The Twelve Days of Christmas
The Babe of Roaring Camp
The Three Kings of Cologne
Christmas Rush
Blessed Holy Night
The Cradel and the Cross
Comes the Christ Child
The Same Old StoryThe Same Old StoryThe Giving Gift: A Holiday Short Story, by Brian Joseph
After he had unwrapped his gifts on Christmas morning the the 5 year old boy's mother asked him which one of his presents he wanted to donate to a poor child who had less than him. "None", the boy replied. His mom sat him on her lap and explained to him that sharing with those who were less fortunate was part of the holiday spirit and how a child who had less would probably be very happy to receive a gift. This took some convincing from mom but the boy eventually agreed to part with one of his gifts. Mom told him that he could have until the following morning to decide. The day after Christmas the boy put his four gifts in front of him and tried to decide which one to part with. It was a difficult decision. His eyes scanned over the toy flute, book of Aesop's Fables, Popeye book bag, and the toy dump truck with doors that really opened. He decided that he would part with the flute. "Where do we take it ?", he asked his mother. His mother explained that there was a Salvation Army box two streets away and that the people who emptied this box would make sure that it got to a child who needed a gift. "How will they know it is for a child ?", he asked. His mother told him that he could tape a note to the flute and she helped him to write one that read, "Please make sure this gets to a kid who doesn't have a lot of toys". After securely attaching the note to the flute the boy said, "I forgot to write my name, how will they know who this came from?" His mother explained that they wouldn't need to know who it came from and how sometimes part of giving was doing it so that others wouldn't know where it came from, like putting coins in the poor box at church. "Well, can I please write my name?" His mother said it would be okay and he wrote his name at the end of the note.
This parting with a gift the day after Christmas became a yearly ritual. When he was 8 years old the boy so treasured the gifts that he had that the decision needed to be made by eeny-meny-miny-mo and he had to part with a set of checkers. "I really love these mom", the boy said. His mother said that he could select something else but he didn't want to have to decide again. His mother left the room and returned with a piece of cardboard, the boy's crayons, and his bottle cap collection. Together they created a board and set of checkers. "I bet no other kid in the world has checkers like these", he said. That year he decided all on his own not to put his name on the note that he attached to the checkers box. Three months later when he saw a checkers set at his friend Jerry's house he fought back the temptation to say , "that was mine", after Jerry had told him that an army man had brought it to his door.
When he was 10 years old the laundrymat where his mother worked closed shortly after Thanksgiving and gifts were sparse. On Christmas he looked over his three inexpensive gifts. His mother came and sat beside him and told him that this year he didn't have to part with a gift. At first this sounded great but when he woke up the morning after Christmas he thought about how much fun he had seen Jerry have with the checkers and how the giving gift could be secret and magical. He told his mother that he wanted to put his new football in the Salvation Army box. "You don't have to do that", his mother said. He told her that he wanted to. She got teary-eyed and gave him a big hug.
Six months later his mother's birthday was approaching and the boy emptied his piggy bank and counted out three dollars and forty-nine cents. "What would you like for your birthday ?", he asked his mother. She was silent for a moment and then she spoke, "I've noticed Billy playing catch football with his dad and it looks like a lot of fun. I think I would like a football." That year his mother got a football for her birthday.
Many years later when he was a young man he talked to his mother about how in some ways it seemed strange that she had him give to the poor when he was a child since they themselves were poor. Then it happened. She gave him `the look'. It was a look that if it could be put into words would say, "Don't you understand, haven't you learned ?" The look said that and so much more. It was the same look that he had seen many times before. Words that appeared to be carefully chosen usually came shortly after `the look'. Certain instances were more memorable than others. There was the the time when he was 9 years old and he told his sister that she could never be president because she was a girl. That time "the look" was followed by his mother saying that people had all sorts of opinions about president Johnson but that she had never heard anyone comment on the importance of whether he stood or sat when he went to pee. This time he was 17 years old and `the look' was followed with an explanation about what real poverty is and how the worst poverty to be in is poverty of the soul.
The giving gift tradition continued into adulthood. One Christmas his own 5 year old boy asked him, "What was the best gift you got for Christmas when you were a kid ?" He wanted to explain to his son that the best gift he ever received didn't come in a box, it wasn't wrapped and you couldn't even hold it in your hand.
He tried to explain the giving gift as best as he could in words that a young child might understand. "Do you still do that Dad ?" His father explained that he had not missed a Christmas in over 30 years. The following day the father selected a new sweater and wrote directly on the white box, "Please give this to someone who needs it". As he was getting ready for the drive to the Salvation Army box his son asked , "Can I come?" The father asked the boy to have his mother help him put on his boots, hat, and coat while Dad went to warm up the car. The father sat in the car waiting for ten minutes and thought about the Christmas of the first giving gift. He was just about to go back inside to see what was taking his son so long when the little boy came running out with a new play-doh set in his hands. "Dad, can you help me write the note ?"
There is joy in watching surprised looks on the faces of children as they open gifts. Material gifts can be precious but the greatest gifts that we can give to children aren't wrapped in fancy paper and they can't be purchased at the mall. The greatest gifts were meant to be passed on to others. The receivers of these gifts are often initially unaware of what they are actually receiving. The gifts of forgiveness, sharing, fairness, and caring are the most valuable gifts. These are the gifts that we can give away but still keep.
Brian Joseph is the author of the mystical, musical, inspirational novel, The Gift of Gabe. http://www.giftofgabe.com/
from inspirational-stories
I was late getting off work on Christmas Eve and I hurried across to the Department store, hoping it was still open. I had to buy a scarf as a last minute gift for my daughter, which she just had to have she had told me this morning.
The snow was falling heavily, with the wind swirling it around, reminding me of dancing angels. I pulled my collar up about my face and as I was about to enter the store, I noticed a small boy, about seven years old with his face pressed against the window. He was dressed in shabby clothes, with only a sweater to ward off the cold.
I approached the child and said. "You shouldn't be out in weather like this." He turned towards me and I could see the tears in his eyes.
"I was wishing that I could buy that for my Mother, because she is so sick." he said as he wiped his eyes on his shirt sleeve.
I glanced in the window to see what he meant and saw that it was a mirror, comb and brush set.
"Can't your dad buy it for you to give to your mother? I asked.
"No," "My dad doesn't have any money. He works as a janitor and all his money has to pay bills." he replied.
The price of the set was five dollars and I wondered why he couldn't spare such a small amount for his child.
My heart went out to the little boy. I took his hand and said. "Come on in with me while I do some shopping and then I will take you home. "My name is Ann. What is yours and where do you live?" I asked him.
I live at 210 Elm St, apt 2 and my name is Ben Sanders, but I don't think my dad will like you to take me home. Ben replied. "Let me worry about that." I said.
We entered the store and some of the people glanced at the child with a look of distaste. How could they look at a small child like that, especially at Christmas time I asked myself.
I did my shopping with the boy close behind me and just before I was ready to checkout. I passed the display with the mirror set. I picked up one of the boxes and placed it in my cart. As I did this the child looked up at me with an excited smile.
I returned his smile as we proceeded to the checkout and I placed the items from the cart onto the counter.
After leaving the store, we went to my car and I put the all the packages in the back except for the mirror set., When we were in the car, I gave the package to the boy.
"Give this to your mother for Christmas." I told him.
He looked at me, then his sad face broke into a smile. "You mean it?" he asked. But the smile faded almost as soon as it had appeared as he said. "But my dad won't like a stranger giving me things. He will think that I was begging.
I pulled out of the parking lot and headed in the direction of the address that the boy had given me. I didn't know much about that area of town, but I drove while Ben directed.
We turned onto a street where the houses were close together and some of the yards were cluttered with junk.
'There!" He said. I pulled into the driveway of an old two story house that was badly in need of paint.
There was clothes piled on the front porch, along with papers strewn over the lawn."
Ben said. "My dad says it isn't much, but we have to live here." Then he jumped out of the car and turned to me and said. "Come on please Ann, we have to go upstairs."
We went around the side of the garage and up some rickety stairs. Ben opened the door as he called out. "Dad, I'm home and I have a lady with me."
A tall slim man came through a door from another room. He was unshaven and his clothes were rumpled. He looked as though he hadn't slept much.
"Hello," "I 'm Ann Marshall and I brought your son home because the weather is bad and he wasn't dressed for it." I said.
"Thank you, but he shouldn't have been out." he replied.
"She bought this for mom." Ben said as he held out the package to his dad.
"We don't take charity and you shouldn't be begging. He said sharply to Ben.
Ben hung his head as he left the room.
"I didn't mean it to be charity, I just wanted to help." I said as I turned to go.
"Wait, please." "I didn't mean to snap at you. I am sorry." he said.
"My wife had leukemia and her time is short. I can't take care of her and Ben because I have to work There just isn't enough money for everything. I can't seem to do everything that needs to be done." he said in a choked shaky voice as he turned away.
"Mr. Sanders everyone needs help sometimes. You should accept it, please let me help you and your family." I said. He nodded his head apparently unable to speak.
I went home, told my husband and daughter the story about this family. I made some telephone calls to some of my friends, with them all telling me they would be glad to help.
When we arrived back at the Sanders' apartment, my friends were already there.
The small kitchen was packed with groceries and gifts for the family. It was arranged to have someone care for Mrs. Sanders and Ben while Mr. Sanders worked. We also took up a small collection among us for some bills. As we drove home, I leaned back in my seat and let out a sigh of relief, as I said. "This is truly what Christmas is all about, Giving the Gift of Christmas."
Linda Thomas says, "I began writing about two years ago, because I was showing my daughter the basics of writing and I wrote my first children's story. I have a wonderful husband by the name of David and a great eleven-year-old daughter named Shanda." She is looking forward to becoming a published author.
from mailing list
Christmas_story_lovers
Gifts From Jesus
© Carroll Robertson
On the first day of Christmas, Jesus gave to me: Salvation full and free.
On the second day of Christmas, Jesus gave to me: everlasting life, and salvation full and free.
On the third day of Christmas, Jesus gave to me: peace in my heart, everlasting life, and salvation full and free.
On the fourth day of Christmas, Jesus gave to me: love for all men, peace in my heart, everlasting life, and salvation full and free.
On the fifth day of Christmas, Jesus gave to me: joy for my soul, love for all men, peace in my heart, everlasting life, and salvation full and free.
On the sixth day of Christmas, Jesus gave to me: power from on high, joy for my soul, love for all men, peace in my heart, everlasting life, and salvation full and free.
On the seventh day of Christmas, Jesus gave to me: a body glorified, power from on high, joy for my soul, love for all men, peace in my heart, everlasting life, and salvation full and free.
On the eighth day of Christmas, Jesus gave to me: a robe and a crown, a body glorified, power from on high, joy for my soul, love for all men, peace in my heart, everlasting life, and salvation full and free.
On the ninth day of Christmas, Jesus gave to me: mansions up above, a robe and a crown, a body glorified, power from on high, joy for my soul, love for all men, peace in my heart, everlasting life, and salvation full and free.
On the tenth day of Christmas, Jesus gave to me: a street of pure gold, mansions up above, a robe and a crown, a body glorified, power from on high, joy for my soul, love for all men, peace in my heart, everlasting life, and salvation full and free.
On the eleventh day of Christmas, Jesus gave to me: a thousand tongues to sing, a street of pure gold, mansions up above, a robe and a crown, a body glorified, power from on high, joy for my soul, love for all men, peace in my heart, everlasting life, and salvation full and free.
On the twelfth day of Christmas, Jesus gave to me: eternity to praise, a thousand tongues to sing, a street of pure gold, mansions up above, a robe and a crown, a body glorified, power from on high, joy for my soul, love for all men, peace in my heart, everlasting life, and salvation full and free.
"And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people." - Luke 2:10
from Sherry's Inspirational List
Bret Harte wrote a story entitled "The Luck of Roaring Camp".
The story goes that Roaring Camp was supposed to be the meanest, toughest mining town in all of the West. It was reported that there were more murders and thefts than any other place around. It was a terrible place inhabited entirely by men, except for one woman who made her living in the only way she knew how. Her name was Cherokee Sal.
She became pregnant by who knows whom and died while giving birth to a baby. The men took the baby and put her in a box with some old rags under her. Somehow that just didn't seem right, so one of the men rode eighty miles to buy a rosewood cradle. He brought it back, and they put the rags and the baby in the beautiful new rosewood cradle. But the rags didn't look very nice in the beautiful new cradle, so they had another man ride to Sacramento where he bought some beautiful silk and lace blankets. Now they put the baby in the cradle lined with silk and put the new blanket over her. It looked fine until someone happened to notice that the floor was so filthy.
So these hardened, tough men got down on their hands and knees, and with their calloused hands scrubbed the floor until it was spotless. Of course, now the walls and the ceiling and the dirty windows without curtains looked absolutely terrible. So they washed down the walls and the ceiling, and they put curtains at the windows. Things were beginning to look a lot better. But of course, they had to give up a lot of their fighting, because the baby slept a lot, and babies can't sleep during a brawl. So the whole temperature of Roaring Camp seemed to go down.
They would take the baby out and set her by the entrance to the mine in her rosewood cradle, with one of the men staying next to her, so the others could see her when they came out of the mine. Then somebody noticed what a dirty place the mine entrance was, so they planted flowers, and they made a garden there. It really looked quite beautiful. The men would bring her shiny little stones that they would find in the mine. But when they would put their hands down next to hers, their hands looked so dirty. Pretty soon the general store was all sold out of soap and shaving gear. The baby was changing everything.
That's also the way it is for those who have placed their faith in the babe of Bethlehem. The baby enters into their lives, and he slips into every crevice of their experience.
from SermonCentral
THE THREE KINGS OF
COLOGNE : A LEGEND OF THE MIDDLE AGES
BY JOHN OF HILDESHEIM-MODERNIZED BY H. S. MORRIS [ADAPTED]
THE STAR
NOW, when the Children of Israel were gone out of Egypt, and had won and made subject to them Jerusalem and all the land lying about, there was in the Kingdom of Ind a tall hill called the Hill of Vaws, or the Hill of Victory. On this hill were stationed sentinels of Ind, who watched day and night against the Children of Israel, and afterward against the Romans.
And if an enemy approached, the keepers of the Hill of Vaws made a great fire to warn the inhabitants of the land so that the men might make ready to defend themselves.
Now in the time when Balaam prophesied of the Star that should betoken the birth of Christ, all the great lords and the people of Ind and in the East desired greatly to see this Star of which he spake; and they gave gifts to the keepers of the Hill of Vaws, and bade them, if they saw by night or by day any star in the air, that had not been seen aforetime, that they, the keepers, should send anon word to the people of Ind.
And thus was it that for so long a time the fame of this Star was borne throughout the lands of the East. And the more the Star was sought for, and the more its fame increased, so much the more all the people of the Land of Ind desired to see it. So they ordained twelve of the wisest and greatest of the clerks of astronomy, that were in all that country about, and gave them great hire to keep watch upon the Hill of Vaws for the Star that was prophesied of Balaam.
Now, when Christ was born in Bethlehem of Judea, His Star began to rise in the manner of a sun, bright shining. It ascended above the Hill of Vaws, and all that day in the highest air it abode without moving, insomuch that when the sun was hot and most high there was no difference in shining betwixt them.
But when the day of the nativity was passed the Star ascended up into the firmament, and it had right many long streaks and beams, more burning and brighter than a brand of fire; and, as an eagle flying and beating the air with his wings, right so the streaks and beams of the Star stirred about.
Then all the people, both man and woman, of all that country about when they saw this marvelous Star, were full of wonder thereat; yet they knew well that it was the Star that was prophesied of Balaam, and long time was desired of all the people in that country.
Now, when the three worshipful kings, who at that time reigned in Ind, Chaldea, and Persia, were informed by the astronomers of this Star, they were right glad that they had grace to see the Star in their days.
Wherefore these three worshipful kings, Melchior, Balthazar, and Jasper [in the same hour the Star appeared to all three], though each of them was far from the other, and none knew of the others' purpose, decided to go and seek and worship the Lord and King of the Jews, that was new born, as the appearance of the Star announced.
So each king prepared great and rich gifts, and trains of mules, camels, and horses charged with treasure, and together with a great multitude of people they set forth on their journeys.
THE CHILD
Now, when these three worshipful kings were passed forth out of their kingdoms, the Star went before each king and his people. When they stood still and rested, the Star stood still; and when they went forward again, the Star always went before them in virtue and strength and gave light all the way.
And, as it is written, in the time that Christ was born, there was peace in all the world, wherefore in all the cities and towns through which they went there was no gate shut neither by night nor by day; and all the people of those same cities and towns marveled wonderfully as they saw kings and vast multitudes go by in great haste; but they knew not what they were, nor whence they came, nor whither they should go.
Furthermore these three kings rode forth over hills, waters, valleys, plains, and other divers and perilous places without hindrance, for all the way seemed to them plain and even. And they never took shelter by night nor by day, nor ever rested, nor did their horses and other beasts ever eat or drink till they had come to Bethlehem. And all this time it did seem to them as one day.
But when the three blessed kings had come near to Jerusalem, then a great cloud of darkness hid the Star from their sight. And when Melchior and his people were come fast by the city, they abode in fog and darkness. Then came Balthazar, and he abode under the same cloud near unto Melchior. Thereupon appeared Jasper with all his host.
So these three glorious kings, each with his host and burdens and beasts, met together in the highway without the city of Jerusalem. And, notwithstanding that none of them ever before had seen the other, nor knew him, nor had heard of his coming, yet at their meeting each one with great reverence and joy kissed the other. So afterward, when they had spoken together and each had told his purpose and the cause of his journey, they were much more glad and fervent. So they rode forth, and at the uprising of the sun, they came into Jerusalem. And yet the Star appeared not.
So then these three worshipful kings, when they were come into the city, asked of the people concerning the Child that was born; and when Herod heard this he was troubled and all Jerusalem with him, and he privately summoned to him these three kings and learned of them the time when the Star appeared. He then sent them forth, bidding them find the young Child and return to him.
Now when these three kings were passed out of Jerusalem the Star appeared to them again as it did erst, and went before them till they were come to Bethlehem.
Now, the nearer the kings came to the place where Christ was born, the brighter shined the Star, and they entered Bethlehem the sixth hour of the day. And they rode through the streets till they came before a little house. There the Star stood still, and then descended and shone with so great a light that the little house was full of radiance; till anon the Star went upward again into the air, and stood still always above the same place.
And the three kings went into the little house and found the Child with his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him, and offered him gifts.
And you shall understand that these three kings had brought great gifts from their own lands, rich ornaments and divers golden vessels, and many jewels and precious stones, and both gold and silver, -- these they had brought to offer to the King of the Jews. But when they found the Lord in a little-house, in poor clothes, and when they saw that the Star gave so great and holy a light in all the place that it seemed as though they stood in a furnace of fire, then were they so sore afraid, that of all the rich jewels and ornaments they had brought with them, they chose from their treasures what came first to their hands. For Melchior took a round apple of gold in his hand, and thirty gilt pennies, and these he offered unto our Lord; and Balthazar took out of his treasury incense; and Jasper took out myrrh, and that he offered with weeping and tears.
And now after these three kings had worshiped the Lord, they abode in Bethlehem for a little space, and as they abode, there came a command to them, in their sleep, that they should not return to Herod; and so by another way they went home to their kingdoms. But the Star that had gone before appeared no more.
So these three kings, who had suddenly met together in the highway before Jerusalem, went home together with great joy and honor. And when, after many days' journey over perilous places, they had come to the Hill of Vaws, they made there a fair chapel in worship of the Child they had sought. Also they agreed to meet together at the same place once in the year, and they ordained that the Hill of Vaws should be the place of their burial.
So when the three worshipful kings had done what they would, they took leave of each other, and each one with his people rode to his own land rejoicing.
HOW THEY CAME TO COLOGNE
Now, after many years, a little before the feast of Christmas, there appeared a wonderful Star above the cities where these three kings dwelt, and they knew thereby that their time was come when they should pass from earth. Then with one consent they built, at the Hill of Vaws, a fair and large tomb, and there the three Holy Kings, Melchior, Balthazar, and Jasper died, and were buried in the same tomb by their sorrowing people.
Now after much time had passed away, Queen Helen, the mother of the Emperor Constantine, began to think greatly of the bodies of these three kings, and she arrayed herself, and, accompanied by many attendants, went into the Land of Ind.
And you shall understand that after she had found the bodies of Melchior, Balthazar, and Jasper, Queen Helen put them into one chest and ornamented it with great riches, and she brought them into Constantinople, with joy and reverence, and laid them in a church that is called Saint Sophia; and this church the Emperor Constantine did make, -- he alone, with a little child, set up all the marble pillars thereof.
Now, after the death of the Emperor Constantine a persecution against the Christian faith arose, and in this persecution the bodies of the three worshipful kings were set at naught. Then came the Emperor Mauricius of Rome, and, through his counsel, the bodies of these three kings were carried to Italy, and there they were laid in a fair church in the city of Milan.
Then afterward, in the process of time, the city of Milan rebelled against the Emperor Frederick the First, and he, being sore beset, sent to Rainald, Archbishop of Cologne, asking for help.
This Archbishop with his army did take the city of Milan, and delivered it to the Emperor. And for this service did the Emperor grant, at the Archbishop's great entreaty, that he should carry forth to Cologne the bodies of the three blessed kings.
Then the Archbishop, with great solemnity and in procession, did carry forth from the city of Milan the bodies of the three kings, and brought them unto Cologne and there placed them in the fair church of Saint Peter. And all the people of the country roundabout, with all the reverence they might, received these relics, and there in the city of Cologne they are kept and beholden of all manner of nations unto this day.
Thus endeth the legend of these three blessed kings, -- Melchior, Balthazar, and Jasper.
from Christmas_story_lovers
There was a woman out Christmas shopping with her two children. After many hours of looking at row after row of toys and everything else imaginable and hearing both her children asking for everything they saw on those many shelves, this woman finally made it to the elevator with her two kids.
She was feeling what so many of us feel during the holiday season time of the year: Overwhelming pressure to go to every party, every housewarming, taste all the holiday food and treats, get that perfect gift for every single person on our shopping list, make sure we don't forget anyone on our card list, and the pressure of making sure we respond to everyone who sends us a card.
Finally the elevator doors opened--there was already a crowd in the car. This woman pushed her way into the car and dragged her two kids in with her along with all her bags of stuff. When the doors closed, she couldn't take it anymore and said out loud, "Whoever started this whole Christmas thing should be arrested and strung up!"
From the back of the elevator, a quiet calm voice responded, "Don't worry ma'am, I believe they crucified Him."
from Christian Encouragement..MiracleStoriesRUs
Blessed Holy day, we will soon see,
The day a Holy Babe came to you and me.
Christmas is here, again, and full of cheer.
Blessed oh, Holy night, and, Happy New Year.
Oh, joyous night when Christ was born.
Love wrapped around us, no more to mourn.
The night and day is Holy, a Savior came.
He put love in our hearts, all the same.
Oh, Holy night, I hear the Angels sing.
Blessed oh Holy night, peace to bring.
Glory in the highest. A Babe of God is born.
The Magi brought gifts, His name to adorn.
Holy, Holy, Holy, and Glory He did bring.
Holy, Holy, Holy, King of Kings.
© by Pearlie Duncan Walker
from http://www.devotions.co.uk
The Cradle and the Cross
This is Christmas, see the lights
See the crowds with faces bright
"Tis the season to be jolly"
Rushing out in hectic folly
Buying gifts and other things
In honor of the King of Kings.
His birth we celebrate these days
With food and fun and other ways,
But is that really why he came,
So we could play these childish games?
Has Christ been lost among the throng?
His voice drowned out by empty song.
The reason that he came to earth,
The reason for his humble birth
Was to do for us what we could not do
To pay for our sins, and to make things new.
The Bible says in the book of John
That Jesus Christ and He alone
Could pay the price that God required
To redeem mankind from the lake of fire.
The cradle was his birth announcement
But the cross became sins death pronouncement
The stars in the heavens announced his birth
But darkened at Calvary as he died on earth
The Shepard's worshipped at the manger scene
But the soldiers gambled away His things
He was tenderly wrapped in a swaddling sheet
But cruelly nailed through his hands and feet
The heavenly hosts sang 'Good Will Toward Men'
But the angry people shouted "Crucify Him"
He miraculously came from a Virgin's womb
But was later laid in a borrowed tomb.
How great a love that Jesus showed
When for us he left his heavn'ly abode
He laid aside His Godly rights
And came to earth on a Christmas night
To live as man, the perfect life
And then to die, our perfect sacrifice.
--by Alan Glazner
from Sermons-org