Merry Christmas To All..........

Rehus-Beal-Ledeats (African)
Gezur Krislinjden (Albanian)
Gun Tso Sun Tan'Gung Haw Sun (Chinese)
Jutdlime pivdluarit ukiortame pivdluaritlo! (Eskimo)
Joyeux Noel (French)
Nollaig chridheil agus Bliadhna mhath ùr! German: Froehliche Weihnachten (Gaelic)
Kala Christouyenna! (Greek)
Mele Kalikimaka (Hawaiian)
Buone Feste Natalizie (Italian)
Shinnen omedeto. Kurisumasu Omedeto (Japanese)
Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia or Boze Narodzenie (Polish)
Pozdrevlyayu s prazdnikom Rozhdestva is Novim Godom (Russian)
Feliz Navidad (Spanish)
Srozhdestvom Kristovym (Ukrainian)

Christmas Eve

It is finally here, Christmas Eve!

But before we get to that fun of Christmas, lets me take a moment to tell you what I want for Christmas. After a full month of hearing everyone else, I have finally made up my mind.

Now I don’t want a gift. I could have my elves make me anything if I needed it. My gift is not a material gift.

I want the one true thing that Christmas is all about. I want Peace on Earth. It may sound a bit clichéd, but I mean it. I want the wars to end, and families to reunite, but there is more.

I want fighting at home to stop also. I want people to be nicer to one another. I want everyone to respect other humans and animals and be peaceful to all living things every day of the year.

I know that is a large order, but I mean it. There is no reason why most of the fighting we do needs to be.

In the next year, each time you are about to fight with someone, take a moment and remember my wish. The peace can start with you.

If everyone reading this tries their hardest to remember that in 2007, peace on earth will begin! In time, it will be!
_______________

Tomorrow....

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve. Since the world is on different time zones, I have to start my trip earlier than some know.

I begin in Europe when the first towns turned over in Christmas day. I love to hang around the towns and listen to midnight masses and the choirs singing. Then I begin my journey. I go a full 24 hours hitting every part of the world.

Sometimes I like to finish up as fast as I can in each section of the world so I can get to the next a little early and rest a moment. I enjoy seeing people come together at Christmas time.

My favorite Christmas Carol is O Holy Night!

Almost Here

Today is Friday, the last day of school or work for many of you. Tomorrow, although it is only the 23rd, you will begin your holiday weekends. Maybe you are traveling to visit family, or have some last minute shopping to do. It doesn’t really matter, just relax and enjoy the weekend. Christmas is almost here.

As for me, the elves have the bags packed and the reindeer are rested and ready. We have a long trip ahead of us in forty eight hours.

Gifts

Have you gotten everyone on your list a present yet? Did you remember your teachers, and neighbors? How about your babysitters?

Remember, not all gifts need to be material. You can give the gift of yourself. Help others,

Remember our Soldiers

The weekend is almost here and people are getting ready for the holidays. There is a special group of people who will be celebrating away from their loved ones; our soldiers.

While you are stressing out over the little things and final touches of the holidays, shopping and getting ready for parties, take a moment to remember they are thousands of miles away, wishing they had to do all those things. One person’s stress this year is another person’s wish.

They are longing for next year when they will have to worry if they forgot any presents or cranberry sauce, instead of hoping just for a peaceful day on the war front.

Scrooge

Have you ever seen a play of Charles Dickens’s Scrooge? I have seen several. It is one of my all time favorite stories. Mrs. Claus and I make a special effort to watch at least one version each year as the holidays get close.

This year are watching the musical version with Albert Finney. As much as I love this, I may also watch the Muppet Version when Mrs. Claus is not home one day.

January 6th

Did you know that not everyone celebrates Christmas on December 25th. Some cultures celebrate on the 6th of January.

It is called, the Epiphany, Three Kings Day or sometimes Little Christmas. It is the day the Three Kings arrived at the stable with gifts for the baby Jesus.

The twelve days of Christmas start on December 25th and end on January 5th which is Christmas Eve if you follow this calendar. Christmas is not one day but a period of time.

Our culture has forgotten this recently. We put up decorations for Christmas before Thanksgiving hits and we tear them down before Christmas ends. This year remember that and keep the season alive for the twelve days.

One Week Left...

One week left kids. Use this weekend to help your families get ready for the big weekend ahead. There is a lot of stress going on around you. Don’t add to it by asking for more toys.

You already put in your orders, no enjoy the season. If you haven’t put up your tree yet, maybe you will now. It is the best time to get a real one if that is your tradition.

Remember to shut it off each night before bed and to keep the stand full of water so the tree is less of a fire hazard.

And if you have cats like Santa does, know they love to climb trees. Have an adult secure the tree to the wall if possible.

Christmas is a holiday celebrated by Christians around the world. Yesterday was the beginning of Channukah, a Jewish celebration.

On December 26th, Kwanzaa begings:

As an African American and Pan-African holiday celebrated by millions throughout the world African community, Kwanzaa brings a cultural message which speaks to the best of what it means to be African and human in the fullest sense. Given the profound significance Kwanzaa has for African Americans and indeed, the world African community, it is imperative that an authoritative source and site be made available to give an accurate and expansive account of its origins, concepts, values, symbols and practice.

Read more:

http://www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org/index.shtml

Chanukah Begins Today

Chanukah, the Festival of Lights, is a celebration of the victory of the Maccabees and the rededication of the Jerusalem Temple. It also commemorates the miracle of the oil that burned for 8 days.

Read more on the web:http://www.holidays.net/chanukah/

Christmas Stories

What is your favorite Christmas Story? I have two. One is the story of Alfie the Christmas Tree. There is a song that goes with the story called, “It’s in Everyone One of Us”.

Years ago, John Denver sang it on the Muppets Christmas show. I still see it around in the stores now and then. Look for it. Your kids will love it.

My other favorite is “It’s a Wonderful Life”. Mrs. Claus and I love to watch it every year with some hot cocoa while we wrap a few gifts near the fireplace. It is our one time to relax and enjoy the holidays for the few moments we can.

Christmas Carols

Small section from Wikipedia on Christmas Carols.

A Christmas carol (also called a noël) is a carol (song or hymn) whose lyrics are on the theme of Christmas, or the winter season in general. They are traditionally sung in the period before and during Christmas. The tradition of Christmas carols hails back as far as the thirteenth century, although carols were originally communal songs sung during celebrations like harvest tide as well as Christmas. It was only later that carols began to be sung in church, and to be specifically associated with Christmas.

Stockings

How many of you know the tradition of why we put up stockings? Well in the old days, each night before bed, the children had chores to do. One of these was to wash their stockings for the next day. To dry them, they would hang them near the fire place.

Now if you remember about Saint Nicholas, you know that I love to help children. Once I helped a poor farmer come up with the money he needed to have his daughters marry by leaving it in the stocking at night.

The tradition was started.Today you still leave the stockings out for me to fill all over the world.

Christmas Tree

Did you know this started as a German Tradition and was brought to the United Stated by German immigrants in Pennsylvania?

Read more about it on the web.

Two Weeks Left.....

It is getting closer. We are only two weeks away. By now the elves have the majority of the toy making done. We are just double checking the list to make sure we didn’t miss anyone.

But remember, just because we already have your gifts ready, does not mean you are guaranteed to get them. You have to be good ALL year in order to get all the things you want.

Christmas Cards

The custom of sending Christmas cards started in England. People started by writing Christmas letters to friends and family.

Later artists began to create standard pictures in card form for people to use instead of the letters. It took off and today it is a regular tradition around the world.

If you didn't send your yet, get on that. Time is running out.

Stress

Christmas is getting closer. Many children don’t realize this, but the holidays are a very stressful time for their parents.

Take some time today ask your parents if they need some help. You can baby-sit younger siblings while they shop or wrap gifts. You can clean up around the house, or help with other chores to get them done faster. You can decorate the tree or help write out the Christmas cards even. Every little bit helps at this time.

Sent a Soldier a Card

Let’s take a moment to remember some very special people today. Soldiers from many countries are stationed around the world these days. They are fighting for freedom, protecting innocent people who need help and keeping peace in other places.

These soldiers have families too. Some have parents, and some are parents. Either way, there are many more people at home praying for their safe return.

If you know a family of a solider or a solider who has returned from war, take the time to let them know how much you appreciate them. You do not have to like war or the reason’s for it. But the people who volunteer to protect us deserve our respect at all times.


www.LetsSayThanks.com

Happy Saint Nicholas Day

Today is Saint Nicholas Day. My day!

My gift to you is accesss to a site entirely about ME!

Check out the kids page for lots of fun activities.

http://www.stnicholascenter.org/Brix?pageID=166

Tomorrow is Saint Nicholas Day

Tomorrow the winner of the ELMO contest will be announced, check back for the details.

Leave your shoes out tonight if you are celebrating Saint Nicholas Day tomorrow.

Here is the tradition:

In many places St. Nicholas is the main gift giver. His feast day, St. Nicholas Day, is December 6, which falls early in the Advent season. Some places he arrives in the middle of November and moves about the countryside, visiting schools and homes to find out if children have been good. Other places he comes in the night and finds carrots and hay for his horse or donkey along with children's wish lists. Small treats are left in shoes or stockings so the children will know he has come.

Where St. Nicholas is prominent, his day, not Christmas, is the primary gift giving day. Parties may be held on the eve, December 5th, and shoes or stockings left for St. Nicholas to fill during the night. Children will find treats of small gifts, fruit or nuts, and special Nicholas candies and cookies. St. Nicholas gifts are meant to be shared, not hoarded for oneself.

From the St. Nicholas Center, www.stnicholascenter.org.

Names

Did you know the history of my name? Did you know I am called different names in different countries? Here is a small list of names from around the world.

France – Pere Noel
Germany – Weihnachtsmann (Christmas Man)
Italy – Babbo Natale
Norway – Julenissne (Christmas Gnome)
Poland – Swiety Mikolaj (St. Nicholas)
United Kingdom – Father Christmas

First Sunday of Advent

Today is the first Sunday of Advent. Traditionally Christmas is about Jesus’ birthday. Advent is the time of year we celebrate the weeks that lead up to his birth. Below is the tradition of the advent wreath.

The wreath is made of four candles in a circle of evergreens. Three candles are violet and the fourth is rose. Each Sunday at home, the candles are lighted, perhaps before the evening meal-- one candle the first week, and then another each succeeding week until December 25th. A short prayer may accompany the lighting.

Traditions

Today I want to talk about traditions. I have several. As you may know, my favorite is eating the cookies you leave out for me at your houses.

But there are many others. Because I travel the world, I embrace all traditions. For example, I put a red candle in my window. This lets people in need know my home is celebrating Christmas they are welcome to knock on the door if they are in need.

This is an Irish Tradition. I also have a huge meal on the 24th before I head out to work. I have several courses, all representing different cultures.

What do you in your family?

December 1st

Today is December 1st. We have entered the last month of the year. Many stores carry Advent Calendars. If you have never bought one, start a new tradition. Go to a card store and get a calendar. Each day has new box to open.

Behind each box will be a message or a picture leading up to the big day. You can buy secular or religious calendars.