FReeper Canteen ~ The Night Before Christmas ~ 21 DEC 2010

Serving The Best Troops And Veterans In The World!! | The Canteen Crew

[laurenmarlowe]

 

 

 

THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
by Clement Clarke Moore

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

The children were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads; And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap, Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash, Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below, When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer, With a little old driver, so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came, And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name; "Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen! On, Comet! on Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!

To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!

Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"

 

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky, So up to the house-top the coursers they flew, With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof The prancing and pawing of each little hoof. As I drew in my hand, and was turning around, Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound. He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot, And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;

A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,

And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry! His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry! His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow; The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth, And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;

He had a broad face and a little round belly,

That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night."

Please visit our Troops this Holiday Season!

United States Army

United States Coast Guard

United States Marines

United States Navy

United States Air Force

Write A Letter To Our Troops

 

 

 

[oldteen]

LOL...safe journey!

[Tanniker Smith]

Good evening, lauren! Good evening, all!

[luvie]

....to you, too, Lauren!
Wow...you just never stop moving! LOL!
That's VERY early for the 1st show, isn't it?
Hope you get the house sold before you
have to continue having those open houses!
Wish I could buy it...I like that house! LOL!

[PROCON]

Hi Big guy!

I'm too mean to be kept down for very long! I'm healing fine and am indeed looking forward to Christmas!

You got family to celebrate with?

[laurenmarlowe]

Happy Holidays to you Tann! It's great to see you!

[luvie]

*tap-tap*

:D

[laurenmarlowe]

Ooooooooooohhhh, what a beautiful ornament LUV, thank you so much!

We’ve had ALOT of fun here, and I am thankful for all of our wonderful memories. I will treasure them always.

Moving forward, we just need to concentrate on going SAILING next year, LOL! You sooooooooooo need to go to Hilton Head and Charleston with me.

My heart-felt Seasons Blessing for you all, love you lots! Have a wonderful Christmas!

[The Mayor]

Freep mail me to be on or off the Daily Bread ping list

Parallel Universes
December 21, 2010

Every so often I catch myself wondering about the whole grand scheme of faith. I stand in an airport, for example, watching important-looking people in business suits, briefcases clutched to their sides, as they pause at an espresso bar before scurrying off to another concourse. Do any of them ever think about God? I wonder.

Christians share an odd belief in parallel universes. One universe consists of glass and steel and wool clothes and leather briefcases and the smell of freshly ground coffee. The other consists of angels and spiritual forces and somewhere-out-there places called heaven and hell. We palpably inhabit the material world; it takes faith to consider oneself a citizen of the other, invisible world.

Christmas turns the tables and hints at the struggle involved when the Lord of both worlds descends to live by the rules of the one. In Bethlehem, the two worlds came together, realigned. What Jesus went on to accomplish on planet Earth made it possible for God someday to resolve all disharmonies in both worlds. No wonder a choir of angels broke out in spontaneous song, disturbing not only a few shepherds but the entire universe (Luke 2:13-14).

Once from the realms of infinite glory,
Down to the depths of our ruin and loss,
Jesus came, seeking—O Love’s sweet story—
Came to the manger, the shame, and the cross. —Strickland

The key word of Christmas is “Immanuel”— God with us!

Read: Luke 2:1-7

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men! —Luke 2:14

Bible in a year:
Micah 4-5; Revelation 12

[AZamericonnie]

Hey! Wait for me....now the pic is complete.;-} Good evening & a very Merry Christmas to you Lauren! *hugs*

[luvie]

Yuk! I wouldn’t want to be there right now!

It was nearly 80 degrees here...and dry. Too dry, actually.
We are having an outbreak of grass fires because it’s been
so long since we had rain.

Something crazy for everyone, I guess. LOL! Pick your place!

[oldteen]

Sounds about right! lol

[luvie]

We HAVE had fun....and you just name the date and I’ll be there!

You KNOW I can pack in 30 minutes or less! LOL! I think Hilton
Head would be a perfect destination for the _ARDS! :)

[oldteen]

At this point, doesn't seem to be a 'perfect' place to be!

Too warm, too cold, too wet, too dry...we're doomed...I say DOOMED! ;)

[BIGLOOK]

Aloha West Texas Rose!

Every time I think of taking a trip to the mainland, something comes up here......or the weather is so bad there that it's 86'd.

My brother wants to visit over here.....so maybe I can make his vacation my vacation this next year too.

[luvie]

I guess we’re all like the little guy in “L’il Abner” who
had a thundercloud of doom over his head all the time. Can’t
remember his name. LOL! (tells my age, huh! :D)

[luvie]

Well, howdy! I keep hoping you'll get over here sometime in time to meet all of us somewhere fun. Having a vacation with family, no matter where, is always a GOOD thing, though!

Hope you and yours have a

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

[BIGLOOK]

I have to share holidays with Tutu over on Oahu. She’s ninety and loves seeing her great granddaughters so....

[oldteen]

You talkin' 'bout Joe Btfsplk! :)

I have no idea how to say it! lol

[oldteen]

Guess I’m showin’ my age as well! :)

[oldteen]

Mine?