Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

Special Christmas Eve Edition:

For Sunday:
Rain Hi 64 Lo 46 for Baghdad, Iraq
Rain Hi 40 Lo 29 for Northern Kentucky

Song of the Week: Christmas in Sarajevo, Trans-Siberian Orchestra (Thanks to Rob for the suggestion)


My friend, Rob has posted the story of the birth of our Christ, Jesus.

"I had an uncle who used to remind me that although this is a joyous time of year, it can be a very sad and lonely time for many. All the declarations of Christmas cheer can be weigh heavy on those who have experienced sorrow in the previous months. The beauty of the true Christmas story is that it is not just a story but the presentation of the best Christmas gift of all, and it is not just available during the holiday season but 365 days of the year - to all people regardless of your of financial situation or any manner of distress you may have encountered in months or years past. It also cannot be taken away by the PC police when they deem that wishing someone "Merry Christmas" may be offensive. Wish me "Happy Holidays" or "Seasons Greetings" if you would like. I will be truly grateful and wish you a "Merry Christmas" in return. You see, I believe Christmas belongs to everyone. It's a gift that is always there, it is up to you if you seek to accept it."

Go visit Rob for the real Christmas Story.

Be sure to read the following story to your little ones and "not so little" ones tonight. OH, and don't forget, you can track Santa and his reindeer here. Thanks NORAD!

The Night Before Christmas

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 bed,
While visions of sugarplums 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 tiny 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, Donder* and Blitzen!
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 bowl full 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 teams 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!"

Clement C. Moore

Now, I'd like to take a moment and wish everyone a Merry Christmas. This is a time to be with family and friends and to remember those that can't be with us. I want to thank those of you that have stopped by and said hello over the past 6 months since I started this blog. Michael and I want to share Christmas "cheer" with men like Michael O'Rourke, Capt. B and Major K and countless others. We sleep safe and sound in a most amazing country because of brave men and women like them. I will remember them on this most holy of nights.

I have made some wonderful friends and the goal is to meet all of you--ok... some of you...

I was unsuccessful in getting a video for my favorite Christmas song. I can hear Judy Garland singing it now...The movie was Meet Me In St. Louis, released in 1944.... The movie... I don't even remember the story line, it's been so long since I've seen it, but the song?.... The song transcend the movie. Judy was singing for all of America. You see, we were at war at the time. She was singing for all the wives and girlfriends and mothers and sisters...Their very special someone, was away in a foreign land in unthinkable circumstances... Can you hear the longing in Judy's voice now? Can you hear the melancholy? The words fit today as much as then... Sing it now... sing it with me...

Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Let your heart be light
From now on our troubles will be out of sight
Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Make the yuletide gay
From now on our troubles will be far away
Once again as in olden days
Happy golden days of yore
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more

Through the years we all will be together
If the fates allow
Hang a shining star upon the highest bough
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now

Once again as in olden days
Happy golden days of yore
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more

Through the years we all will be together
If the fates allow
Hang a shining star upon the highest bough
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now

Happy Christmas to All and to All a Good Night.............



Thanks to:
SmplySoft , 7 Oaks , and Wonder Woman