Christmas 2013

Merry Christmas One & All

Painted by Evelyn in circa 1983

May you have

the gift of faith,

the blessing of hope

& the peace of His love

at Christmas & always.

Don't forget that Jesus is the only reason for the

Christmas Season.

From my family to yours have a very Happy Christmas & New Year.

XXXXX

Christmas Time - Cliff Richards

HAPPY CHRISTMAS ONE & ALL

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.  

(Matthew 1:23)  

Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, good will toward men 

(Luke 2:14)

Why Jesus is Better than Santa Claus

Santa lives at the North Pole...

JESUS is everywhere.

Santa rides in a sleigh...

JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.

Santa comes but once a year...

JESUS is an ever present help.

Santa fills your stockings with goodies...
JESUS supplies all your needs.

Santa comes down your chimney uninvited...
JESUS stands at your door and knocks, and then enters your heart when invited.

You have to wait in line to see Santa...
JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.

Santa lets you sit on his lap...
JESUS lets you rest in His arms.

Santa doesn't know your name, all he can say is "Hi little boy or girl, what's your name?"...

JESUS knew our name before we were born. Not only does He know our name, He knows our address too. He knows our history and future and He even knows how many hairs are on our heads.

Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly...
JESUS has a heart full of love.

All Santa can offer is HO HO HO...
JESUS offers health, help and hope.

Santa says "You better not cry"...
JESUS says "Cast all your cares on me for I care for you."

Santa's little helpers make toys...
JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes and builds mansions.

Santa may make you chuckle but...
JESUS gives you joy that is your strength.

While Santa puts gifts under your tree...
JESUS became our gift and died on a tree... the cross.

We need to put Christ back in CHRISTmas, Jesus is still the reason for the season.

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).

FROM:  http://www.holytrinitynewrochelle.org/yourti93646.html 
[Many more wonderful Christian items on this site]

HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of our family 
(old & new), friends & followers a great day 
and that you all  

Love & Best Wishes from Evelyn & Family X

COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS - 6 DAYS TO GO

Luke 2

The Birth of Jesus

1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.

 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 

COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS - 10 DAYS TO GO

JOYOUS CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL

From our family to yours, we wish you a very Holy, Happy, Healthy & Safe Christmas &New Year

The Christmas Carol That Always Baffled Me

I received this in an email this morning and thought I would share it with you because to tell you the truth I have always wondered what the meaning of this Carol was and here is a plausible explanation:

“There is one Christmas Carol that has always baffled me. What in the world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and especially the partridge who won't come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas?

This week, I found out.

From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.

-The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.

-Two turtle-doves were the Old and New Testaments.

-Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.

-The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.

-The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.

-The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.

-Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit--Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership and Mercy.

-The eight maids a-milking were the eight Beatitudes.

-Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit--Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self Control.

-The ten lords a-leaping were the Ten Commandments.

-The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful Disciples.

-The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.

So there is your history lesson for today. This knowledge was shared with me and I found it interesting and enlightening and now I know how that strange song became a Christmas Carol...so pass it on if you wish.

Merry (Twelve Days of) Christmas Everyone.”

12 WEEKS (LESS 3 DAYS) UNTIL CHRISTMAS

I just happened to have a really good look at the calendar today and YIKES! - it's only 12 weeks until Christmas, can anyone tell me where the year has gone??

My eldest daughter told me that in the supermarket the other day they have already got a huge amount of space full of Christmas items.

Does anyone recall what it used to be like, we usually saw Christmas goodies appear in the shops perhaps 4 weeks prior to Christmas?

Anyway I just thought I would get us all in the mood for the festive season.......