Evergreen

Along the trail of snow ~ the sun begins to fade.
The golden rays' last glow ~ are covered by the shade.

Another day is gone ~ and put to rest for now.
Yon Christmas lights and song ~  align on every bough.

As darkness paints the night ~ the evergreen stands tall.
I pray with all my might ~ that beauty touches all. 

A way in(side) a manger

Ten gazillion pictures showing the baby Jesus in a straw-filled wooden box. Christmas cards, wrapping paper, and little nativities... straw/wood... what?

This photo on the Internet shocked me. I had no idea what a manger really looked like, much less what it was used for... back in the day(?) I don't know; maybe today they are still used to feed and/or water the animals. That is their purpose... and ideal for a sleeping child that needs a crib. And then there's the song:

"Away in a manger no room for a bed
The little Lord Jesus lay down his sweet head.
The stars in the sky looked down where he lay
The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay."

Aha! A hay-filled rock-hewn manger for the small person who'd provide the world a way. A way to love. A way to hope. A way to live within the coming Kingdom of God. So the babe grew up and went about, describing the Kingdom of God. That's the gospel and most seem to have forgotten or simply don't know it.

My stuff gets real tired listening to Sunday school teachings of the same old, same old thing. I feel like jumping up from my chair and shouting out: "Why are we constantly relearning the same thing from year to year?" I'm beginning to understand why Jesus went on 'tour' so to speak. Because there's 'a way' that came out of that manger and moved onward toward life, I am enabled to move on too.

Thanks for reading.

I smell commercialism

["In the early 17th century, a wave of religious reform changed the way Christmas was celebrated in Europe. When Oliver Cromwell and his Puritan forces took over England in 1645, they vowed to rid England of decadence and, as part of their effort, cancelled Christmas. By popular demand, Charles II was restored to the throne and, with him, came the return of the popular holiday. "]  { http://www.thehistoryofchristmas.com/ch/in_america.htm }

 ~and now onward to America. Let's pause for the cause of Santa Claus! C'mon, put your HANDS together for the guy in the RED suit...........! An exclusive 'dcrelief' removal of the rose colored glasses:

http://www.thehistoryofchristmas.com/ch/in_america.htm

And just for fun:

http://youtu.be/bgFSSPlzBl4

Cold milk and strawberry cream cheese scones will be waiting ~