MERRY CHRISTMAS THREAD (post your favorite songs, carols, family traditions, childhood memories)

[Liz]

This thread is lovingly dedicated to the members, friends and supporters of the American Civil Liberties Union.

My sincerest wish for you is that the universal peace and love exemplified by the birth of the Christ child will fill your hearts with joy at Christmas time and on everyday of the year.

[N. Theknow]

Not quite as good as when I recite it whilst wearing my alb, but nonetheless, the reason there is this most celebrated of holidays and the reason Christians when they say goodbye, really mean: "Till we meet again."

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

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

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

4. 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:)

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

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

7. 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 in the inn.

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

9. 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.

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

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

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

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

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

15. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

16. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

18. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

19. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

20. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

[Liz]

PUMPKIN RUM MOUSSE W/ MAPLE CREAM TOPPING
So good, easy, and stores refrigerated 2-3 days ahead of when you need it.

Make a package of cooked-type vanilla pudding. Cool, then fold in tub of thawed cool-whip. Add 1 ½ tea ginger, ¾ tea each cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice. Fold in 16 oz can plain Libby’s pumpkin (not pie filling), then tablespoon of dark rum (or use Captain Meyer's Spiced Rum but reduce powdered spices), or use 1/2 tea rum extract. Serve in your best stemmed crystal topped with a dollop of cool-whip flavored with real maple syrup.

The original version called for making a complicated Creme Anglaise with 8 egg yolks, and real whipped cream, but the revised version is just as good.

[Liz]

.....Christians when they say goodbye, really mean: "Till we meet again" .......

Beautiful sentiment. And thanks for posting the greatest story ever told.

[ThreeYearLurker]

Yet you had an L.

A E I O U SOME TIMES Y

E B N - O Z N

[freedumb2003]

There was NO L when I typed it.

Something happened between the time when I hit the "post" and when it appeared on the board.

Really! I have used this before! I always leave out the 'L'!

Or what's the point?

[onyx]

Thanks so much, Liz! I've just added the ingredients to my husband's shopping list. He'll love your Pumpkin Mousse. :)

[Liz]

It is deelish. Serve it nicely chilled.

[eleni121]

Growing up in a Greek American family meant that Christmas was special and slightly different from the mainstream traditions of American Christmas---the traditions have blended but Americans ogf Greek descent maintain the religiosity of the holiday.

Back in Greece Christmas is traditionally a solemn, religious holiday. Very few exchange gifts although in recent years Greeks have started doing this more...along with more celebrating. Throughout the festivities, there is never any question about whether Greece is remembering the Christ in Christmas. Greeks go from house to house singing beautiful carols called kalandas which have been handed down from the Christian Orthodox Byzantine times and add to the reverent quality of the celebration.

During the 400 years enslavement of Greek Christians under the Ottoman Turks, Greek Christians would secretly celebrate holidays while anxiously wondering when the next slave roundup would occur - taking the young boys and girls off to the harems of Muslims.

Kala Christouyenna to all!

[PreviouslyA-Lurker]

I believe Mark Lowery wrote the "Mary Did You Know" Christmas song.

[MamaB]

He did, according to Jan who listens to him a lot more than I do. I do enjoy seeing him on the Gaithers' show. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

[Liz]

Thanks for the Greek Christmas story. Last year I did a post
in January in honor of the Orthodox Christmas celebrations.

[swheats]

I don't know how I forgot It's A Wonderful Life. This is a very special Christmas considering what's happening on the global scale of things. A friend sent this through email. I hope you enjoy it and may God send a special blessing to those families who know the true meaning of sacrifice this Christmas.

The Soldier Outside My Door

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,

I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.

My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,

My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.

Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,

Transforming the yard to a winter delight.

The sparkling lights in the tree, I believe,

Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.

My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,

Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep

in perfect contentment, or so it would seem.

So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,

But I opened my eye when it tickled my ear.

Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know

Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.

My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,

And I crept to the door just to see who was near.

Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,

A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.

A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old

Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.

Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,

Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

"What are you doing?" I asked without fear

"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!

Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,

You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"

For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,

away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts,

to the window that danced with a warm fire's light

then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,

I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night"

"Its my duty to stand at the front of the line,

That separates you from the darkest of times.

No one had to ask or beg or implore me,

I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.

My Gramps died! at 'Pearl on a day in December,"

Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."

My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam

And now it is my turn and so, here I am.

I've not seen my own son in more than a while,

But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.

Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,

The red white and blue... an American flag.

"I can live through the cold and the being alone,

Away from my family, my house and my home,

I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,

I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat,

I can carry the weight of killing another

or lay down my life with my sisters and brothers

who stand at the front against any and all,

To insure for all time that this flag will not fall."

"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright

Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."

"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,

"Give you money," I asked, ! "or prepare you a feast?

It seems all too little for all that you've done,

For being away from your wife and your son."

Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,

"Just tell us you love us, and never forget

To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone.

To stand your own watch, no matter how long.

For when we come home, either standing or dead,

to know you remember we fought and we bled

is payment enough, and with that we will trust.

That we mattered to you as you mattered to us .



GOD BLESS THE USA & OUR WARRIORS IN HARM'S WAY!

[cyn]

I am SO embarrassed to admit that my Christmas tradition is . . . trying to remember where all the stockings were stored, lol! We may need to use the Santa hat for one!

I LOVE to sing JOY to the World! I sing it all year long, because it's always true! So if you hear it sung loud and glorious -- lol, it might be me!

I had a nice easy recipe I wanted to share. CHOCOLATE!!!

Easy, tasty brownie-type bars:

1 egg, slightly beaten
1 stick (1/2 c) butter or margerine, melted
1 box chocolate pudding in mix cake mix (can use yellow)

Stir & knead those 3 ingredients (really satisfying, like playing with clay!). Press into 8 x 12 or whatever pan (use greasy fingers or wax paper).

Filling: 1 egg
1 8-oz bar cream cheese
1 16 oz whole box confectioners sugar
1 1/2 c or so chocolate chips

Beat the first 3 ingredients until smooth. Stir in choc chips. Pour over bottom. Bake at 350º for about 20 - 30 min or until light brown over entire surface and 'set'.

AuntB, I've been thinking of you today -- I hope you are well!

[Liz]

Well, that's very inventive....using Santa's hat.....I just hope you didn't confuse poor Santa....LOL.

[Liz]

So you like chocolate.............

RASPBERRY GLAZED TRIPLE-CHOCOLATE CAKE
Good for Christmas or New Years Day brunch.

Beat on low speed to moisten 18 1/2 oz pkg chocolate cake mix, pkg instant chocolate pudding mix, 4 eggs, 1/2 cup dark rum, 3/4 cup water, 1/2 cup veg oil, then two minutes at medium speed. Stir in cup chocolate chips. Pour into 10-inch tube pan, or use 12-cup bundt pan. Bake 50-60 min. Cool in pan 15 min, remove from pan, cool cake on wire rack. Place cake on server.

Prick surface all over with fork, then brush evenly with Glaze made with 10 oz jar seedless raspberry preserves, 1/2 cup dark rum heated together--use it all-- takes a few minutes. Drizzle over Icing of cup chocolate chips, melted smooth with 2 tbl shortening. Then drizzle over Vanilla Icing made with ounce vanilla baking bar melted with tea water.

[Liz]

Merry Christmas.

[cyn]

It's a side effect of moving. I have found that last errant stocking, and we're good to go now!

Merry Christmas to you all, thanks for the recipes!

[ohioWfan]

Thank you so much for that poem swheats! It's so moving.

I'm just trying to make it through tomorrow. I can't wait to hear what my beloved soldier did on this blessed Holy Day! (It's already Christmas in Baghdad!)

[ohioWfan]

Thanks for this thread, Liz!

We grind our own Swedish potato sausage (Potates Korv), and have a special Swedish dinner on Christmas Eve with family..........all but the one in Baghdad.

It's a wonderful tradition, carried on since my grandparents came through Ellis Island in 1908!

Now it's off to our church Christmas Eve service.

I AM going to make it through tomorrow! MERRY CHRISTMAS, ALL!!

[homemom]

***We grind our own Swedish potato sausage (Potates Korv), and have a special Swedish dinner on Christmas Eve with family..........all but the one in Baghdad.***

That sounds sooooo yummy! Care to share the recipe someday? Guess you'll just have to make it again when "Baghdad" is home. Enjoy the Christmas Eve service. We're off to ours in a little while.

Blessings to you all!