Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Keeping Christmas
Henry Van Dyke
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ROMANS, xiv, 6: He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord.

It is a good thing to observe Christmas day. The mere marking of times and seasons, when men agree to stop work and make merry together, is a wise and wholesome custom. It helps one to feel the supremacy of the common life over the individual life. It reminds a man to set his own little watch, now and then, by the great clock of humanity which runs on sun time.

But there is a better thing than the observance of Christmas day,
and that is, keeping Christmas.

Are you willing...
to forget what you have done for other people,
and to remember what other people have done for you;
to ignore what the world owes you, and to think what you owe the world;
to put your rights in the background, and your duties in the middle distance,
and your chances to do a little more than your duty in the foreground;
to see that men and women are just as real as you are,
and try to look behind their faces to their hearts, hungry for joy;
to own up to the fact that probably the only good reason for your existence
is not what you are going to get out of life, but what you are going to give to life;
to close your book of complaints against the management of the universe,
and look around you for a place where you can sow a few seeds of happiness.
Are you willing to do these things even for a day? Then you can keep Christmas.

Are you willing...
to stoop down and consider the needs and desires of little children;
to remember the weakness and loneliness of people growing old;
to stop asking how much your friends love you,
and ask yourself whether you love them enough;
to bear in mind the things that other people have to bear in their hearts;
to try to understand what those who live in the same home with you really want,
without waiting for them to tell you;
to trim your lamp so that it will give more light and less smoke,
and to carry it in front so that your shadow will fall behind you;
to make a grave for your ugly thoughts,
 and a garden for your kindly feelings, with the gate open—
Are you willing to do these things, even for a day? Then you can keep Christmas.

Are you willing...
to believe that love is the strongest thing in the world—
stronger than hate, stronger than evil, stronger than death—
and that the blessed life which began in Bethlehem nineteen hundred years ago
is the image and brightness of the Eternal Love?

Then you can keep Christmas.
And if you can keep it for a day, why not always?
But you can never keep it alone.


Monday, December 26, 2011

Friday, December 23, 2011

Thursday, December 22, 2011

24 Days of Christmas

Today's Story: The Man Who Missed Christmas

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

24 Days of Christmas

Today's Story: The Christmas I Remember Best

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

A moment to paws...

...and remember with gratitude a life well lived





Hugh Nibley shared this from a life-after-life experience..."...not only was I in possession of all my faculties, but they were tremendous.  I was light as a feather and ready to go."

We know that Tucker is enjoying the fields of Heaven and
we're so grateful for the time she spent with us.

24 Days of Christmas

Today's Story: Trouble at the Inn

Monday, December 19, 2011

24 Days of Christmas


Today's Story: Someone Missing at the Manger

Sunday, December 18, 2011

24 Days of Christmas

Today's Story: Ancient America Views the First Christmas


Saturday, December 17, 2011

Friday, December 16, 2011

24 Days of Christmas

Today's Story: Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

24 Days of Christmas


Today's Story: A  Boy Learns a Lesson

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

24 Days of Christmas

DAVEY AND THE FIRST CHRISTMAS   by Beth Vardon


Let's pretend there was a boy, and Davey was his name,
Whose family lived in Bethlehem when Christmas time first came.
Davey had a special pet--a donkey small and gray,
And what the two of them did best was getting in the way!

Davey named the donkey Tim. He never rode him though.
Either Tim was built too high or Davey was too low!
Davey's father had an inn where people came to stay;
And lots and lots and lots of them were coming there one day.

His father was as busy as six or seven bees!
So Davey said, "I want to help, can't I do something, please?
Tim would like to help you, too.
Find a job for us to do!"

"Listen, son," his father said; "Last week you broke three jugs.
You scared my two best customers with your pet lightening bugs!
You tracked in mud on my clean floor; you tripped and dropped the bread.
And though I loved the fish you caught--why leave them on my bed?

I've put up with your helpfulness as long as I am able.
So do me one big favor now, get out--and clean the stable!"

Davey sadly went and stood beside the stable door
It hardly seemed that anyone could clean that dirty floor.
He and Tim both felt so bad they started in to cry--
But then (thought Davey), "Yes, we can! Well, anyhow--let's try.

First, let's chase those chickens out. That's what we've got to do."
So, Tim began to flap his ears while Davey shouted, "Shooooo!"
The chickens clucked and flew and ducked, they fluttered wild and scary,
Until their feather filled the air, like snow in January

Yes, Davey chased those chickens out, He and Tim together.
But now he had to get a sack and pick up every feather!

You should have seen how hard they worked! They stacked up all the wheat,
They straightened up the harnesses until they were nice and neat.
They fought with spiders bravely till they chased out every bug.
And since we must admit the truth--they broke another jug!
The very biggest job of all was stacking up the hay.

Davey climbed up to the loft and put it all away.
Look, Tim, You see how high it is? I'll make just one more trip."
Then clear up by the stable roof his feet began to slip!
Down came the hay and Davey, too. The stable looked so queer˜
All you could see was piles of hay--one sandal, and one ear!

Slowly they came out on top, and Davey didn't whine,
Though hay stuck out all over him just like a porcupine!
He put the hay all back again and stacked it up with care--
But left one armload down below to fill the manger there.

So Davey's work was done at last, and when it all looked neat
He picked some flowers to trim the barn, and some for Tim to eat.
"I hope it's clean enough," he thought. "At least I did my best."
And feeling very, very tired, he curled up for a rest.

Who woke up Davey from his sleep? Just guess them if you can.
Mary was the woman's name; Joseph was the man,
Mary said, "Oh Joseph, look! This is a lovely place!"
Then, seeing Davey there, she said, with shining face,
Your father's inn had no more rooms; tonight we're staying here.
So tell me now, are you the boy who cleaned the stable, dear?
And did your donkey help you work? We want to thank him, too."
Though Davey was still half-asleep, his heart was glad clear through.
So, that is how a little boy two thousand years ago,
Stayed on to hear the angels sing, and see the Star aglow.
As soon as Baby Jesus came to use the manger bed;
Then Davey's sack of feathers made a pillow for his head.
No one told Davey anymore that he was in the way.
His work had helped get ready for the world's first Christmas Day!

Monday, December 12, 2011

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Friday, December 9, 2011

Thursday, December 8, 2011

24 Days of Christmas

Today's Story: A Brother Like That

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

24 Days of Christmas


Today's Story: The Great Walled Country

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Monday, December 5, 2011

24 Days of Christmas

Today's Story: Chritmas Day in the Morning

Sunday, December 4, 2011

24 Days of Christmas


Today's story: The Cobbler and His Guest

Saturday, December 3, 2011

24 Days of Christmas

Today's story: "A Different Christmas Story"

Friday, December 2, 2011

24 Days of Christmas

Today's story is Christmas is for Sharing

Thursday, December 1, 2011

24 Days of Christmas

 My friend shared this with us a few years ago, and with her permission I'll use this for my daily post this Christmas season.  So friends and family, far and near, we invite you to join us for a daily reminder of why we celebrate.  Merry Christmas to All!!

Today's Story: The Gift of the Magi