Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

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

Dec 22, 2006

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

Today’s Announcements

Donations are needed to help with the operating expenses of running the newsletter and to keep Storytime Tapestry the quality newsletter you are so accustomed to.   

Please note that Storytime Tapestry is a free newsletter to members and there will never be a cost for the newsletter.  Donations are purely voluntary and no member should ever feel guilty for not making a donation at this time.

Today’s Contest Stories

~**~**~

A SPECIAL CHRISTMAS RIDE

By Barbara Deming

The Christmas of 1952, I was almost thirteen. I was the eldest of five children and daddy was the sole support, so Christmas gifts were not at a premium. We weren’t poor but we certainly didn’t have much left over either as my parents insisted they save something each month “after the bills were paid.” That left little for things not necessary to sustain life. 

Usually, we kids asked for one major gift and, if it wasn’t entirely out of reason, we got our heart’s desire. We also received new pajamas, books, and a stocking filled with ribbon candy, mixed nuts in shells, a large navel orange and a huge Delicious apple. But there was one gift I had asked for for three Christmases now and hadn’t received it yet. Every other one of my friends had received theirs what seemed forever ago but not me. I wanted my own bicycle.

This particular year mama and daddy reminded me that a bicycle was a very expensive gift and, after all, I was old enough to understand that I had four younger brothers and sisters all of whom still believed in the jolly round elf. So, I just looked at the Sears catalog and dreamed about the bicycle I wanted, not really believing I would receive it.

Earlier Christmas time had been spent with my grandparents in East Texas but Grandmother Celista had died when I was nine. Although we traveled there the next holiday season, it wasn’t the same without her and we began to create our own tradition of having mama’s family at our house on Christmas Day. I went to bed that Christmas Eve, not as excited as I had been when I still believed, and knowing in my heart I wouldn’t see a bicycle under the tree. After all, I was old enough to know all of the hiding places and already found the other kids gifts long ago. There was no place to hide something as large as a bicycle.

Sure enough, the next morning there was no big gift beneath the tree for me. I did receive the basketball and hoop, my second choice. I wouldn’t let the others see how disappointed I was but I can still remember being close to tears. Three years and I hadn’t received one yet. That meant I would probably never have a bicycle like my friends.

Mama put on the coffee for the adults and poured glasses of milk to go with a large slice of the Swedish Tea Ring. It was a tradition to share the cinnamon and nut filled ring dripping with a confection-sugar glaze on Christmas morning. Daddy went out to feed the animals and I set the table for our sweet breakfast. But he didn’t come back inside for a while and when he did arrive in the kitchen, he had not come in the back door.

He stood there and frowned. “Barbara, I think you missed one of your gifts beneath the tree.”

“No, Daddy, I got everything. There’s not any presents left.”

“You better go check. You missed one. If you don’t find it, those cousins of yours probably will.”

I knew there weren’t any gifts left under that tree. I had handed out the gifts and I had left the area beneath the sweet-smelling pine as bare as could be. But I wouldn’t argue. I got up and strolled into the living room.

And stopped.

There, with a big red bow tied on the handlebars, was the shiny green Sears bicycle with sparkling chrome handles and fenders. I don’t know to this day where they hid my gift but it was certainly a present I had not expected to receive.

As a follow-up note, that bicycle lasted more years than I would have imagined. My second sister, born in 1953, decided she didn’t want a “new” bicycle; she wanted Barbara’s bike with some new tires. When my parents moved to their retirement home in 1968, the bicycle made the trip. The twenty-five year old unexpected gift resided there until their death when it was sold at an estate sale.

I wonder who is riding my Christmas gift now?

Barbara Deming

tejasbabs@aol.com             

~**~**~

Christmas Nostalgia

By Barbara Roney

Ah-h-h, Christmas Eve. I awakened early to a quiet house. I began remembering past Christmases. Memories taking me back, to when my older sister, Kathy, and I were young children excited with our expectations of what was to come.

I recall the feeling of anticipation on Christmas morning. Whispering back and forth, "What do you think Santa brought us?" I almost experience that long ago flutter in my stomach. I can't remember details as much as I recognize the warm feeling as I reflect about Christmas' past. The certainty that family would be united, sharing our holiday dinner, love and laughter and celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.

Time has erased from my memory specific gifts received as a young child. The exception is the gift from my paternal Grandma. Each year, without fail, she gave my sister and me boxed bubble bath. It came in pastel, flower scented, individually wrapped packages, layered inside a carton about the size of a glove box. I can almost smell it now. I would recognize the smell immediately were I to step into a bathroom where it was bubbling in a bathtub.

Christmas always fills me with a warm heart and a good feeling. Not the hustle and bustle of the season, but the simpler things, such as friendships and family, making crafts and baking goodies. Greeting strangers with a cheery, "Merry Christmas!"

One year our maternal Grandmother wanted so much to have "Christmas Goose", a.k.a. Duck, as in the Dickens novel. We indulged her whim. It was a disaster, being greasy and not at all like the turkey we were used to having. I have never eaten duck since nor yearned to. Even though it was dreadful, grandma had the chance to live out her wish of preparing one for Christmas. I wouldn't trade that memory for anything.

During my early teen years, I would remove the ribbon from my packages, opening the ends of the paper to slide the box ever so carefully out so I could discover what I was receiving before Christmas. I did this several years in a row always leaving one package as a surprise. The unopened gift was always a big surprise, and I was never disappointed, because there was always my stocking on Christmas morning.

That's the one thing I really miss even today as a grandmother. My stocking. No one understands how important it was for me. Sometimes the best treasures were hidden in my stocking, such as a special necklace Santa brought me.

I always try to have a few things for my now grown children's stockings though I'm not certain how important this is to them. Eight years ago I happily added my first and only grandchild, Brianna, to my stocking list. I have great fun picking out special trinkets for her to find in her sock.

Without a doubt, Christmas is Love, a feeling within our hearts. Knowing that Christ died for us and that we have a special day to set aside and acknowledge this. Feelings of love, excitement, wonder, and unique childhood memories make it special for a lifetime.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Barbara Roney

busyb460@msn.com

~**~**~

Baby Jesus

By Barbara Roney

Nativity scenes have always held a fascination for me, whether they are large or small, ceramic or plastic, electrified or live, inside homes or churches or outside on lawns and other areas. People display their Nativity’s under their Christmas trees, on shelves or in curio cabinets. Nativity scenes vary in pieces. Some have a bare minimum of figures, but always the central theme is, of course, the Baby Jesus with his parents, Mary and Joseph, lovingly watching over Him.

My parents gave my husband and I a very pretty little Nativity scene our first Christmas which even had a small stable to place the pieces in and around. We always placed our Nativity under our Christmas tree. As our two boys joined the family and got older they loved to help put out our Nativity. We would talk about Baby Jesus and how Christmas was Jesus' birthday. Sometimes singing "Happy Birthday" to Him as well as "Silent Night" and “Away In A Manger”. But always talking about how important Baby Jesus was and is to us all.

After decorating our tree and putting out our Nativity the boys knew they weren't to touch any of the pieces because no one wanted any of them to break, with one exception. Jeff and Will were always allowed to pick up Jesus. They knew how important it was to be extra careful and took their responsibility to heart. As rambunctious as they could both be at times, I don’t believe either one of them ever dropped Baby Jesus through all the years.

Many times I have seen one of them crouched by the tree or lying on their tummies with the Baby Jesus in their chubby little hands talking to Him as only a small, trusting child can, and always with love shining in their eyes.

40 years later Baby Jesus is still whole and intact with nary a scratch or chip anywhere on him or his cradle. Jesus and the rest of the Nativity is now displayed at one of my son’s homes, under his tree. He and his wife didn’t have one on their first Christmas and wanted the one Will remembered from his childhood. Maybe someday another small child with chubby hands will once again hold Baby Jesus and talk to Him spilling out a young child’s hopes, dreams and wishes with love, faith and trust in their heart. We should all be as anxious as children to get close enough to Jesus to touch Him!

Barbara Roney

busyb460 @ msn.com

c 2006

Barbara is a wife of 40 years, mother of two, and grandmother of Brianna, the light of her life. Barbara has been writing for herself and her family for several years. Previous stories include "Pretending" and "Grandma's Quilts". She has been published on StoryTime Tapestry, Heartwarmer's and HeartToucher's and  Venice, Gulf Coast Living Magazine. She says "Writing is a wonderful way of expressing what's in my heart." 

~**~**~

That Night

Bill Walker

missourisage@yahoo.com

That night, so long ago. This is the year of 2006. That night so long ago, now about the guess is 2008 to 2010 years ago. The night the savor was born in a stable. Was it on or near the date we now call Christmas time? Myself I don't think so. It might be near if your thinking a month or two one way or other.  I really think it is any ones guess.  Your guess is as good as any ones.  Myself I think we needed a holiday in the dead of winter, and the pagan's had a day, and we the Christians  just made use of it.

Now lets look at a couple or three things.

St.Luke Chapter 2, verse 7, and 8.

And she brought forth her first born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.

If it had been in the weather of December, I hardly think the flock of sheep would have been in the field. I believe those would have been closer to the barns, maybe out in the day light hours, but not camped out in the nights in the weather. The weather we have it figured was getting colder, but still not ice cold, like we think of December.

Then read the rest of that chapter.. The Angels told the shepherds. where to go to see the baby.  I would think some went 2 or 3 at a time, leaving some to keep watch of the sheep.  If it had been December, I am sure the dogs that was guarding and keeping the sheep bunched up, would have had a meeting among them selves, and voted to have moved the flocks to the barn. That is if all the shepherds had taken off to see the baby at one time. Men can be stupid we know that, dogs are not. I know Poo would have told Tink,, it is cold out here,, lets move these sheep to the barn. Beside I would like to see the baby the lovely Angels told us about. He is our savor also.  Get Misty Blue, and Ms.Doogie to help us move them. Well lets get the whole gang to help.  I know we can count on Buttercup, Charlie Boy, Sugar, and that cotten picken gang of Ma Bakers. 

The wise men.  Now did the wise men met up with the shepherds at the stable?  Not the way I read it. Read Matthew Chapter  2, verse 11. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother.

The child was no longer in the stable, but in a house.  This trip the wise men was on, we don't know the amount of time it took them to go from one place in the east to this town. We don't know lots of things. Things we would like to know, the writers of the books of the Bible didn't write for us to read some of the things.  It may have been 6 months travel, maybe more, maybe less. Remember this. The wise men had been told to return to visit Herod. He had requested them to do so.

Matthew 2 verse 16. Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. 

There fore one must figure travel time from the wise men stopping off to talk to him to Bethlehem.

The Bible says baby when we talk about the shepherds.  The Bible says young child when we talk about the wise men.  Herod orders the death of all children two years and younger. I have heard preachers says male children.  My King James says plain, ALL CHILDREN two years and under. Old Herod was not taken any chances, that the child might not have been a Princess.

There is many questions we have today about dates and so on of those times. The writers of the books of the Bible, may have known the dates.  But have you ever thought this?  There is many things that happened the Bible tells us about.  Do we have the day, the hour of any?  If there is I missed it.  Even Easter, all we really know is it took place at the Jewish Pass Over time. And again it would be a guess of just what year, give or take a year or two. Easter true we have the hours some what figured out. I at last kind of understand the three day deal.  I happen to know of some preachers that can't figure it out. I know my King James preacher has it figured out, he is smarter then the average.

Tinker and Poo; The Boys Write

http://www.iuniverse.com/bookstore/book_detail.asp?&isbn=0-595-35741-5

Readers Feedback

Special Treat Christmas Contest - Dan Myers - BOY! This gets ten stars for sure.
Mark Crider

Sharon

I am way behind in reading the contest entries. I really liked "The Meaning."
It is how Ginny and I are this year - no money, etc.

There won't be much under the tree this year.
There will be big boxes hiding an envelopes. Inside those will be
things we will do later.

There will be a night alone in a hotel. We went toone last year. It had theme rooms.
I got the Honeymoon suite. WOW! It had a whirlpool tub for two, a heart shaped bed -
surrounded my mirrors....WOOOHOOO!


I plan to get her tickets to a Broadway Play. She found a discount site, where I can get
tickets for $20.

I am going to try and find her a photography class. She loves her camera, but doesn't
know all the settings on it.
She will love that.

We plan to donate time to a place helping others on Christmas day.
Ginny will look around tomorrow and find a place that can use our help.
We have it rough right now, but it will do us good to see we are doing a lot
better than so many others.

Thanks for the story.
Mike

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

Foster, Leeuna                     The Gifts of The Giver                                        Dec 22(see special treat)

Deming, Barbara A Special Christmas Ride                 Dec 22

Roney, Barbara                    Christmas Nostalgia                                          Dec 22

Roney, Barbara                    Baby Jesus                                                           Dec 22

Walker, Bill                         That Night                                                            Dec 22

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