Acquire the spirit of PEACE

What was and is the real message of Christmas? The angels filled the sky with the message, singing joyfully, PEACE on earth, good will toward men.

In all the years that I've been alive, this message has had no greater meaning, as we still live in a world where there is NO PEACE. There is no peace because there is no forgiveness, and as we fall into the mire, the love of mankind diminishes.

Will we humans ever get it? Perfect love means to be at peace. Peace be with you, is the message to the world. A world which has not learned its lessons of the past, and has not yet decided to forgive. Are we not all brothers? What will it take us to learn this?

God became incarnate in our human form to teach us how to forgive. He came because He desired to forgive us Adam's deed, which separated us from God. The gospel account is full of examples of forgiveness, healing and peace.

The greatest sign of love is forgiveness. No love, no Forgiveness. The word Love Means to give. Give forgiveness for the sake of Peace. God proved His Love for mankind by His coming and by the fulfillment of salvation for us by means of the Cross and by His Resurrection.

Jesus said on the cross, "Father Forgive them for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34)Without forgiveness, true and inner peace cannot be possible. Nor, can there be peace on earth.

Mankind has a responsibility to forgive and obtain Peace. The future of humankind depends on our ability to forgive. The bible, in Rev.6:3 makes clear that we must heed the warning. As we approach the familiar words; "Come and See. --Another horse, fiery red, went out. And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take PEACE from the earth, and that people should kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword."

Is there room for love without peace? Without forgiveness there is no Peace. Without Peace there is no hope for our world and our lives. We talk about our failing environment, and it is right to care about such things. More importantly, are we ready for the peace that was meant to be? When we learn to stop the fighting, we may just accomplish something great.

Let us accept the "gift" of our savior and Lord Jesus as he departed from this world. "Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 15:6). The Orthodox study bible

Bringing Christmas to the world, is a tough challenge for humankind. It must remember the poor, needy, suffering, amongst us and in order to love one another, we are "required" to forgive. In forgiving, may we acquire peace in a new light and understanding. Only then, can we bring Christ to the masses, contagiously.

One my favorite parts of the movie "Scrooge" is when he is confronted with the very happy "Spirit of Christmas" who loves to sip a little, and shares his goblet of liquid happiness, to the grumpy humbug, in the hope that he can be changed. A change that was unexpected, but is well received and now is a happy recipient of Christmas.

Scrooge saw how life should be lived, in a spirit of peace and good will to humankind. And there is no doubt in my mind that he was loved.

Do you want to be loved? Then decide today to forgive, and in forgiving, you will acquire the spirit of peace. And, the world will be a better place because of your change of heart.

Let it begin with me.....This Christmas let us be partakers of forgiveness, love, everlasting Peace -- and joy, the way it was meant to be.

Christmas Underwear

Christmas underwear, I guess that's really not so bad. Funny song! Now, that is not really what Christmas is supposed to be about. Or is it? Many of the best Christmases I've ever had, had in fact, Christmas Underwear under the tree.

The song says the thing that she wants for Christmas is her own washing machine, but do we ever really get what we want? Most people exchange cute little gifts, or, as I try to do each year, something that will provoke a smile, and laughter. We have a great time just being together.

Speaking of laughter, my littlest grandson is starting to laugh out loud and it is so cute to see that he is enjoying our company. Christmas eve should be fun and I'm happy just to be with my family. If he is looking for a family of jokesters, he's in the right one, he'll fit right in.

We are discussing what foods will have, everyone has their favorite food for grandma to make. Let's see for Steve, it's devilled eggs with ham, eggnog and shrimp dip with sesame seed sticks. Bill wants meat pie and chocolate cream pie for dessert. John's requested meat pie, and cheese cake for dessert, I think. Nate likes cookies and vanilla ice cream. Jean and Angie like pie and pickies. We will have rolled-up assorted wraps. There will be something for everyone. Maybe, if you've been good little boys, even some Christmas fudge to bring home with some cut-out cookies for a treat later.

Just about everyone has food allergies or intolerance. This means preparing foods which are low-fat, low-sugar, no wheat, gluten, peanut, eggs and dairy, and seeds. Don't worry, I've got it down.

We all like our shrimp with cocktail sauce, and watching the kids play. It's about being together after all, isn't it? We manage to have a great time, a few laughs, drinks and we make merry.

Nope there will be no Christmas Underwear under this tree, I think...You hear me Santa?

The Cold Darkness

Is there in reality a better way to describe this day? Another cold and dark one. I miss you Mr. Sun. Sitting alone, just finishing my wonderful breakfast, I can think of many things that will need to be done today. Yet, my mind wanders off to another day, past....

On Sunday, we saw the likes of Scrooge and everyone knows his story, one of bitterness...He made all the wrong choices in life, with his obsessiveness to money, nothing else mattered to him, succumbed by avarice, he was already the "living dead." The message was, you are never to old to change your ways with a change of heart, and you'd better do it before it is too late. That state of emptiness, requires divine intervention, and the good spirits led Scrooge down an enlightened path. But what of us? Are we to be so lucky?

This morning, I read someones comment on face book. She just couldn't get into the Christmas Spirit. Is what we go through an act? Do we dread it each year repeating the same doldrums? Is there depression, sadness and emptiness? If it weren't for the concerted effort of the shopkeepers and commercialism to sell their goods, in order to meet their anticipated sales quotas, would we be in the mood? Or, are we putting on a act, while hiding what we truly feel within? If so, isn't it time for a change?

What are you enthusiastic for, or, has the lamp grown cold? You can get children all excited about elves, Santa, and magical, holiday movies. But what about the real Christmas? Where is Christmas? We make so much to do about the unessential, and forget the real meaning.

A commenter on the post, answered with an invitation for the woman to involve herself in meaningful activities, those that give to others, with the hope that it will "ignite that spark". That sort of is how Scrooge, in the play, changed to make his life, "a gift" to those around him. Did it change the lonely man, entirely? We're not told that. The real change would be though, when he finally went to his grave, someone could "miss him" and remember his "kindness." His chance for love and his own family were lost because of greed. (Me, myself, and I). We cannot look back. It is too bad the "ghosts" didn't serve him "notice" when he was young enough to enjoy life fully.

The other characters in the story, Bob his employee, would not give in to the impending gloom, celebrating Christmas with his children and wife, even with the loss of his livelihood. Tiny Tim, and the other siblings found joy in small things and along with mom, would be appreciative for what they had, basically a roof over their head and each other, not all in the best health. A whisper of the"impending death" of young Tim, was heard by the prediction one of the ghosts.

How do you fit in this season? Maybe you feel like the saddened and jilted fiancee? Or, Jacob Marley, with a warning to change your ways or earn a fate worse than his. It was a great play and had a great message. My dad and I saw it on television many years together. The ghost knocker and the chains rattling always scared the living out of me. At the end of the movie the narrator always stated that Scrooge learned to keep the Christmas season well. He had become a benevolent, and changed man.

It isn't that he became "happy", but in his merryment, he wasn't the same old "humbug" that he was. Christmas was never about "things." Scrooge gave, possibly in taxes to prisons and workhouses, as we all do our share. It takes so much more. Generosity should be an individual decision, which comes from a heart that has not grown cold. There are many charities to choose from.

We are living in a time where there is much need. At the same time their is a focus on self, becoming oblivious to the other. The problem is that we've come from an era not of want. How do you go from there to here? Are you depressed again this year? Do you worry about how your going to give your spoiled kids "all that they see commercially, what their friends are going to bragging about getting"? It wasn't always this way. Why did we, and do we allow this to continue to happen? What are we teaching our children? What are we, ourselves?

Yesterday, I put a DVD on for my grandson, it was the Nativity Story. He showed absolutely no interest. I left it on and explained to him about the star in the sky, which the three kings followed, as he enjoys hearing about weather and the sky. Later, he told me, while having his snack, that he saw the kings coming to see "Jesus." The movie showed the light, and the wonder." I could envision it all as I tended to his little baby brother. I told him he was such a smart boy, and how did he know that it was "Jesus" that they had come to see? He replied, "you did, grandma". That is as simple as it gets. That is where Christmas is, past, present and future. You can't make Christmas, because Christmas is a "real" place. Christmas is in your heart.

The difference is not where, but what are you expecting? Do you have Christmas in your heart, or is it something else?

Ambiance of Christmas Romance

Old and quaint was the ambiance of the Christmas setting, where we shared a meal and wished everyone a Merry Christmas last night. As you walked through the doors, there was a knight in full armor to greet you, and as you walked into the Camelot Room, you were in a different century. The ceiling and floor had natural wooden beams, the large fireplace with a coat of arms centered in the middle of it, was capable of providing a roaring fire on a cold snowy eve. Swords of that error were seen throughout the white room masoned from stone, offset in red carpeting. The chairs looked like that of a different time and error, huge and magnificent in their rectangular setting, some green, and red leather. Large red bows and angels and golden horns dawned the room of greens, with cranberry cloth napkins. Glancing near the fireplace, I noticed an icon dated in the 1400's of a gold lady of Camelot, dressed in that period. It was a room laced with shivery, romance, and a era gone by.

The staff wore tuxedos, serving the crowd with ease. The Castle was fit for a king and his queen. After a quick prayer, by Fr. Peter, we all enjoyed our salad, rolls and dinner of choice. Dessert, a cup of coffee and apple crisp with cream, and we were quite content.

While we were waiting for the table reset just prior to dessert, gift bags were handed out to all. Christmas time is for sharing, telling others we care about them in every way possible. They are small gestures of kindness which snowball toward December 25th. the blessed remembrance of a "real king" born into this world for all humanity, in every generation.

It was a nice time and today, some recollections warm the spirit. People enjoyed the fudge, that my mom used to make every Christmas, that I hadn't made for years. I had the pleasure of thinking of her and how much she enjoyed Christmas. The cookies that I baked and Linda and I frosted, turned out to be a great day spent of much mess and laughter. As well, the gift of the soap to the ladies was handmade by our very own Monestary and monk. Best of all, we had the pleasure of inviting a guest who later revealed that she had not been to a Christmas Party for twelve years.

While we are making merry this year, look around. Is there someone that you know that has not tasted the joy of the Christmas Season for some time?

Christmas is for sharing, caring and for all. Won't you invite them in to your heart.

Christmas was never about the tree

It gets me so mad just to think that we had to drag up that tree once again to find that the lights are not working, frankly, because it drives my husband through the roof. We are not about to check each and every light to see which one or why the lights aren't working. Oh bother!

About three years ago, we bought a tree with the lights already on. You simply plug it in. There is no stringing of the lights. It was portable, and just the right size for the amount of decorations that we wished to display. Easier all around in so many ways.

Last year, my son bought a nice artificial tree like the rest of us. It is so good not to have to clean the pine needles off the floor. They look so real, that it is hard to tell the difference. Real trees are very expensive, and you don't even get a chance to keep it, unlike some of the potted ones that you can plant in the Spring, that is, if they last and you have the room for one in your yard, if you have one.

I can appreciate now the work my poor father went through to get us a real Christmas tree. He would go into the woods, cut it down, wrap it up and drag it home on a sled. Then, the base of the tree had to be sawed, evenly, to fit the holder, which had to be watered constantly. I can still see it as a very fond memory, in the hall. Years later, they bought an artificial one where you literally had to, piece by piece, stick the color coded branches into the notch in the round stick until you filled the three layers. Once the bubble lights were strung on to the branches and the tinsel was added, along with their favorite balls, no-one would even guess it was an artificial nightmare to put together.

The biggest problem was keeping the cat away from it to prevent it from toppling over. The stand was similar to the real tree one, except, we didn't have to keep watering it, and when the cat tipped it over, the water didn't get all over the place. There were no gifts under the tree until Christmas so we didn't have to worry about the items getting wet. Cats will be cats...And, kids will be kids. We always had to play carols while the family decorated the tree together.

My dad always sang "I'm dreaming of a White Christmas," and then would cry, thinking about his mother, and I knew that they had little, but the love of each other. He told us that his mother used to wash her laundry in the river, skin the rabbits his father caught and fish, for Sunday dinner. She made their clothes, and walked to church, all up and down steep hills. They did not have indoor plumbing, and were well familiar with an outhouse, hen house and garden. She made the weekly bread every Saturday, and she would toast it for him over the cast iron stove, and serve it with hot chocolate. Their primitive life style, produced a close-knit family. Like my mother, delivery of the children was at home. I recall hearing one of the children, weighing two pounds was placed in a shoe box behind the stove. She is still going strong at ninety. He referred to those days, always as "the good old days." I never met either of my grandparents, but know them fondly through the eyes of my dad.

I wonder what he would say if I told him that the tree I bought a few years ago, and only used a few times, did not light entirely and met its destination in the trash today? The one he had, lasted so many years and it was passed down. So much has changed in our throw-away society, where with great ease, I went to the store, purchased a new and better one, brought it home, removed it from the box and plugged it in. Bingo it worked beautifully. It's even nicer than the last one.

So much emphasis is placed on the tree. So many memories surround the tree on Christmas Eve and day, yet, the tree has little to do with the "real Christmas" but, your presence.

There is someone out there who needs a "Little Christmas Now." Won't You Be there.....

What do you see?

Yesterday, I wrote about the love experience between me and my 3 month-old grandson, who steals your heart with little effort. He is so attentive to everything that surrounds him. He is such a positive influence in the lives of all that touch him. It was so cute to watch him observe his brother swimming. Just seeing the pool and all that water excited him visually. He brings such joy to life, waiting and eager to experience all that life has to offer.

Of course, it helped the big brother who was anxious to show off his new swimming skills, to know that his baby brother was looking on. I got a chuckle watching his red goggles, which seemed to need adjustment, often. Someday, he will be a fantastic swimmer. Seeing him in the pool brings back memories of another time, over thirty years ago, of his dad learning how to swim with his friends, in the same pool.

Luckily, he was getting a one-on-one, with the instructor, a skilled mom, observing each and every stroke, often giving him pointers, gently. She even has him singing twinkle, twinkle little star for his brother, while letting him go. Floating alone on his back, for just a bit, unaware, as he concentrates on his song. Of course, once he finds himself swimming alone, it's a different matter.

It is not everyday you find the kind of mother he has, as she makes sure he develops to a well-rounded young man. And, it can't be easy to accomplish all that she does with a nursing infant, husband, home and full-time -job commuting to Boston.

The importance of raising children in a loving family cannot be underestimated. It takes daily commitment, and reinforcement, tight scheduling, and more pep than I remember having. My mom used to say that she was very strict with the first child as the younger ones would be imitating them. So, we are sure that the baby will do just fine. If he is anything like his big brother, he will be every bit as successful.

The baby was very excited seeing the Christmas tree and all the lights everywhere, just like Nate did. Nate was thrilled to add his vehicles to the Christmas scene, with his red-pickup-truck centered, with a tree in the back. Other cars were parked near restaurant scenes, his favorite items were signs of Main Street, and the American flag. He promised that when he comes over to grandma's house, he will be playing with the setup some more. He learned to turn the lights on the village scenes "off and on" from the start, our little engineer, who has to know how everything works.

While rocking baby Ryan, he was so taken by the afghan on the back of the chair, which is yellow, orange and green granny squares, put together with black yarn. Color is his world right now, and I recall his brother doing the same thing at the same age. He is already fond of a little stuffed reindeer and all the fish located on his play-yard. At three months, he is trying to communicate with us, making sounds and laughing as he is amused by the experience, showing an expressive face, dimples and all. When he is not sucking on his "Binky" pacifier, he is chewing his hands, or blanket, which he moves up and down, proud of his achievement.

These are the same hands that like to pull on your earrings, especially the hoops, which he won't let go. Grandma knew better this time, forgetting the last time we were together. His brother did the same thing, which I had forgotten, and put them soundly away. Next, he'll be pulling my hair.

Life is surely different, than the time of Jesus and His birth in Bethlehem. There is little connection, but the love story will never change between family, then or now. It is said that the three kings arrived, following a star. A journey which took about two years. I wonder what the reaction of Jesus was upon seeing them and their gifts. Do you ever wonder about the whole event? This is a time of advent, preparation....and Wonder. Ponder on Love. Love is a gift, and He is the Gift that lasts for all eternity.

Without words, I know he loves me...

The feeling of my heart is joyful. It may be winter, but I feel like it is spring. There is newness to my step these days. An unspeakable joy. What has happened to make this brightness? His love.

Love has little to do with age. I didn't feel this much love as a teenager. How did I know that he loves me, without words? It was in his eyes. His face lit up like a pumpkin, and I could tell he wanted me to be with him. He didn't take his eyes off of me until I acknowledged his presence.

He is a little heart breaker. It's funny how I haven't lost my perception, a sort of communication that allows you to understand what the need is, without conversation. Most woman have that special gift. I think the love began the moment we met.

I wonder if it was like that with the Mother of God and her son, Jesus. I'll bet it was. Love is a very special gift, the forever kind....