Santa's Beard

He wasn't to good with a razor,
and every time he would try,
Kris Kringle would cut himself shaving,
so badly it caused him to cry.

The townspeople laughed when they saw him,
with cut marks all over his face,
He felt so embarrassed and foolish,
he'd lower his head in disgrace.

So one day he threw out his razor,
and all of the townspeople cheered,
No longer would Santa be shaving,
Instead he was growing a beard.

But though he has given up shaving,
and grown out a beard white and thick,
most folks still remember those cut marks,
and that's why they call him "Saint Nick."
                             By: Kenn Nesbitt

Thanks Mary Jane for forwarding above email 12/19/02

CHRISTMAS WISHES

If I could have a Christmas wish come true,
I would wish for wonderful things to come to you.

I wish you happiness in everything you do,
And not many worries or problems will come to you.

I wish you hope
that can brighten the cloudiest day,
And strength to accept
all that life sends your way.

May you rise each day
with sunlight in your heart,
And may all your hopes and dreams
never fall apart.

With my warmest thoughts
and memories of you,
I wish that all your joys
and wishes will come true.

When these special wishes
are delivered to your door,
There is no doubt they will be
accompanied by many more.

Of all the Christmas wishes
delivered to you yearly,
There couldn't be another
               that's wished more warmly or sincerely. Author Unknown ~
Thanks James C.  for forwarding above email 12/23/02

Holiday Prayer 

Heavenly Father, Help us remember that the jerk who cut us off in traffic last night is a single mother who worked nine hours that day and was rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry and spend a few precious moments with her children.

Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man who can't make change correctly is a worried 19-year-old college student, balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of not getting his student loans for next semester.

Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging for money in the same spot every day (who really ought to get a job!) is a slave to addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares.

Help us to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slow through the store aisles and blocking our shopping progress are savoring this moment, knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back last week, this will be the last year that they go shopping together.

Heavenly Father, remind us each day that, of all the gifts you give us, the greatest gift is love. It is not enough to share that love with those we hold dear. Open our hearts not just to those who are close to us, but to all humanity. Let us be slow to judge and quick to forgive, show patience, empathy and love.

After Christmas

 'Twas the week after Christmas, and all through the house
 Nothing would fit me, not even a blouse.
 The cookies I'd nibbled, the eggnog I'd taste
 At the holiday parties had gone to my waist.

 When I got on the scales there arose such a number!
 When I walked to the store (less a walk than a lumber).
 I'd remember the marvelous meals I'd prepared;
 The gravies and sauces and beef nicely rared,

 The wine and the rum balls, the bread and the cheese
 And the way I'd never said, "No thank you, please."
 As I dressed myself in my husband's old shirt
 And prepared once again to do battle with dirt---

 I said to myself, as I only can  
"You can't spend a winter disguised as a man!"
 So—away with the last of the sour cream dip,
 Get rid of the fruit cake, every cracker and chip

 Every last bit of food  that I like must be banished
 "Till all the additional ounces have vanished.
 I won't have a cookie—not even a lick.
 I'll want only to chew  on a long celery stick.

 I won't have hot biscuits,  or corn bread, or pie,
 I'll munch on a carrot and quietly cry.
 I'm hungry, I'm lonesome,  and life is a bore---
 But isn't that what January is for?

 Unable to giggle, no longer a riot.
 Happy New Year to all and to all a good diet!

Thanks Rena K.  for forwarding the above 12/23/02

The Day After Christmas

"Twas the day after Christmas, and all through the house,
Every creature was hurtin", even the mouse.
The toys were all broken, their batteries dead,
Santa passed out, with some ice on his head.

Wrapping and ribbons just covered the floor,
While upstairs the family, continued to snore.
And I in my T-shirt, new Reeboks, and jeans,
Went into the kitchen and started to clean.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the sink to see what was the matter.
Away to the window, I flew like a flash,
Tore open the curtains, and threw up the sash.

When what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a little white truck, with an oversized mirror.
The driver was smiling, so lively and grand,
The patch on his jacket said "US Postman."

With a handful of bills, he grinned like a fox,
Then quickly he stuffed them into our mailbox.
Bill after bill, after bill they still came,
Whistling and shouting, he called them by name.

"Now Hudson's, now K-Mart, now Penney's and Sears,
Here's Visa, MasterCard, Target's and Pier's."
"To the tip of your limit, every store, every mall,
Now charge away, charge away, charge away all."

He whooped and he whistled, as he finished his work,
he filled up the box, and turned with a jerk.
He sprang to his truck, and he drove down the road,
Driving much faster now, with just half a load.

Then I heard him exclaim, with great holiday cheer,
"Enjoy what you got . . You'll be paying all year!"

Thanks Mary Jane for forwarding the above 1/01/2003