The Inn Keeper

Yes, they came to my inn at Bethlehem, and how well I remember the couple; it seems but yesterday.

He was a manly sort of man, the kind that would cause you to look again if you saw him once.

Kindly and dignified, with long beard, a strong man with quiet manners. There was something that charmed me about the woman who was with him, and - well, I just can't tell you- 

Anyway, one could see that she might soon become a mother.It rather worried me that I didn't have a place for them, but so many had come for the registration, you know. Sanballat, rich merchant, had come down from Damascus; Thaddeus, one of my old customers, had come up from Gaza. A party from Hebron came just at nightfall, and since I knew them all I could not turn them away. Joseph told me that he was from Nazareth, up in the hill country of Galilee. He thought of course, he could have a place to stay, and as he asked me he looked toward Mary, and knew that I would understand.

I did understand, and I tried to think which of the men I should ask to move and make place for the couple. But how could I ask these customers of mine to inconvenience themselves? After all, I did not know Joseph and Mary. I said to myself, O well, somebody will look after them; I must not disturb the others, and it is a beautiful star-lit night. Here I have it, finally I said to myself, we can make room for them in the manger, and someway they will get along. I have wondered a lot about them since they have gone. He was a manly sort of man, with his long beard, and dignified look, and quiet manners. And the woman, she was like a princess. 

I wish now that I had said to the men in my inn, we must make a place for this man and this woman from Galilee! But I didn't, and I am sorry. They might, after all, have been people of consequence.

Oliver M. Keve

Christmas Remembered

Smelling Christmas cookies baking,

Licking spoons from candy making,

Helping tie a package bow

With finger placed upon it so,

Greeting friends at wreath-trimmed door,

These and many, many more

Are things that we remember.

Shining eyes and candlelight,

Big new bikes with paint that's bright,

Stifling a sleepy yawn,

When tykes awake at crack of dawn,

Wrappings strewn across the floor,

These and many, many more

Are things that we remember.

Shining star that led the way

To Jesus sleeping in the hay,

Reborn hope of Jesus' birth

Bringing peace and joy on Earth.

Golden angels' wings that soar,

These and many, many more

Are things we should remember.

Janice E Hinkle

Merry Christmas!

As A Child Like Me
Dear God, you have made this earth so fair
In radiant beauty it gleams everywhere,
Almost it seems that this world may be
Too beautiful--just for a child like me:
The fragrant flowers that bloom and grow
The dew and the rain, the frost and snow,
The trees that reach far up to the light
The rainbow bridge with colors so bright,
The brooks that wander over meadow and lea
The fish, the boats and the great busy sea,
Softly I move lest some near beauty mar
AS some lovely vision is seen from afar,
Again in Your great and boundless love
Gave Your most precious gift from above,
Leaving His throne and His kingly crown
Your beloved Son to earth came down,
As He came in the purple and velvety night
The star shone forth with glorious light,
That men might find Him and worship there
This Son of God so holy, helpless and dear
As a Prince of Peace to earth came He
A baby small- just as a child like me.
Henri Lee

We wish you a Merry Christmas,
We wish you a Merry Christmas,
We wish you a Merry Christmas,
And a Happy New Year!

refrain:
Glad tidings we bring
To you and your kin,
Glad tidings for Christmas
And a Happy New Year!

Please bring us some figgy pudding,
Please bring us some figgy pudding,
Please bring us some figgy pudding,
And bring it right here!

refrain

We won't go until we get some,
 We won't go until we get some,
We won't go until we get some,
Please bring it right here!

refrain

Traditional English Carol

For The Coming Of A Child

Winds of Judea

Blow softly tonight;

Stars lend  your glory

Of blue-misted light;

Small birds awake

From sleep-curled wing-

The hour is at hand

For the birth of a King.

Small town of Bethlehem

Open your door,

So cruelly closed

To His coming before.

Throw wide its portals,

Let wearied men meet,

Humble as shepherds

To kneel at His feet.

Katherine Edelman

Christmas Dreams

Little one, my little one,

With big blue eyes so bright,

What wondrous dreams will fill your mind

On this glorious Christmas night?

Will you be seeing dolls and games,

Or a rocking horse so real

That you'll ride it to the hilltops

Where fairies dance at will?

And should you stop to join them

In their merriment so true,

I have but one small favor

That I must ask of you:

You may ride your horse to hilltops,

You may dance with fairies too,

But please return to Mother,

Whose own dreams live in you

Nancy Nowiszewski

The Two Trees

We have two Christmas trees this year.
One stands shining and tall
In the living room for all to see.
The other is down the hall
In a room where the children like to play;
And this one they claimed as their own.
Just what trimmings this tree should wear
Was for them to decide, alone.

Small willing hands worked long and hard
To string ropes of popcorn just right,
With, here and there, some cranberries red
Mixed in with the snowy white.
Little red stockings for Santa to fill
Were placed on some branches, low.
Peppermint canes by their handles were hung,
And nuts wrapped in bright foil aglow.

Cutouts from colored paper too,
Some old but well-loved toys;
Yes, odd decorations but close to the hearts
Of thse dear little girls and boys.
Our big tree is trimmed with myriad lights
And a glistening star high above;
But the children's tree is prettier far,
For they trimmed it with special love.


Beulah Sutton Waite

Santa's Lap

I like to visit Santa Claus
When Christmastime is near.
It's fun to climb up on his lap
And whisper in his ear.

He says, "My dear, have you been good?
Have you done what Mother said you should?
Do you brush your teeth and hair each day?
Are you kind to others when you play?"

I listen to each question
And answer every one.
Although I am ashamed to say
I must say no to some.

But Santa never scares me;
He doesn't even scold.
He just says, "Try again, my dear,
You're a fine lad, I am told."

Gee, I like to visit Santa Claus 
When Christmastime is near.
It's fun to climb up on his lap
And whisper in his ear.

Bernadette Kernen

8 Ways to Keep Your Pets Safe this Holiday Season

While you are decorating the tree or putting the Menorah in the window, don’t forget to make your home safe for your pets this holiday season.

Pets, just like children, can inadvertently be put in harm’s way by holiday decorations or traditions gone awry.

Here are 8 tips for keeping your pets safe:

Keep holiday plants out-of-reach for the family pet. Holly and mistletoe are poisonous when eaten, and the poinsettia's sap and leaves can cause severe stomach upset.

1. Tree preservatives, sugar, or aspirin placed in the holiday tree's water can cause intestinal upset and should be kept out of pets' reach.

2. Make sure your tree is secure. If you have a tree-climbing cat or a large dog with a constantly wagging tail, anchor the top of the tree to the wall with a strong cord or rope.

3. Be sure to secure holiday light cords and keep them out of the way. Pets can easily get tangled up in them.

4. Make sure you anchor candles securely away from curious pets.

5. Watch out for open doors. With everyone coming and going, it’s easy for your pet to slip away.

6. Make sure your pet has a collar and tag on.

7. Well-meaning relatives may be pre-disposed to slip your dog a bone or two under the table. Discourage them from doing so, because a chicken or other bone can be a choking hazard.

8. When putting away garbage, make sure the mountain of papers and trash are out-of-reach of your pet. Dogs are highly motivated to get into garbage.

Compiled by Farmers’ Almanac TV staff

The Legend of the Poinsettia

In a certain village in Mexico, many years ago, it was customary on Christmas Eve to take gifts to the church and place them before the Creche. One evening there was a small boy standing outside the church door. How he wished he could enter the church and present a gift to Jesus, but he was poor. He had nothing to give.

"I can at least pray," he thought to himself. He knelt silently outside the church window and listened to the voices raised in song. When he rose to his feet again, he was amazed at what he saw in the spot where he had knelt. It was a beautiful plant with scarlet leaves and a yellow flower in the center. He had never seen anything like it. Realizing it was a miracle he carefully plucked it and took it into the church. As he placed the beautiful flower before the manger, he whispered,"This is my gift to the Christ Child, My own precious gift."

The Point

"Tis the season to be jolly!"

So the story goes.

Why is it, then, that everybody

Seems to have the woes?

Could it be their hearts and minds

Just cannot seem to find

The time to stop and focus

On the Savior of mankind?

For that's what Christmas is, you know.

The blessed, holy birth

Of God, the Father's only Son,

Who came to save the earth

From all this worry, rush, and hassle

That we seem to think a must.

When all our loved ones really want

Is our friendship, love, and trust.

So share the greatest gift of all,

Wrapped as a baby boy

Who will never need replacing

Like a sweater, tie, or toy.

"Tis the season to be jolly!?"

Well, yes! But better, still,

Is the joy unspeakable in our hearts

That only Christ can fill!

Alice Allen