Twas the month before Christmas

Twas the month before Christmas

When all through our land,

Not a Christian was praying

Nor taking a stand. See the PC Police had taken away,

The reason for Christmas - no one could say.

The children were told by their schools not to sing,

About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.

It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say

December 25th is just a ' Holiday '.

Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit

Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!

CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod

Something was changing, something quite odd!

Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa

In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.

As Targets were hanging their trees upside down

At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.

At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears

You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.

Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty

Are words that were used to intimidate me.

Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen

On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton !

At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter

To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.

And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith

Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace

The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded

The reason for the season, stopped before it started.

So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'

Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.

Choose your words carefully, choose what you say

Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS , not Happy Holiday !

Please, all Christians join together and wish everyone you meet during the

holidays a MERRY CHRISTMAS

Christ is The Reason for the Christ-mas Season!

Christmas Memories

We had a blessed Christmas! The family all remained healthy, from the oldest to the youngest. Above is Nanny (Mom) Bekkelund with her great-granddaughters, Avery and Rylie. We had many fun gatherings and lots of gift giving and receiving. And we remembered Christ is the reason for the season.

One of our favorite traditions is the Christmas Eve program at church. The pews were full in our little country church. The children's recitations were excellent, the play was well rehearsed and thoughtful, and the candlelit readings and songs were such a nice finish.

We hope your Christmas was as wonderful and Christ-filled!

Christmastime in Nurnberg - Part Four

We arrived in Nurnberg on Friday afternoon, we were to meet with the cat show producers and other judges for dinner that evening.

Since our hotel was in the inner part of the city where parking is almost impossible to find, especially during the Christkindlemarkt, we decided to return it to the airport and depend on club members, trains and taxis for transportation the rest of the trip.

Nurnberg is a beautiful old city, I enjoy it everytime I visit. But I especially love it during the Christmas season.

That is why I insisted Bob go along with me, and when the Bavarian Cat Fanciers invited my best friend Ann to judge as well, it made for an unforgettable adventure.

Jesus is Better than Santa

Reasons why Jesus is Better than Santa:

Santa lives at the North Pole.
JESUS is everywhere.
Santa rides in a sleigh
JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.
Santa comes but once a year
JESUS is an ever present help.
Santa fills your stockings with goodies
JESUS supplies all your needs.
Santa comes down your chimney uninvited
JESUS stands at your door and knocks.. And then enters your heart.
You have to stand in line to see Santa
JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.
Santa lets you sit on his lap
JESUS lets you rest in His arms.
Santa doesn't know your name, all he can say is "Hi little boy or girl, What's your name?"
JESUS knew our name before we did. Not only does He know our name, He knows our address too. He knows our history and future and He even knows how many hairs are on our heads.
Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly
JESUS has a heart full of love.
All Santa can offer is HO HO HO
JESUS offers health, help and hope.
Santa says "You better not cry"
JESUS says "Cast all your cares on me for I care for you.
Santa's little helpers make toys
JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes and builds mansions.
Santa may make you chuckle but
JESUS gives you joy that is your strength.
While Santa puts gifts under your tree
JESUS became our gift and died on the tree.

It's obvious there is really no comparison.
We need to remember WHO Christmas is all about.
We need to put Christ back in Christmas.
Jesus is still the reason for the season.

May the Lord Bless and Watch over you and your loved ones this Christmas 2008 And may He prosper and bless the work of your hands in the New Year.

More Christmas Fun

I really had a good time creating the elves on JibJab. I hope everyone enjoys the video. If you didn't get to see it, give the photo on my previous post time to appear and then click on the green arrow in the center. It might take a while to load up but its worth the wait. Sometimes you may have to click once to "wake it up" and then click again to start it.

We are now busy getting ready to go on a short vacation to Germany. We love to go there and luckily our friends in the Bavarian Cat Fanciers invite me to judge often. This year they have also invited my best friend, Ann to judge too. So we will be traveling together, and taking our hubbies.

We will be going to Nuremberg, one of the best Christmas cities to visit at this time of the year. I hope to bring back lots of photos.

One of the things we waited until the last minute to do... make a will. We have always had good intentions of doing that, but kept putting it off. We finally have an appointment today to get it done.

We also ordered a phone that can be used internationally, it will allow us to receive calls from home if our family or "pet sitter" needs to reach us. We will see how it works out.

Latest Christmas Lights Video

Wow, here is the latest video of Christmas lights set to music. Unique version of Amazing Grace, AWESOME!

Counting Down to Christmas

My favorite time of the year!

Here it is, already the day before Thanksgiving, and in a month Christmas will be over. Let's all try to make the most of this glorious season and celebrate Christ's birth joyously and to the fullest.

Last year I added many ways to be a "Christmas Angel". I hope to continue that and find new ones to share for 2008.

Happy New Year!

Well, it is back to the grind, 2008 is officially under way.

Finally we are getting some cool weather in Central Texas. It has been in the 20's in the mornings.

Hopefully it will kill some of the bugs. We have had more than or share this past year.

I hope all had a wonderful Christ-filled Christmas and happy holidays with family and friends.

Season's Greetings

Well, another Christmas has passed. I am always sad when it is over. I hope everyone received a special blessing this season. And a gift that they truly wanted. My sweet son, Jeff, gave me a neat digital photo frame. And his girlfriend Robin gave us a really fun game... the latest Cranium. We played it Christmas day and it was a hoot.

Overall we had a great time, with good food and good health... well, Bob was fighting allergies, it appears the Noble Fir is the culprit. So it was outside by noon yesterday. Booo... it will be artificial trees from now on. In fact, he just called to say he found a 7.5 foot pre-lit tree for half off at Wal-Mart.

Yummy Holiday Cake Recipes

Remember the cookie recipe email that went around? I posted it on the blog on November 9th. Now there is a similar one for cakes! The links point to the same great Northpole website. Here they are as an easy index to some great cake recipes.
'Night Before Christmas' Coffee Cake, 'Real New York Style' Cheesecake Supreme, A Cake That's Fit For A Queen, Amaretto Italian Sour Cream Cake, Amazing Tropical Fruit Cake, Apple and Nut Cake, Apple Cake, Apple Cake, Apple Sauce Cake, Applesauce Fruitcake, Apricot Nectar Pound Cake, Baby Cheescakes Baby Cheesecakes, Banana Cake, Barron Family Cheesecake, Baumtorte (Tree Cake), Becky's Pumpkin Cupcakes, Blueberry Swirl Cheesecake, Blueberry Swirl Cheesecake, Broken Angel Cake With Chocolate Chips, Candied Fruit Cake, Carmel Coffee Cake, Carrot Cake with Hot Glaze, Carrot-Pineapple Cake, Cherry Cake, Cherry Cake Sauce, Cherry Cheesecake Cups, Cherry-Pineapple Dump Cake, Chocolate Angel Food, Chocolate Browny Cake, Chocolate Cookie Sheet Cake, Chocolate Éclair Cake, Chocolate Ice Box Dessert, Chocolate Logs, Chocolate Lovers Heaven Triple Threat Chocolate Di, Chocolate Sheet Cake, Chocolate welington fudge pudding, Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate Chip Cake, Christmas Cake, Christmas choclate cake, Christmas Mixed Glace Fruit Loaf, Christmas-Comes-But-Once-A-Year-Chocolate Cake, Cinnamon Morning Delight, Coca-Cola Cake, Coconut Cake, Cookie Pizza, Cream Cheese Icing, Cream Cheese Pound Cake, Cream Puff Cake, Creamy Chocolate Cupcakes, Creamy Chocolate Layered Cake, Decadent Chocolate Cake, Decadent Fudge Cake, Deluxe Chocolate Marshmallow Bars, Dream Cake, Dreamcicle Cake, Drizzle Cake, Earthquake Cake, Easy Cocoa Snack Cake, Easy Coconut Cake, Éclair Cake, Edie Ching's Cherry Cheesecake, Eggnog Cake, Extra Moist Coconut Cakes, Festive Pumpkin Gingerbread, Flower Garden Cake, Fruit Cake, Fruit Cocktail Cake, German Chocolate Upside-Down Cake, Golden Bacardi Rum Cake, Gooey Butter Cake, Gum drop cake, Heavenly Pecan Cake, Hedge Hog Cake, Holiday Cake, Holiday Poke Cake, Holiday Rum Cake, Honey Bun Cake, Honey Cake, Hot Fudge Pudding Cake, Hummingbird Cake, Ice-Cream Chocolate Roll, Jewish Apple Cake, Johnny Appleseed Cake, Lemon Cake, Lemon Poppyseed Cakes, Lemon Pound Cake, Linda's Yule Log, Mama's Homemade Banana Cake, Mandy's Cake, Microwave Scottish Pudding, Mini Fruitcakes, Miniature Cheesecakes, Mississippi Fudge Cake, Mississippi Mud, Mock Lemon Meringue Cake, Neiman Marcus Cake, No Bake Fruit Cake, Norwegian Gold Cake, Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cake, Old Fashion Pound Cake, Old Fashioned Light Fruitcake, Orange Date-Nut Cake, Orange Slice Cake, Oreo Cheesecake, Peanut-Topped Devil's Food, Pecan Icing, Pennsylvania Dutch Pastry, Pineapple Heaven, Plum-Nut Cake, Pound Cake Pound Cake, Pumpkin Cake Roll, Pumpkin Cheesecake, Pumpkin log, Pumpkin Nut Roll, Pumpkin Pie Cake, Pumpkin Roll, Queen's Cake, Red Velvet Cake, Reese`s white cake, Reese's Brownie Cupcakes, Refrigerator Chocolate Cheesecake, Russian Tea Cakes, Russian Teacakes, Santa's Breakfast Cake, Self-Filled Cupcakes, Shirley's Chocolate Sheet Cake, Sour Cream Coffee Cake, Sour Cream Pound Cake, Southern Apple Cake, Swedish Nut Cake, Tiny Christmas Fruitcakes, Toll House Carrot Cake, Triple Chocolate Torte, Turtle Bars, Turtle Cake, Warcake, Watergate Cake, White Christmas Loaf, World War I Cake, World War II Cake

St. Nicholas and American Christmas Customs

Immigrants brought cherished St. Nicholas holiday traditions to the United States. Some of them are:

• Christmas stockings by the fireplace
• Orange or tangerine in the toe of filled Christmas stockings
• Candy Canes - All bishops carry staffs, hooked at the top like a shepherd's crook, showing they are the shepherds who care for, or tend, their people.
• Gift-giving in secret, during the night - Nicholas did his gift giving secretly, under cover of darkness. He didn't want to be seen and recognized as he wanted those he helped to give thanks to God.
• Seasonal concern for the needy- St. Nicholas gave gifts to those in greatest need—the young and the most vulnerable.

Celebrate Nikolausabend - It's Nickolas Eve

Since Santa Claus suddenly appears everywhere at this time, why not remember the saint who is likely his original-- St. Nicholas, whose feast day is December 6th? His example of quiet, generous giving is worth recalling, especially for children.

St. Nicholas, the Bishop of Myra left gold coins in the shoes of poor girls who didn't have a dowry. You might leave goodies (such as gold foiled covered chocolate coins wrapped in a plastic bag) in children's shoes so that they awake on December 6th to a gift from the good saint.

I read on one website that originally children left hay and treats like carrots for St. Nicholas' horse in their shoes to be replaced with treats. Now they simply put a shoe or boot outside their bedroom door, window or by the fireplace on the evening of 5th of December, hoping to find it full of sweets, biscuits, nuts and fruit the next morning. I am sure our horses would appreciate the original idea!

Here are links with information about Saint Nicholas:

http://www.cptryon.org/prayer/adx/adnick.html

http://www.stnicholascenter.org/Brix?pageID=23

Happy Barbarazweig – Or St. Barbara’s Day

Searching online for German Christmas traditions, I found that today is Barbarazweig or St. Barbara’s Day. St. Barbara is the saint of artillerymen. Her story is quite sad, her father killed her because she became a Christian.

The Germans have a tradition of placing a twig of a cherry or apple tree into a bowl of water on St. Barbara's Day; it is good luck if it blossoms by Christmas day.

Other regions in Germany will try and sprout wheat instead of branches, but the theme of growth following winter solstice is consistent. If you are unable to get a live branch from one of these trees, consider putting an apple or another fruity incense cone into a German smoker and enjoy watching the scent “blossom” and waft.

You can read more about her at this link: http://www.germanculture.com.ua/library/weekly/aa120100d.htm

HowToBe ACA #3

"Read one book during the holidays that affirms your faith."

Odd that this entry stood out today when I looked through my little How to be a Christmas Angel book. Bob just told me that he ordered a book that our wonderful friend Joe Schroeter has published. Joe works in the Shetland/Miniature Horse Registry office.

Here is a description of the book:

If Ye Abide in Me
by H.J. Schroeter
"Six apparent paradoxes of the Bible embody the crucial elements of the nature of Jesus. The successful progression in the mastery of these character traits, fueled by the conversion power of His word within us, allows us to become like Him and therefore acquire residency in Him. 'If Ye Abide In Me' will clearly expound this truth to the reader and therefore furnish much expertise in building the road to the abiding status. Author H. J. Schroeter is convinced that the success of this process rests solely in the willingness of the believer to be transformed by these apparent biblical paradoxes into the image of Christ. "

http://www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=978-1-60247-776-6

Another Christmas tradition - Jesse Tree

I came across this today while looking for advent traditions. I truly have never read about a Jesse Tree, but it sounds like a wonderful idea.

The Tradition of the Jesse Tree

The Jesse Tree is a centuries-old family Advent devotion that has enjoyed a resurgence of popularity in recent years. It has particular value since it helps both kids and adults a like to locate Jesus, the Messiah, within the lineage of the shepherd boy who became King of Israel--David, son of Jesse.

The whole idea of the Jesse Tree comes right out of a classic Advent passage from the prophet Isaiah: "A shoot will sprout from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit" (Is 11:1). The Jesse Tree is hung with ornaments representing Old Testament people and events and lead up to Jesus. The traditional symbols hung on the tree are based on the genealogy of Jesus as reccounted by the first chapter of the Gospel of St. Matthew.

Set up a tree or branches with or without leaves. For the ornaments, you can either buy a Jesse Tree kit or just craft them yourself. Traditionally, there is one ornament for each day of Advent. You start at the base of the tree with Adam and Eve. At the top of the tree at the very end of the season comes a crib representing the baby Jesus. There's a brief scripture reading for every symbol (see below). If you read these readings and contemplate them and the symbols to which they are linked, by December 25th you and your family will have a much deeper understanding of the history of salvation and the meaning of Christmas!

Some great links:

• http://www.shalfleet.net/advent/makeajessetree.htm
• http://www.crossroadsinitiative.com/library_article/811/Jesse_Tree.html
• http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/7202/advent.html
• http://members.tripod.com/TerryZ1/jessetree.html
• http://www.stmichaelonline.org/LiturgicalYear/Jessetree.htm
• http://www.domestic-church.com/CONTENT.DCC/19971201/FRIDGE/FRIDGE1.HTM

More Christmas Ideas - Spread it out

Spread your celebrating out over the whole season. Why not begin your Christmas celebrating now! Or at least at the begining of December - that's Saturday! Then keep at it until Three King's Night on January 5th.

How about making an Advent calender to use all during December. Bob's grandmother made us one using a long felt strip with 24 Christmas trees on it for each day before Christmas. A red clothespin marks the days off and there is a Santa Claus at the end. It's really cute and we've had it since we've been married...a long time. "Gingaw" is making some again for the younger generation. I hope I'm as productive at 96 years old!

In Germany, many children put a boot, called Nikolaus-Stiefel, outside the front door on the night of December 5th. St. Nicholas fills the boot with gifts, and at the same time checks up on the children to see if they were good. If they were not, they will have a tree branch ("Rute") in their boots instead. St. Nicholas Day is the 6th of December (and that's Bob's birthday). I'll ask him to check his boots.

Plan to celebrate Jesus' birthday on Christmas Eve with a birthday cake. That's a nice idea, not that we need anymore sweets on the buffet though...

Spreading out the holiday spreads out the expense of celebrating, helps keep the focus on Christ and helps to avoid the big let-down that some people feel when Christmas is over. That would be me...

HowToBe ACA #2

"Clean out your linen closet and donate your best old stuff to Goodwill."

Well, I don't really have a linen closet... but I will clean out my closet and donate the better stuff. I think though I will choose a center for abused women here in town, or the Salvation Army.

Less than a month 'til Christmas!

In less than a month it will be over... how quickly time flies. I plan to try to slow it down this year and enjoy the holidays. I found a cute little book a few years ago "How to be a Christmas Angel" by Scott Matthews and Barbara Alpert.

I'll try to share a few of their suggestions this month here on the blog as well as my own.

"Donate your caroling dollars to your Salvation Army shelter." I don't know about the "caroling dollars" but I try to keep change and dollar bills in my pocket when I shop so they will be handy if I see a SA red kettle. I know they are at Walmart already, hopefully other places as well. Unless Target changed their policy, they probably aren't there, we try NOT to shop at Target for that very reason.

Here's an easy way to donate to the Salvation Army, click on this link to make a donation on line:

https://secure.salvationarmy.org/donations.nsf/donate?openform

Let's Take a Stand!

Just received this poem in an email. Don't know who wrote it but it's worth reading!

Twas the month before Christmas
When all through our land,
Not a Christian was praying
Nor taking a stand.

How the PC Police had taken away,
The reason for Christmas - no one could say.
The children were told by their schools not to sing,
About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.

It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say
December 25th is just a "Holiday".
Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit
Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!

CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod
Something was changing, something quite odd!
Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa
In hopes to sell books by Franken and Fonda.

As Targets were hanging their trees upside down
At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.
At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears
You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.

Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty
Are words that were used to intimidate me.
Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen
On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton!

At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter
To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.
And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith
Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace.

The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded
The reason for the season, stopped before it started.

So as you celebrate "Winter Break" under your "Dream Tree"
Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.
Choose your words carefully, choose what you say
Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS, not Happy Holiday!

Holiday ideas for the genealogist...

Make a journal of family traditions and recipes. Print a family cookbook to exchange. Share the customs of our ancestors with the younger generation. Have the older generation tape record stories of how Christmas was celebrated long ago.

Put together a real family tree. This link has a great Christmas tree made of photo boxes.... http://www.thecraftypc.com/chrisfamtre.html

Make a personalized ornament for each one in the extended family. Maybe one that portrays the person's hobby. That reminds me of Days of Our Lives... do they still do that?

Look at this really cool family tree ornament from one of my very favorite places to visit - Bronners.
http://www.bronners.com/1087464.html