Thinking of You*

A Nativity Story for Children*

Real Meaning of Christmas by Brian K. Walters

In today’s day and time,
it’s easy to lose sight,
of the true meaning of Christmas
and one special night.

When we go shopping,
We say “How much will it cost?”
Then the true meaning of Christmas,
Somehow becomes lost.

Amidst the tinsel, glitter
And ribbons of gold,
We forget about the child,
born on a night so cold.

The children look for Santa
In his big, red sleigh
Never thinking of the baby
Whose bed was made of hay.

In reality when we look into the night sky,
We don’t see a sleigh
But a star, burning bright and high.

A faithful reminder,
Of that night so long ago,
And of the child we call Jesus,
Whose love, the world would know.

Help children learn about the Nativity by selecting a safe, sturdy, attractive, and kid-friendly family Nativity set made from materials such as plastic, fabric, or wood.

There’s more to Christmas than presents, turkeys and trees. The nativity story has delighted children for hundreds of years and, unless it is against your beliefs, it is good to keep up the tradition. There is a good selection of books available to help you, ranging from straight retellings to humorous ones.

Merry Christmas to you all!

MY OPINION COUNTS*

“I would rather live my life as if there is a God, and die to find out there isn’t, than live my life as if there isn’t, and die to find out there is.”

IMAGE FOUND HERE

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THESE WORDS?

LITTLE CAROL…..A STORY*

Little Carol came into the kitchen where her mother was making dinner.
Her birthday was coming up and she thought this was a good time to tell her mother what she wanted. ‘Mom, I want a bike for my birthday.’

Now, Little Carol was a bit of a troublemaker. She had gotten into trouble at school and at home. Carol’s mother asked her if she thought she deserved to get a bike for her birthday.
Little Carol, of course, thought she did.

Carol’s mother, being a Christian woman, wanted her to reflect on her behavior over the last year, and write a letter to God and tell him why she deserved a bike for her birthday.
Little Carol stomped up the steps to her room and sat down to write God a letter.

LETTER 1:

Dear God:
I have been a very good girl this year and I would like a bike for my birthday.
I want a red one.

Your friend, Carol

Carol knew this wasn’t true. She had not been a very good girl this year, so
she tore up the letter and started over.

LETTER 2:

Dear God:

This is your friend Carol. I have been a pretty good girl this year, and
I would like a red bike for my birthday.

Thank you, Carol

Carol knew this wasn’t true either. She tore up the letter and started again.

LETTER 3:

Dear God:
I know I haven’t been a good girl this year… I am very sorry. I will be a good girl
if you just send me a red bike for my birthday.

Thank you, Carol

Carol knew, even if it was true, this letter was not going to get her a bike. By now, she was very upset. She went downstairs and told her mother she wanted to go to church.
Carol’s mother thought her plan had worked because Carol looked very sad.

‘Just be home in time for dinner,’ her mother said. Carol walked down the street to the church and up to the altar. She looked around to see if anyone was there. She picked up a statue of the Virgin Mary, slipped it under her jacket and ran out of the church, down the street, into her house, and up to her room. She shut the door and sat down and wrote her letter to God.

LETTER 4:

I GOT YOUR MAMA.

IF YOU WANT TO SEE HER AGAIN, SEND THE BIKE.

Signed, YOU KNOW WHO

GREAT DOG STORY…..*

Anyone who has pets will really like this. You’ll like it even if you don’t and you may even decide you need one!

Mary and her husband Jim had a dog named ‘Lucky.’ Lucky was a real character. Whenever Mary and Jim had company come for a weekend visit they would warn their friends to not leave their luggage open because Lucky would help himself to whatever struck his fancy.
Inevitably, someone would forget and something would come up missing.
Mary or Jim would go to Lucky’s toy box in the basement and there the treasure would be, amid all of Lucky’s other favorite toys. Lucky always stashed his finds in his toy box and he was very particular that his toys stay in the box.
It happened that Mary found out she had breast cancer. Something told her she was going to die of this disease….in fact ,she was just sure it was fatal.
She scheduled the double mastectomy, fear riding her shoulders. The night before she was to go to the hospital she cuddled with Lucky. A thought struck her…what would happen to Lucky?
Although the three-year-old dog liked Jim, he was Mary’s dog through and through.
If I die, Lucky will be abandoned, Mary thought. He won’t understand that I didn’t want to leave him. The thought made her sadder than thinking of her own death.
The double mastectomy was harder on Mary than her doctors had anticipated and Mary was hospitalized for over two weeks.
Jim took Lucky for his evening walk faithfully, but the little dog just drooped, whining and miserable.
Finally the day came for Mary to leave the hospital. When she arrived home, Mary was so exhausted she c ouldn’t even make it up the steps to her bedroom. Jim made his wife comfortable on the couch and left her to nap. Lucky stood watching Mary but he didn’t come to her when she called. It made Mary sad, but sleep soon overcame her and she dozed.
When Mary woke for a second she couldn’t understand what was wrong, she couldn’t move her head and her body felt heavy and hot. But panic soon gave way to laughter, when Mary realized the problem.
She was covered, literally blanketed, with every treasure Lucky owned! While she had slept, the sorrowing dog had made trip after trip to the basement bringing his beloved mistress all his favorite things in life. He had covered her with his love.
Mary forgot about dying. Instead she and Lucky began living again, walking further and further together every day. It’s been 12 years now and Mary is still cancer-free. Lucky? He still steals treasures and stashes them in his toy box but Mary remains his greatest treasure.

Remember….live every day to the fullest. Each minute is a blessing from God. And never forget…..the people who make a difference in our lives are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care for us.
If you see someone without a smile today give them one of yours! Live simply. Love seriously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God!

Thanks again, PAMi!

One in a million shot… a smile from God!

Thanks to Pam!

Looking For A Nativity Story for Christmas???

Great for family togetherness to read for Christmas……

Come visit, if you haven’t already! Just hit the HOME page or the link!

Merry Christmas to All!

A NATIVITY STORY for Children ……..

Real Meaning of Christmas by Brian K. Walters

In todays day and time,
it’s easy to lose sight,
of the true meaning of Christmas
and one special night.

When we go shopping,
We say “How much will it cost?”
Then the true meaning of Christmas,
Somehow becomes lost.

Amidst the tinsel, glitter
And ribbons of gold,
We forget about the child,
born on a night so cold.

The children look for Santa
In his big, red sleigh
Never thinking of the baby
Whose bed was made of hay.

In reality when we look into the night sky,
We don’t see a sleigh
But a star, burning bright and high.

A faithful reminder,
Of that night so long ago,
And of the child we call Jesus,
Whose love, the world would know.

Help children learn about the Nativity by selecting a safe, sturdy, attractive, and kid-friendly family Nativity set made from materials such as plastic, fabric, or wood.

There’s more to Christmas than presents, turkeys and trees. The nativity story has delighted children for hundreds of years and, unless it is against your beliefs, it is good to keep up the tradition. There is a good selection of books available to help you, ranging from straight retellings to humorous ones.

Loving God, Help us remember the birth of Jesus,
that we may share in the song of the angels,
the gladness of the shepherds,
and worship of the wise men.

Close the door of hate
and open the door of love all over the world.
Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting.
Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings,
and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.

May the Christmas morning make us happy to be thy children,
and Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts,
forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

– Robert Louis Stevenson

Sarcastic Redneck Bumper Stickers……..and more!

Do you want me to accept you as you are, or do you want me to lie to myself and try to like you?
Don’t let your mind wander; it’s far too small to be let out on its own.
Don’t thank me for insulting you; it was a pleasure.
Don’t you realize that there are enough people to hate in the world already without you putting in so much effort to give us another?

Thanks to Pam for this one!

Wow, I wonder if this one really exists? Nasty!

Get a Grip On Committment, Already!

Some of you may not like what I am going to say, so please leave the room.
Are we ready? I am real big on making a commitment and staying with it all the way to the end. I may not always enjoy the way down the road I chose to take, but I stay with it! Making a true commitment sends messages to others, as well as to yourself (if you are listening) ,about who you are as a person at that point in your life. It develops a trust factor in your personality and it shows others your true dedication to seeing things through. If you chose to voluntarily place yourself emotionally, physically, or intellectually to a course of action, you are making a commitment and need to see it done! It shows that you are sincere and focused in what you have chosen to undertake.So, review your commitments. They can be those found in relationships, goals, jobs, family, friends, your physical health, and your emotional health. If you have made the sincere effort in those areas of your life, great! I applaud you. If you feel any hesitation, time to sit yourself down and review some things, right?So, please do not make a promise or an agreement to do something in the future, unless you will give it your all! You can do anything in life, as long as you are alive and well. Once you’re gone, oh well.

Believe in Yourself;

Luisa Doraz

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