ENJOY THE WONDER OF CHRISTMAS AND HAVE A HAPPY-PEACE-LOVING NEW YEAR
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Around The World - Oh Christmas Tree
How Are Thy Leaves So Verdant
Arlington Cemetery in the winter, before Christmas is one of beauty! Then there is the Capitol Christmas tree in Washington, D.C. - one that is decorated with 3,000 ornaments - ornaments that are the handiwork of U.S. schoolchildren. Encircling evergreens in the 'Pathway of Peace' represent the 50 U.S. states.
The world's largest Christmas tree display rises up the slopes of Monte Ingino outside of Gubbio, in Italy's Umbria region. Composed of about 500 lights connected by 40,000 feet of wire, the 'tree' is a modern marvel for an ancient city.
A Christmas tree befitting Tokyo's nighttime neon display is projected onto the exterior of the Grand Prince Hotel Akasaka.
Illuminating the Gothic facades of Prague's Old Town Square, and casting its glow over the manger display of the famous Christmas market is a grand tree cut in the Sumava mountains in the southern Czech Republic.
Venice 's Murano Island renowned throughout the world for its quality glasswork is home to the tallest glass tree in the world. Sculpted by master glass blower Simone Cenedese, the artistic Christmas tree is a modern reflection of the holiday season.
Moscow celebrates Christmas according to the Russian Orthodox calendar on Jan. 7th. For weeks beforehand, the city is alive with festivities in anticipation of Father Frost's arrival on his magical troika with the Snow Maiden. He and his helper deliver gifts under the New Year tree, or yolka, which is traditionally a fir.
The largest Christmas tree in Europe (more than 230 feet tall) can be found in the Praça do Comércio in Lisbon, Portugal. Thousands of lights adorn the tree, adding to the special enchantment of the city during the holiday season.
'Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree': Even in its humblest attire, aglow beside a tiny chapel in Germany's Karwendel mountains, a Christmas tree is a wondrous sight.
Ooh la la Galeries Lafayette! In Paris, even the Christmas trees are chic. With its monumental, baroque dome, plus 10 stories of lights and high fashion, it's no surprise this show-stopping department store draws more visitors than the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower
In addition to the Vatican's heavenly evergreen, St. Peter's Square in Rome hosts a larger-than-life nativity scene in front of the obelisk.
The Christmas tree that greets revelers at the Puerta del Sol is dressed for a party. Madrid's two-week celebration makes millionaires along with merrymakers. On Dec. 22, a lucky citizen will win El Gordo (the fat one), the world's biggest lottery.
A token of gratitude for Britain's aid during World War II, the Christmas tree in London's Trafalgar Square has been the annual gift of the people of Norway since 1947.
Drink a glass of gluhwein from the holiday market at the Romer, Frankfurt's city hall since 1405 and enjoy a taste of Christmas past.
Against a backdrop of tall-shadowy firs a rainbow trio of Christmas trees lights up the night (location unknown).
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| The Story Of
Twelve Days Of Christmas
There is one Christmas Carol that has always baffled me. What in the world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and especially the partridge that won't come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas? This week, I found out.
From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality, which the children could remember.
- The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.
- Two turtledoves were the Old and New Testaments.
- Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.
- The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.
- The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.
- The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.
- Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit: Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.
- The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.
- Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.
- The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.
- The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
- The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.
So there is your history for today. This knowledge was shared with me and I found it interesting and enlightening and now I know how that strange song became a Christmas Carol...so pass it on if you wish.
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Letter From Jesus About
Thoughts On Christmas
It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season.
How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live failed to depict a scene of My birth, then here's what you can do. Rid your own front lawn of a couple of Santa's and snowmen replacing them with a small Nativity scene. If all My followers did that, the town would sparkle with My birth.
Some now call it a holiday tree. Most still call it a Christmas tree. Remember, it was my Father in heaven who made all trees. As his Son, you can remember Me each and every time you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish. In John 15: 1 - 8, I actually spoke of that one in a teaching explaining who I am in relationship to you and what each of our tasks are.
If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it:
1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. Many are afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time. Add in letters and/or emails to families, friends and neighbors.
2. Visit someone in a nursing home whether you know him or her personally or not. They just need to know that someone cares.
3. Instead of writing the President complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family during the upcoming year. Then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you again.
4. Tell your children the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.
5 Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.
6. Did you know that at least one someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Perhaps giving everyone you meet a warm smile could make the difference.
7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holidays, be patient with the people who work there. Also, give them a warm smile and a kind word. Wish them a "Merry Christmas" even if that store disallows wishing you one.
8. You want Sunday to be a Holy day, too. Then stop shopping on Sunday. If the Sunday's were low revenue days for businesses, they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families.
9. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.
10. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who will have no "Christmas" tree or presents to give or receive. If you know them, help out; otherwise, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity that believes in Me. They will make the delivery for you.
10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Keep your action as pure in secret and among others as if you were always in My presence. Let those actions represent your of being one of My souls.
Remember, I am God's Son and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. Have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember: I LOVE YOU,
JESUS
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