had to do it. My hair grows
awfully fast. Say 'Merry Christmas!' Jim, and let's be happy.
You don't know what a nice-- what a beautiful, nice gift I've
got for you."
"You've cut off your hair?" asked Jim, laboriously, as if
he had not arrived at that patent fact yet even after the
hardest mental labor.
"Cut it off and sold it," said Della. "Don't you like me just
as well, anyhow? I'm me without my hair, ain't I?" Jim looked
about the room curiously.
"You say your hair is gone?" he said, with an air almost of
idiocy.
"You needn't look for it," said Della. "It's sold, I tell you-
-sold and gone, too. It's Christmas Eve, boy. Be good to me,
for it went for you. Maybe the hairs of my head were numbered,"
she went on with sudden serious sweetness, "but nobody could
ever count my love for you. Shall I put the chops on, Jim?"
Out of his trance Jim seemed quickly to wake. He enfolded his
Della. For ten seconds let us regard with discreet scrutiny
some inconsequential object in the other direction. Eight
dollars a week or a million a year--what is the difference? A
mathematician or a wit would give you the wrong answer. The
magi brought valuable gifts, but that was not among them. This
dark assertion will be illuminated later on.
Jim drew a package from his overcoat pocket and threw it upon
the table.
"Don't make any mistake, Dell," he said, "about me. I don't
think there's anything in the way of a haircut or a shave or
a shampoo that could make me like my girl any less. But if
you'll unwrap that package you may see why you had me going
a while at first."
White fingers and nimble tore at the string and paper. And then
an ecstatic scream of joy; and then, alas! a quick feminine
change to hysterical tears and wails, necessitating the
immediate employment of all the comforting powers of the lord
of the flat.
For there lay The Combs--the set of combs, side and back, that
Della had worshipped long in a Broadway window. Beautiful combs,
pure tortoise shell, with jeweled rims--just the shade to wear
in the beautiful vanished hair.
They were expensive combs, she knew, and her heart had simply
craved and yearned over them without the least hope of
possession. And now, they were hers, but the tresses that
should have adorned the coveted adornments were gone. But she
hugged them to her bosom, and at length she was able to look
up with dim eyes and a smile and say: "My hair grows so fast,
Jim!"
And them Della leaped up like a little singed cat and cried,
"Oh, oh!"
Jim had not yet seen his beautiful present. She held it out to
him eagerly upon her open palm. The dull precious metal seemed
to flash with a reflection of her bright and ardent spirit.
"Isn't it a dandy, Jim? I hunted all over town to find it.
You'll have to look at the time a hundred times a day now. Give
me your watch. I want to see how it looks on it."
Instead of obeying, Jim tumbled down on the couch and put his
hands under the back of his head and smiled. "Dell," said he,
"let's put our Christmas presents away and keep 'em a while.
They're too nice to use just at present. I sold the watch to
get the money to buy your combs. And now suppose you put the
chops on."
The magi, as you know, were wise men--wonderfully wise men--who
brought gifts to the Babe in the manger. They invented the art
of giving Christmas presents. Being wise, their gifts were no
doubt wise ones, possibly bearing the privilege of exchange in
case of duplication. And here I have lamely related to you the
uneventful chronicle of two foolish children in a flat who most
unwisely sacrificed for each other the greatest treasures of
their house. But in a last word to the wise of these days let
it be said that of all who give gifts these two were the wisest.
O all who give and receive gifts, such as they are wisest.
Everywhere they are wisest. They are the magi.
-<>-
>Links for Your Enjoyment:
Full Christmas Index
http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/christmasindex.html
The Christmas Story
http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/christmasstory.html
The 90/10 Principle
http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/giving.html
The Blue Ribbon
http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/blueribbon.html
The Bible
http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thebible.html
Church Mouse Wisdom
http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/churchmouse.html
God Is Like
http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/godislike.html
Jesus Clinic
http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/clinic.html
Cuddle BeBe Rag Dolls
http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/ragdolls.html
Porcelain Doll Art
http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/porcelaindoll.htm
Kids On God
http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/kidsonGod.html
My Precious Child
http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/mychild.htm
Wisdom For Life
http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/wisdomforlife.html
Old Barns, Old People, Old Friend
http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/barns.html
-<>-
>From Our Friend Linda :)
Flash mob(of 4)at British school lunch.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/JNgCM7zp30M
---
...Teehee! Thanks Linda!
-<>-
>From Our Friend LouiseA :)
The Piano Guys share with us a wonderful music video of Silent Night
featuring tenor legend Placido Domingo. The music video was filmed in
the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine in New York City, one of the
largest cathedrals in the world, and also features the children from
the Cathedral School Choristers singing Silent Night.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMvURdq8V6U&feature=player_embedded
A different kind of 12 days of Christmas compiled by Americas Funniest
Home Videos - America's longest running funny video television
program.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=9wBLwI5ZEjs
French magician Dany Lary performs at the French TV show "Le Plus Grand
Cabaret Du Monde" (The World's Largest Cabaret) hosted by Patrick
Sebastien.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKELUgPncns&feature=player_embedded
The Piano Guys along with The Mormon Tabernacle Choir share with us a
wonderful music video of the song Angels We Have Heard On High. This
moving video of this Christmas Hymn came to life when over 1,000 people
came together to make it and break a Guinness World Record at the same
time. The music video had 1,039 participants which far surpassed the
previous record of a video with 898 people.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=PrLoWt2tfqg
A beautiful video of Silent Night - performed By Sissel that is
relaxing and enjoyable to watch. I love looking at all the wildlife and
outdoor scenes as the song is sung.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EMH-3evZV8&feature=player_embedded
---
...Love these! Thanks LouiseA!
-<>-
>From our friend Fran :)
Christmas Prayer
http://www.mamarocks.com/christmas_prayer.htm
A GIGGLE with the GOATS Jingle Bells Holiday Performance - YouTube
https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/b4_EdJ-XkUA?rel=0
---
...Teehee! Nice ones! Thanks Fran!
Visit Melissa's Online Store
You can get anything you want (except for Melissa ) at
the online store
http://pdhomes.net/mall/babylissa/mySTORES/ISELL4.html
==========================================================
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jgs ''''
>Climbing Over Adversity Story Editor:
By Hugh Everett Jason Wallwork
Washington, USA
In March of 1997, I moved to Yamagata City, Japan, to teach English
in a private high school. I soon met several climbers in the area and,
one day in May, a friend took me to a local climbing gym. There, I
noticed a man climbing up a very steep overhanging wall. He was a highly
skilled climber with excellent form -- despite that his left leg ended
at mid-thigh.
During a break I introduced myself. He said, "I'm Mineo Ono. You can
call me John if you want! Since I married my wife, Yoko, people call me
John Lennon."
Later, I carefully asked Mr. Ono when and how he lost his leg.
"Cancer," he replied. "They took it off in March. I'm still in the
hospital, but they let me out for a day. Don't tell them I'm climbing,
they'd get mad at me!" I was stunned. Here was a man two months after an
amputation, climbing cheerily up harder routes than I'd ever dreamt of
completing.
I spent lots of time getting to know Mr. Ono that year. I visited him
in the hospital and, on his days out, invited him and his wife over for
dinner. He was always cheerful, even through bouts of nausea from his
continuous chemotherapy treatments. His great attitude and ability to
even joke about the amputation often surprised me.
He said, "I've never used a computer before, and all this time in bed
seemed a good opportunity to learn, so I got a laptop. I had to pay to
get the phone line extended to my bed, but I'm on the Internet now. I
want to study English, so let's practice." He emailed: "My name is Mineo
Ono -- M. Ono. I have only one leg, so you can call me Mono!" And: "All
this lying around has really made me weak. But since I lost about 10
kilograms with the leg, I can climb as well as ever."
Mr. Ono was hospitalized for well over two years, with only
occasional visits home. I asked Mrs. Ono if her husband ever got
depressed or angry. Her reply was, "Sometimes, yes. But not as often as
I would have." His good humor continued after he left the hospital. He
wrote describing a small climbing accident. "I was 60 feet up and my
artificial leg fell off! Luckily, it didn't land on anyone, and it
wasn't badly damaged. I worried that I'd have to buy a new one; they're
really expensive!"
In April of 2000 I tore a ligament in my knee, and spent three weeks
in the hospital. Often I became quite despondent over the loss of
function and strength in my leg, and complained. Then I would remember
Mr. Ono, and realize how fortunate I was. His attitude and humor in the
face of such adversity were lessons I will never forget.
=======HeroicStories=======
>-->From Our Friend Linda :)
A very nice story!
May God Bless us, our children and all the citizen's of this
great land with this same "sharing, caring and thoughtful"
attitude.
_...
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>A CHRISTMAS STORY TO REMEMBER
It was Christmas Eve 1881. I was fifteen years old and feeling
like the world had caved in on me because there just hadn't
been enough money to buy me the rifle that I'd wanted for
Christmas.
We did the chores early that night for some reason. I just
figured Pa wanted a little extra time so we could read in the
Bible. After supper was over I took my boots off and stretched
out in front of the fireplace and waited for Pa to get down
the old Bible.
I was still feeling sorry for myself and, to be honest, I
wasn't in much of a mood to read Scriptures. But Pa didn't
get the Bible instead he bundled up again and went outside. I
couldn't figure it out because we had already done all the
chores. I didn't worry about it long though I was too busy
wallowing in self-pity.
Soon Pa came back in. It was a cold clear night out and there
was ice in his beard. "Come on, Matt," he said. "Bundle up
good, it's cold out tonight." I was really upset then. Not
only wasn't I getting the rifle for Christmas, now Pa was
dragging me out in the cold, and for no earthly reason that I
could see. We'd already done all the chores, and I couldn't
think of anything else that needed doing, especially not on a
night like this. But I knew Pa was not very patient at one
dragging one's feet when he'd told them to do something, so I
got up and put my boots back on and got my cap, coat, and
mittens. Ma gave me a mysterious smile as I opened the door
to leave the house. Something was up, but I didn't know what..
Outside, I became even more dismayed. There in front of the
house was the work team, already hitched to the big sled.
Whatever it was we were going to do wasn't going to be a short,
quick, little job. I could tell. We never hitched up this sled
unless we were going to haul a big load. Pa was already up on
the seat, reins in hand. I reluctantly climbed up beside him.
The cold was already biting at me. I wasn't happy. When I was
on, Pa pulled the sled around the house and stopped in front
of the woodshed. He got off and I followed.
"I think we'll put on the high sideboards," he said. "Here,
help me." The high sideboards! It had been a bigger job than
I wanted to do with just the low sideboards on, but whatever
it was we were going to do would be a lot bigger with the high
side boards on.
After we had exchanged the sideboards, Pa went into the
woodshed and came out with an armload of wood - the wood I'd
spent all summer hauling down from the mountain, and then all
Fall sawing into blocks and splitting. What was he doing?
Finally I said something. "Pa," I asked, "what are you doing?"
"You been by the Widow Jensen's lately?" he asked. The Widow
Jensen lived about two miles down the road. Her husband had
died a year or so before and left her with three children,
the oldest being eight. Sure, I'd been by, but so what?
Yeah," I said, "Why?"
"I rode by just today," Pa said. "Little Jakey was out digging
around in the woodpile trying to find a few chips. They're out
of wood, Matt." That was all he said and then he turned and
went back into the woodshed for another armload of wood. I
followed him. We loaded the sled so high that I began to wonder
if the horses would be able to pull it. Finally, Pa called a
halt to our loading then we went to the smoke house and Pa took
down a big ham and a side of bacon. He handed them to me and
told me to put them in the sled and wait. When he returned he
was carrying a sack of flour over his right shoulder and a
smaller sack of something in his left hand.
"What's in the little sack?" I asked.
"Shoes, they're out of shoes. Little Jakey just had gunny sacks
wrapped around his feet when he was out in the woodpile this
morning. I got the children a little candy too. It just wouldn't
be Christmas without a little candy."
We rode the two miles to Widow Jensen's pretty much in silence.
I tried to think through what Pa was doing. We didn't have much
by worldly standards. Of course, we did have a big woodpile,
though most of what was left now was still in the form of logs
that I would have to saw into blocks and split before we could
use it. We also had meat and flour, so we could spare that, but
I knew we didn't have any money, so why was Pa buying them shoes
and candy? Really, why was he doing any of this? Widow Jensen
had closer neighbors than us; it shouldn't have been our concern.
We came in from the blind side of the Jensen house and unloaded
the wood as quietly as possible then we took the meat and flour
and shoes to the door. We knocked. The door opened a crack and
a timid voice said, "Who is it?"
"Lucas Miles, Ma'am, and my son, Matt, could we come in for
a bit?"
Widow Jensen opened the door and let us in. She had a blanket
wrapped around her shoulders. The children were wrapped in
another and were sitting in front of the fireplace by a very
small fire that hardly gave off any heat at all. Widow Jensen
fumbled with a match and finally lit the lamp.
"We brought you a few things, Ma'am," Pa said and set down
the sack of flour. I put the meat on the table. Then Pa handed
her the sack that had the shoes in it. She opened it
hesitantly and took the shoes out one pair at a time. There
was a pair for her and one for each of the children - sturdy
shoes, the best, shoes that would last. I watched her
carefully. She bit her lower lip to keep it from trembling
and then tears filled her eyes and started running down her
cheeks. She looked up at Pa like she wanted to say something,
but it wouldn't come out.
"We brought a load of wood too, Ma'am," Pa said. He turned to
me and said, Matt, go bring in enough to last awhile. Let's
get that fire up to size and heat this place up." I wasn't
the same person when I went back out to bring in the wood. I
had a big lump in my throat and as much as I hate to admit it
there were tears in my eyes too. In my mind I kept seeing those
three kids huddled around the fireplace and their mother
standing there with tears running down her cheeks with so much
gratitude in her heart that she couldn't speak.
My heart swelled within me and a joy that I'd never known
before filled my soul. I had given at Christmas many times
before, but never when it had made so much difference. I
could see we were literally saving the lives of these people.
I soon had the fire blazing and everyone's spirits soared.
The kids started giggling when Pa handed them each a piece of
candy and Widow Jensen looked on with a smile that probably
hadn't crossed her face for a long time. She finally turned
to us. "God bless you," she said. "I know the Lord has sent
you. The children and I have been praying that he would send
one of his angels to spare us."
In spite of myself, the lump returned to my throat and the
tears welled up in my eyes again. I'd never thought of Pa
in those exact terms before, but after Widow Jensen mentioned
it I could see that it was probably true. I was sure that a
better man than Pa had never walked the earth. I started
remembering all the times he had gone out of his way for Ma
and me, and many others. The list seemed endless as I thought
on it.
Pa insisted that everyone try on the shoes before we left. I
was amazed when they all fit and I wondered how he had known
what sizes to get. Then I guessed that if he was on an errand
for the Lord that the Lord would make sure he got the right
sizes.
Tears were running down Widow Jensen's face again when we
stood up to leave. Pa took each of the kids in his big arms
and gave them a hug. They clung to him and didn't want us to
go. I could see that they missed their Pa and I was glad that
I still had mine.
At the door Pa turned to Widow Jensen and said, "The Mrs.
wanted me to invite you and the children over for Christmas
dinner tomorrow. The turkey will be more than the three of us
can eat, and a man can get cantankerous if he has to eat turkey
for too many meals. We'll be by to get you about eleven. It'll
be nice to have some little ones around again. Matt, here,
hasn't been little for quite a spell."
I was the youngest. My two brothers and two sisters had all
married and had moved away.
Widow Jensen nodded and said, "Thank you, Brother Miles. I
don't have to say May the Lord bless you, I know for certain
that He will."
Out on the sled I felt a warmth that came from deep within
and I didn't even notice the cold. When we had gone a ways,
Pa turned to me and said, "Matt, I want you to know something.
Your ma and me have been tucking a little money away here and
there all year so we could buy that rifle for you, but we
didn't have quite enough.
Then yesterday a man who owed me a little money from years
back came by to make things square. Your ma and me were real
excited, thinking that now we could get you that rifle, and
I started into town this morning to do just that, but on the
way I saw little Jakey out scratching in the woodpile with his
feet wrapped in those gunny sacks and I knew what I had to do.
Son, I spent the money for shoes and a little candy for those
children. I hope you understand."
I understood, and my eyes became wet with tears again. I
understood very well, and I was so glad Pa had done it. Now
the rifle seemed very low on my list of priorities. Pa had
given me a lot more. He had given me the look on Widow Jensen's
face and the radiant smiles of her three children. For the rest
of my life, Whenever I saw any of the Jensens, or split a block
of wood I remembered, and remembering brought back that same
joy I felt riding home beside Pa that night. Pa had given me
much more than a rifle that night, he had given me the best
Christmas of my life.
Author: Rian Anderson
---
...What an awesome heartwarming story! Thanks Linda!
==========================================================
>-->From Kidwarmers:
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>THE FUNNIEST THINGS KIDS SAY
Caralie, 4, was visiting her grandmother, Pat, and helping to put up
Christmas decorations. Pat has a beautiful white crocheted angel and
she was wondering if she should put it on top of her tree or set it
on a table. Pat has often called Caralie, "My little angel." So
Caralie commented, "I think you better put that angel on top of the
tree. I couldn't stand still that long ... especially if I had to go
potty!" -- Pat Glass of Kendallville, Indiana
One time when Caralie was in the car with Pat, they heard the song
that goes, "Caroling, caroling, now we go..." Caralie said with
excitement, "Grandma, listen they are singing my name!"
When Emily was 4, her favorite Christmas carol was "Away in a Manger."
The family's favorite part was when she sang the line, "The little Lord
Jesus is probably hay!" -- Marcia Borka (aunt of Emily) of Faribault,
Minnesota
L E T I T
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When Amanda's son was 6, they were going to Amanda's mother's house
where he was going to spend the night. He had been playing on
Amanda's nerves the entire day and finally, right before they pulled
into Amanda's mother's driveway, she put the standard "mother's curse"
on him, saying, "When you grow up, I hope you have a child just like
you." He looked at Amanda with big crocodile tears in his eyes and
said, "Gee, Mommy, I thought you wanted me to be happy!" -- Amanda H.
of North Carolina
Jonathon, 7, came home from school and told his mother he had a
headache. She told him to lie down awhile and see if it would go
away. "I don't think that will work," Jonathon said, "'cuz I think
it is a mind drain." His mother asked, "Do you mean migraine?" He
replied, "No, it's a mind drain 'cuz it hurts really bad." -- Diane
(mother of Cassie and Jon) of Kettle River, Minnesota
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Last year Diane's truck broke down and she had to borrow one from a
friend to get Cassie, 3, from daycare. When Cassie saw the friend's
truck, she asked, "Where is Daddy's truck?" Diane told her it was
broken and Cassie said, "Mommy, you have to get some tape!"
Kelci, 4, is used to her grandmother picking her up from school every
day except on the days that her dad is off. Her grandmother has spoiled
her by putting pretzels in the truck so that when she picks her up,
Kelci has a snack. Last week Kelci said when her dad picks her up from
school he should have some "pencils" (pretzels) for her in the truck
like her grandmother. -- Tanva Huval of Eunice, Louisiana
On a recent road trip to Anchorage, in very hazardous weather, Cori,
5, was told to be very quiet and not talk for a while so her Mom could
concentrate on driving. After some time, Cori asked, "Mom, are you
talking with God?" "As a matter of fact, I am," was the reply. Cori
was quiet for another minute, then said, "God, Please give my Mom good
driving lessons!" -- Chris (mother of Cori) of Kenai, Alaska
_
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Samantha, 4, woke up one morning not feeling very well. She said,
"Mom, you know that frog that gets in your throat sometimes? I think
he's sitting on a bone in my neck." She had a stiff neck. -- Shanna
Breeding (Samantha's mom) of Kimberly, Idaho
The family was packing things for a camp-out. Connie's husband came
in with a chain saw and placed it next to the camping things. Connie
looked at little Jamie and wondered out loud, "What do you suppose
that's for?" Jamie said, "Probably to filet the fish!" -- Connie
Meister of Neosho, Wisconsin
Julie, the teenage sister of Jamie, was lamenting how unfair life is.
He wanted to console her with the wisdom of "Put your past behind you."
But it came out, "Put your past in your behind."
__ /\ __ __ /\ __ __ /\ __ __ /\ __
\_`\/`_/ .\'/. \_`\/`_/ .\'/. \_`\/`_/ .\'/. \_`\/`_/
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\/ \/ \/ \/
Grandpa and Grandma Ackerman and Aunt Deb had gone to Florida. They
had brought Alex, 6, and Kaylie, 3, back some souvenirs. Janet, the
mother of Alex and Kaylie, was passing the things out. After about
two or three things, she handed each one a package that was wrapped
up. As they were opening the packages, Alex yelled, "MOM! LOOK!
THEY BROUGHT US BACK DEAD STARFISH!" -- Janet Hart of Wolcottville,
Indiana
Note: You are welcomed to use, copy and share
these stories, but please reference
http://www.funnykids.com as the source.
==========================================================
>-->From Our Friend LouiseA :)
.
|
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>Christmas Is The Thought
It's that time of the year again
When Christmas is the thought
Baking, shopping and wrapping
Each and every gift that's bought.
Putting up the Christmas tree
Each branch is lit so bright
Each ornament brings a memory
It's such a lovely sight.
Cookies baking in the oven
The smell of cinnamon fills the air
Smiles and laughter in our hearts
Joy and happiness is everywhere.
One tiny thing that I must mention
And we wouldn't want to miss
A sprig of mistletoe hung real high
For a sweet little Christmas kiss.
One more thing, and it's important
Let's try to get it right
Tis a birthday we are celebrating
Jesus was born on Christmas night.
---
...Awww, So true! Thank You LouiseA!
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>Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah Shangy!
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