The Battle of Yorktown heralded the end of British and American armed conflict and the United States of America followed with credence. I was born not many miles from this historic place. Enjoy and Happy Independence Day!
credit: Mark Erney
Charlene’s Source: youtube
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Memories… Years ago I played these songs for my kindergarteners. 🙂
credit: Sophia Patience+ConHolio33
Charlene’s Source: youtube
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There is nothing more soothing than an aquarium. Do enjoy this. \oo/ 🙂
credit: Michael Speigner
Charlenes Attic Source: youtube
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SPRINGFIELD – At noon on Tuesday, December 3, 2013, the Springfield Nativity Scene Committee (SNSC) unveiled its annual display depicting the newborn Christ Child, lying in a manger inside a handcrafted wooden stable for the sixth year in a row.
The crèche stands in the center of the Illinois State Capitol Rotunda, next to the Governor’s “Holiday Tree.”
The crèche and manger represent a constitutionally protected expression by private citizens, the SNSC, in a traditional public forum, namely, the Capitol Rotunda, where political rallies are routinely held during sessions of the Illinois General Assembly and at other times during the year.
This is classic free speech, as well as citizens’ free exercise of their religious faith in the public square,” a statement from the group said, “where the sole role of the government is that of a viewpoint-neutral gatekeeper assuring open access for all citizens to have their say. Government is neither censor nor endorser of such religious speech.”
The SNSC Christmas display is privately funded and sponsored, bereft of any government aid or endorsement. Its primary goal is to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. But its secondary mission is to proclaim and demonstrate to the public and to the media alike (statewide and nationwide) that such private expressions of religious belief in the public squares of our nation are not merely tolerated but fully deserving of robust legal protection.
The December 3 celebration opened with an invocation by Rev. Bernie Lutchman, President of Business Men in Christ (Springfield). Christmas carols were sung by the Official Praise Team of Springfield Baptist Church and led by Music Pastor Brian Morgan.
Speakers included Most Rev. Thomas J. Paprocki, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Springfield in Illinois; Tom Brejcha, president and chief counsel of the Chicago-based Thomas More Society, an SNSC member and legal counsel; Pastor Charlie Carver from South Tower Community Church of Dawson; and SNSC member Beth Rogers of Springfield. Pastor Brian Williams of Broken Chains Church – located 1 block from the Capitol – will present a message about Jesus and hope.
A special highlight of this year’s ceremony was the laying of a Christmas wreath by Chaplain Steve Holden of US Emergency Chaplains Corps (USECC), as a special and seasonal recognition in honor of the service and sacrifice of America’s military veterans.
Charlene’s Attic Source: Illinois Review
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I always find it hard to experience summer giving way to autumn and autumn to winter. I am a sunshine girl, and a gloomy sky combined with cold makes me gloomy as well–so I start the season’s change with an admittedly grumbly attitude. I don’t believe that I am alone in this, many people experience various levels of sadness or depression when the colder months appear, partially due to a lower intake of Vitamin D, but also because of a lack of light and warmth..
But, you say, “what about those beautiful autumn colors? They should make you happy.” You are right, they should.There are russets, brilliant yellows, vibrant oranges, blues, purples, greens, and pure reds. The hills look as if they have giant lollipops spread from horizon to horizon. I believe that the colors of autumn are a gift from God to all of us. They help to assuage that inner longing to cling to summer as long as possible. The grumpiness gives way to wonder and glory at the sheer beauty of the hills.
“I lift up my eyes to the hills– where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and earth” Psalm 121: 1
As a struggle to accept the inevitable; the garden fading away, the sunshine losing it’s warmth, the leaves falling to the ground–I have to remember that seasons must occur so that life on earth will continue to thrive. The trees and plants must rest so that they can produce the following spring. The animals must have time to rest through the winter to continue the cycle of life, and so must I. If I can only learn to accept the changes, for they are for my good, I can enjoy the fact that autumn has its own beauty, as does winter, for each season brings its own color to the mix. There is a sublime beauty in gazing upon snow falling like glittering diamonds.
There is wonder in spending time with family and friends during the holidays, or the simple pastimes of star-gazing, or watching children at play in the snow. I enjoy raking the leaves into a mound only to scatter them with a flying leap, and then rake them over again. I enjoy it even more when others are leaping with me.
Despite my sadness that summer is moving out, it becomes a joy to see autumn move in. It is time to take a rest, enjoy the scenery, and to prepare for the wonders of winter. Without the contrast of the seasons, there would be no appreciation of what each brings to the palette. Whether spring, summer, autumn, or winter, there is much to be gained from each of these beautiful seasons. They will still be here to embrace others long after my time of engagement has passed.
Narrative credit: charlene @ charlenesattic.com
Picture credit: Pixelahead,com
credit: nihonchick
Charlene’s Source: youtube
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Charlene’s Source: youtube
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Cultural exchange can be a wonderful experience, Yes? 🙂
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Charlene’s Source: youtube
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Christmas is a wonderful, spirit-filled Holiday for me. When I was a child the anticipation of, not so much presents, but oranges, apples, tangerines, candy, fruitcake, and nuts was one of the best joys of the season. These we received at church and at home. My mother never wanted to put up the tree until the night before Christmas–so we children literally experienced Clement C. Moore’s “Twas The Night Before Christmas”. No, we did not hear hooves on our roof, nor Santa’s jolly “Ho, Ho, Ho”–but the Christmas story was read to us each year before bed. We did not see the tree going up, although we always took it down as a family on New Years Day; without fail.
I can remember listening to Santa Claus” journey to get to our town on the radio in our living room. I truly believed that he was working hard to reach us until my oldest sister decided to tell me that Santa wasn’t real. I was three years old and totally devastated. Christmas never felt the same again. It was still wonderful, but I then knew that my parents did all of the hard work. It wasn’t until years later that I discovered that the manufacturers truly did a large portion of the hard work.
I believe that my mother associated Christmas with hard times. She grew up without her father–he died in a VA hospital when she was young, and I can never remember detecting extreme enthusiasm at Christmas in my mother’s attitude or actions. Don’t get me wrong–this is not an opportunity to complain about my mother. Instead it is an opportunity to thank her for putting forth so much effort to make our Christmas season memorable when I know that her own Christmas memories may have been much sparser.
My Dad loved the very essence and spark of Christmas. He was a Baptist Pastor who would take us to church on Christmas Eve to hear, see, and feel the Nativity Scene; then return home to play with his children. It was his job to set up the tree and put the bicycles and other mechanical gifts together. Long after we (four girls and two boys) had cleaned our rooms and closed our excited eyes, he, along with my mother, would take the time to ensure that all was ready for us on Christmas morning. It would not be until I was 16 years old that I would actively participate in this Christmas Eve ritual.
Mama loved to cook. Christmas gave her a golden opportunity to do what she did best. Her fruitcakes were legendary. I can remember helping her in the kitchen with the ulterior motive of tasting the batter and snitching the tiny bits of fruit and nuts. Delicious gingerbread smells and hot sweet rolls were what greeted us at the breakfast table on Christmas morning. I have always associated my Christmas breakfast with that of the girls of Louisa May Alcott’s “Little Women” except that I actually got to eat my breakfast.
After breakfast it was time to open presents. First came the fruits and nuts. I still eat an orange with candy inside it every Christmas. The juice runs down my chin. I love it! Then came gifts varying from dolls to books; from skates to bikes. I always received art supplies as I was the artistic child. I also received a nightgown, slippers, and sundries every Christmas. The books were definitely my favorites. There were “Trixie Belden’, “Little Women’, ‘Rose In Bloom’, “Bobbsey Twins’, and many more. I spent the most wonderful moments of my childhood with my friends–my books.
Cleanup came next, and then, while the boys, including Dad, and the two youngest girls got to play with their toys, we older girls helped Mama to finish preparing the mid-day Christmas meal. I say this with no regret. It was wonderful to be in the warm, fragrant kitchen with Mama and my oldest sister. The kitchen was always the warmest room in the house at Christmastime, in temperature and temperament. I can still smell the roasting turkey and candied yams that would leave my mouth watering.
We ate in our dining room which had a cozy fireplace with a mantel above it. This is where my parents would hang the mistletoe. They always embarrassed us. Traditionally, my Grandmother and Aunt would join us at the Christmas meal. Dad would say the Christmas Blessing and we could eat. It was hard waiting for the adults to serve us all. I always got a drumstick–still my favorite piece, and stuffing so rich with flavor that I could have skipped the turkey altogether. There was cranberry sauce, candied yams, and collard greens. So many leftovers. Storing them away was another job to do while dishes were being washed, dried, and put away. We never ate an evening meal–we were too stuffed. It was time to enjoy our gifts and each other. We would sing ‘O Holy Night’ with harmonies, and ‘The Little Drummer Boy’ while we tapped out the drumbeats.
Finally, heads nodding, we would climb the stairs and store our treasures in our bedrooms. Christmas Day was drawing to an end, and what a wonderful day it had been. What I did not have the wisdom to know at my young age was that Christmas is every day. The gift of the Savior of Mankind is something to ponder and treasure all year long.
Was your Christmas like mine? Probably not. I believe that everyone has a unique experience because we all perceive differently. We grow up in different types of homes without the same traditions. What is important is the knowledge of the Christ- child’s sacrifice for us, and remembering that we are Blessed with gifts each day, such as family– not just at Christmas.
Does my family celebrate Christmas the same as I did as a girl? There are many similarities but there are also new traditions that marriage has brought to me and my husband. Now, instead of reading ‘The Night Before Christmas”, we read Luke Chapter 2–the story of Christ’s birth. We are all adults here now, and this Christmas there are stirrings of wedding bells on the wind. Next Christmas may be quite different, but I can always treasure the memories of watching my children’s faces at Christmastime, and my own delight in reading them Clement C. Moore’s “The Night Before Christmas” when they were very young.
Have a Wonderful Holiday Charlene
picture credit: hubpages.com
Narrative credit: charlene @charlene’s attic
It is so easy to overlook and forget yet another government holiday. If you are not a veteran, Veterans Day may come and go with the only reminder being no mail delivery. Veterans are a special people, and there are many activities to honor their sacrifice at home and abroad. Cemeteries and memorials abound with the remains of those who have ensured your and my way of life for many centuries. Not only do veterans deserve our thanks and respect–they also deserve more recognition from us. Some are still actively engaging in warfare all over the world on repeated tours of duty.
I cannot imagine how it must feel to have hopes and dreams with no guarantees of ever achieving them.Those who are Blessed to return to home and family must treasure this miraculous gift. For those who have no home or family to embrace–our special prayers go out to them today.
A sincere Thank You to all of our Veterans everywhere. May you stay safe under the shadow of His wings.
Chaelwest@charlenesattic
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