Christmas Traditions

This is the season for Christmas traditions.

Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the tradition 

which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

                                                            -2 Thessalonians 2:15

One tradition to be enjoyed is the beautiful stories and poems lifting our spirits

and filling our souls with joyful wonderment.

I am thinking of my favorites Christmas stories I have gathered over the years. 

Please, pause and remember yours.

What are they?

Among my favorites are:

"Luke" - Bible
"A Rare Nativity" - Sam Beeson
"The Mansion" - Henry Van Dyke
"A Christmas Carol" - Charles Dickens
"The Little Match Girl" - Hans Christian Anderson
"The Birds' Christmas Carol" - Kate Douglas Wiggin

"The Night Before Christmas" - Clement C. Moore
"How the Grinch Stole Christmas" - Dr. Seuss

I have added a new poem. I would like to share it with you:

T'was the night before Christmas and out on the ranch
The pond was froze over and so was the branch.
The snow was piled up belly-deep to a mule.
The kids were all home on vacation from school,
 And happier young folks you never did see,
Just all sprawled around a-watchin' TV.
Then suddenly, some time around 8 o'clock,
There came a surprise that gave them a shock!
The power went off, the TV went dead!
When Grandpa came in from out in the shed
With an armload of wood, the house was all dark,
"Just what I expected," they heard him remark.
"Them power line wires must be down from the snow.
Seems sorta like times on the ranch long ago."
"I'll hunt up some candles," said Mom. "With their light,
And the fireplace, I reckon we'll make out all right."
The teenagers all seemed enveloped in gloom.
Then Grandpa came back from a trip to his room,
Uncased his old fiddle and started to play
That old Christmas song about bells on a sleigh.
Mom started to sing, and first thing they knew
Both Pop and the kids were all singing it, too.
They sang Christmas carols, they sang "Holy Night,"
Their eyes all a-shine in the ruddy fire light.
They played some charades Mom recalled from her youth,
And Pop read a passage from God's Book of Truth.
They stayed up till midnight - and, would you believe,
The youngsters agreed 'twas a fine Christmas Eve.
Grandpa rose early, some time before dawn;
And when the kids wakened, the power was on.
"The power company sure got the line repaired quick,"
Said Grandpa - and no one suspected his trick.
Last night, for the sake of some old-fashioned fun,
He had pulled the main switch - the old Son-of-a-Gun!
                                                               - Anonymous

Dear Reader, enjoy traditions pertaining to stories, sights, sounds, feelings,
and sweet aromas of tasty treats coming from a warm, happy kitchen.

I become very excited when Mother Nature provides the wanted tradition of a "White Christmas."

The following picture was taken in the early morning, quite hours, just after the heavens had opened and decorated our yard into a "Winter Wonderland."




"Merry Christmas"

ENJOY YOUR TRADITIONS!