When Jesus Was a Kid
It's Christmas time again and the mall is really weird,
Everyone gets stressed out Christmas shopping every year..
I have to stop and wonder, looking at my Christmas list,
When Jesus was a kid, would He be doing this?
I know He was a baby, but did He ever cry?
Did Jesus wet his diapers or were they always dry?
Did He use a bottle before He used a cup?
Did Jesus throw things on the floor for Mary to pick up?
Did Mary ever spank him, does the Bible say?
Did Jesus scream and holler when things didn't go his way?
I know He was a baby, but I wonder what He did,
When He was about my age, when Jesus was a kid.
Did He have birthday parties, I'd like to think He might.
Bit then I have to wonder, well like who did He invite?
Were there other kids in bathrobes who play tag the way we do?
Was he bummed out when His birthday gifts said 'Merry Christmas' too?
Did Jesus put sunscreen on or did He wear a floppy hat?
Living in the desert you can sunburn just like that.
And he probably hated eating camel milk with mushy peas,
Or can saviors just get out of eating gross things when they please?
He probably hoped His dad would let Him have a BB gun,
I mean his father Joseph, you know, not the other one.
It's not like it's a war toy, Jesus wouldn't hurt a flea.
He'd never point it at anyone, He'd be as safe as me.
And if His mother found it, huh, she wouldn't make a scene.
She'd never hide it in the attic. No, she was not that mean.
He wanted Peace on Earth and Good Will to kids.
I mean He was a kid himself, so I'm sure He really did.
We fight wars and we spill oil. We mess up the sand.
Bet a kid like Jesus probably wouldn't understand.
He'd see us Christmas shoppers, trying hard to close our eyes
To the homeless people sleeping near expensive stuff we buy.
I might be wrong, but I'm a kid too, so I might be right.
If we ask that kid Jesus, is all this stuff all right?
Can we buy Christmas spirit, if we spend lots of dough?
Well, I think that kid Jesus would just say no!
Christmas isn't about shopping, it's about the way we care.
It's thinking what would that kid Jesus do if He was here.
So, if some kid you know messes up something they did,
Remember Jesus was human too, when He was a kid.
Acting like a kid at Christmas should not be a sin.
Remember when we do it, we're only acting just like Him.
So this Christmas, let's just be nice to each other, don't you see?
When Jesus was a kid, He was a lot like you and me.
When Jesus was a kid, He needed love like you and me!
My Christmas Card List
I have a list of folks I know, all written in a book,
And every year at Christmas time, I go and take a look.
And that is when I realize these names are all a part
Not of the book they are written in, but of my very heart.
For each one stand for someone who has crossed my path sometime,
And in that meeting they have become the rhythm of the rhyme.
And while it sounds fantastic for me to make this claim,
I really feel I am composed of each remembered name.
And while you may not be aware of any special link,
Just meeting you has shaped my life much more than you may think.
For once you have met somebody, the years cannot erase,
The memory of a pleasant word or of a friendly face.
So never think my Christmas cards are just a mere routine,
of names upon a Christmas list, forgotten in between.
For when I send a Christmas card that is addressed to you,
It’s because you are on that list of friends, I am indebted to.
For I am but a total of the many folks I have met,
And you are one of those that I will not forget.
And whether I have known you for many years or few,
In some way you have had a part in shaping things I do.
And every year when Christmas comes, I realize anew
The biggest gift that life can give is meeting folks like you.
May you all have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year
CHRISTMAS CREDO - by Daniel Roselle
At Christmas time I believe the things that children do.
I believe with English children that holly placed in windows will protect our homes from evil.
I believe with Swiss children that the touch of edelweiss will charm
a person with love.
I believe the Italian children that la Befana is not an ugly doll but a
good fairy who will gladden the hearts of all.
I believe with Greek children that coins concealed in freshly baked
loaves of bread will bring good luck to anyone who finds them.
I believe with German children that the sight of a Christmas tree will
lessen hostility among adults.
I believe with French children that lentils soaked and planted in a
bowl will rekindle life in people who have lost hope.
I believe with Dutch children that the horse Sleipner will fly through
the sky and fill the earth with joy.
I believe with Swedish children that Jultomte will come and deliver
gifts to the poor as well as to the rich.
I believe with Finnish children that parties held on St. Stephen's
Day will erase sorrow.
I believe with Danish children that the music of a band playing from
a church tower will strengthen humankind.
I believe with Bulgarian children that sparks from a Christmas log
will create warmth in human souls.
I believe with American and Canadian children that the sending of
Christmas cards will build friendships.
I believe with ALL children that there will be peace on earth.
Polish Christmas Traditions
Christmas eve is the night we open gifts but it is
after mid-night and after
returning from Mid-night service.
On Christmas eve a meal is prepared containing 12 dishes (12 disciples), it is entirely meatless. You also set an extra setting at the table for a possible passing stranger. And hay is placed under the table linen (white linens only) to symbolize Jesus birth in the manger.
When the first star appears in the sky a wafer similar to communion bread is broken with everyone present. You break off small pieces and wish the person you are breaking bread with wealth, happiness, peace..... for the coming year and ask for forgiveness for anything you have done wrong. So everyone sits down to eat with a "clean slate" with everyone. Each person breaks bread with everyone.
Other Christmas Traditions
At midnight on Christmas Eve, all water turns to wine, cattle kneel facing
toward the East, horses kneel and blow as if to warm the manger, animals can
speak but it is bad for a human to hear them, and the bees hum the Hundredth
Psalm.
The Irish believe that the gates of heaven open at midnight on Christmas Eve. Those who die at that time go straight through without having to wait in purgatory.
It is considered very lucky to be born on Christmas Eve or Christmas day in most countries. However, in Greece the child is feared to be a Kallikantzaroi or a wandering spirit. In Poland the child may turn out to be a werewolf.
The weather on each of the twelve days of Christmas signifies what the weather will be on the appropriate month of the coming year.
There is a game in Germany where they blindfold a goose. The girls make a circle around the goose and whoever it touches first will be the first to get married.
Place a branch of a cherry tree in water at the beginning of advent. It will bring luck if it flowers by Christmas.
You should burn your old shoes during the Christmas season in Greece to prevent misfortunes in the coming year.
It is bad luck to let any fire go out in your house during the Christmas season. The fire in your fireplace must continue to burn for the twelve days of Christmas.
If you do not eat plum pudding during the season, you will have bad luck for a year.
If you refuse mince pie at Christmas dinner, you will have bad luck for a year.
A loaf of bread left on the table after Christmas Eve dinner will ensure no lack of bread for the next year.
If an apple is eaten at midnight on Christmas Eve, good health will follow for a year.
Tie wet bands of straw around fruit trees to make them fruitful, or tie a stone to a branch on Christmas Eve.
Nothing sown on Christmas Eve will perish, even if the seed is sown in the snow.
In the Netherlands they take a fir stick and thrust it into the fire and let it burn partially. They put it under the bed. This serves as lightening protection.
Never launder a Christmas present before giving it to its recipient as this takes out the good luck.
The Advent Wreath The Advent wreath is filled with symbolism. The evergreen at the base is a symbol of everlasting and eternal life provided us by Jesus Christ. Being round, the wreath reminds all of the never ending love of God. Each week different candles are lit. The three purple candles are a royal color because Christ is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
"And Santa whispered, "Teach the children the true meaning of Christmas."
The Star: A heavenly sign of prophecy fulfilled long, long ago- the shining hope of mankind.
Red: The first color of Christmas symbolizing the Savior's sacrifice for all.
Fir Tree: Evergreen: The second color of Christmas shows everlasting light and life. The needles point heavenward.
The Bell: Rings out to guide lost sheep back to the fold--signifying that all are precious in the eyes of the Lord.
The Candle: A mirror of starlight reflecting our thanks for the star of Bethlehem.
Gift Bow: Tied as we should all be tied together in bonds of goodwill forever.
Candy Cane: The shepherd's crook used to bring lambs back into the fold--A reminder that we are all our brother's keeper.
The Angel: The symbol of the heavenly host that welcomed our Savior and of the promise of eternal life.
The Wreath: A symbol of the never ending eternal value of Love...having no beginning and no end.
