Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

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

November 22, 2007

Today’s Announcement

Happy Thanksgiving, I hope you all enjoy the American famous Turkey Day.

The Halloween contests are now closed.  I will tally up the scores and announce the winner as soon as I have them.  I can tell you that it is neck and neck for a few writers at this point.

Important notice: Storytime Tapestry is a free e-zine, however donations are always needed to help with the operating expenses of running the newsletter and to keep Storytime Tapestry the quality newsletter you are so accustomed to.   You can make your donations to paypal at: winterose@videotron.ca, or if you would prefer to use the mail system contact the publisher at the same email address: winterose@videotron.ca

Today’s Stories

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 Festival of Tabernacles

Mary-Ellen Grisham

We think of the harvest time in fall as a time of fruition, completion, and celebration.  We know the story of the Pilgrims giving thanks for their first year in a new land with their saving harvests and Indian friends.  Many, though, are not as familiar with the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles which was a festival of celebration with a similar purpose as our Thanksgiving.

The Festival of Tabernacles was a reminder of Israel's sojourn in tabernacles while the people were wandering in the wilderness (Leviticus 23:33-34).  It was also known as The Festival of Ingathering, celebrating the final harvest of the agricultural year (Exodus 23:16).  The Bible also refers to this celebration as The Feast (Leviticus 23: 39-41).

Several observances were part of this festival.  The command to dwell in flimsy booths for seven days is reminiscent of the wilderness period in which the Israelites stayed in tents (Leviticus 23: 42-43).

The four spices or plants were part of the second Biblical ordinance.  These are symbols of rejoicing before God for the harvest and include citrus fruit, the palm branch, boughs of the thick myrtle tree, and willows of the brook (Leviticus 23:40).  According to Nehemiah 8: 10-18, these plants were originally used in the construction of the booths.

According to Deuteronomy 31:10-11, every seventh year the Law was to be read publicly before all the people as part of this feast.

In the Temple, numerous sacrifices were offered each day of the festival.  The individual brought a basket of harvest fruits (Deuteronomy 26: 1-11) and other animal sacrifices.  The number of sacrifices, as many as 70 bullocks, was later associated by the rabbis with the nations of the world suggesting that the sacrifices were offered for the welfare of all peoples.

Gratitude for the harvest and for blessings is an ancient custom.  As we join together with family and friends to give thanks for our blessings, we can smile as we realize we are part of a long tradition of thankfulness to God.

Summary of the festival based on the Illustrated Dictionary & Concordance of the Bible, The Jerusalem Publishing House, c1986, pp. 964-965.

5) Poetry - Thanksgiving for Home and Freedoms

Having just recently honored Veterans on November 11, we are especially reminded in this thankful season of the blessings of living in a free land and of those who have made sacrifices to keep us free. 

The following poem is becoming a tradition for Eternal Ink.  It was first written in 2001, and we are still involved in fighting in the Middle East.  While there are varying viewpoints about the necessity of maintaining troops in Iraq, all Americans support the enduring effort of the United States Armed Forces and the men and women who love this land enough to give their time and lives.

Mary-Ellen Grisham

meginrose@charter.net

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Jewish Traditions of Thanksgiving

Mary-Ellen Grisham

Jewish people traditionally brought a number of sacrifices and offerings during their religious year.  The grain or cereal offering was one of these and was probably offered by those who could not afford an animal.  Associated with the "well being" offering of thanksgiving, this sacrifice was for rejoicing. 

The Scriptural basis for these offerings is found in Deuteronomy 27:7:  "You shall offer peace offerings, and shall eat there and rejoice before the Lord your God."  Leviticus 7: 11-16 also gives thanksgiving, fulfillment of a vow, or freewill offering as the basis for the "well being" offering.

We, too, can bring our sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving into the house of the Lord and into our homes around festival tables of plenty.  'Tis the season to praise the Lord and be thankful, and the editors and staff of Eternal Ink certainly wish all blessing for you and yours.

If you have found inspiration and blessing from this issue of Eternal Ink, we hope you will share it with holiday friends and guests.

Mary-Ellen Grisham
meginrose@charter.net

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Poetry Corner

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Turkey Day

Conrad S. Cardinal

November is a beautiful month, it

means that winter is here.

It also means , I'm happy to say,

turkey day is near.

Please know that I am grateful for

my blessings in life.

My wife, my children, good health,

good friends and a large sharp knife.

Some folks eat to stay alive, not

much fun I'd say.

I'm one who lives to eat, especially on

turkey day.

Turkey, dressing, yams and such are

a dream come true.

I eat until I'm sure I'll burst, How about

you?

Cranberry sauce and gravy make the

meal just right.

Then there's pie and pudding to eat

at the end of the night.

I guess you get the idea, I love Thanks-

giving day.

I'd better stop and find my bib, the food

is on the way.

Conrad

cconseth@aol.com

  ~**~**~

Grateful

Conrad S. Cardinal

Thanksgiving should mean so much

more than turkey and dressing.

It should be a time that we acknowledge

each blessing.

Jesus our Lord and Saviors love that

never ends.

How about our families and those special

friends?

We are blessed to live in this amazing

land.

We're blessed to be able to lend each

other a helping hand.

Our soldiers, who keep us safe and battle

far away.

Be grateful for the choice they've made

and the price they're willing to pay.

For those that came before us and started

this tradition.

If not for their foresight and courage, we

wouldn't be in this position.

So take the time to be thankful for the

wonder of each day.

Remember the blessings and the love

you've shared, as you've traveled along

your way.

Conrad

cconseth@aol.com

 ~**~**~

Thanksgiving Tribute
By Mary-Ellen Grisham

The family is gathered safe within
For feasting on this day.
Prayers of gratitude will soon begin
For bounties sent their way.

The rolling land lies neat and still--
The crops are gathered in,
Garnered before the autumn's chill
Brings snowy days again.

The fallen leaves are cleanly raked,
Bonfires flickered against the sky.
Pies and cookies are already baked
As eager children sigh.

The animals cozy in the barn
Bed down or gently play--
Midst' echoes of the hunter's horn
Humble creatures munch their hay.

Memories of friends away and near
Are kept within each heart
Sons across seas are doubly dear
At this thankful season of the year.

Families yearn for the quiet tread
Of a special step upon the stairs;
Men who fight for us instead
Are foremost in our prayers.

Thank God for our homes and land
And the men who keep us free.
Thank God for blessings on every hand--
Keep our men safe across the sea.

(c)2001 Mary-Ellen Grisham
meginrose@charter.net

  ~**~**~

The Pilgrim's Big Bird

Tin Kevin

They set aside a day to celebrate and rest
Just a day to give thanks for  the harvest
Fore the harsh winter snows would begin
Gatherin' for a feast even Indians sittin' in
-
At first they thought it looked absurd
This big struttin' silly American bird
But they were unable to catch a goose
Had even considered cooking a moose
-
But they couldn't get it to fit in the oven
So took a big turkey an added stuffin'
Some gravy an potatoes plain and sweet
Corn an everything else found good to eat
-
Added some pies, of pumpkin and quince
And we've been eating turkey ever since
On a day that begins the season of giving
We'll honor this day called Thanksgiving !
-
by The Irish Warlock

irishwarlock@webtv.net

Copyright © 11-03-2004,  -
All Rights Reserved.

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The Turkey's Last Sigh

Cynthia Groopman

Thanksgiving Day was drawing near,

The farmers had smiles an hearts full of cheer

.

This was the time for the turkeys to be sold,

But there is a little sad story to be told.

In the farmyard, a turkey began to sigh.

There were tears in its eye.

Gobble gobble it did say,

Please do not take me away. In no mood to celebrate

To be served for dinner on the Thanksgiving plate.

I would prefer to stay at the farm,

Suffering no fear or harm.

Then the turkey fell asleep,

Enjoying a pleasant slumber so restful and deep.

In a dream, he heard God’s voice say,

Oh, little turkey, do not worry, you will stay.

So when it was time for all of the turkeys to go,

The happy little turkey was basking in victory’s golden glow.

It did not have to say bye, bye,

Nor did it shed a tear or cry

Cynthia Groopman

cynthia.Groopman@verizon.net

Readers Feedback

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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, Mariane Holbrook, Mary Ellen Grisham, Louise Nomani, Sharon Bryant, Angela Walker, Hart and Helen Dowd, Keith Ready, Ginger Morgenstern, Ellie Braun-Haley, Surinder Jandu, Bob Shaw, Carol Meeks, Charlotte Hilliard, Maria Keller