Merry Christmas!

But there will be no gloom for her that was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined. Thou hast multiplied the nation, thou hast increased its joy; they rejoice before Thee as with joy at the harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. For the yoke of His burden, and the staff for His shoulder, the rod of His oppressor, thou hast broken as on the day of Midian. For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder, and His name will be called "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." 
Isaiah 9: 1-6 
First Reading for Christmas Midnight Mass

Christmas Eve

Do you find it hard to sleep tonight,
Resting by the Christmas lights?
Could there be something you forgot?
Beyond the bows, and mistletoes,
The tree with presents wrapped below,
There's more to this than you had ever thought?
Have we lost the reason that we celebrate each year?

What is Christmas?
If there never was a Savior wrapped in a manger.
What is Christmas without Christ?

Remember how the story goes,
God's gift was wrapped in swaddling clothes,
Beneath the star, one great and holy night.
The shepherds heard the angels sing,
The wise man brought an offering,
Peace on Earth began in Bethelethm
Have we lost the reason that we celebrate each year?

What is Christmas?
If there never was a Savior wrapped in a manger.
What is Christmas?
If the angels never sang 'Glory to the new born king?'
What is Christmas without Christ?

There'd be no gloria
In excelsis deo
Gloria
In excelsis deo

What is Christmas If there never was a Savior wrapped in a manger.
What is Christmas without Christ?
This is Christmas,
It’s all about the Savior wrapped in a manger.
This is Christmas,
Because of Jesus Christ!
This is Christmas,
Because of Christ!
Because of Christ!

This is Christmas by Kutless

O Come O Come Emmanuel - Sugarland

I've been watching the online rerun of the CMA Country Christmas over the past day or so, since I missed it when it was originally on ABC, and I was just delighted with it.  The fact that here were big name country music stars, on national  television, singing Christmas songs, sharing Christmas memories and wishing everyone a Merry Christmas was a delightful treat for me.  Not a single "Happy Holiday{s}" from anyone.  Reba McEntire said before performing her song that for her, Christmas is about "getting together and celebrating Jesus' Birthday".  In addition to your more secular Christmas songs like "Santa Baby" and "Walking in a Winter Wonderland", performers Rascal Flatts, Little Big Town and Martina McBride sang songs like "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen", "Go Tell it On the Mountain" and "O Holy Night".  I guess country singers don't care about being politically correct. ;)

My favorite song of the show, however, was the second to last song performed by the musical duo Sugarland.  Now I do like some of their songs, however I've never been crazy about lead singer Jennifer Nettle's voice, which tends to be rather nasaly.  I was pleasantly surprised though by the depth and beauty that she showed when she sang "O Come O Come Emmanuel", I wish she would sing like that more often!

My Christmas

So this post shall jump around a lot because Blogger is absolutely evil when it comes to photographs... to put it mildly.  Anyhow...

These are both from the day after Christmas!  (New blouse!!!!)  My sisters and I went insane... we were walking around outside, it was snowing beautifully, I happened to look over at our pine tree and gasped "IT'S NARNIA!"  We then also recalled that we have a lampost.  So what did we do?  We ran back inside and changed into semi-period outfits (or as close as we could get) and ran back outside without coats to take photos!  My hands were soooooo cold...

Yay! Our light-up houses.  We have little people for them now, which you can semi-see standing on the train station.

My Christmas outfit, or the back of it, anyhow.  The front view wouldn't upload, but I suppose that's fine.  Now you can all just admire my lovely hair-do.

*sings* Oh Christmas Tree, oh Christmas Tree!

My presents. =)  Well, minus the clothes (which you'll probably see at some point) and *gasp* I didn't take a picture of my piano music!  How could I?  Deary me...
I got the piano music for Josh Groban's CDs - "Awake" and "Closer"!!!! I was soooo happy.  They are the best!  Maybe when I get good enough I'll record one or two and post them on here for you to listen to.

And that's it for now!  I may have more photos for you later, or I may not.  You'll have to wait and see!

Legend of the Snowflake

By Rose Marchen

From Heaven God came, the world to save

From far up above out of our sight

So we recall, a snowflake He made

Glittering form with crystal inlaid

Softly falling to earth in the night

From Heaven God came, the world to save

He was in a humble form arrayed

So small Our Lord, no power or might

So we recall, a snowflake He made

With simplicity He is portrayed

Yet close look detailed beauty highlight

From Heaven God came, the world to save

From heaven it comes, is not manmade

He is of this world and yet not quite

So we recall, a snowflake He made

For a short while with us He stayed

Before rising back to heavens bright

From Heaven God came, the world to save

So we recall, the snowflake He made.

Merry Christmas!

Yay!  It's Christmas!  Yahoo!!!! Day number Two! 

Christmas was wonderful this year.  =)  No snow Christmas morning, but there is a TON outside right now and it's still snowing!  It's soooo pretty outside.

And that's all for right now.  You'll get a better post later.  =)

Merry Christmas!

A Christmas Praise

By Rose Marchen

Tell all the world

Our Savior is born

Sing out the news

It's Christmas morn

Play on your harps

Blow on your horn

Tell all the World

Our Savior is born!

Give Glory to God

He is the King

Give praise in your stories

With loud voices sing

He will save the world

Peace does He bring

Give Glory to God

He is the King!

Hark, angels sing

Salvation is nigh

There is joy in the air

It lights up the sky

There's joy in the streets

Rejoicing on high

Hark, angels sing

Salvation is nigh!

To Him be honor

To Him be praise

He sleeps soft now

In Mother's loving gaze

Great will be done

In fufilment of days

To Him be honor

To Him be praise

Tell all the world

God's Son is born

Sing out the news

It's Christmas morn

Play on your harps

Blow on your horn

Tell all the World

Our Savior is born!

'Tis Christmas Eve!

Midnight Mass

by Rose Marchen

‘Tis the stroke of midnight, Christmas morn

Bells ring, Mass is begun

Know all ye lands that God’s Son is born

People all sing, the notes are airborne

Kyrie Eleison

‘Tis the stroke of midnight, Christmas morn

Cloths and candles the altar adorn

The priest prays with deacon

Know all ye lands that God’s Son is born

We remember Christ, tiny newborn

Come to save His children

‘Tis the stroke of midnight, Christmas morn

Praying, expressing feelings inborn

Awe for what God has done

Know all ye lands God’s Son is born

Sing Alleluia for Christ our dear Lord

Incense floats, bells are rung

‘Tis the stroke of midnight, Christmas morn

Know all ye lands that God’s Son is born.

One More Sleep 'Till Christmas! (Eve, anyhow.)

Scenes of Christmas

These are a Few of My Favorite Things...

I love gifts.  Getting them, making them, giving them... I love everything about gifts.  Gift giving is my love language, it's how I show love and it's the best way for others to make me feel loved.

I think that that's one of the reason's why I love Christmas so much, because of the gifts.  I don't think I'll ever lose the excited anticipation I have for tearing open wrapping paper to see what I've received that year.  I know I'll never lose the joy that comes from watching others open up the gifts that I've given them.

Of course, the present I am most excited for is the gift that I am given every year... Christ the Lord.  I can only imagine how much joy it gives God to give us the gift of His Son, and how much more joy we give to Him when we receive His present joyfully and gratefully.  I know it disappoints me when people aren't quite as excited about the gifts I've carefully picked and wrapped for them as I had hoped.  So this year, let's all try that much harder to receive God's gift of love to us with joy and happiness, and thank Him with all our hearts.

Christmas Tags!

I got these from Olive Tree, and hereby tag anyone who want's to do them.  Actually, I just decided that I'm going to save the other one for after Christmas, so if you want to do it then go ahead!

What is your favorite Christmas carol?

Carol of the Bells and God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

Do you have an artificial tree or do you get a real one?

Artificial.  We got a real one once, but us kids missed setting up the fake tree, so we went back to that.

Where you live do you get snowy Christmas's?

Not every year, alas.  Last year was though! 

What is your favorite Christmas tradition?

Decorating the house and buying Christmas gifts for one of my siblings

What is your favorite holiday? Why?

Christmas, and then Easter because they celebrate Christs' birth and resurrection

Do you go caroling?

We go every year with the KofC's to a nursing home, we don't really carol, but we do hand out little gifts and sing a song or two. 

What is your favorite Christmas movie?

Rudolph the Rednose Reindeer, the 1964 one.

Do you like listening to Christmas music?

Oh yes!

Do you believe in Santa Claus?

*cough* No.

What is your favorite Christmas meal?

Breakfast on Christmas morning.  We always have cinnamon monkey bread, it's soooo good!

Do you write people Christmas cards?

Yes I do!

Do you have a manger scene?

But of course!  We have the lovely breakable one in the piano room, and then I have a Playmobiel set that I put in my room

Will you wish anyone Merry Christmas?

I most certainly will! 

Liked the tag?

Sure, it was fun!

Your turn!

Too funny!

I have no idea if this is real or not, but it was too funny not to share!

“Good news is that I truly out did myself this year with my Christmas decorations. The bad news is that I had to take him down after two days. I had more people come screaming up to my house than ever. Great stories. But two things made me take it down.
First, the cops advised me that it would cause traffic accidents as they almost wrecked when they drove by.
Second, a 55 year old lady grabbed the 75 pound ladder almost killed herself putting it against my house and didn’t realize that it was fake until she climbed to the top (she was not happy). By the way, she was one of the many people who attempted to do that. My yard couldn’t take it either. I have more than a few tire tracks where people literally drove up my yard.”

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Advent

First I just want to say that I fully expect to get at least one irate comment from 'anonymous', because they didn't read my post carefully enough. So if you think you may fly off the handle, spare yourself and don't even read what I have to say.


Walking around the stores a week or so after Halloween, I noticed that the stores had already started decorating for Christmas - excuse me, the Holiday - and stations began running "Holiday special" commercials. Correct me if I'm wrong, but this seemed even earlier than in past years where stores at least waited until the day after Thanksgiving. And right on schedule, on Black Friday lights went up and turned on.

Now don't get me wrong, I have no problem with decorating for Christmas. What I DO have a problem with is the reason most people have for putting up their decorations. The majority of America is not decorating to celebrate the birth of Christ, they are decorating because it's "the holiday" and it's what people do every year. I can pretty much guarantee that they will all be down two days after Christmas at the latest.

Why doesn't anyone celebrate Christmas after Christmas anymore? Why do the decorations come down, the radio's stop playing music, people stop wishing each other "Merry Christmas?" (We're ignoring the fact that it is politically incorrect to say "Merry Christmas" for now.)

Do you go to the funeral before the person has died? Do you have the wedding reception before the bride and groom say "I do"? Do you have the baptism before the child is born? Then why does our culture 'celebrate' Christmas before Christmas? Honestly now, why is that?
(Mwhaha, if everyone were good Catholics, we wouldn't have that problem. The church gives us until the Feast of the Presentation - February 2nd - to celebrate the birth of Our Lord!)

Right now is Advent, not Christmas. We are to be preparing for the birth of Christ, not celebrating it yet! It's like the engagement before the wedding, or the pregnancy before the birth of the child. There is a spirit of celebration, certainly, but not the celebration itself.

The American culture irritates me, to say the least.

AND another thing... this whole "Happy Holidays" deal... why do people have to get offended by "Merry Christmas"? I mean, that's what the holiday is! Christmas! Not "The Holiday!" Do they have any idea how utterly stupid it sounds to call Christmas 'The Holiday'? They might as well call it "The nameless holiday", because holidays (derived from "holy days") are a group, not one specific event.

People get offended when you tell them, "Merry Christmas", but does it matter that I get offended when someone says "Happy Holiday"? Apparently not. But I have every right to be offended, because people who say Happy Holiday - intentionally or not - are denying the birth of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. They are denying that He was born to save us all. They are denying His very existence.

It's not just at Christmas either. Has anyone else noticed the surging use of the term "Turkey Day" in place of "Thanksgiving"? Hmm? If you haven't... think about it for a minute. It only makes sense that those who are trying to eliminate Christ from society would change the name of Thanksgiving, because obviously they don't believe in Christ so who do they have to offer thanksgiving to?

Just some things to consider this CHRISTMAS season.

This Christmas - as always - I'm going to wish people a Merry Christmas, dirty looks or not. Particularly to those who wish me a Happy Holiday. To some I may even take the advice of our wonderful priest and politely inquire "Which holiday do you want me to be happy for?"

I'll wish you Blessed Advent now, but come Christmas tide, don't expect any "Happy Holiday" from me. All you'll hear is Merry Christmas!

The Best Christmas Present This Year

My dear friend (whom I shall call "The Ballerina") gave me an awesome Christmas gift this year, and I just had to show it too you!

ME!

Yup, no kidding. That is me! Here below is the original picture. \/

Didn't she do an amazing job? I mean, it looks just like the original photograph!!!! It is proudly displayed in my room. *big grin*

For those of you who don't know, that photo was taken of me when I was a member of the "Angry Mob" in my Theatre troup's performance of "The Seven Last Words of Christ" last March. An aside, I am glaring at "St. John" and the actress who played him said I really scared her with that look! (In our troupe 98% of the guy roles are played but us lovely young ladies.)

So I must say, that that drawing was by far my favorite gift this year!

The Christmas Edition of Guess the Quote

I've had people asking for me to do another round of 'Guess the Quote' so I thought I'd comply and do it again - with a Christmas twist this time! All the quotes will be from favorite Christmas movies. If you want to do this on your blog as well, here are the rules:

1. Pick 10 of your favorite movies.

2. Go to Internet Movie Database and find a quote from each movie.

3. Post them on your blog for everyone to guess.

4. Put it in bold when someone guesses correctly, and put who guessed it and the movie.

5. Looking them up is cheating, please don’t.

Have fun!

#1 - Yes, indeed. The Star of Christmas of Canterbury, one of the finest existing examples of sixth-century metalwork, given by St. Gregory the Great to the monks at Canterbury August 14, 592. This astonishing gold and silver five-point star later decorated the courts of King Edward the Confessor, William the Conqueror, and James the Lethargic before coming to rest at the church you see behind you in 1638. The star hasn't been publicly displayed since February 12, 1803, due to the perceived security risks from the reigns of King Charles the Greedy and Cedric the I'll-Eat-Anything-Star-Shaped!That's big news! - Remmirath The Star of Christmas

#2 - "Why don't you kiss her instead of talking her to death?"
"You want me to kiss her, huh? "
"Ah, youth is wasted on the wrong people" - Autumn Rose, Delaney, Laura, Vicki It's A Wonderful Life

#3 - "He looks like a deranged Easter Bunny."
"He does not!"
"He does too, he looks like a pink nightmare." - Rachel, Delaney, Trina A Christmas Story

#4 - "Bob! Are you okay?"
[upside down in the snow] "Mousetrap. "
"What? "
[still upside down in the snow] "I wanted to play 'Mousetrap.' You roll your dice, you move your mice. Nobody gets hurt." - Remmirath The Toy that Saved Christmas

#5 - "How many days have you come with us on this journey?"
"One hundred and four."
"And how many days have you complained about it?"
"One hundred and five. ... I am counting tomorrow." Yaviel The Nativity Story

#6 - "You're a little absent-minded, spirit."
"No, I am a LARGE absent-minded spirit." - Autumn Rose, CM & Eddie, Delaney, Laura, Rodger, Vicki A Muppet Christmas Carol

#7 - "Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?"
"Sure, I can tell you what Christmas is all about.
"Lights, please.
"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 unto 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.'"
That's what Christmas is all about," - Autumn Rose, CM &Eddie, Delaney, Laura, Rodger, Fishie A Charlie Brown Christmas

#8 - "I am the official sentry of the Isle of Misfit toys."
"A jack-in-the-box for a sentry?"
"Yes. My name is... "
"Don't tell me: Jack."
"No, Charlie. That's why I'm a misfit toy. My name is all wrong. No child wants to play with a Charlie-In-The-Box so I had to come here." - Autumn Rose, Laura, Rodger, Vicki Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

#9 - "You've got to excuse him, sir. You see, he just came to life, and he doesn't know much about such things. "
"Oh, well, okay. If he just came to life. Move along! That silly snowman. Once they come to life, they don't know nothin'. Come to life?'" - Remmirath Frosty the Snowman

#10 - "How could we do this? We forgot him."
"We didn't forget him. We just miscounted."
"What kind of a mother am I?"
"If it makes you feel any better, I forgot my reading glasses." - Rachel, Delaney, Laura, Rodger Home Alone

I wish you a Merry Christmas!

I wish you a Merry Christmaaaaasss.....
AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

Merry Christmas! Christmas! I Love Christmas! Drinks all around! Oops! Sorry there my dear Hannah, I do believe I spilled some cider on you!

So how was your Christmas, everyone? I am very happy to say that mine was wonderful, in every way. I was thrilled to be in such an eager anticipation and excitement for the approaching holy day. The only emotion I can remember from last year was, well, nothing, and then relief when it was all over. But last year (2007) - for some reason or another - was not a good year for me. But this year, I was almost afraid at the amount of excitement and joy that I had. Usually with a high like that, it's followed right up by a severe drop in the opposite direction - but that hasn't happened yet, so here's hoping! This year was kind of like the words of the song by Josh Groban I am listening to right now.
When it seems the magic slipped away...
We find it all again on Christmas Day.

Christmas is such a wonderful time, and I'm not sure where I am going from here so I need to pause for a moment and collect my thoughts....
-Intermission-
It is the season of the heart
A special time of caring
The ways of love made clear
It is the season of the sprit
The message if we hear it
Is make it last all year

A part of childhood we'll always remember
It is the summer of the soul in December
Yes, when you do your best for love it feels like Christmas
-End-

Love the muppets! Ha ha.
Ahem, anyhow. Would you all think me terribly trivial if I talked about gifts and gift giving? No? Great! Actually, Jesus Christ Himself was a gift, so there you go!

There is something about gifts and gift giving that I just love, and it is one of my favorite parts of this whole season. There is something in the anticipation, wondering what could be inside the boxes, what could it be in there? We all know it must be something wonderful. I wonder if that is not how the shepherds felt, rushing towards a much bigger "box" of sorts, a stable, wondering about what exactly was inside, wait to open and see just what a tremendous gift it was. They had an idea, like many of us do when we see our gifts under the tree, but they didn't know for sure what was inside.

For me, the much of the specialness about gifts is not so much the gift itself, but the idea of the gift. Not so much what it is that I got, but the fact that someone took the time to think about what it is that I would want, went to the trouble of getting it for me. I am always so touched and delighted when given a gift from someone. There is such meaning for me in that simple gesture. Again, it's like that with God. He took the time and trouble of preparing all those years ahead of time to give us the gift of His Son, and showed more love in that gift than any of us could ever imagine.

I love to give gifts as well. I get more pleasure in seeing someone accept and open a gift I have made or bought them as I do in getting one myself. I've thought this many times, and I heartily agree "'Tis Better to Give than to Receive". It must give God great joy when we recieve the gift of His Son on Christmas, and every time we recieve the Holy Eucharist. And how upset He must be when we recieve His gift without joy or gratitude.

Moving on to Christmas music briefly before bidding you adieu until the next time I feel like posting. Christmas music is so great, from the awe inspiring, peace giving, love-inspiring hymns to the bouncy holly jolly carols. Some of my favorites are
O Holy Night - in my opinion one of the most beautiful and graceful songs of the season.
Carol of the Bells - This is just a cool song, especially the Celtic Woman version. Can't say why I like it, but I like it!
Holly Jolly Christmas - Ugh! I'm sick of this song right now! But I love it anyways, it's so fun!!! "O ho the mistltoe, hung where you can('t) see! Somebody waits for you! Kiss her once for me! Have a holly jolly Christmas, and in case you didn't here, O by golly have a holly jolly Christmas, this year!"
It Feels Like Christmas - From "The Muppet Christmas Carol", one of my favoritest Christmas movies ever. So happy, and joyful and sing-a-long-able!

Well, alas my dearly beloveded readers and devoted fans, I must leave thee all now to do, er, something and in the words of Tiny Tim
"May God Bless us Everyone!"

Merry Christmas To All!

The Story of Christmas, in Photographs

The Annunciation - The Angel Announces that Mary will be the Mother of God

The Innkeeper brings the Holy Family to the Stable

Joseph readies the stable for Mary

Mary and Joseph rest and pray

Angels come to the Stable

The Christ Child is Born

The Shepherds Asleep in the Fields

The Shepherds Are Awakened by the Arrival of the Angels

The Angel Expresses the Birth of Christ to the Shepherds

The lives of the people of Bethlehem

The Shepherds kneel before Jesus

The Shepherds spread the news of Christ's Birth to the townspeople

The townspeople adore Jesus

The three Kings travel to Bethlehem

The Three Kings visit King Herod

The Three Kings give gifts to Jesus

May the love of Christ our Lord
Be with you this day,
To guide you and to hold you
As you go upon The Way.


Merry Christmas!