Gracie's Christmas Party Thread

[nanajojothatsme]

 

[nanajojothatsme]

lovely ball

yep. simplicity

 

[country woman]

lovely trees

 

[nanajojothatsme]

 

[country woman]

love Snoopy and Woodstock

 

[country woman]

big Santa

 

[nanajojothatsme]

 

[nanajojothatsme]

big Santa

ho ho ho

 

[nanajojothatsme]

 

[country woman]

love Eeyore

 

[country woman]

Merry Christmas

 

[nanajojothatsme]

love Eeyore

me too , he is adorable

 

[nanajojothatsme]

 

[Susie~Q]

I want to share a little story I wrote about the Christmas season. Enjoy!

IT'S HERE!!! .....With Thanksgiving over, we can all devote our time to a most wonderful time of year... CHRISTMAS!!! Why, even the name is magical. Christmas, the mention of it brings to mind visions of snow men, dances, sleigh rides, caroling, church, shopping for friends and loved ones, school plays, and family get together's.

I do not think that ANY season evokes more intense feeling than this time of year. For some, it can be a time of sadness, being away from their loved ones or friends for the first time, or maybe a death, others, it is a time of much happiness; it may be a loving couples first Christmas married, or having a new born babe to share the festivities with, still others, it is a time of reflection, looking back on Christmases past, reminiscing about the "good-ole days" and what they did in "Grandfather and Grandmothers" home when they visited. I, myself, can recall stories that my family has told me about Christmases long past, such as, in the morning, my mom and her parents would get up real early, dress in their warmest clothes, and trudge across the road to a relatives home. Upon entering, they would be greeted with the aroma of fresh baked pies, turkey, and all the trimmings. As they entered the sitting area, a beautiful, floor to ceiling Christmas tree would greet them in all its lighted splendor. It sounded to me like a scene from a Courier and Ives Christmas Card. A favorite story told to me by my dad is one that surely reminds me of a movie called "The Christmas Story" His parents would wait for all the little ones to go to bed, then, they would bring out all the decorations and trim the tree and set out all the toys that "Santa" had delivered to them. His dad would sleep on the couch all that night so as to catch any curious little munchkin that might be just a wee bit too anxious. In the morning, it was truly a Merry Christmas for all. I also have many wonderful memories of past Christmases. Oh, the excitement of going to bed on Christmas eve after hearing on the news that Santa and his reindeer were heading toward our state, I could hardly sleep from the suspense. When I awoke in the morning, it was to beautiful Christmas Carols, and my beloved parents standing by the tree presenting me with the gifts that "Jolly Old St. Nick" had left behind. Why, one year, the dear man even left a note of thanks for the cookies and carrots I had left for him and his reindeer, ha ha, strange, how his writing always looked liked my dads.

Another big part of the Season is the shopping. Oh my, how the traffic does get congested. Why, in some of the malls, you have to park miles just for the privilege of being able to shop there. No wonder people eat so much during this time of year, they are hungry from all the walking. HaHa. In side, the stores are all decorated to the hilt, some even have beautiful winter village displays and Santa's' Castle. Christmas songs are heard where ever you go, Santa and his elves are everywhere, it seems. Shoppers are scurrying about to find just that "right" gift. The toy shoppes are brimming over with children who are excitedly telling their parents that "this is what I want Santa to bring me for Christmas". If you are lucky enough to have a downtown that decorates and has stores, the song "Silver Bells" really rings true, as even the stop lights take on the colors of this wonderful time. And yes, there is a hustle and bustle, but, again, it is the season for this type of carrying on.

For many families, the school Christmas play is another major event of the season. For weeks ahead, the children are practicing their parts and making sure that mom and dad will be proud. They don't have to worry though, mom and dad are ALWAYS proud of little Johnny or Mary.

Sleigh rides, snow man making, caroling are all a part of the pre-Christmas season. For those people who live in the Southern regions, they have their own special ways of celebrating too. In Florida, some would decorate their Palm trees with lights and colored ornaments, it was actually very artistic, as were the boats moored at the local marina. In the desert of Arizona, the children all get together and have what is known as a Los Posadas. That is a re-enactment of the journey of our Lady and Joseph into Bethlehem, Spanish style. At the end, they have the breaking of the Pinata. Every place, no matter the clime, celebrates in wonderful ways. Many people in the Southwest regions, decorate with brown bags, filled with sand and a candle in each one; some line their entire sidewalks with these unique decorations. I remember one year living in Tucson, we decorated one of our Saguaros, it was so lovely standing there proudly displaying its adornments.

The MAIN part and biggest part of Christmas to me is going to church. Every Christmas, we all gather together for the joyous celebration of our Lord's Birth, giving thanks to Him for all that He has done for us. We go all the time, the entire year, don't get me wrong, but this particular day is one that I especially love. Our church is decorated with the awesome Nativity scene, Christmas trees, wreaths in front of every window. The choir is singing at their best those songs we all know and love so well, "Away in a Manger" "Silent Night" "What Child Is This" "First Noel" the list goes on and on. The sermon is given, always on the first Christmas, and sometimes, the children are brought up front, and asked to help tell the story as well. Then, the main sermon continues. Yes, church is truly a major part of my Christmas celebration, as is Advent.

I hope you have enjoyed my little story of the Season of Christmas, I know I sure have enjoyed writing it. I will end by saying, Have a wonderful Christmas Season and always remember this: "JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON"

Love,
Susie

 

[nanajojothatsme]

that is lovely susie

 

[nanajojothatsme]

 

[James Is Back]

that is lovely susie

Agreed

 

[nanajojothatsme]

 

[nanajojothatsme]

 

[nanajojothatsme]