Category Archives: Christmas

12/6/13

Tuesday, December 03, 2013: Illinois State Capitol Opens Christmas Season with Nativity Scene

christmasnativityillinoisstatecapital

 

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.

Tuesday, December 03, 2013 at 01:45 PM

Charlene’s Attic Source: Illinois Review

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01/9/13

A Newtown Poem: Night Before Christmas Paraphrased

 So many things have happened in the last year, but the poignancy of this poem still stands.

 

 

A Newtown Poem

 

***Twas’ 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38
when 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven’s gate.

 

Their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air.
They could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.

 

They were filled with such joy, they didn’t know what to say.
they remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.

 

“Where are we?” asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.
“this is heaven.” declared a small boy. “We’re spending Christmas at
God’s house.”

 

When what to their wondering eyes did appear,
but Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near.

 

He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.
then He opened His arms and He called them by name

 

and in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring
those children all flew into the arms of their King

 

and as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,
one small girl turned and looked at Jesus’ face.

 

and as if He could read all the questions she had
He gently whispered to her, “I’ll take care of mom and dad.”

 

then He looked down on earth, the world far below
He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe

 

then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,
“Let My power and presence re-enter this land!”

 

“may this country be delivered from the hands of fools”
“I’m taking back my nation. I’m taking back my schools!”

 

then He and the children stood up without a sound.
“come now my children, let me show you around.”

 

Excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran.
all displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.
and I heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight

 

“In the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT.”

 

 

Written by a Gentleman in Southern Pa***

Christine A. Eastburg
ChrisCross Time Management LLC
Home / Office
Detail~Organize~Stage
612.250.575

12/8/12

Twas the Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore

Christmas Poem – “Twas the Night before Christmas”  The Christmas Story 

The reading of this Christmas story is a Christmas eve tradition.

A Visit from St Nicholas.
by Clement C. Moore.

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there;

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;

And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,

Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap,

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow

Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer,

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;

‘Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!

On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!

To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!

To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!

Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!’

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky;

So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,

With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my head, and was turning around,

Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound,

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,

and his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.

A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,

And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,

and the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;

He had a broad face and a little round belly,

That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

and I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

and filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,

and laying his finger aside of his nose,

and giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

and away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,

‘Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night.

picture credit: hubpages.com

poem source: christmasdecorationgiftstore

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12/8/12

A  Retro Look At Christmas for 2012


      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