A Different Christmas Poem

(by Jeff Giles) The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,Transforming the yard to a winter delight. The sparkling lights in the tree, I …

The Matchbox Car

(author unknown) My friend handed me a very old metal Matchbox car today. Then he said, "I found this yesterday and it reminded me of a major life lesson." I held it in my hand and looked at it while he talked. He said, "When I was in elementary school, we did a Secret Santa …

No Santa Claus?

(author unknown) I remember tearing across town on my bike to visit Grandma on the day my brother dropped the bomb: "There is no Santa Claus," he jeered. "Even dummies know that!" My Grandma was not the gushy kind, never had been. I fled to her that day because I knew she would be straight …

Family Christmas Letters

Do you write an annual Christmas letter to your family members and friends, or perhaps you receive one? Have you ever felt that your letter didn't quite measure up to the ones you have received? If so, you might relate to these letters. Here's the one that was sent: ____________________ Dear Friends, Thought you'd like …

The Christmas Gift

We were the only family with children in the restaurant. I sat Erik in a high chair and noticed everyone was quietly sitting and talking. Suddenly, Erik squealed with glee and said, 'Hi.' He pounded his fat baby hands on the high chair tray. His eyes were crinkled in laughter and his mouth was bared …

Advice from Mom

(author unknown) When you first have children they talk about the challenges of parenting. The struggles of a baby waking in the night,the toddler who won’t stay in their bed, the cost of childcare, injuries from sports. Having to take off work to pick them up from school when they don’t feel well, helping them …

“Christmas” by Mannheim Steamroller

FAVORITE SELECTION: “Silent Night” ABOUT THIS ALBUM: “Christmas” is the first Christmas album and sixth studio album released by American musical group Mannheim Steamroller. It was the band's first album to chart on the Billboard 200 album chart, peaking at No. 50. On June 21, 2004, Mannheim Steamroller Christmas was certified 6× Platinum by the …

The Little White Envelope

(by Nancy W. Gavin) It's just a small, white envelope stuck among the branches of our Christmas tree. No name, no identification, no inscription. It has peeked through the branches of our tree for the past ten years. It all began because my husband Mike hated Christmas. Oh, not the true meaning of Christmas, but …

The Gold and Ivory Tablecloth

(By Howard C. Schade, pastor, First Reformed Church, Nyack, NY) This fictional story has been published for many years and in several different versions. This is a commonly published version and makes a powerful point – we can make a difference. At Christmas time men and women everywhere gather in their churches to wonder anew …

The Man and the Birds

(by Paul Harvey) The man to whom I'm going to introduce you was not a scrooge, he was a kind decent, mostly good man. Generous to his family, upright in his dealings with other men. But he just didn't believe all that incarnation stuff which the churches proclaim at Christmas Time. It just didn't make …