Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

The newsletter devoted to spreading love and cultural awareness around the world.

Dec 21, 2006

Our Christmas, Channukah, Kwanzaa, New Years, holidays Contest 

Today’s Announcements

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Today’s Contest Stories

~**~**~

THE SWEATER

Sharon Bryant

I am the oldest of four in my family.  Mom and dad had two sets of kids they used to say.  There is 15 years difference between myself and my sister.  She is the youngest.

Growing up, I had the three younger ones tagging along behind me.  Sometimes it was fun, but when I began dating and they always wanted to go with me, it was a problem.

When I married, my sister was 6-years-old.  I moved to Norfolk, Va. to be near the Naval Base, and my sister begged me to take her with me.  I told her I'd make her something special so she could always feel me near her.

I learned how to knit at a young age.  It always amazed me that I could take a ball of yarn, two metal needles, and create something beautiful.  I made my sister a sweater that year.

Through the years I knitted everyone a sweater, hats, scarves, mittens and gloves.  Everyone except my dad.  He had a lot of nice sweaters and I was always wanting to make something special.

The year finally came that I found some gorgeous yarn that I knew would make a beautiful man's sweater.  I began working on it in the summer, between my job and home life.  Christmas morning, it was wrapped with a big bow and a special card was placed inside the box for my dad.

I watched as he was opening the box.  He lifted it out and said, "This looks awful warm and it looks like it was handmade."  He looked at me and I grinned and nodded my head yes.

Dad put the sweater on and it fit him just fine.  He wore it several times that winter.

When dad died last January and my sister and brother and I were looking at his clothes, we found a large box with all his sweaters inside.  My sister began picking each one up, each of us remembering something about dad when we saw him wearing that particular sweater she chose from the box. 

She picked this one sweater up and said, "I don't remember this one."  But I did.  I reached out to take it, and it was like the years had never passed and I was sitting with dad watching him as he opened the box that long ago Christmas.

"I made this for dad," I said. 

"Then I think you should keep that one," my brother said. 

The sweater now lays in my husband's dresser drawer.  Whenever I get lonely thinking about dad, I open that drawer and touch the yarn that came to life long ago.  I will always treasure the sweater.

Sharon Bryant

1946@bellsouth.net

~**~**~

 Dear Santa;

Robyn Cavalera

     I know it's been many years since I've written to you. Sorry about that. It's just that when I grew up, I kind of gave up the childish stuff. I thought maybe I should share with you what I have been doing for all these years. 

I met a new man! His name is Beautiful. He is just like you in so many ways, but more. He is kind, gentle, compassionate, loving, patient, long-suffering, generous, you know, all those wonderful traits in you that I loved as a kid, and like I said, MORE. I am writing to you now because I thought you may like to meet with Him. I know if you become friends again, He will make your life even better than it is. You are a wonderful role model Santa, but quite honestly, He is even better. I think you could learn a lot from Him. He might even bring you back your Christmas spirit you lost so long ago. I know it wasn't your fault. People made you what you are today. I also know you used to be real close to my new friend. Anyway, He is waiting for your call. He is really anxious to start new and fresh with you.

     Oh yeah, by the way, He also said that all people should be like you were. Happy, caring, giving, etc., all year long, not just at this time of the year. Hummmmm makes sense to me!! He also said to remind you of his name, not that you ever forgot, really. JESUS!! He's just waiting for you Santa.

Love,  Me

Robyn Cavalera

Merry Christmas

Robyn Cavalera

Happy Birthday Jesus

     In the beginning was the Word. And the Word was with God. And the Word WAS God. 

     Jesus was the Word made flesh. He was born of man, but was and is and always will be God. We don't really know for sure the date of His flesh birthday, but we do know the day of His Beginning. Did you know that? Jesus was born.......In The Beginning! You see we have no concept of time as God sees it. We can't even begin to comprehend when the Beginning was! Because it never really was as we know "was." It just IS. So therefore, as we celebrate this most wonderful time of the year, take a few moments to say "Happy Birthday Jesus!" It may not really be His Birthday, but at least we can recognize the Creator of Birthdays on this day. I told my grandchildren..."Isn't it amazing how on this day, the day we celebrate the "birth" of Jesus, instead of us giving Him a present, He gives (and continues to give all year), a present to us. Hummmm wonder what would happen if we ALL gave gifts to someone else on our Birthdays. Think maybe that old spirit of greed and covet, might take a hike? I do!!!

     Lord, help me to reflect today, and everyday on the wonderful "gift" you gave to me. The "free" gift of eternal life in Jesus. A gift beyond price. A gift that can not be measured by human standards. A gift that can never be duplicated or out done! The "Greatest" "Gift" of all!!! Thank you Jesus!!! I give you all the Praise and Glory this day, and every day! May the Angels in Heaven rejoice with You this day. May they and all of Your Creation sing to the Glory of the Father!!! Happy Birthday!!!

Love, ME

Robyn Cavalera
Prayer Warrior/Demon buster  Psa. 18:1-42
"The last words of Jesus to the church
(in Revelation) were 'Repent!'
robyajesusfreak@bellsouth.net
http://scripturemeditate.blogspot.com
Forgive your enemies. It messes up their heads.
321-268-0390-need prayer? Call...
Some wish to live within the sound of a
 chapel bell; I wish to run a rescue
mission within a yard of hell. -- C.T. Studd
http://home.bellsouth.net/p/pwp-JesusKids
Looking for a Spirit filled Speaker?
http://brendakellyministries.org/
Need to be uplifted or helped?
HTTP://www.swpwarriors.com
Jesus is the air I breath, my
very breath of life.
Want to read some of my Spiritual Nuggets?
www.sermonillustrator.org/minisermons/

~**~**~

Poetry Corner

~**~**~

Oh Israel Oh Israel
Carol Meeks

Oh Israel Oh Israel
the shepherd's sheep are singing;
Oh Israel Oh Israel
the hills and lands are tingling.
They laid the child upon the hay;
the one whose birth was Christmas Day.
Oh Israel Oh Israel
proclaim Him King is ringing.

Oh Israel Oh Israel
all the wise men came searching.
Oh Israel Oh Israel
the brightest star is perching.
They traveled far to see the babe;
found salvation, from trip they made.
Oh Israel Oh Israel
Sagers accepted churching.

Oh Israel Oh Israel
the King was born as First Noel.

© 2006 Carol Dee Meeks
c_pmeeks@hotmail.com
http://home.midsouth.rr.com/kmhomepage/homePage.html

 ~**~**~

Even the Animals Know
Carol Meeks

The night serene in peace
like doves while angels sing
their praise of love, their strength
like current ampere flows,
in awe each animal, he knows.

The night is calm, the night
is still, and there's a light
upon the hill. It shines
so bright, the star this night.
Oh! What a glorious sight.

Even the animals
all know. The child that lays
atop the hay, the child
who comes and makes us free,
even the animals take a knee.

Even the animals all know,
its Christmas here, the world's aglow.
This winter time, this season's best
even the animals know we're blest.

© 2004 Carol Dee Meeks
c_pmeeks@hotmail.com
http://home.midsouth.rr.com/kmhomepage/homePage.html

~**~**~

Christmas Blessings
Carol Meeks

A child was born
this glorious morn,
a child who lay
upon the hay.

The angels sing
and animals bray
that Christmas Day
this Christmas Day.

The child did grow
and those who know
claim Him king,
His praises sing.

He made me free
He made you free.
This child who lay
upon the hay.

© 2004 Carol Dee Meeks
c_pmeeks@hotmail.com
http://home.midsouth.rr.com/kmhomepage/homePage.html

Readers Feedback

Carol,
   These Christmas stories have all been fantastic.  I am so delighted to be a part of them today.
I hope that you have a very Merry Christmas my friend.  Joe

Carol: today's newsletter was a very nice mixed bag..... I thought. I laughed. I enjoyed very much the reading.... TANNIA

Joseph: Jesus said: "You must be a child to enter the kingdom of God." Children are little angels loaned to us by God to help us see His face and understand the joy of His creation... AMEN

Leeuna: I laughed so hard reading your story that I have to pause for a moment. That story was so funny and well written too!  Today, I could proudly say: I AM DONE WITH MY CHRISTMAS SHOPPING!!!!!!!!!!! YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  TANNIA

P.S. Gifford: God has mysterious ways to helps us grow and be useful tools for Him. Amen. Tannia. Very touchy story.... A very nice children story.....

Carol Dee Meek - Your poem A Baby Boy was Born plays like a song..... Actually, I liked your three poems... TANNIA

Bruce: The Glue of the Universe - was a story full of the simple things in life: HONESTY... Sometimes our cynicism get on the way and prevent us to see the beauty outside our blindness.... Something to think about, ah???  I enjoyed your story very much. TANNIA

Contest Submissions that have been posted only, this means only the stories that have been published in Storytime Tapestry and not the articles that are still waiting in the queue.  The list gets bigger each day as more and more stories are added.

Please refer to the archives: http://archives.zinester.com/98907 if you want to reread an article before voting.

Name:                            Title:                              Date published

Ortiz-Lopes, Tannia           From Devine To Human                                     Dec 17 (see special treat)

Blaine, Pamela                     The Very Best Gift Of All                 Dec 17

Shaw, Bob                             Buttermilk                                                           Dec 17

Aro                                         A Visit From Tanner Claus                              Dec 17

Joseph, Brian                       The Gift of Giving                                                Dec 18 (see special treat)

Walker, Bill                         Rainbow Ridge Special Report, Gizzy             Dec 18

Gold, Ron                              Christmas Kindnesses                                       Dec 18

Gold, Ron                              A Merry Jewish Christmas                              Dec 18

Haley, Ellie Braun               Mother                                                                   Dec 19(see special treat)

McCallum, Arnot                The Little Red Sock                                            Dec 19

Bryant, Sharon                    The Meaning                                                        Dec 19

Bryant, Sharon                    The Shoe Store                                                    Dec 19

Byrant, Sharon                    You Walk With Angels                                     Dec 19

Berry, Nell                           A Christmas Prayer                                           Dec 19

Foster, Leeuna                     Tis the Season to go Shopping                          Dec 20

Gifford, P.S.                          A Very Special Christmas                                Dec 20

Mazzella, Joe                       Through His Eyes                                               Dec 20

Meeks, Carol                       The Most Reverent Night                  Dec 20

Meeks, Carol                       A Baby Boy Was Born                                       Dec 20

Meeks, Carol                       Christmas Day                                                     Dec 20

Newman, Bruce                   The Glue of The Universe                  Dec 20(see special treat)

Meeks, Carol                       Oh Israel, Oh Israel                                           Dec 21

Meeks, Carol                       Even The Animals Know                                    Dec 21

Meeks, Carol                       Christmas Blessings                                         Dec 21

Meyers, Dan                         Noel - The Dyslexic Christmas Angel            Dec 21(see special treat)

Cavalera, Robyn                   Dear Santa                                                            Dec 21

Cavalera, Robyn                   Happy Birthday Jesus                                        Dec 21

Bryant, Sharon                    The Sweater                                                         Dec 21

Storytime Tapestry Angels

Angels on earth, they exist they are out there.  Angels come in all ages, shapes and sizes, civil status, and religion.  Their nature is love and their purpose is giving to the less fortunate of this world.  Storytime Tapestry angels are no exception.  These angels are loyal members who have contributed to the upkeep of Storytime Tapestry newsletter so that Storytime Tapestry can continue come to your email box 350 days of the year.

Here is our Storytime Tapestry Angels: Also, I would like to thank those of you who chose to be a silent angel and gave an anonymous donation to keep Storytime Tapestry up and running.

Clara Westerfer, Mark Crider, Rosanne Catalano, Paula Booher, Kay Seefeldt

Mary Ellen Grisham, Louise Nomani, Sharon Bryant, Angela Walker

Hart and Helen Dowd, Keith Ready, Ginger Morgenstern, Ellie Braun-Haley

Surinder Jandu

Senior Writers

Chief writer: Sharon Bryant

Chief researcher/historian: Hartson Dowd

Agee, Vance; Apted, Violet; Baker, Kathy; Batt, Al; Berry, Nell; Blaine, Pamela; Boda, Ginger; Booher, Paula; Buhagiar, Victor; Cassady, B.J.; Costner, Joan Clifton; Cavalera, Robyn; Crider, Mark; Dees, Mary; Deming, Barb; Doherty, Maria;  Dowd, Hartson; Dowd, Helen; Gilbert, Robert, Jr.; Gold, Ron; Goodier, Steve; Grisham, Mary-Ellen; Braun-Haley, Ellie; Harris, Kathy Anne; Henry, Linda Ann; Hunt, Sharlett; Hymes, Christina; Jacobson, Gary; Kiser, Roger Dean; Kerens, Claudia; Kevin, Tim; Jenkins, Pamela; Liles, Norma; Lily Jodi Flesberg; Lock, Joyce; Marlor, Janice Bumbalough; Mazzella, Joe; Meeks, Carol; Mizrany, Mary Carter; Morris, Deepak; Ojeibge, Georgewaters; Petry, Dianna Doles; Pringle, Sandra Lewis; Roberts, Susan; Shiveley, Debra; Shaw, Bob; Sims, Richard; Smith; Michael; Streidel, Saskia; Swarner, Ken; Vaknin, Sam; Verhoeff, Jan; Walker, Bill; Walker, Joe; Warner, Gordon, K; Walsh, Sue; Weymouth, Barbara J.; Whirity, Kathy;

Wainland, David; Westerfer, Clara; White Robert;

Storytime Tapestry Staff

Carol Roach - Founder/publisher

Thelma Hartselle - Co-Founder, Moderator

Clara Westerfer – moderator

Bob Johnston - moderator