Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

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

December 25, 2007

Today’s Announcement

Merry Christmas everyone from your entire Storytime Tapestry Family.

I hadn’t heard from Matt all day yesterday regarding his mother’s condition so I called the hospital and found out.  She has been admitted, she has a kidney infection and they have to get rid of a large kidney stone.  That is all the info I have so far.  Thank you all for praying, it is helping.  God is listening.

Carol Roach

*** Important notice, the two poems presented yesterday in the contest do not have an author.  Would the author please step up so that I can enter you in the contest.***

The Christmas Contest is under way, everyday I will add stories and poems that were published so far, if your work has not yet been published it will not show on this page under it does.

Christmas is just around the corner and most of you have already started to think about Christmas gifts for this season.  Why not help out Storytime Tapestry with its ongoing commitment to provide you with free wonderful stories and poems daily by purchasing the publisher’s newest book for someone special on your holiday gift giving list this year.  Angels Watching Over Me can be published through lulu press in both hard copy and e-book.  Just click on the link:  Angels Watching Over Me

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 Christmas Stories

~**~**~

Rainbow Bridge Gang. Christmas 2007
Tink, Poo, and all the Gang
tinkerpoo2000@yahoo.com

We all were sitting, and laying about here, thinking and remembering the good times, the wonderful Christmas times of the past when we were with you. We were also thinking of the ones who come walking up the lane at this time of year. The ones like Missy, Samantha, and ever so many others. We know it will be so sad for our loved ones not to have us there at this time of year.

We are sad to think that we can't be there at this time of year that is in body.  We had family life with you, or most of us did. We think of the ever so many that never knew what it was like to have a family life, the unwanted ones.

Remember this, we, each and ever last one was made by a loving God. We are as much his, as you are his. We too have an after earth life. Earth life is but a short time, and all will be returned to our Heaven Home. Where there is no pain, no hurts of the every day life of earth days.

It may not seem like Christmas to many because we left and came home at or near Christmas time. There is nothing you or we had to say about that. We were called home, and here we are. So do have a little joy at this time of year, for our sake. Remember this also. The Lord Jesus came at this time of the year. He came to pave the road way for
you and yes, us too to some day come home.

We may not be there to help open the gifts under the tree this year. But if you look real hard, think real hard, yes we are there in spirit. So if you will, please put a few treats in our bowl. We may just walk over and grab one.

We may be gone, but we are as true to you, as when we were there. We are here, watching and waiting for you to come up the lane. We will run just like we use to do, to get to the door, and let you know, we missed you.

Have a Merry Christmas in memory of us, and think of the good times.
Tinker and Poo; The Boys Write
http://www.iuniverse.com/bookstore/book_detail.asp?&isbn=0-595-35741-5

~**~**~

Greetings

Bill Walker

missourisage@yahoo.com

At this time of year we hear some people say in meeting or parting company, different words of greetings.  I understand some gets a bit up set with what words is some times used.  I have gave a small amount of thought to this.

Many years ago, the words were. "Merry Christmas."   Then the words got changed because, we may hurt some ones feelings.  "Happy Holidays" was used. also "Season Greetings." 

The ones I would think might feel hurt would be my few Jewish friends. The strange thing is I never notice any ill will from those.  I do believe there is something about Jewish Holidays that run right close to Christmas time.  But you don't hear any out cry from the Jewish people, that is I don't recall any.  I always noticed the Goldberg family said Merry Christmas, and they were pure Jew.  They closed up shop early on Christmas Eve, the place was locked up tight on Christmas day.

While I am on this closing up shop, I do wonder about many people. I went to the store to get a few things ahead of time, well the store would be closed for Christmas, and I do need bread, and a few other things.  But never fear,  there is a big sign on the door,  the store will be open on Christmas day.  This store is said to be owned by a so called Christian.  He can't close for this day, but a Jew can? The Jew gives his workers the day off to be home with family, the Christian can not let his workers have the day off? 

The Jewish man can say "Merry Christmas"   The so called Christian store man, says "Happy Holidays."   Oh and Mr. Joe always has some small gifts for people that traded with him at Christmas time.  The people that worked there got paid for the day, plus a gift. I wonder about the store I get my bread, and milk from???

May you have a most wonderful Blessed Merry Christmas. 

Tinker and Poo; The Boys Write

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

ValueSpeak

A Weekly Column

By Joseph Walker

valuespeak@msn.com

THE TWO SIDES OF CHRISTMAS

            I did it.  I confess. I killed Santa Claus.

            Not that I have anything against the jolly old elf.  Everyone who knows him has really good things to say about him.  Heaven knows, he’s always come through for me on Christmas (except for the year of the chemistry set – but then, how was he supposed to know that within 15 minutes of opening it I would be able to come up with a chemical concoction that would eat a hole clear through the naugahyde on Mom’s couch?).

            I think Santa Claus is great – in his place.  That means at the mall, in the department store, at the North Pole, on the roof and down the chimney – with or without eight tiny reindeer.  That’s where he belongs, and that’s where he should stay.

            But I don’t want to see him at church.

            Don’t get me wrong.  If Santa wants to sit on the pew next to me and worship with me and my family, I have no problem with that – red furry suit notwithstanding.  In fact, I suspect he’s a regular congregant at the church of his choice in the North Pole.  He is, after all, a saint – is he not?  But it’s when he comes ho-ho-hoing his way into our church Christmas party, chaotically passing out candy canes and distracting the children’s attention from the Nativity scene at the front of the room that I draw the line.

            And I did – firmly – the first time I had the chance.

            “You what?” Sam asked when I told him what I had done.  Sam was my good friend and my associate in the lay ministry of our church congregation.  We were both new to the job and, in retrospect, pretty young and pretty foolish.  Sam just didn’t know how foolish I actually was until that precise moment.

            “I told the committee that I didn’t want to have Santa at the Christmas party this year.”

            “But we always have Santa come at the end of our Christmas party,” Sam said.  “It’s a tradition.  And the children expect it.”

            “I know,” I said. “And I’m sure there will be a few people who will be . . concerned.”

            “Concerned?” Sam said.  “They’ll think you’re nuts!”

            “Well, maybe I am,” I said.  “But this isn’t anit-Santa-ism.  Honest.  I’m all for Santa – everywhere but here at church.  I just think that with all of the consumerism that swirls around us this time of year, our people ought to have one place that they can go and completely focus on the religious meaning of Christmas without any distractions.”

            “So you see Santa as a distraction?” he asked.

            “In this context, yes – I do.”

            Sam, who is usually very measured and careful in his comments, paused thoughtfully for a moment.  “Well, it’s your call,” he said at last.  “But just between us, I think you’re nuts.”

            As expected, Sam was not alone in that assessment.  During the days leading up to the Christmas party other members of the congregation let me know – kindly and lovingly, of course – that they thought I was the Grinch, Ebenezer Scrooge and the innkeeper who turned away Mary and Joseph – all rolled up into one.

            But we had our party and it was lovely – calm, quiet, introspective and sweet.  The children participated in a Christmas tableau and sang “Away in a Manger.” We read the story of the first Christmas from the Book of Luke in the New Testament, and we closed by singing “Silent Night” as a congregation.  I even thought I saw a tear trickle down a cheek or two as we bowed our heads as a community of believers and thanked God for the blessing of Christmas.

            As we cleaned up after the party Lucille, one of the widows in our congregation, came up to me.  She gave me a hug, looked up into my eyes and said: “Right now.”

            I wasn’t sure that I had heard her correctly.  “Right now?” I asked.

            She smiled and nodded.  “Right now,” she repeated.  “We’ve had a wonderful time together.  We’ve talked about Jesus and His birth.  We’ve sung and we’ve prayed.  We’re cleaning up and things are pretty chaotic anyway.  Now would be the time for Santa to come.”

            I looked around me.  People were milling about, smiling and chatting.  Some were putting away tables and chairs, others were just lingering.  Children were running around the room, playing and laughing.  The moment just cried out for a dramatic entrance by a jolly, bearded man in a fury red suit.  Far from being a distraction, he would have enhanced the evening, bringing us together as a church family to celebrate the other side of Christmas.

            “It’s all about timing,” Lucille said as she waved goodbye.

            Since then I’ve tried to take Lucille’s wise counsel to heart each year as I’ve prepared to celebrate the two sides of Christmas.  I look for opportunities to contemplate and savor what for me are the deep, rich, spiritual underpinnings of the holiday.  Sometimes I have to find them on my own, quietly listening to Christmas music as I drive to and from work.  But I look for them and I find them and I savor them.  But I’ve also enjoyed the fun, light, happy times with my children and now, my grandchildren, and there is joy and fulfillment in those times as well.

            Don’t get me wrong: I’m still not excited about seeing Santa at church.  But I can live with it – if the timing is right.  Like Lucille said, it’s all about timing.

            And not killing Santa if you don’t have to.

~**~**~

Christmas Poetry Corner

~**~**~

There’s More

Joan Clifton Costner

The presents laid beneath the tree

Are chosen with such care;

Every child has visions of

What is hiding there!

And, Oh! The laughter and the glee;

The little ones delight!

When they, at last, can open ONE

On Christmas Eve’s special night!

But...there is more, and if you ask

Your Grandpa with gray hair,

He’ll tell you that this celebration

Began with angels in the air!

They sang the Peace Song to the earth;

They told them of a Prince....

They said a tiny Babe was born

Whose Kingdom would not end.

Learn it well, for it will teach you

How to live...and die...

How to find a golden street

And a mansion in the sky!

The story goes on forever in

The hearts of believing men;

Truly the Christmas story will

Never have an end!

  © 2007 by Joan Clifton Costner

Jody@ptsi.net
Under His Wings Heavenly Poetry
Joan is a Heavenly Inspirations author.
This poem may be used in its entirety, with credits in tact,
for non-profit ministering purposes
 ~**~**~

Readers Feedback

~**~**~

Keep on sharing your writings dear Julie Wilson I am sure I will one of the many who will enjoy them.  A new fan  Leona

 Thank you Carol Roach,  our beautiful Winterose for again sending out the story of your Matt's mother, Hannah.  Surely her Rabbi she prayed to in the time of crisis for her son Matt is hearing, seeing, and caring for her now.  I continue to pray for such a wonderful mother and lady and as always can only pray God's will for her.  As she would certainly want that herself.  May God's strength and love cover and be on you all at this time. 

 Hannah is in the precious hands of her maker but that is no new thing.  She has been for many long years and will always be for eternity. For as with the apostle Paul from the pages of God's Holy Word, she can say "For me to live is Christ  to die is gain" for she would be with Christ.  With heartfelt love and a big hug...Leona

~**~**~

Here are the Published Christmas entries to Date.  If you want to review the stories or poems before voting which will come only at the end of this contest, just go to the archives:  http://archives.zinester.com/98907

Stories

Name                    Story                                                 Date

Williams, Cheryl           Christmas: Look forward to it ….         December 20

Haley, Ellie Braun         A Christmas Story                                December 20

Bryant, Sharon I Walked The Halls                               December 21

Bryant, Sharon Believing                                               December 21

Lock, Joyce                 Abbreviated Christmas             December 21

Smith, Michael  Memory Tree                                       December 22

Walker, Bill                  Mary Did You Know?              December 22

Levine, Arthur              The Troubled Geese At Christmas        December 23

Walker, Bill                  Christmas Lights                                   December 23

Mazzella, Joe                Christmas Gifts                         December 23

Wilson, Mary               Through the Eyes of Mary                     December 24

Walker, Bill                  Jesus and Santa                                    December 24

Colasanti, James           An Angel In Between                            December 25,

Walker, Joe                  The Two Sides of Christmas                 December 25

Poems

Name                    Poem                                                 Date

Cardinal, Conrad          Make a Wish Come True                                 December 20

Cardinal, Conrad          Why?                                                               December 20

                                    A Gift Of Love                                     December 21

                                    God’s Decorating                                             December 21

Meeks, Carol               Joseph’s Example                                             December 22

Meeks, Carol               Stable Born King                                              December 22

Meeks, Carol               Come Into Our Christmas Parlor                       December 23

Costner, Joan Clifton    Can’t Take Christmas                                       December 24

Costner, Joan Clifton    Our Boys Are Coming Home                            December 24

Costner, Joan Clifton    There’s More                                                   December 25

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