As part of the Love and Logic Insider's Club I receive some great emails. Here's another good one I wanted to share. loveandlogic.com
With Christmas just one week away, we wanted to share an article Jim Fay wrote a couple years ago about the meaning of the holidays. We hope you enjoy a very happy holiday season!
HAVE A PERFECTLY IMPERFECT CHRISTMAS
What was your best Christmas as a kid? Was it the one where there was a lot of stress about a perfect meal elegantly served—on time—to a perfectly dressed family? Or was it the one where the dog pulled the turkey off the stove and dragged it away through the dog door? There was no perfect meal that day. Everyone rolled with the punches. They rolled up their sleeves and worked together in the kitchen to salvage a makeshift meal.
The beauty of that memory is not in perfection and organization, but in remembering the joy of being together and doing things together. It was the laughter. It was one of those days when the choices were to laugh or to cry, so you all laughed it off and enjoyed one another. It brought you all together in a different way.
Holidays are times for enjoying one another. We are not suggesting that you purposely feed the turkey to the pets, but we strongly suggest that an imperfect day with little stress will create better memories of loving relationships.
We wish you a perfectly imperfect holiday season.
Thanks for reading!
Jim Fay
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Saturday, December 13, 2008
12 Days of Christmas
The following is from an email forward I received. I am not sure if it is accurate, but thought it was interesting...
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 who won't come out
of the pear tree have to do with Christmas?
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 turtle doves 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.'
Merry (Twelve Days of) Christmas Everyone
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 who won't come out
of the pear tree have to do with Christmas?
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 turtle doves 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.'
Merry (Twelve Days of) Christmas Everyone
Friday, December 12, 2008
White Envelope
Here's a story from an email forward....
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 10 years or so.
It all began because my husband Mike hated Christmas--oh, not the true meaning of Christmas, but the commercial aspects of it -- the overspending, the frantic running around at the last minute to get a tie for Uncle Harry and the dusting powder for Grandma --the gifts given in desperation because you couldn't think of anything else.
Knowing he felt this way, I decided one year to bypass the usual shirts, sweaters, ties, and so forth. I reached for something special just for Mike. The inspiration came in an unusual way. Our son Kevin, who was 12 that year, was wrestling at the junior level at the school he attended.
Shortly before Christmas, there was a non-league match against a team sponsored by an inner-city church. These youngsters, dressed in sneakers so ragged that shoestrings seemed to be the only thing holding them together, presented a sharp contrast to our boys in their spiffy blue and gold uniforms and sparkling new wrestling shoes.
As the match began, I was alarmed to see that the other team was wrestling without headgear, a kind of light helmet designed to protect a wrestler's ears. It was a luxury the ragtag team obviously could not afford.
Well, we ended up walloping them. We took every weight class. And as each of their boys got up from the mat, he swaggered around in his tatters with false bravado, a kind of street pride that couldn't acknowledge defeat.
Mike, seated beside me, shook his head sadly, 'I wish just one of them could have won,' he said. 'They have a lot of potential, but losing like this could take the heart right out of them.' Mike loved kids -- all kids -- and he knew them, having coached little league football, baseball, and lacrosse.
That's when the idea for his present came. That afternoon, I went to a local sporting goods store and bought an assortment of wrestling headgear and shoes and sent them anonymously to the inner-city church.
On Christmas Eve, I placed the envelope on the tree, the note inside telling Mike what I had done and that this was his gift from me. His smile was the brightest thing about Christmas that year and in succeeding years.
For each Christmas, I followed the tradition --one year sending a group of mentally handicapped youngsters to a hockey game, another year a check to a pair of elderly brothers whose home had burned to the ground the week before Christmas, and on and on.
The envelope became the highlight of our Christmas. It was always the last thing opened on Christmas morning, and our children, ignoring their new toys, would stand with wide-eyed anticipation as their dad lifted the envelope from the tree to reveal its contents.
As the children grew, the toys gave way to more practical presents, but the envelope never lost its allure. The story doesn't end there. You see, we lost Mike last year due to cancer. When Christmas rolled around, I was still so wrapped in grief that I barely got the tree up. But Christmas Eve found me placing an envelope on the tree, and in the morning it was joined by three more. Each of our children, unbeknownst to the others, had placed an envelope on the tree for their dad.
The tradition has grown and someday will expand even further with our grandchildren standing around the tree with wide-eyed anticipation watching as their fathers take down the envelope. Mike's spirit, like the Christmas spirit, will always be with us.
May we all remember Christ, who is the reason for the season, and the true Christmas spirit this year and always.
God Bless! -- pass this along to those friends and loved ones who you know are the givers who understand the true meaning of Thanksgiving and Christmas.
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 10 years or so.
It all began because my husband Mike hated Christmas--oh, not the true meaning of Christmas, but the commercial aspects of it -- the overspending, the frantic running around at the last minute to get a tie for Uncle Harry and the dusting powder for Grandma --the gifts given in desperation because you couldn't think of anything else.
Knowing he felt this way, I decided one year to bypass the usual shirts, sweaters, ties, and so forth. I reached for something special just for Mike. The inspiration came in an unusual way. Our son Kevin, who was 12 that year, was wrestling at the junior level at the school he attended.
Shortly before Christmas, there was a non-league match against a team sponsored by an inner-city church. These youngsters, dressed in sneakers so ragged that shoestrings seemed to be the only thing holding them together, presented a sharp contrast to our boys in their spiffy blue and gold uniforms and sparkling new wrestling shoes.
As the match began, I was alarmed to see that the other team was wrestling without headgear, a kind of light helmet designed to protect a wrestler's ears. It was a luxury the ragtag team obviously could not afford.
Well, we ended up walloping them. We took every weight class. And as each of their boys got up from the mat, he swaggered around in his tatters with false bravado, a kind of street pride that couldn't acknowledge defeat.
Mike, seated beside me, shook his head sadly, 'I wish just one of them could have won,' he said. 'They have a lot of potential, but losing like this could take the heart right out of them.' Mike loved kids -- all kids -- and he knew them, having coached little league football, baseball, and lacrosse.
That's when the idea for his present came. That afternoon, I went to a local sporting goods store and bought an assortment of wrestling headgear and shoes and sent them anonymously to the inner-city church.
On Christmas Eve, I placed the envelope on the tree, the note inside telling Mike what I had done and that this was his gift from me. His smile was the brightest thing about Christmas that year and in succeeding years.
For each Christmas, I followed the tradition --one year sending a group of mentally handicapped youngsters to a hockey game, another year a check to a pair of elderly brothers whose home had burned to the ground the week before Christmas, and on and on.
The envelope became the highlight of our Christmas. It was always the last thing opened on Christmas morning, and our children, ignoring their new toys, would stand with wide-eyed anticipation as their dad lifted the envelope from the tree to reveal its contents.
As the children grew, the toys gave way to more practical presents, but the envelope never lost its allure. The story doesn't end there. You see, we lost Mike last year due to cancer. When Christmas rolled around, I was still so wrapped in grief that I barely got the tree up. But Christmas Eve found me placing an envelope on the tree, and in the morning it was joined by three more. Each of our children, unbeknownst to the others, had placed an envelope on the tree for their dad.
The tradition has grown and someday will expand even further with our grandchildren standing around the tree with wide-eyed anticipation watching as their fathers take down the envelope. Mike's spirit, like the Christmas spirit, will always be with us.
May we all remember Christ, who is the reason for the season, and the true Christmas spirit this year and always.
God Bless! -- pass this along to those friends and loved ones who you know are the givers who understand the true meaning of Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Santa Breakfast
SGC will be joining the Knights of Columbus and their Pancake Breakfast with Santa once again! Come for the delicious breakfast and have your list ready for Santa as he will be making a jolly appearance after all morning masses December 21. There will be cookie decorating and Christmas coloring available for the kids. SGC will also be selling holiday craft kits for the children to enjoy and create at home. Proceeds from this sale will be used to donate items needed for the new cry room.
We will need cookie bakers, frosting/sprinkle donations, workers to help decorate and set up the hall Saturday and workers to help after the morning masses. Please take some time to look through the needs for the event and let me know how you can help. I hope you can all make it as my kids have enjoyed this event each year. Please contact me by phone at 913-393-5443 or email kelly@margheim.com if you have questions or would like to volunteer. Thanks again so much! I am amazed at how we shine and are successful when we all work together. Happy Holidays! ~Kelly
Sugar Cookie Donations
Please bake or buy 2 dozen sugar cookies (not frosted or decorated) and bring them to the church on Saturday, December 20. The time will be announced soon. I will need 12 volunteers for this job!
Frosting & Food Coloring
We will need 1 set of food coloring & 14 tubs of white frosting!!!
Sprinkles/Toppings
We will need the following sprinkles/toppings: red hots, mini m&m's, mini chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, & various sprinkles.
Additional Items Needed
200 Craft Sticks, 200 small paper plates & 200 small bathroom cups
Saturday Volunteers:
Help is needed for setting up and decorating the area Saturday afternoon. The time will be announced soon. We basically need the Christmas tree up and the cookie decorating/craft selling area set up. We will also be bagging up the crafts that afternoon. The more people we have to set up, the sooner we will finish. I would love to have 6-8 people helping Saturday afternoon so it wouldn't take long at all. Thanks!
Sunday Morning Masses: We will need 4-5 people total after each mass to help sell the craft bags and help the kids with the cookie decorating at the other table. Please let me know which mass you are able to volunteer your time. 913-393-5443 or kelly@margheim.com
Thank you!
I'm looking forward to another fun and successful event!
We will need cookie bakers, frosting/sprinkle donations, workers to help decorate and set up the hall Saturday and workers to help after the morning masses. Please take some time to look through the needs for the event and let me know how you can help. I hope you can all make it as my kids have enjoyed this event each year. Please contact me by phone at 913-393-5443 or email kelly@margheim.com if you have questions or would like to volunteer. Thanks again so much! I am amazed at how we shine and are successful when we all work together. Happy Holidays! ~Kelly
Sugar Cookie Donations
Please bake or buy 2 dozen sugar cookies (not frosted or decorated) and bring them to the church on Saturday, December 20. The time will be announced soon. I will need 12 volunteers for this job!
Frosting & Food Coloring
We will need 1 set of food coloring & 14 tubs of white frosting!!!
Sprinkles/Toppings
We will need the following sprinkles/toppings: red hots, mini m&m's, mini chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, & various sprinkles.
Additional Items Needed
200 Craft Sticks, 200 small paper plates & 200 small bathroom cups
Saturday Volunteers:
Help is needed for setting up and decorating the area Saturday afternoon. The time will be announced soon. We basically need the Christmas tree up and the cookie decorating/craft selling area set up. We will also be bagging up the crafts that afternoon. The more people we have to set up, the sooner we will finish. I would love to have 6-8 people helping Saturday afternoon so it wouldn't take long at all. Thanks!
Sunday Morning Masses: We will need 4-5 people total after each mass to help sell the craft bags and help the kids with the cookie decorating at the other table. Please let me know which mass you are able to volunteer your time. 913-393-5443 or kelly@margheim.com
Thank you!
I'm looking forward to another fun and successful event!
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Something to check out
"This year, Bass Pro Shops stores will feature "Santa's Wonderland", a 3500 square foot magical village for the kids comprised of both animated and live elves, Lionel and Bachmann old-time model trains area, Fisher Price remote control cars, a Red Ryder laser arcade, a Nerf soft gun range and activity tables where you can write a letter to Santa, color and do fun crafts every weekend and it's absolutely FREE. Santa will also be in residence there throughout the season. The pic with Santa is free and they take it for you - good background too.
Crafts and Ornaments -
Dec 6 &7: Reindeer Hat
Dec 13 &14: Candy Cane Reindeer
Dec 20 & 21: Cookie Decoratoring
Crafts and Ornaments -
Dec 6 &7: Reindeer Hat
Dec 13 &14: Candy Cane Reindeer
Dec 20 & 21: Cookie Decoratoring
Monday, December 1, 2008
St. Theresa's Prayer
Saint Theresa is known as the Saint of the Little Ways. Meaning she believed in doing the little things in life well and with great love. She is also the patron Saint of flower growers and florists. She is represented by roses.
St. Theresa's Prayer:
May today there be peace within. May you trust that
you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are
born of faith. May you use those gifts that you have
received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content. Let this presence settle into your bones,
and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.
St. Theresa's Prayer:
May today there be peace within. May you trust that
you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are
born of faith. May you use those gifts that you have
received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content. Let this presence settle into your bones,
and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.
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