A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....12-13,14-05....Finest Christmas Tables, Part II

Billie, LUV W, Mrs.Nooseman | LUV W, Mrs.Nooseman

[Billie]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.

On Mondays please visit us to see photos of A FEW OF FR'S VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY

If you have a suggestion, or an idea, or if there's a FReeper you would like to see featured, please drop one of us a note in FR mail.

We're having fun and hope you are!
~ Billie, Dutchess, DollyCali, Mama_Bear, GodBlessUSA ~

With the holiday season in full swing and Christmas fast approaching, a few weeks ago I asked a Few of Our Finest to set some of their finest Christmas tables to present throughout the first three weeks of December. Each one has chosen her own theme, and no one else has seen it. Today our featured guest artists are LUV W and Mrs.Nooseman.

I hope you enjoy and appreciate their beautiful Christmas offerings as much as I do. It's always rewarding when we have our Finest' contributions, but never moreso than during the Christmas holidays.

Thank you, Luv and Mrs.N!

Bring Us Home Again

He slowly came awake today
and he lumbered to his feet,
for it was just two hours
before that he faded off to sleep.

He donned the day's attire and
grabbed his M-16.
He headed off to breakfast to keep
him strong and lean.

As he walked down to the chow line
he kept a watchful eye.
He didn't want the enemy
to take him by surprise.

As the chaplin said a special prayer
on this very special day,
he kept thinking of his family
that is oh so far away.

He rubbed his left breast pocket
where he keeps a picture of his wife
and a letter from his daughter that
he reads most every night.

He fought back a single tear
as he stared out at the sand,
wishing he could be back home
with his family close at hand.

He shook his head to clear his thoughts
and then be on his way.
He's defending our great country
and has little time to play.

When he got out to the fence line,
his buddy by his side,
he exchanged a "Merry Christmas"
followed by a tired sigh.

He climbed upon the watchtower,
his mouth a tiny grin.
He said, "Merry Christmas to the world"
and "God, please, bring us home again".

~Bradley A. Peraino~




GOD BLESS AMERICA
~~~~~~~~~~
GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS

Good Morning FR Finest.

Christmas Traditions at my house.

Advent

At our house we start the Christmas celebrations with Advent.

We have a wreath made out of pine cones with four candles on it. Each Sunday we light one Candle and read the Story of Christ's birth and listen to Christmas songs.

During the time of Advent, we also start baking our Christmas Cookies and making Christmas decorations.

Our kids receive an Advent Calender on the First of December to count down the days to Christmas.

St.Nick or Nickolaus

On December sixth we celebrate St.Nick, who brings small gifts that he puts into the children's boots that have been left in front of their doors, if they were good. ;)

To keep some of the traditions from Germany in the family, we also exchange gifts on December 24th, and we put some gifts under the tree for December 25th, to include the traditions of an American Christmas.

We have integrated both traditions into our very own tradition and hope that our kids will carry on this tradition, when they have their own families.

It would be great if you all could share your Traditions with all of us, whether they are Christmas, Hanuka or other Holiday traditions.

I wish you all Happy Holidays and a Merry Christmas.

09-27-05 ~ Hall of Fame #13

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 12-12-05 Military Monday

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' Every Thursday at the Finest The guy's good, folks!

[Mrs.Nooseman]

Good Morning LUV.

Great table .I just love it.:)

[Mrs.Nooseman]

Thank you LUV!

{{{HUGS}}}

[Mrs.Nooseman]

LOL.

Well let me get my cook book with the recipes.LOL.

Boy it's gonna be a long day.~chuckle~

Thank you GB.

it was fun doing the table.:)

[Mrs.Nooseman]

Thank you Tulip.

[The Mayor]

December 13, 2005

Two Bethlehems

Read:
Luke 1:26-35

The power of the Highest will overshadow you. —Luke 1:35

Bible In One Year: Hebrews 8-10

The birth of Jesus Christ was unlike any other. Mary's was an "other world" conception. The angel told her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you" (Luke 1:35). The child conceived in her was from outside our world. And it had to be so, because the boy born to Mary was Immanuel, "God with us" (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23).

The baby born in Bethlehem was of heavenly origin. God had entered the earth in the form and nature of Mary's little son. He came into the world from above, and His incarnation made possible our redemption.

Now think about it. Our own new birth—our regeneration—comes from outside the world. Jesus said that we are born again "of the Spirit" (John 3:3,7-8). Our salvation is not from an earthly source, but from God Himself through Jesus by means of His Spirit. In a sense, then, our heart becomes a "Bethlehem stable," a place where Jesus comes into the world. We open the door to Him by faith, and He is born in us by the blessed Holy Spirit.

We make Him known to others by His power in us. He affects every aspect of our lives. We are a "Bethlehem," His place of entrance into today's world. —Dave Egner

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood. —Crosby

Christ was born here below that we might be born from above.

FOR FURTHER STUDY
What Is A Personal Relationship With God?

[The Mayor]

Very nice work all of you!

[Mrs.Nooseman]

Good Morning Mayor.

Thank you.:)

[luvie]

((((hugs))))

Thanks so much--it was an honor to do it for the Finest!

You are up early for a day off! ;o)

I have to go get ready for work and won't have time to talk till I get home this afternoon. Y'all have fun!

[luvie]

Thank you for your kind words...it is always a pleasure for me to honor the troops in the Finest!

Have a good day and stay warm!

[Mrs.Nooseman]

We'll be here waiting for you.LOL.

You have a good day at work and don't let the Grinches bother you.

{{{HUGS}}}

[GodBlessUSA]

Good Morning.
You did an incredible job. :)

[GodBlessUSA]

Wow, you are up too! The three of us on a thread at one time. Woo Hoo!

[Mrs.Nooseman]

Thank you GB.

[luvie]

LOL! The difference is I am NOT up by choice! :o)

You two have fun...I'll be home by 4 this afternoon!

[Mrs.Nooseman]

Drat, that is when I am leaving to get my Daughter from school to take her shopping,but I should be back and hour later.LOL.

[proud2beconservativeinNJ]

Very nice work all of you!

I got teary at the Finest this morning. Always a great place to start the day. You warm my soul on this cold, clear morning in the NE.

[luvie]

Thank you...that is a great compliment.

[Mrs.Nooseman]

Thank you.

Glad you like it.:)

[DollyCali]

Thank you ladies for a most gorgeous offering. Beautifully done & wonderful messages..... It is so nice to see the talent growing here at the Finest and presented in a lovely way with your great tables. Luv the Periano poem and your selected graphics are great and Mrs. N.. I think it is wonderful to keep up the family traditions. and what A nice idea to have santa/gift day etc quite separate in time from Christmas. Keeping both & not losing the message of Jesus along the way.

Been working on a little report of the state of affairs here at DollyCali household. Don't want to continually hijack the thread but I count you here my friends who will understand the therapy involved in expressing thoughts & posting pix..to commerate my dear Oliver

[Mrs.Nooseman]

Thank you Dolly.

The St.Nick day is an old tradition in Germany and I'll try to look it up and post a link on the history of Nickolaus Day.:)

Please don't feel bad about wanting to update us on your state of affairs,after all we are here for each other.

{{{HUGS}}}