1200 POSTS BY CHRISTMAS 2009

[CandyKane]

A Visit From St. Nicholas
By: Clement C. Moore


Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.


Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;

Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! Now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On Cupid! On, Donder and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
His eyes -- how they twinkled! His dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

[CandyKane]

Strictly speaking, the tradition of St. Nicholas is not synonomous with the role of Santa Claus in the U.S.. As practiced in many European countries, the celebration of St. Nicholas is separate from the Christmas holidays, and occurs during the 2 weeks prior to December 6th, which is St. Nicholas's day. Sometimes St. Nicholas Day is the main holiday for gift giving, and not Christmas.

[CandyKane]

What is the difference between the Christmas alphabet and the ordinary alphabet?

The Christmas alphabet has no L (Noel)

[CandyKane]

What Christmas Carol is a favorite of parents?

Silent Night

[CandyKane]

What does a cat on the beach have in common with Christmas?

Sandy Claws!

[CandyKane]

Only 3 days left until Christmas and we still have 55 posts to go.

[CandyKane]

Dd got an early Christmas gift today. Mil bought her a beautiful dress coat and matching hat and a Dora jogging suit. And she said she still has gifts for her to open under the tree. Grandparents can be better than Santa.

[CandyKane]

We still have 2 big Christmas celebrations left. Christmas Eve with my family, the Christmas Day with hubbies. Both will be traditional meals with ham and all the trimmings.

[CandyKane]

I uploaded several Christmas pics to the Kodak Gallery this morning. I hope that they run a holiday special next week so that I can get extra prints for my scrapbooking and to give away.

One of my friends ordered custom photo throws(blankets) from York Photo Labs. She used photos of her daughter and made one for her Mom and Mil. She brought them to church Sunday to show them off. This is the perfect
gift idea for my Mom and Mil for next Christmas.

[CandyKane]

I also found a great gift idea for my Dad. I found it too late for this Christmas so I thought I could get it for next year. I found a site that does custom pen and ink drawings of old farm scenes and animals. If I was just artisitic I could save myself a lot of money, but unfortuanately I couldn't draw a straight line.

[CandyKane]

I just finished making a huge batch of fudge. I'm going to put it in some tins and give them to hubby to give to his employees tomorrow when he passes out the Christmas bonuses.

[CandyKane]

Don't forget about tracking Santa this Christmas...

http://www.noradsanta.org/

[CandyKane]

On the first day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me
A partridge in a pear tree.

On the second day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the third day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me
Three French Hens,
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the fourth day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me
Four calling birds,
Three French Hens,
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the fifth day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French Hens,
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the sixth day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French Hens,
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the seventh day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me
Seven swans-a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French Hens,
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the eighth day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans-a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French Hens,
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the ninth day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans-a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French Hens,
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the tenth day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans-a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French Hens,
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the eleventh day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me
Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans-a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French Hens,
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the twelfth day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me
Twelve drummers drumming,
Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans-a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French Hens,
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.

[mistletoe misfit]

Thanks CandKane for the reminder on tracking Santa on Christmas Eve.
The kids love checking and seeing where he is. It also helps me get them to bed, because they can see where he is and how fast he is traveling .

[mistletoe misfit]

We are watching More Crazy Christmas Lights special. They show Christmas light displays of different families homes around the United States. Some families have been doing Christmas lights and displays for over thirty years.

[CandyKane]

History of Santa's Eight Tiny Reindeer

Reindeer made good animals to have become a part of this legend, since they lived in very cold northern climates and were therefore unfamiliar to most people in the world. Reindeer can grow up to 6 feet long and about 3 feet high with wide hoofs that spread, allowing them to walk on snow by spreading their weight over a larger area. Their antlers and short legs give them a distinct look. Reindeer have been domesticated and have been used for centuries to pull loads on sleds in snowy regions.




Ordinary and flying reindeer are common symbols associated with Christmas because of the association with Santa Claus. This legend of eight flying reindeer most likely originated and was made popular by the poem "Twas the Night Before Christmas" by Clement Clarke Moore.

[CandyKane]

The Christmas Story



St. Luke 2: 1 – 14


And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David)

To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them at the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

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




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

[mistletoe misfit]

Thank you CandyKane for all the trivia, and history you have given us this Christmas season and for sharing the very first Christmas story as well.

[CandyKane]

It's the day before Christmas Eve and there is still so much to do. I probably won't get to post after today so I thought I would try to get us as close to our goal as I can.

[CandyKane]

We watched A Christmas Story last night. DD loves that movie. I'll ask her "Do you wanna watch Ralphie and Randy?". She'll jump up and down and get so excited. She loves watching the kids.