Christmas - Meaning

Not So Merry Christmas? - Stay In Touch -- Ron Mainse

2010-12-25T17:10:00.000-05:00

Not So Merry Christmas? - Stay In Touch -- Ron Mainse: "

	Not So Merry Christmas? - Stay In Touch -- Ron Mainse Ron Mainse shares for those who might not be having a Merry Christmas. ; www.crossroads.ca	From: 100huntley Views: 39 0 ratings
	Time: 06:29	More in Nonprofits & Activism

"Angels Visit When We Sing" - Cambridge Kiwanis Boys Choir

2010-12-25T17:09:00.000-05:00

"Angels Visit When We Sing" - Cambridge Kiwanis Boys Choir: "

	"Angels Visit When We Sing" - Cambridge Kiwanis Boys Choir Cambridge Kiwanis Boys Choir ; www.ckboyschoir.ca	From: 100huntley Views: 176 3 ratings
	Time: 02:54	More in Music

Is It Better To Give Or Receive?

2010-12-25T17:08:00.001-05:00

Is It Better To Give Or Receive?: "

	Is It Better To Give Or Receive? Is It Better To Give Or Receive?	From: 100huntley Views: 31 0 ratings
	Time: 01:01	More in Nonprofits & Activism

"Christmas Always Brings You Home" - December 2010 -- Kelita

2010-12-25T17:08:00.000-05:00

"Christmas Always Brings You Home" - December 2010 -- Kelita: "

	"Christmas Always Brings You Home" - December 2010 -- Kelita Kelita ; Singer, Songwriter ; CD & DVD: "Heavenly Night" ; www.kelita.com	From: 100huntley Views: 5 0 ratings
	Time: 04:35	More in Music

From Russia With Love-Adoption Story

2010-12-25T17:07:00.002-05:00

From Russia With Love-Adoption Story: "

	From Russia With Love-Adoption Story Produced By: Denise Lodde ; The story of a couple, Bruce and Elaine Stacey, who went to Russia to do a musical production and ended up adopting two orphans. They recall their adventures, trials and joys as their children Alex and Elena share how they adapted to and embraced their new home. ; FEATURED IN REPORT: ; Elaine Stacey-Visited Russian Orphanages ; Bruce Stacey-Producer and Musician ; Sheryl Neilson-Sister of Alex and Elena ; Alex Stacey & Elena Gilmour-Adopted From St. Petersburg Orphanage ; www.crossroads.ca	From: 100huntley Views: 178 2 ratings
	Time: 10:13	More in Nonprofits & Activism

"Heavenly Night" - December 2010 -- Kelita

2010-12-25T17:07:00.001-05:00

"Heavenly Night" - December 2010 -- Kelita: "

	"Heavenly Night" - December 2010 -- Kelita Kelita ; Singer, Songwriter ; CD & DVD: "Heavenly Night" ; www.kelita.com	From: 100huntley Views: 10 0 ratings
	Time: 04:31	More in Music

The Battle Of The Gingerbread Houses Results -- Jim Cantelon & Moira Brown

2010-12-25T17:07:00.000-05:00

The Battle Of The Gingerbread Houses Results -- Jim Cantelon & Moira Brown: "

	The Battle Of The Gingerbread Houses Results -- Jim Cantelon & Moira Brown Jim Cantelon and Moira Brown find out the results of their Gingerbread House Battle. ; www.crossroads.com	From: 100huntley Views: 64 1 ratings
	Time: 04:30	More in Nonprofits & Activism

Obama's "Christian Label" and the War against Nativity Scenes

2010-12-25T16:57:00.000-05:00

Obama's "Christian Label" and the War against Nativity Scenes: "A world and a God that really matters."

Top 10 Assaults on Christmas

2010-12-25T16:55:00.000-05:00

Here come the spoilsport Christmas attack dogs ..... Would you believe?.....

Top 10 Assaults on Christmas: "Without tidings of comfort and joy . . ."

I Wish You a Merry – and Joyfully Analogue – Christmas

2010-12-25T16:10:00.000-05:00

[Editor: Although this is a totally secular look at what is essentially a Christian holiday, it is an interesting point of view on technology.]

I Wish You a Merry – and Joyfully Analogue – Christmas: "

Tis the night – or day, if you’re in the US – before Christmas – at least for those who live in the majority-Christian bits of the world – and all through the house – or in my case, hotel – not a creature is stirring, not even a mouse. The mouse, after all, is dead.

There are plety of things I love about spending Christmas in the UK – snow, repeats of old TV shows I haven’t seen since this time last year, Christmas crackers – but more than all of that, I love the fact that Christmas is one of the last parts of the year that remains mostly analogue.

Yes, of course this will be the Christmas of the Kindle and the iPad; and yes, more electronic equipment will probably change hands in the next 24 hours than in the rest of the year combined, but the 25th December is still a day when even those of us who obsess about technology for a living feel a bit tragic when we check our email or log on to Twitter.

For most people it’s also a time of year when we still generously give and gratefully receive physical gifts, as opposed to virtual ones. More paper books are sold at this time of the year than at any other time – not least because there’s something peculiarly joyful about inscribing a heartfelt greeting on a flyleaf and handing over a big block of dead tree to someone you care about. It’s something that will never – ever – be replicated by an ebook. DVD sales do pretty well too, and even CDs enjoy a brief reprieve as kids rush to buy gifts for their stubbornly analogue elders.

Food too will take a peculiarly untechnological bent for the next couple of days: Christmas is a time for visiting family and eating tried and tested old recipes. No Yelping or Chowhounding required. And don’t even think about Foursquaring; everyone knows where you are – you’re at home (yours or someone else’s), no cutesy, pointless badge required.

Finally, Christmas is one day where social networking is absolutely, categorically inferior to the real thing. It’s a day for hugging (maybe even poking) real people, exchanging non-pixellated gifts and having real conversations without an emoticon in sight. You’re allowed to send one “Merry Christmas” tweet, but after that, every time you update your status on Christmas day, God kills one of the shepherds.

…all of which makes it slightly ironic that I’m sitting here at my keyboard, at 7:30pm (GMT) on Christmas eve, logging into WordPress and writing a blog post for the world’s most high profile technology blog. But quotas are quotas, and it at least gives me a long-winded excuse to wish all of TechCrunch’s readers – even the freaks and the trolls – a very happy, and very un-digital – Christmas.

And if, like me, you find yourself stuck at a keyboard today, I highly recommend this post by Foster Kamer over at Longreads who shares his top five long reads of 2010. I mean, if you’re forced to be digital today, you might as well do it old school.

Happy Christmas.

Mystery Christory - Why Me?

2010-12-06T16:57:00.000-05:00

Who is Jesus?

How to Get and Care for a Christmas Tree

2010-12-03T21:34:00.003-05:00

Christmas Trees
Some take the easy way, which is fine if you like it, and put up an artificial tree each year. Some miss the smell of fresh evergreens and buy spray so the fake tree smells real, … sort of… real ….

However our family has always loved the real thing even tho it IS more bother.

It used to be easy to pick a tree as there were only two or at most three choices, spruces, pines and perhaps a balsam fir.

We all knew that Scotch Pine usually kept its needles longer even tho the grower had to keep shaping it each year to get a good tree. Scotch Pine always tended to be crooked and perhaps more bare on one side than the other.

Spruces always looked the best but lost their needles way too soon, except for those that put their tree up on Christmas Eve and take it down a few days later. It was okay for them.

So now we have Fraser Fir, Douglas Fir as well as all the old kinds.

Very confusing. How do you know how to pick a good Christmas tree and care for it?

These web links will take you to top sites where you can answer your own question.

ONE
http://www.christmastrees.on.ca/index.php?action=display&cat=34
takes you to The Christmas Tree Farmers of Ontario website which gives you tips on how to:

General Christmas Tree Care and Selection

How To Select A Christmas Tree

Caring For Live (Potted) Christmas Trees

How To Care For Your Christmas Tree

TWO
http://homeandgarden.homes-extra.ca/Gardening/2010/11/25/16313731.html
This site is a site of the London, Ontario-area garden centres and gives a brief one long page summary of How to Care for a Christmas Tree [Step One is Give it a Tree-t when it is good! ]
  Live Potted

   Douglas Fir                                    Fraser Fir

   Grand Fir                                Noble Fir

THREE
http://www.suite101.com/content/choosing-the-perfect-christmas-tree-a180454
This would be a good site for newcomers to Canada who nothing about our customs because it cuts right to the basics that most of us know. Not good for those who want more advanced information.



FOUR
http://artsnursery.com/readnewsletter.aspx?nid=8
In my humble opinion [ha!], this is the best site. It talks about all the stuff you may need to do to prepare your garden for the winter and THEN tells you how to select a Christmas tree WITH PHOTOS!
Very colourful and useful for the beginner to advanced Christmas Tree picker!

Some Topics Covered

The 4 main types of trees currently as of 2010 for cut trees plus some others you may find
Live Christmas Trees
Caring for your Christmas Tree
Avoiding Potential Hazards
Holly Days!
Poinsettias - The Christmas Flower

If time allows I may come back and give you some extra links and comments.
If not, have a Very Happy Christmas and a Very New, New Year!
There is a place that we can go to start again!

del.icio.us Tags: christmas,christmas trees,selecting,holly,poinsettias,care of Christmas tree,live Christmas trees,photos of Christmas plants

Above photos courtesy of Arts Nursery in Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

-Charles

Links Below Not Checked but may be worthwhile, or not…

Blogs Post - Today's Best Music 104.5 - CHUM FM

11 Nov 2010 - All About Style with John Reeves - Christmas Trees - Thursday, ... whack the tree quite a few times on the ground to help shake all the dry needles off - secure the trunk into a quality tree stand that can hold a good amount of water ...
www.chumfm.com/Contact/Blogs/Post.aspx?PostID=1025...29 - Cached

How to pick the perfect Christmas tree - The Globe and Mail

6 Dec 2009 - For just $9.86, you can purchase a replica Charlie Brown Christmas Tree from Amazon.ca . ... to the 1965 TV special, its stubby branches hold a few scant clusters of needles.... Best from November 29 · Opus Vino, by editor Jim Gordon . ...
www.theglobeandmail.com/life/...to...christmas.../article1390572/ - Similar

timestranscript.com - Balsam fir 'greens up' N.B. at Christmas ...

26 Dec 2009 - The balsam fir is also a favoured Christmas tree as it will hold its needles ... as co-operative about holding their needles when visiting our living rooms. ...
timestranscript.canadaeast.com/rss/article/901424 - Cached

Aluminum Christmas Trees Are A Canadian Tradition | The Toque

8 Sep 2010 - The aluminum Christmas tree is a steadfast Canadian tradition. ... The children stand by, holding miniature propane Christmas torches, ... And hey, an aluminum Christmas tree is much easier to maintain over the holidays–no messy needles or needless watering ... Top Reasons For Getting Fired At The Office Xmas Party ...
www.thetoque.com/christmas/aluminum-christmas-trees-are-a-canadian- tradition/ - Cached

Christmas Trees - Message Boards | Canadian Parents

14 posts - 7 authors - Last post: 22 Nov
I loved the smell, hated the needles. .... to buy the real one after christmas.. .they always go on sale then kinda get the best of both worlds then. ... At superstore they have no gst onchristmas trees right now and some sort of sale on .... Holding hands. Snuggling together. Other. Vote. Talk About It | Archives ...
forum.canadianparents.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb... - Cached

Casting Crowns - I Heard The Bells on Christmas Day Live

2010-11-30T16:29:00.001-05:00

Celtic Woman-O' Come All Ye Faithful

2010-11-30T16:24:00.002-05:00

Celtic Woman-O' Come All Ye Faithful

Alan Jackson - Let it be Christmas

2010-11-30T16:20:00.000-05:00

Alan Jackson - Let it be Christmas

Mary, Did You Know? (B. Greene & M. Lowry) by Lâm Anh

2010-11-30T16:12:00.000-05:00

Mary, Did You Know? (B. Greene & M. Lowry) by Lâm Anh

Interesting Christmas Rap

2010-11-30T15:54:00.002-05:00

Interesting Rap About Christmas

BarlowGirl - Hallelujah (Light Has Come)

2010-11-30T15:43:00.002-05:00

I've Got the Joy - GoFish Guys

2010-11-30T15:33:00.000-05:00

12 Christmas Myths: Fact or Fiction?

2007-12-22T22:07:00.001-05:00

12 Christmas Myths: Fact or Fiction?

Do You Know These 12 Christmas Myths?

Every holiday has its myths, but Christmas seems to have more than its fair share. Urban legends and old wives tales abound during this holiday season. Think you know fact from fiction? Here's the scoop on some of the most popular Christmas myths.

1. The Poisonous Poinsettia

Are poinsettia plants really dangerous for homes with children and pets? Nope. The rumor has been a conspiracy started by someone who didn't want to spend money on the school's poinsettia fund raiser.

As proven by recent studies, poinsettia plants are non-toxic. If you have pets, go ahead and put those poinsettias out. You've been sacrificing the beauty of these plants in vain.

2. Does the World Mistletoe Really Mean "Dung on a Twig"?

For those who are still 7-years-old at heart, go ahead and laugh it up. Every time someone says "mistletoe" they are indeed saying "dung on a stick". The word is derived from an Anglo-Saxon phrase and that is indeed the meaning.

3. Do Candy Canes

Really Represent The Blood and Purity of Christ?

Nope. This is another of those "wish they were true" Christmas myths, but it's not a fact. The reality is that candy canes were just a mindless sugary treat. They weren't even red and white initially. If you like candy canes go ahead and indulge but if you've been decorating with them because you thought they had a deeper religious meaning, you've been misled.

4. Is the "X" in X-mas an atheist attempt to take Christ out of the holiday?

Nope. No conspiracy here. The "X" in X-mas actually stands for Christ. In Greek, the word Christ begins with the Greek letter Chi (or "X"). For centuries the letter X has been an abbreviation for Jesus Christ.

5. Is Rudolph a Montgomery Ward Creation?

Say it ain't so! Is our beloved childhood friend nothing more than a commercial creation? Unfortunately the answer is yes. Rudolph was indeed created for Montgomery Ward department stores in 1939. However, the lovable reindeer took on a life of its own and now the story is a wholehearted Christmas tradition.

So there you have it -- the facts on five of the most common Christmas myths. How many did you have right? If you're wondering about the fact or fiction of any other Christmas myths you've heard, drop me a line. I love to dig into them.

6. The Tradition of the Christmas Nativity

Who Put Up The First Christmas Nativity?

It just doesn't feel like Christmas until you see the Christmas nativity displays lighting up front yards, churches and businesses. But when was the first Christmas nativity scene set up? Whose idea was it? When did it become a Christmas tradition? The answers may surprise you.

The First Christmas Nativity

The Christmas nativity wasn't always a Christian tradition. It's not like people were pantomiming Christ's birth immediately following the resurrection. So when did it really begin?

The first Christmas nativity was actually arranged by Saint Francis of Assisi. Of course Saint Francis used real people to depict the famous scene, not lighted plastic figures. But why exactly did Saint Francis begin this holiday tradition?

Spreading the Word

While many of us take for granted the fact that we can pick up the Bible and read about the birth of Christ, back in the day of Saint Francis not everyone could read and not everyone had access to a Bible.

What better way to spread the joy of Christ's birth than by "showing" the story to those who couldn't read about it. And so the first Christmas nativity was born.

What Did the First Christmas Nativity Look Like?

The Christmas nativity set up by Saint Francis looked much different than the nativities we see today. First and foremost, real people were used -- not statues. There were real animals too and a life-sized wax figure of the Christ child.

The popularity of the Christmas nativity grew and people starting displaying them at home. Wealthy families would even commission sculptors to create their very own nativity scenes.

Flash Forward

In today's day and age, you don't have to be wealthy to have your own Christmas nativity. Even the local Wal-Mart sells nativity decorations. What has changed, however, is the way Christmas nativities are viewed.

In America, where freedom of religion is supposed to ring true, it appears that the rule only applies to those who are not Christian. The Christmas nativity is under attack and there are those who don't want them displayed in public places.

My opinion? This is the Christmas season. Let's remember what the holiday is truly about and let the Christmas nativity scenes continue to be a wonderful Christmas tradition.

7. Who Started The Christmas Cards Tradition?

Why We Send Christmas Cards During the Holiday Season

This year while you're preparing all of the Christmas cards that will be going out to friends and family you may take a moment to wonder why you do it and who started it all. After all, it's not like the apostles took it upon themselves to send each other greeting cards to remember the birthday of Jesus. Hey, Hallmark didn't even exist back then! So how did Christmas cards become a part of this Christian holiday? Here's where it all began...

Let's Travel Back in Time

Let's go back in time to 1840s Britain. The first postal deliveries were being sent thanks to the brand new “Penny Post” that had been set up.

Now that the Penny Post enabled people to send Christmas greetings to one another it became customary to do so. However, many people found it tedious and time consuming to hand write all of their Christmas letters. In 1843, the first Christmas card was commissioned.

Christmas Cards Come to America

For about 30 years, Americans had to import their Christmas cards from Britain. It wasn't until 1875 that the first Christmas cards would be printed in the United States.

And the Christmas cards sent back then really didn't mirror today's popular cards at all. The Christmas cards of yesteryear tended to depict flowers and faeries. It wasn't until later years that Christmas cards took on a “holiday theme”.

And the Evolution Continues...

What the Penny Post did for Christmas cards back in the mid 1800s, the Internet is doing today. The way we greet one another at Christmas is changing once again. Thanks to the wider acceptance of “e-cards” all it takes is the click of the mouse to send your friends and family Christmas greetings. Who knows what tomorrow brings...

7.
How Did The Tradition of Christmas Stockings Begin?

The Story of The First Christmas Stockings

Each and every Christmas most of us hang stockings on the mantles of our fireplaces (or other places in the home if fireplace isn't present) and wait for the goodies to appear on Christmas morning. But when did this tradition begin? What do stockings and fireplaces have to do with the birth of Christ? Here's some insight into why we hang Christmas stockings during the holiday season.

It All Started With a Foolish Act...

It's harsh, but true. The tradition of our Christmas stockings actually started with a man who squandered his fortune away. Some say it was due to depression after his wife's death. Nevertheless, he left his three daughters penniless and without a dowry.

Because these three women had no dowry, they would be unable to marry. After all, in those days a man didn't usually marry a women without a dowry attached.

One night, as the sisters had left their socks by the fireplace to dry, St. Nicholas rode by the girls' home on his horse, saw the stockings hanging and flung gold coins down the chimney. The coins landed in the girls' stockings, becoming the very first stocking stuffers.

Today's Christmas Stockings

Today's Christmas stockings are still hung by a fireplace, but they're rarely filled with gold coins. Little trinkets and small gifts are placed into the stockings and children rush to see what's been left on Christmas morning.

And while the original Christmas stockings may indeed have been wet socks drying over a fire, the Christmas stockings of modern times are much more elaborate. There are stockings in all shapes, colors, sizes and materials.

There is one thing I wonder... What would those three daughters of yesteryear have thought of the Christmas stockings of today?

8. Christmas Tree Facts You Probably Didn't Know

A Few Christmas Tree Facts

Most of us put up the Christmas tree each and every holiday -- mostly for tradition's sake. After all, it doesn't feel like Christmas until the tree goes up. But do you know much about the history of Christmas trees? Here are some interesting facts...

The First Christmas Tree

Well, the actual origins of the first Christmas tree have always been the topic of hot debate. Some say they are pagan in origin, others insist they are not. However, the first decorated Christian Christmas tree dates back to 1510.

The first Christmas trees weren't decorated with lights and glass ornaments, as we decorate our trees today. These trees adorned simple decorations made of paper and fruits. So where did the lights come from? In the 18th century people began hanging candles on their trees. With the advent of electricity Christmas lights were introduced and because they were safer, they quickly replaced the candle tradition.

The First Christmas Tree Lots

Think the tradition of going to the Christmas tree lot to pick out a tree is a recent one? Guess again! Christmas tree lots have been around almost as long as Christmas trees have. The first Christmas tree lot dates back to 1531 in Germany.

The First White House Tree

Each year many of us ooh and ahh over the White House Christmas tree. When did the tradition start? Back in 1856 and the first lighting ceremony was introduced in 1923.

So there you have it, some Christmas tree facts to remind us that Christmas trees aren't just something to make the season brighter. They are a long-standing tradition that add culture to our Christmas experience. This year as you're shopping for Christmas trees at the Christmas tree lot remember just how long ago the tradition was started.

9. Something You Probably Never Knew About The 12 Days of Christmas

Just Who Is the “True Love” In the 12 Days of Christmas ?

We all know that The 12 Days of Christmas is a song we sing during the holiday season, but what in the world does it really have to do with the holiday? How can someone's “true love” and a partridge in a pear tree really have anything to do with the date of Christ's birth? Here's the scoop...

Love Isn't Always Romantic

True love is never romantic love. True love is agape love and agape love is defined as an unconditional love for everything. Unconditional -- as in the person would die for you, regardless of what you did to that person. Getting to see the picture?

A Dangerous Time

The period of time when The 12 Days of Christmas was written was dangerous for believers. They were being persecuted and executed in many parts of the world. The 12 Days of Christmas is a way they could celebrate in code. After all, who would think twice about a children's song about love, birds, lords and maids?

The Symbolism

So just what does the symbolism mean in The 12 Days of Christmas? First is the “true love”. We've already figured that one out. The true love is God. But what about the other symbols?

There is much debate about what the other symbols mean, but a few that many agree on are the partridge (which would represent Christ), the four calling birds (which represent the four gospels of the bible) and the seven swans are the Sacraments of the Holy Spirit.

Speaking of Debate

Speaking of debate, while some disagree on what the symbols mean, others disagree the song is a Christmas “code” at all. But isn't that the way it is with all religion? Some people having faith and others dismissing or trying to disprove it?

Is The 12 Days of Christmas really a code? I'd like to think so. Just as the fish in the sand. What do you think?

10. The History Behind The Dazzle of Christmas Lights

Why Do We Put Up Christmas Lights During the Holiday Season?

It's that time of year again and we figured what better way to kick off the 2007 season of Christmas Lore than with the history behind those Christmas lights we'll all be hanging up soon. After all, we enjoy the beauty of this time of year. Why not get t the bottom of why the houses in our neighborhoods sparkle? Here's the scoop...

All That Glitters...

It turns out that Christmas lights date back to the 17th century (and maybe even before that period). Sure, there wasn't electricity back then, but they did have candles. Wealthy celebrants would place candles on their Christmas trees. Then, in 1882, electric Christmas lights were introduced and Christmas was never the same (in a good way, of course).

The Transition

It seems to be human nature that once we get a good thing, we can't get enough of it. People were so pleased with electric Christmas lights that they began looking for more ways to use them. Hence, the evolution of Christmas lights from a “tree only” decoration to a house-wide decoration.

Nowadays, Christmas lights are nothing like the lights of yesteryear. You can get them in all colors, shapes and sizes. There are icicle lights for your gutters, net lights for your bushes – even lights wrapped around wire to make decorative Christmas light figures.

Of course, if you're the more traditional type you can get the plain white Christmas lights of years gone by. There are so many Christmas lights to choose from now, there's certainly something for everyone.

This year when you hang your Christmas lights, think about how lucky you are. Imagine if they hadn't yet been invited and they were each individual candles you had to arrange.

Excerpted from Christmas Lore

Can you believe the lady's name is actually Laura Legend? Well is is!

Common Christmas Myths

2007-12-22T21:55:00.000-05:00

Common Christmas Myths

There are so many "ideas" about Christmas which are untrue. We have made myths out of the facts!

For example how many wings do angels have?

If you thought, 2, you are wrong!

Read Luke and see. Nowhere does it mention wings even once!

They were wingless!

-More to come but these were taken from a Christmas site listed at bottom

Some Christmas Facts About Common Christmas Myths
Getting To the Bottom of Christmas Facts and Christmas Myths

If you celebrate Christmas you probably know the basics of the facts. Jesus lived, died and rose again to save us all. However, the way we celebrate Christmas and what we assume are Christmas facts may actually be nothing more than Christmas Myths. Wondering what's true and what's not? Here's the truth about some common Christmas myths.
Christ Was Born On December 25th

If you think we celebrate Christmas on Christ's birthday, you might want to think again. While Christmas day is indeed the celebration of Christ's birth (and I know many who actually bake Him a birthday cake) it's not really His birthday.

Christ was not born on the 25th of December as many people believe. What day was He born? That, my friends, is a question of much debate. Some say He was indeed born in December. Others insist it was June. No one really knows for sure, but December 25th is the day we celebrate His birth in the absence of a record of the true birth date.
The Christmas Tree is a Christian Tradition

Actually, the Christmas tree was a pagan tradition before it became a Christian tradition. On the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year, the Druids would decorate a Christmas tree during a celebration. This was to honor the Sacred Grove of Trees that were worshiped by the Celtic priesthood.

Eventually, to win pagans over to the religion of Christianity, the decorating of a “Christmas Tree” was incorporated into the Christian tradition. Hence, the reason we decorate Christmas trees each and every Christmas season.
Santa is Fat and Jolly

The Santa Claus we know today is nothing like the man who actually existed. Santa Claus was a holy man. He did not believe in excess so obesity and fur-trimmed clothing probably wasn't par for the course. In fact, early depictions of Saint Nick show him as a thin man (though he does indeed have a beard) in the robes of the church.
The Sad Part

Okay, so here we've discussed three Christmas myths that aren't founded in fact. The sad thing is that some uneducated individuals try to tell others that none of Christianity can be trusted because of these myths.

What's my answer to that? These myths were created by man. Not the Bible. The Bible doesn't talk about decorating a tree, a man who rides in a sleigh or a December 25th birthday. The Bible, and Christianity as a whole, cannot be disclaimed because of these Christmas myths. To think otherwise, my friends, is to fall for ignorance.

from ChristmasLore.com http://www.christmaslore.com/some_christmas_facts_about_common_christmas_myths.html

Merry Christmas with a Capital "C"

2007-12-22T20:36:00.000-05:00

Good point! I love it! -cp

Third Day - I want to feel Christmas Like A Child

2007-12-21T23:28:00.000-05:00

Third Day - I want to feel Christmas Like A Child

The Light of the World - Saves Energy!

2007-12-21T23:04:00.000-05:00

Charles and Wally hope you like your Christmas card!

Did you enjoy this Christmas card video with Third Day singing and the beautiful light show!