Where is spirit of Christmas? Have you seen it?

CookingWithCarlo.com ^ | Dec 3 2003 | Carlo3b Dad, Chef, Author

[carlo3b]

Where is spirit of Christmas? Have you seen it?

I am really getting worried that it's lost and we won't be able to find it in time.

I am just heartbroken, somewhere over the last few years we seem to have misplaced the heart and soul of Christmas. The season appears to be right, the weather has a nip to it, and the decorations have been up for a very long time, and I am constantly being reminded that it's just around the corner, but somehow I have this terribly feeling that something is wrong.

It is more than just one thing that isn't quite right, there isn't any laughter. I can't recall what it was that used to make me smile and sing at this time of the year, but it for sure isn't there anymore. Can you help me find the warmth, and love that Christmas has always brought into our lives, have you seen any joy in peoples eyes?  Maybe it's just me, oh my, is it just me?

I seem to recall that this season was a time that brought everyone together, families and friends, and even strangers. Wait, I don't remember thinking at this time of the year that there were any strangers, only wonderful people that we hadn't had the opportunity to meet yet. People smiled at each other, held the door, men and boys offered every woman their seat, and everyone said GOD BLESS YOU, when you sneezed.

Heirloom decorations were unpacked, families went out together to choose a tree, and that inexhaustible calliope of mystical music filled the air. The smell of fresh pine was abundant in each and every house, and colored lights blinked as kids giggled and whispering and scribbled notes to Santa.

Old folks and children where the center of attention, and picking just the right gift was a very special achievement, well thought out and mulled over for days. Some presents took all year to make, and some took all year to save for. Only a very few were expensive, but all had a special meaning. Gift wrapping was an art, and unwrapping was deliberate and magical.

The center of the community was your neighborhood church, and talk of God, and baby Jesus was the main topic of Grace before dinner, and bedtime stories. Mangers, Santa's, holiday decorations, and lights were everywhere. Snow was a conversation piece, and when and if, was debated and recalled.

Food, ah yes, holiday food was researched, planned, plotted and prepared for days leading up to the big event. Everyone was involved, and everyone had a job. The location of the Christmas Eve party was usually determined by the age of the grandparents, and where they lived in proximity to the bulk of the family. However that was no sure thing.

Each family was represented in the choice of menu items. Every wonderful cook in each branch of the family offered to prepare their own special version of the chosen food. This made for a memorable feast indeed. The competition was playful and fun, but most importantly, filled with love... lots and lots of love and lovers.

This is the time of the year that we built mountains of warm love, enough to store up for cold dark days ahead. If we lose Christmas, who will tell the children about the baby Jesus, who will love you and remind you how lucky you are to have freedom, and  family, and bring memories to the old folks, and memories that you can recall when you are old. Don't let it happen.

Won't you help me find Christmas, I know it's somewhere.. Do you know where it can be, perhaps it's just hiding deep in the warmth of your heart.. Thank you for your friendship. Thank you for your love. Thank you for being you..

THANK GOD FOR AMERICA.. God Bless you all... MERRY CHRISTMAS..

[christie]

I have a bunch of sheep too. They are great mowers and the best part is they are really good at trimming around fence posts. And they weed and feed at the same time. LOL. Trouble is, they'll eat everything . . . your trees, your rosebushes, etc.

[jellybean]

Not a problem. I only have a few trees in my backyard. One is a maple that is dying and constantly dropping branches and twigs. It leaves such a mess, before I can mow I have to pick up all the deadwood. Will they eat those too?

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Congratulations, Carlo!

Did you enjoy yourself on the cruise and meet exciting people?

Merry Christmas to you and yours!

[christie]

Will they eat those too?

Mine probably would. At least they don't eat the fences.

[jellybean]

Whooo Hooo...this is beginning to sound better and better! I'm definately getting some sheep next summer!

[jellybean]

Three Trees Once upon a mountain top, three little trees stood and dreamed of what they wanted to become when they grew up. The first little tree looked up at the stars and said: "I want to hold treasure. I want to be covered with gold and filled with precious stones. I'll be the most beautiful treasure chest in the world!" The second little tree looked out at the small stream trickling by on it's way to the ocean. "I want to be traveling mighty waters and carrying powerful kings. I'll be the strongest ship in the world!" The third little tree looked down into the valley below where busy men and women worked in a busy town. "I don't want to leave the mountain top at all. I want to grow so tall that when people stop to look at me, they'll raise their eyes to heaven and think of God. I will be the tallest tree in the world." Years passed. The rain came, the sun shone, and the little trees grew tall. One day three woodcutters climbed the mountain. The first woodcutter looked at the first tree and said, "This tree is beautiful. It is perfect for me. "With a swoop of his shining axe, the first tree fell. Now I shall be made into a beautiful chest, I shall hold wonderful treasure!" The first tree said. The second woodcutter looked at the second tree and said, "This tree is strong. It is perfect for me." With a swoop of his shining axe, the second tree fell. "Now I shall sail mighty waters!" thought the second tree. "I shall be a strong ship for mighty kings!" The third tree felt her heart sink when the last woodcutter looked her way. She stood straight and tall and pointed bravely to heaven. But the woodcutter never even looked up. "Any kind of tree will do for me."He muttered. With a swoop of his shining axe, the third tree fell. The first tree rejoiced when the woodcutter brought her to a carpenter's shop. But the carpenter fashioned the tree into a feedbox for animals.The once beautiful tree was not covered with gold, nor with treasure. She was coated with saw dust and filled with hay for hungry farm animals. The second tree smiled when the woodcutter took her to a shipyard, but no mighty sailing ship was made that day. Instead, the once strong tree was hammered and sawed into a simple fishing boat. She was too small and too weak to sail to an ocean, or even a river; instead she was taken to a little lake. The third tree was confused when the woodcutter cut her into strong beams and left her in a lumberyard. "What happened?" The once tall tree wondered. "All I ever wanted was to stay on the mountain top and point to God..." Many many days and night passed. The three trees nearly forgot their dreams. But one night, golden starlight poured over the first tree as a young woman placed her newborn baby in the feedbox. "I wish I could make a cradle for him." her husband whispered. The mother squeezed his hand and smiled as the starlight shone on the smooth and the sturdy wood. "This manger is beautiful" she said. And suddenly the first tree knew he was holding the greatest treasure in the world. One evening a tired traveler and his friends crowded into the old fishing boat.The traveler fell asleep as the second tree quietly sailed out into the lake. Soon a thundering and thrashing storm arose. The little tree shuddered. She knew she did not have the strength to carry so many passengers safely through with the wind and the rain. The tired man awakened. He stood up, stretched out his hand, and said, "Peace." The storm stopped as quickly as it had begun. And suddenly the second tree knew he was carrying the King of heaven and earth. One Friday morning, the third tree was startled when her beam was yanked from the forgotten woodpile. She flinched as she was carried through an angry jeering crowd. She shuddered when soldiers nailed a man's hands to her. She felt ugly and harsh and cruel. But on Sunday morning, when the sun rose and the earth trembled with joy beneath her, the third tree knew that God's love had changed everything. It had made the third tree strong. And every time people thought of the third tree, they would think of God. That was better than being the tallest tree in the world. So next time you feel down because you didn't get what you wanted, just sit tight and be happy because God is thinking of something better to give you

[lilylangtree]

If anyone finds the spirit of Christmas, pass it on to me. I've been looking for it for years.

[Diva Betsy Ross]

THE FACE OF A "VET" You can't tell a vet just by looking: He/She is the cop on the beat who spent six months in Saudi Arabia sweating 2 gallons a day making sure the armored personnel carrier didn't run out of fuel.

He is the barroom loudmouth whose behavior is outweighed in the cosmic scales by four hours of bravery near the 38th Parallel in Korea.

She is the nurse who fought against futility in Da Nang and went to sleep sobbing every night for two solid years.

He is the POW who left one person and came back another.

He is the drill instructor who has never been in combat but has saved countless lives by turning no-accounts into Marines.

He is the parade-riding legionnaire who pins on his ribbons and medals with a prosthetic hand.

He is the white-haired guy bagging groceries at the supermarket, aggravatingly slow, who helped liberate a Nazi death camp.

She is the grandmother who served in the RAF who survived the buzz bombs over England.

He/She is a truck driver who helped a foreign people find family members from a massacre site in Bosnia or some other foreign sounding land.

He/She was the nurse who cut away radiation contaminated clothing from wounded soldiers even if they were the enemy.

A vet is an ordinary and extraordinary human being --- someone who offered his/her life's vital years in the service to their country.

He/She is a warrior and a savior. A sword against the darkness, and simply put, a soldier. There is nothing better then to serve in one's country. No higher example anywhere, can be found of self-sacrifice or dedication to duty. Regular men and women will never be able to repay the debt of gratitude we owe soldiers in a nation that values freedom so highly.

It is the soldier, not the reporter, Who has given us freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, Who has given us freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, Who has given us the freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier who salutes the flag, Who serves beneath the flag. It is the soldier, not the politician whose coffin does the flag drape. It is the soldier, not the lawyer, that has allowed us to live free. ~"Veterans Day" by Father Denis Edward O'Brien, USMC~

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY "He who is brave is free." -

Seneca (4 BC-65 AD) "Difficult times have helped me to understand better than before how infinitely rich and beautiful life is in every way. That so many things one goes worrying about are of no importance whatsoever." - Isak Dinesen

Carlos I wanted to let you know about a Christmas gift to you. I have called the Veterans homeless shelter. My children and I after going donate at least enough sets of gloves for half of their guys, in your honor.

That is what they say they want the most, so that is what they will get. We are also going to make a huge patriotic , "thank you and bless you " centerpiece for their Christmas party in a couple of weeks. Thanks for the inspiration and again... Merry Christmas.

[conservativegirl]

>FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
>
>TO: All Employees
>
>DATE: October 01, 2003
>
>RE: Christmas Party
>
>
>
>I'm happy to inform you that the company Christmas Party will take place on
>December 23, starting at noon in the private function room at the Grill
>House. There will be a cash bar and plenty of drinks! We'll have a small
>band playing traditional carols...feel free to sing along. And don't be
>surprised if our CEO shows up dressed as Santa Claus! A Christmas tree will
>be lit at 1:00pm. Exchange of gifts among employees can be done at that
>time; however, no gift should be over $10.00 to make the giving of gifts
>easy for everyone's pockets! . This gathering is only for employees! Our CEO
>will make a special announcement at that time!
>
>Merry Christmas to you and your family.
>
>Patty
>

>

---

>
>FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
>
>TO: All Employees
>
>DATE: October 02, 2003
>
>RE: Holiday Party
>
>
>
>In no way was yesterday's memo intended to exclude our Jewish employees. We
>recognize that Chanukah is an important holiday, which often coincides with
>Christmas, though unfortunately not this year. However, from now on we're
>calling it our "Holiday Party." The same policy applies to any other
>employees who are not Christians or those still celebrating Reconciliation
>Day. There will be no Christmas tree present. No Christmas carols sung. We
>will have other types of music for your enjoyment.
>
>Happy now?
>
>Happy Holidays to you and your family.
>
>Patty
>
>
>

---

>FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
>
>TO: All Employees
>
>DATE: October 03, 2003
>
>RE: Holiday Party
>
>Regarding the note I received from a member of Alcoholics Anonymous
>requesting a non-drinking table ... you didn't sign your name. I'm happy to
>accommodate this request, but if I put a sign on a table that reads, "AA
>Only"; you wouldn't be anonymous anymore. How am I supposed to handle this?
>
>Somebody?
>
>Forget about the gifts exchange, no gifts exchange are allowed since the
>union members feel that $10.00 is too much money and executives believe
>$10.00 is a little chintzy.
>
>NO GIFTS EXCHANGE WILL BE ALLOWED.
>
>

---

>
>FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
>
>To: All Employees
>
>DATE: October 04, 2003
>
>RE: Holiday Party
>

>What a diverse group we are! I had no idea that December 20 begins the
>Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which forbids eating and drinking during
>daylight hours. There goes the party! Seriously, we can appreciate how a
>luncheon at this time of year does not accommodate our Muslim employees'
>beliefs. Perhaps the Grill House can hold off on serving your meal until the
>end of the party- or else package everything for you to take it home in
>little foil doggy baggy. Will that work? Meanwhile, I've arranged for
>members of Weight Watchers to sit farthest from The dessert buffet and
>pregnant women will get the table closest to the restrooms. Gays are allowed
>to sit with each other. Lesbians do not have to sit with Gay men, each will
>have their own table. Yes, there will be flower arrangement for the Gay
>men's table. To the person asking permission to cross dress, no
>cross-dressing allowed though. We will have booster seats for short people.
>Low-fat food will be available for those on a diet. We cannot control the
>salt used in the food we suggest for those people with high blood pressure
>to taste first. There will be fresh fruits as dessert for Diabetics, the
>res! taurant cannot supply "No Sugar" desserts. Sorry!
>
>Did I miss anything?!?!?
>
>Patty
>

---

>
>FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
>
>TO: All Fucking Employees
>
>DATE: October 05, 2003
>>RE: The Fucking Holiday Party
>
>
>Vegetarian pricks I've had it with you people!!! We're going to keep this
>party at the Grill House whether you like it or not, so you can sit quietly
>at the table furthest from the "grill of death," as you so quaintly put it,
>and you'll get your fucking salad bar, including organic tomatoes. But you
>know, tomatoes have feelings, too. They scream when you slice them. I've
>heard them scream. I'm hearing t! hem scream right NOW! I hope you all have a
>rotten holiday! Drive drunk and die,
>
>The Bitch from HELL!!!!!!!!
>

---

>FROM: Joan Bishop, Acting Human Resources Director
>
>DATE: October 06, 2003
>
>RE: Patty Lewis and Holiday Party
>
>
>I'm sure I speak for all of us in wishing Patty Lewis a speedy recovery and
>I'll continue to forward your cards to her. In the meantime, management has
>decided to cancel our Holiday Party and give everyone the afternoon of the
>23rd off with full pay.

>
>Happy Holidays!

[JLAGRAYFOX]

The Christmas spirit remains alive only in the hearts of the American people! The secular, traitor/treason Democrat Party has killed Christmas as a religious holiday. I expect when they retake the Presidency and the Congress, they will repeal Christmas as a national holiday! Americans, you are asleep at the wheel! America is headed down the same road as Rome, to failure!

[carlo3b]

Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director

When I started reading I thought that it was real, it was only after laughing out loud that I realized it was a joke.. Then I realized that it could have happened.. Then I thought it will happen, Then I was pissed.. So I read it again to laugh again so I wouldn't spoil my night... Bwhahahahahahha

[carlo3b]

If anyone finds the spirit of Christmas, pass it on to me. I've been looking for it for years.

We found it my Lily, I was right it was only hiding in the hearts of our very own FReepers.. HUG.. :)

[carlo3b]

So next time you feel down because you didn't get what you wanted, just sit tight and be happy because God is thinking of something better to give you

Bless you sweetie.. :)

[carlo3b]

Did you enjoy yourself on the cruise and meet exciting people? Merry Christmas to you and yours!

I love to cruise and am alway thankful that I have a talent that folks enjoy listening about, so I get invited to talk to them in such wonderful venues.. But it is always good to get back home.. Merry Christmas backatcha and to your wonderful family.. :)

[jellybean]

The Quiet Christmas
By Pastor Richard Bucher

There is a principle of life that most Americans (and Christians) believe and follow. More than any other time of the year this principle is acted on at Christmas. The principle is this: The good life is a full life. In other words, the good life is a life that is packed full of as many experiences as possible. The good life is a life bursting at the seams with all the experiences that life has to offer.

And this principle (probably unknown to us) drives us in the weeks leading up to Christmas. We want to experience Christmas to the fullest. So our December calendars quickly fill up with family get-togethers, company parties, Christmas pageants and plays, Christmas caroling, concerts, those endless trips to the mall, Christmas card writing, Christmas special-watching, house decorating, cookie baking, etc.

"But all those things are necessary," we rationalize. No they're not! They are part of our schedules because of decisions we have made, because we don't want to say, "No." Because we believe that the good Christmas is a full Christmas.

Is it any wonder, then, that our Christmases are more hectic than holy, more exhausting than exhilarating, more painful than joyful? The tragedy is that we have robbed ourselves of one of the most precious features of the first Christmas.

Every year we successfully recreate and remember many features of the first Christmas as we listen again to the Christmas Gospels. We recreate and remember baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, the shepherds and angels. We recreate the stable and manger, sometimes even the animals. But there is one feature of that first Christmas that we make impossible for ourselves to receive: the quiet of Christmas. For after the sounds of labor and delivery had fled into the night, quiet reigned supreme on the first Christmas, interrupted only by the angels brief song of praise. The remainder of that first Christmas was given over to quiet and meditation. You can almost see Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds, standing and sitting there in stunned silence, meditating upon the words of the angel: for unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord (Luke 2:11).

I am convinced that one of the reasons that "Silent Night" is the cherished favorite of so many millions is because it speaks of something that we long to have but don't have: the quiet of that first Christmas. The opportunity to stop, become quiet, and meditate on what the birth of that Child is really all about; to soak up all the wonders of His birth in silence. That is one of the reasons why something stirs in our hearts when we sing of that first silent night when all was calm and all was bright.

Martin Luther, also understood the importance of quiet. He once wrote:

The Christmas Gospel is so clear that there is little need of learned interpretation. It is only necessary to ponder it well, to contemplate it, and to take it completely into your heart. None will derive more benefit from it than they whose hearts hold still and who divest themselves of material considerations and concentrate diligently on it. This lesson is just like [the reflection of] the sun: in a quiet and still pond it can be seen clearly and warms the water powerfully, but in a rushing current it cannot be seen as well nor can it warm up the water as much. So if you wish to be illumined and warmed here, to see God's mercy and wondrous deeds, so that your heart is filled with fire and light and becomes reverent and joyous, then go to where you may be still and impress the picture deep into your heart. You will find no end of wondrous deeds (LW 52:8-9).

Wonderful advice. If you desire to find the joy and true meaning of Christmas, then be a quiet and still pond rather than a rushing stream and go somewhere where you may be quiet and meditate upon the Christmas Gospel. Then you will find wonders that you scarcely believed possible as the Holy Spirit ministers to you. Then you will find that the true meaning of Christmas is not that Christ is born. Nor even that Christ the Savior is born. But that Christ the Savior is born for you, to be the antidote for your sin, to rescue you from everlasting punishment and a busily empty life. And many more wonders will greet you if you only be quiet and ponder this birth.

Many believe that a good life is a full life and that a good Christmas is a full Christmas. Our God disagrees. He would have us know that the good Christmas is a quiet Christmas, a quiet Christmas spent meditating upon the riches of Christ.

And if you think that this advice comes to you too late this year, remember, the season of Christmas lasts until January 5! You still can enjoy a quiet Christmas.

[lilylangtree]

Thank you. Took the opportunity to forward your message to a number of people like me who are trying to find the Christmas spirit.

[lilylangtree]

Thank goodness for all the freepers. When the Christmas spirit is low, FR provides an opportunity to mingle with some great people.

[jellybean]

I pray you and others will find the true Christmas spirit, not in the glitz and glitter of decorations or the shopping or the parties, but in the simple meaning of the day.

God, in the person of Jesus Christ, chose to experience the trials and temptations of being human. Yes he was perfect, but was still subject to the same trials (hunger, thirst, heat and cold, fatigue) and temptatons (lust, power, wealth) we all face, yet did not sin. He gave His life as the only acceptable payment for our sin. We celebrate the gift that God gave us-the birth of the One who gave His life that we might live.

I simplfied my Christmas many years ago. I no longer waste my time on flashy holiday displays or spend thousands of dollars that I don't have on the most expensive gifts. I don't even put up a tree (yes, I know I'm a heretic! ~gasp~).

What I DO do is give small meaningful gifts to those I care about as a reminder of the precious gift God gave to us. A simple, quiet Christmas is much more enjoyable.

[Map Kernow]

The Wise Men
by G.K. Chesterton

Step softly, under snow or rain,
To find the place where men can pray;
The way is all so very plain
That we may lose the way.

Oh, we have learnt to peer and pore
On tortured puzzles from our youth,
We know all the labyrinthine lore,
We are the three wise men of yore,
And we know all things but truth.

We have gone round and round the hill
And lost the wood among the trees,
And learnt long names for every ill,
And serve the made gods, naming still
The furies the Eumenides.

The gods of violence took the veil
Of vision and philosophy,
The Serpent that brought all men bale,
He bites his own accursed tail,
And calls himself Eternity.

Go humbly ... it has hailed and snowed...
With voices low and lanterns lit;
So very simple is the road,
That we may stray from it.

The world grows terrible and white,
And blinding white the breaking day;
We walk bewildered in the light,
For something is too large for sight,
And something much too plain to say.

The Child that was ere worlds begun
(... We need but walk a little way,
We need but see a latch undone...)
The Child that played with moon and sun
Is playing with a little hay.

The house from which the heavens are fed,
The old strange house that is our own,
Where trick of words are never said,
And Mercy is as plain as bread,
And Honour is as hard as stone.

Go humbly, humble are the skies,
And low and large and fierce the Star;
So very near the Manger lies
That we may travel far.

Hark! Laughter like a lion wakes
To roar to the resounding plain.
And the whole heaven shouts and shakes,
For God Himself is born again,
And we are little children walking
Through the snow and rain.

[nutmeg]

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