All things Christmas:

[Helen]

@Pearl .

Totally agree about there being no 'surprise' at Christmas any more.
Everything can be bought year round.
The mystery and anticipation has gone.
Probably because the war was just over and 'treats' were once more available in England again.

Christmas for us was almost a week long.
We either went to an aunt and uncles house , or they came to ours...all the cousins as well!!
Boxing Day was almost as fun as Christmas day in our family. The same food and games played all afternoon and evening.

These days the grandkids just want money , so they can buy what they want...and those darned cell phones never get put away all day , by either the grand-children or their parents.

I'm glad we had what we had. Good memories!

 

[farouk]

My one sister makes a ton of cookies, all Italian recipes. She gives them as gifts and, it is not cheap to make them, especially the fig ones.
Growing up...it was the same as all the others, gifts and goodies...not much of the religious side although, my mom always reminded us.

@Nancy : Kind of an institutional activity, now, Seasonally...My wife is into cookies and especially muffins...

 

[Pearl]

 

[Pearl]

Jesus humbled himself. He went from commanding angels to sleeping in the straw. From holding stars to clutching Mary's finger. The palm that held the universe took the nail of a soldier. Why? Because that's what love does. It puts the beloved before itself. Max Lucado

The gift of God is the birth of Jesus. This is Christmas. This is love.​

 

[Pearl]

Christmas is forever, not for just one day,
for loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away
like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf.
The good you do for others is good you do yourself.

Peace on Earth, good will to men,
kind thoughts and words of cheer,
are things we should use often
and not just once a year.

Remember too the Christ-child, grew up to be a man;
to hide him in a cradle, is not our dear Lord’s plan.
So keep the Christmas spirit, share it with others far and near,
from week to week and month to month, throughout the entire year!

Norman W. Brooks, “Let Every Day Be Christmas,” 1976​

 

[Pearl]

In the same manner in which we clean and prepare our homes in the anticipation of welcomed guests and family members this Christmas season, let us also prepare our hearts in anticipation of the Lord's coming. Christ, our most honoured and eagerly anticipated guest, desires to meet with us in a heart prepared for his arrival. So eager is he to meet with us that he offers to help us with our spiritual housecleaning, working with us; creating a resting place for Himself within our hearts. Katherine Walden

 

[Pearl]

The spirit of Christmas needs to superseded by the Spirit of Christ. The spirit of Christmas is annual; the Spirit of Christ is eternal. The spirit of Christmas is sentimental; the Spirit of Christ is supernatural. The spirit of Christmas is a human product; the Spirit of Christ is a divine person. That makes all the difference in the world. Stuart Briscoe

 

[Pearl]

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. Isaiah 9:6-7

Wonderful: May you see his wondrous miracles in your life.
Counsellor: May his counsel guide you through life’s demands.
Mighty God: May his might give you courage and hope.
Everlasting Father: Rest assured, your times are in his hands.
Prince of Peace: May his peace be ever increasing in your life.
And may you be blessed in every single way.
May the joy of the season reside deep in your heart.
May you be greatly blessed this coming Christmas day.​

 

[Pearl]