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Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year from our family to yours. Patsy & Kay Dec 24/07 The 10 Commandments of Christmas 1-Thou shalt give thy heart to Christ. Let Him be at the top of thy Christmas list. 2-Thou shalt prepare thy soul for Christmas. Spend not so much on gifts that thy soul is forgotten. 3-Thou shalt not let Santa Claus replace Christ, thus robbing the day of its Spiritual reality. 4-Thou shalt not burden the shop girl, the mailman, and the merchant with complaints and demands. 5-Thou shalt give thyself with thy gift. This will increase its value a hundred fold, and he who receives it shall treasure it forever. 6-Thou shalt not value gifts received by their cost. Even the least expensive may signify Love, and that is more priceless than silver and gold. 7-Thou shalt not neglect the needy. Share thy blessings with many who will go hungry and cold unless thou are generous. 8-Thou shalt not neglect thy Church. It's services highlight the true meaning of the season. 9-Thou shalt be as a little child ... But not until thou has become in spirit as a little one art thou ready to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. 10-Thou shall not forget to share your Joy, Peace and Love with those around you. *************************** ( The Littlest Christmas Tree ) In Loving Memory of Robin Derksema, and Kyle Gibson. Rob is the late husband of Pakadevas Owner ( Patsy ) And Kyle is the late husband of ( Always Fresh Owner Kay and father to Kiefer and Nikita.) Both these wonder men passed away during the Christmas season and are dearly missed. The Littlest Christmas Tree By Richard K. Conant The Littlest Christmas Tree stood on the hill, wondering still, "Will I be chosen, chosen this year?" "Don't worry dear," said the Mother Tree "you may be chosen, chosen this year." "I feel so lonely, lonely and sad. Have I been bad?" asked the Littlest Tree. "You haven't been bad," said the kind Mother Tree. "You're a good little tree, you must wait patiently." Bough-bent and broken by wind and by storm, the Littlest Christmas Tree had an uneven form. Spurned and rejected by all who passed by, the Littlest Christmas Tree began to cry. "Don't cry, Little Tree," said a bear standing there. "How would you know that you wouldn't grow, year after year?" "Little Tree, please don't cry," said a squirrel nearby. Then a blue jay, a chickadee, an owl wise and strong, a cardinal, and a woodpecker, with a beak very long, flew onto the tree and burst into song! "Thank you, O' thank you! My friends, you are dear! Now I'll be chosen, chosen this year!" The Littlest Christmas Tree was happy that day, 'til thunder and lightning drove his friends away! The kind Mother Tree was taken that night by a family who rode in a a sleigh. She offered these words of comfort, before she was carried away. "A Christmas Tree's purpose is to bring love and joy to every girl and boy at Christmas. So have faith, my son, for your chance will come, and you will be chosen someday." All alone in the night, beneath stars glowing bright, the tree looked toward heaven for light. A star sailing by in the twinkling sky shined its light on the Littlest Tree. As it bathed in the light, on that one special night, the tree heard a voice say aloud ... "Because you are bent, broken, and small, You are the most beloved of all For the love that's inside is a gift that you hide! Let it shine forth on this night." And The Light from above rekindled the love deep inside the Littlest Tree and the hill glowed that night, for the tree's love shined bright and happiness fell all around. When Spring came at last to the trees on the hill, the Littlest Christmas Tree was wondering still, "Will I be chosen, chosen this year?" And then came Summertime and the other trees grew, the Littlest Christmas Tree wondered anew, "Will I be chosen, chosen this year?" And would you believe, that on Christmas Eve the Littlest Tree looked toward heaven, and the light from a star, in the heavens so far, caused the Littlest Tree to remember the Light from above and its message of love on that special night last December! And the hill glowed that night, for the tree's love shined bright and happiness fell all around. "O' Father, dear Father, please look over there," said the boy in the wheelchair, as he stared at the Littlest Tree. "Yes, that is the one, it's so lovely, my son. We'll bring it home for Christmas." So the Littlest Christmas Tree went home at last, embraced in the little boy's care. "Dear Little Tree, you're just like me," said the littlest boy in the chair. And the tree shined that night, with its message of Light, and happiness fell all around. *************************** Cherish His Christmas Roger J. Robicheau Christmas brings such a time of love Each tender heart holds so much of Unselfishness thrives, trust is strong The purpose to give, send love along A time of pleasantries, patience too Good wishes to all, all feelings true Thankfulness follows each fine deed Gifts from our God, never from greed Great the rewards that joy does bring Like the beauty in hearing angels sing We pray for our loved, each so dear Especially those who can’t be near Many leave home to bravely serve All freedoms we have, they preserve Do pray for our troops, as we should And their families too, if you would Give thanks to our Lord, His only Son And cherish His Christmas, everyone. *************************** Some Children See Him By Alfred Burt Some children see Him lily white the infant Jesus born this night Some children see Him lily white with tresses soft and fair Some children see Him bronzed and brown the Lord of heav'n to earth come down Some children see Him bronzed and brown with dark and heavy hair (with dark and heavy hair!) Some children see Him almond-eyed This Saviour whom we kneel beside Some children see Him almond-eyed With skin of yellow hue! Some children see Him dark as they Sweet Mary's Son to whom we pray Some children see Him dark as they And, ah! they love Him so! The children in each different place Will see the Baby Jesus' face Like theirs but bright with heav'nly grace And filled with holy light! O lay aside each earthly thing and with thy heart as offering Come worship now the infant King 'tis love that's born tonight! 'tis love that's born tonight! *************************** A Christmas Prayer Loving Heavenly Father, Help us remember the birth of Jesus, that we may share in the song of angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and the 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 clean hearts. May 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. In Thy Name We Pray, Amen Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year from our family to yours. Patsy & Kay |
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January07, 2008 - Always Fresh Jan 06/08 >> |
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