Kersfees - Christmas

29 day's to Christmas...

2009-11-26T15:20:00.000+02:00

The Twelve Gifts I Wish for You
... in this special season and all the year through

Happiness. Deep down within.
Serenity. With each sunrise.
Success. In each facet of your life.
Family. Beside you.
Close and caring friends.
Health. Inside you.
Love. That never ends.
Special memories. Of all the yesterdays.
A bright today. With much to be thankful for.
A path. That leads to beautiful tomorrows.
Dreams. That do their best to come true.
Appreciation. Of all the
wonderful things about you.

Easter prayer

2009-03-27T17:56:00.000+02:00

Thank You, Lord,

for rising from the tomb

to live in our hearts.

May the innocence of each child remind us of the joy of sharing

Your love.

May the caroling of each bird remind us to sing

Your praises.

May the majesty of each sunrise remind us to shine in

Your light.

May the beauty of each flower remind us Jesus lives

and is Lord of Life.

And it’s good.

Thank you, Holy Father, for Easter,

for Jesus,

and for all

Your goodness.

Stay with us this happy day

and always.

In Jesus name, we thank You!

Amen.

Happy easter

Love

Muriel

Christmas gift

2009-03-27T17:44:00.002+02:00

Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus, the Christ, a baby boy born to a teenage girl who was still a virgin.

Jesus was born in a stable, among the animals, yet angels proclaimed his birth.

To shepherds.

Wise men followed a star that marked the birth and presented Jesus with precious gifts, to honor him.

A baby born to die.

At age 33, only days after some welcomed Jesus to Jerusalem, others wanted him dead, though he was innocent of any crime.

He was nailed to a cross. When he died at mid-afternoon, the skies turned dark. There was an earthquake. In the temple at Jerusalem, the curtain covering the Holy of Holies, the Presence of God, tore itself in half.

Three days later, Jesus' tomb was empty. His disciples and others saw him. He spent time with them, ate with them, showing he was alive. While talking to a lage crowd of people, he rose up in the sky and disappeared into the clouds.

All for a reason.

The first man and woman, Adam and Eve, disobeyed God. That was the first sin. Ever since then, everyone sins. We do what we know is wrong, and don't do what we know is right.

The penalty for sin is death. The only sinless person who ever lived is Jesus.

Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus had to die on the cross to win forgiveness for everyone who chooses to accept his gift. Forgiveness of sin means eternal life with God.

The real Christmas gift.

A toast to the new year!!!

2008-12-26T09:41:00.005+02:00

Here’s to the outgoing year, 2008:
May the good times live on in our memories,
and may we learn lessons from the troubling times
that will make us stronger and better than ever. Here’s to 2009:
For each and every one of you,
may it be filled with significant steps
toward the fulfillment of your fondest wishes.
To our dreams...
May we never stop believing in them...

In this coming new year,
let us focus on our goals and work toward our dreams,
and yet (grin, smile and wink)
let’s all try to go with the flow a little more
and stress a little less. And most important,

here’s to all of you.
Appreciate yourselves and each other in the new year
as I appreciate all of you now.
Let’s focus on each other’s good points
and choose to overlook minor annoyances
to create mutual happiness and contentment in 2009. Here’s to 2009 !!!!

Enjoy the journey!!!!

Mine is/Myne is

Vlieg hoog
Fly High

Good bye till next year ........

My other blogs:

http://murielsdiaries.blogspot.com/

http://onderdiemaanensterre.blogspot.com

http://onderdiemaanensterre.wordpress.com

Hope to see you there!!!!

Stay cool!

To all my blog friends!!!

2008-12-24T11:25:00.003+02:00

Click on photo

Aan al my geliefde blogmaats!

Almal van julle is mane en sterre op my kersboom!

Ek sukkel om julle almal op my inskrywing te kry!

Daar is te veel!

Geseënde Kersfees!

Mag julle ‘n magical kersseisoen geniet

Mag die geluksfeëtjie jou met “fairy dust” besprinkel!!!

Merry Christmas!!

pikkie

Adriana

White Knight

Bottertjie

Boendoe

Aventer

The Muse

Rustig

Ogies

Chaos/Helge

Krista

Kriekie

Flippie Fanus

Dellie

Carina

Mefri

Nikita

Maxi

Eendjie

Emil

Alta

Ricky Louw

Demoerin

Rosie

Eilandkind

Ice’DDing

Steve

Platkuif

A3 (zee se ma)

Sandra

Louisa

Netjane

Zee

Charmaine

Kaalvoetjies

Zeethan

Neykie

Bib

Thea/Reisiger

Paula

Riaan

Roertjie

Sonkind

Wille Kjind

Nats

Sonneblom

Olga

Salomè

Verons

Teddie

Nathan

Zonika

Xanika

Roosmaryn/Asjas

Tillie

Mockajava

Zoekoe

Ingrid

007 Meisie

Sammi

Annerkant

Cebella

Sonia Cabano

Alda

Skoor

Witperd

Janine

Leon

Ansophie/Annora

Mykopop

Krissie Keet

Blixer

Neil

Place of grace

Lisa

Desire

Afrika Fairy

Nimsie

Elphoria

Desia

Vlooitjie

Elmarie

Anne/Kombuistafel

Antie Koekie

Attie

Johan de Vries

Blou

Bierpens

Platterfuss

Dorette

Hexi/Mattewis

Duskant Sutherland

Huisvrou

Koeksister

Rene

DGS (Soldaat)

Expensive Mistake Cheap Thrills

Frank

Da Mario

Mariki

Thelwyn

Gert Gariep

Gedagtes/Elmien

Meermin

Pampoentjie

Tashia se malhuis

Ninette

Tersia

Nora

Jo-Ann

Wag-’n-Bietjie

Feëtjie

Johan Swats

Roxilla

Peas on toast

Pippie Langkous

Karin

Kokkewiet

Jasper

Triston J

Retha

Von se beek

Riana Brand

Serenity

Sky

Skim

Wolf

Rachael/Rose Room

Sandmense

Wilma

Willa

Tinkerbell

Talking Totan

SleepyJane

Reflection

RB/Jomana

Prinshes

Pienk Zuit

Jeven

Miekie

Nickey

Patches

Pagoda

Brein

Noortje

Karbinna

Millz

Nico

Mia

Marlene

Mieliepap

Voetjies/Marina

Machiel

Lulu/Louise

Costello

Kyker

Eurica

Johan en Natasha

Gypsy

Kloppertjie

King

Kate

Emma Dixon

JP Brouard

Jode Carlos Placido

SchalkSkryf

Han Mathyssen

Harry Lous

Gypsy RSA

Jana/Giana5

Gerba

Fukykierr

Falkyrie

Cybersakkie

Frik Stander

Estelle

Heinrich (Wipneus se seun)

Sonkant bo/Ericat

Emmabel

Elf

Duskant

Dewies

Danika

Dalean/ZAgratis

Cleopatra

Ciska/Rene

Cheeky

Carlos

Bytjie

Blondie

Besem

Perrie

Leon/PCA

Jaco

Corey

Stanleystorie

Celeste

Rondloper

Boskind

Amishka

Blane

George Maru

Tiger lily

Rachelle

Oom Herman

Vlermuis en kat

Lanaba

Christmas decorations

2008-12-24T11:07:00.000+02:00

Christ is Born

Angels clap hands; let men borbear to mourn;
Their saving health is come; for Christ is born.
Hark, what a heavenly choir of angels sing
Sweet carols at the birth of this new king.

Hierdie Kersvader dans op die maat van “Jingle Bell Rock”

Flower arrangement

2008-12-24T10:50:00.001+02:00

Daar is altyd plek vir ‘n feëtjie in my huis, veral oor kerstyd!!!

The Twenty-fourth of December

The clock ticks slowly, slowly in the hall,
And slower and more slow the long hours crawl;
It seems as though today
Would never pass away;
The clock ticks slowly, s-l-o-w-l-y in the hall.

Kersfees tafel 2008

2008-12-23T20:16:00.008+02:00

Ons kerfees tafel is klaar gedek!!

Wat is kersfees sonder die tradisionele vrugtekoek!

Maar Wipneus s'n moet Sterre op hê!!! whahaha

Wild Santa gaan saam kersfees hou!

Elkeen kry 'n klein geskenkie (Parfuum)
(Die vrouens kry Angel parfuum, my gunsteling)

Voila!

My ADSL lyn is alweer af. Ek is nou moeg gesukkel met telkom en het nou vrede gemaak!!

Geniet julle kers-ete, ons gaan! *grin*

Kindness

2008-12-22T19:51:00.006+02:00

Beginning today, treat everyone you meet as if they were going to be dead by midnight. Extend to them all the care, kindness, and understanding you can muster, and do so with no thought of any reward. Your life will never be the same again.

Santa Claus

He comes in the night! He comes in the night!

He softly, silently comes,

While the little brown heads on the pillows so white

Are dreaming of bugles and drums.

He cuts thro' the snow like a ship thro' the foam,

While the white flakes 'round him whirl.

Who tells him I know not, but he findeth the home

Of each good little boy and girl.

His sleigh it is long, and deep, and wide;

It will carry a host of things,

While dozens of drums hang over the side,

With the sticks sticking under the strings.

And yet not the sound of a drum is heard,

Not a bugle blast is blown,

As he mounts to the chimney-top like a bird,

And drops to the hearth like stone.

The little red stockings he silently fills,

Till the stockings will hold no more;

The bright little sleds for the great snow hills

Are quickly set down on the floor.

Then Santa Claus mounts to the roof like a bird,

And glides to his seat in the sleigh;

Not the sound of a bugle or drum is heard

As he noiselessly gallops away.

Anonymous 1880

My vriendin Pikkie se seuntjie kan nie meer wag vir Kersvader nie?

Hy het homself baie mooi uitgedos vir Santa Claus!! he he

Ta - dammm Christmas lights in my garden - In my tuin

2008-12-22T19:20:00.005+02:00

Engeltjie, ster en kersboom hou die bokkie geselskap!

"Santa Claus is coming to town" or is it to my garden?

Kersvaders groet jou met die paadjie na my voordeur!

Never take someone for granted. Hold every person close to your heart, because you might wake up one day, and realise that you've lost a diamond, while you were too busy collection stones.

Ek bring hulde aan my Selina....

2008-12-22T11:18:00.010+02:00

Kyk hoe liefdevol is sy met my ma en Shane

Alhoewel my kinders groot is het ek nogsteeds iemand wat nog "kind" is as dit by kerstyd kom!
Nee eindelik is dit erger as 'n kind! Sy weier volstrek om verlof te vat in Desember. Sy neem gewoonlik Januarie of April (Paasnaweek) verlof. Kersfees durf ons ook nie waag om op verlof te gaan nie.

Hier bid Selina vir ons!
Is dit nou nie dierbaar!

Dus sodra die Kersklokke begin lui en Jingle Bells begin speel, is daar nie rus vir hierdie "Mê" nie. Ek moet haar gunsteling Kers cd opsit en ons moet begin koekies bak. Natuurlik moet ek hier ook haar gunsteling koekies bak, sy is mal oor soetgoed!

Kyk hoe gelukkig is sy?
Sy is die vriendelikste en liefdevolste mens!

Sy skryf natuurlik ook 'n briefie vir Santa en die word saam die res van die huisgesin se lysies onder die boom geplaas! Baie erg bederf, maar glo my as ek sê sy verdien dit!

Sy het aangedring om by die engeltjies te staan om ons alles wat
mooi is vir die jaar toe te wens.

Christmas crackers

2008-12-22T10:43:00.002+02:00

I love Crackers from Woolies!!! ;)

Christmas crackers are a Christmas favourite. They were first made in 1850 by a London sweet maker called Tom Smith. One night, while he was sitting in front of his log fire, he became very interested by the sparks and cracks coming from the flames. Suddenly, he thought what a fun idea it would be, if his sweets and toys could be opened with a crack when their fancy wrappers were pulled in half.

The Crackers that are used today are short cardboard tubes wrapped in colourful paper. There is normally a Cracker next to each plate on the Christmas dinner table. When the crackers are pulled - with a bang! - a colourful party hat, a toy or gift and a festive joke falls out! The party hats look like crowns and it is thought that they symbolise the crowns that might have been worn by the Wise Men.

Decorate a Christmas tree!

2008-12-22T10:41:00.003+02:00

Some fun for the kids, decorate a christmas tree here

Twelve days of Christmas

2008-12-22T09:55:00.002+02:00

The twelve days of Christmas are the twelve days between Christmas and Ep
iphany (January 6th), which is when the three wise men supposedly arrived on the scene. It is NOT the twelve days before Christmas as many erroneously believe.

The tradition of giving a gift on each of the twelve days is pretty much gone. However, in some families, the tradition of giving Christmas gifts on each of those twelve days persists.

Most people know of The Twelve Days of Christmas from the song of that name.

Christmas in Africa ...

2008-12-21T19:20:00.006+02:00

Wire Christmas tree

We're dreaming of a magical Christmas... Golden African sunsets, lush green grass, colourful ripe produce and the amber flames of the festive South African braai. We take our festivities outdoors soaking up the sun and indulging in nature's splendour.

While in the spirit of spreading some love; food is the way to everyone's heart... So be it the traditional Christmas Turkey or a boerewors braai, food brings us all together. Most festive traditions revolve around the food because its sets a unique festive tone, that culminates not only in the sharing of food but in the sharing of special moments between loved ones.

"Centurion mall" my hometown

Beaded decorative items, Ndebele inspired ceramic pieces, wire Christmas trees, wreaths made from colourful recycled material... With so much creativity, there's no reason not to add some soulful African Christmas decor.

"Christmas Sun City South Africa"

Now, for a truly African gift...Give of yourself this festive season. A change of mind that promotes the spirit of Ubuntu - "I am because you are" will be the greatest gift we can give to Africa.

"South Africa - my beautiful country"

And there you have it, a uniquely African version of the old, old story.

Hope for my country and the new year!!

In my tuin .....

2008-12-21T11:03:00.004+02:00

My bokkie met die kop wat heen en weer swaai is darem al op!

"In my garden"

So come we running to the crib,

I and also you,

A bee line into Bethlehem,

Hopsa, trala, loo!

Oh, baby dear, take anything

Of all the little gifts we bring,

Take apples or take butter,

Oh, have some pears or yellow cheese,

Have nuts or plums or what you please.

Austrian Shepherd's song

Kersgeskenke is vir oud en jonk....

2008-12-21T10:35:00.005+02:00

Under the Christmas tree 2008

Tis the week before Christmas and every night
As soon as the children are snuggled up tight
And have sleepily murmured their wishes and prayers,
Such fun as goes on in the parlour downstairs!
For Father, Big Brother, and Grandfather too,
Start in with great vigour their youth to renew.
The Grown-ups are having great fun - all is well;
And they play till it's long past their hour for bed.

They try to solve puzzles and each one enjoys
The magical thrill of mechanical toys,
Even Mother must play with a doll that can talk,
And if you assist it, it's able to walk.
It's really no matter if paint may be scratched,
Or a cogwheel, a nut, or a bolt gets detached;
The grown-ups are having great fun - all is well;
The children don't know it, and Santa won't tell.

Hierdie gedig is eindelik so waar, terwyl ek geskenke toedraai, bekyk en snuffel ek eers alles.

Ek is klaar met my kersinkopies maar dood moeg. Natuurlik moes ek"Ouma" ook help om kersinkopies te doen.

Ek is nog besig om alles toe te draai, maar die plek word soos julle kan sien nou effens min en ek sal moet gaan soek vir nog 'n houer. Ek sit die geskenke in houers of mandjies want daar is altyd iets wat breekbaar is.

Soos julle kan sien is daar nog 2 gesinne se geskenke wat afgelewer moet word. (Die in sakke) Ella se geskenke is die een in 'n mandjie, ek is nog besig om die res van haar gesin se geskenke toe te draai. Ons gaan vanmiddag 'n vroeë kersfees by Ella hulle hou! Lekker nê? Dit gaan beter met haar maar dis te verstane dat sy baie swak is!

Is julle al klaar met julle kersinkopies? Die winkels is 'n miernes! Praat van geduld. Hierdie is 'n storie wat jou geduld tot die uiterste beproef! Veral as jou ma in die mall wegraak omdat die mooi goed haar weglok! Dit vat meer tyd om haar op te spoor as wat dit neem om geskenke te koop! whahahaha Maar hierdie tyd van die jaar is ek nogal baie geduldig en as ek nie is nie, dan hou ek my maar geduldig en in toom! OF sal dit beter klink as ek sê ek probeer!

Muriel

The Wreath

2008-12-21T10:29:00.003+02:00

The Wreath

The Wreath which is traditionally displayed on the front door of a home during the weeks of Advent and the Christmas season once was a multiple role.

The wreath is intertwined with red ribbons which is done to express the festive spirit, while its evergreen leaves were symbolic of the everlasting life promised to the faithful by the birth of Jesus Christ. The circular shape was a reminder of the crown of thorns placed on His head by the Roman soldiers when they ridiculed Him as the 'king of the Jews'. Another reason for the wreath being used as part of celebrations related to the god Bacchus, whose worshippers were thought to have worn circular ivy crowns.

Another practical purpose for the wreath was that the evergreen boughs were believed to protect a home from evil spirits, which were thought to be plentiful during this dark time of the year. During the Middle Ages the red berries of holly were believed to keep witches out of the home; this is why holly became the traditional and lucky evergreen for the wreath-making.

Credit: Santas.net

Photos my own

A Visit From the Christ Child

2008-12-21T09:55:00.002+02:00

Twas the morning of Christmas, when all through the house
All the family was frantic, including my spouse;
For each one of them had one thing only in mind,
To examine the presents St. Nick left behind.

The boxes and wrapping and ribbons and toys
Were strewn on the floor, and the volume of noise
Increased as our children began a big fight
Over who got the video games, who got the bike.

I looked at my watch and I said, slightly nervous,
"Let's get ready for church, so we won't miss the service."
The children protested, "We don't want to pray:
We've just got our presents, and we want to play!"

It dawned on me then that we had gone astray,
In confusing the purpose of this special day;
Our presents were many and very high-priced
But something was missing -- that something was Christ!
I said, "Put the gifts down and let's gather together,
And I'll tell you a tale of the greatest gift ever.

"A savior was promised when Adam first sinned,
And the hopes of the world upon Jesus were pinned.
Abraham begat Isaac, who Jacob begat,
And through David the line went to Joseph, whereat
This carpenter married a maiden with child,
Who yet was a virgin, in no way defiled.

"Saying 'Hail, full of Grace,' an archangel appeared
To Mary the Blessed, among women revered:
The Lord willed she would bear -- through the Spirit -- a son.
Said Mary to Gabriel, 'God's will be done.'

"Now Caesar commanded a tax would be paid,
And all would go home while the census was made;
Thus Joseph and Mary did leave Galilee
For the city of David to pay this new fee.

"Mary's time had arrived, but the inn had no room,
So she laid in a manger the fruit of her womb;
And both Joseph and Mary admired as He napped
The Light of the World in his swaddling clothes wrapped.

"Three wise men from the East had come looking for news
Of the birth of the Savior, the King of the Jews;
They carried great gifts as they followed a star --
Gold, frankincense, myrrh, which they'd brought from afar.

"As the shepherds watched over their flocks on that night,
The glory of God shone upon them quite bright,
And an angel explained the intent of the birth,
Saying, 'Glory to God and His peace to the earth.'

"For this was the Messiah whom prophets foretold,
A good shepherd to bring his sheep back to the fold;
He was God become man, He would die on the cross,
He would rise from the dead to restore Adam's loss.

"Santa Claus, Christmas presents, a brightly lit pine,
Candy canes and spiked eggnog are all very fine;
Let's have fun celebrating, but leave not a doubt
That Christ is what Christmas is really about!"

The children right then put an end to the noise,
They dressed quickly for church, put away all their toys;
For they knew Jesus loved them and said they were glad
That He'd died for their sins, and to save their dear Dad.

Geskenke van blogmaats

2008-12-21T09:43:00.002+02:00

Daar is die mooiste geskenke van my blogmaats onder my boom.

Hoe lucky kan ‘n girl nou nog word! hie haaa!!!

Baie dankie julle!

‘n Sexy hempie van BB!

En is dit nie waar nie, ek beland altyd met my alie tussen die sterre!

Pikkie my Siamesie het vir my ‘n feëtjie van Fairyland af ingevoer!

Hoe lucky kan ‘n girl nou wees!

Van Rustig: Lunch on Venus saam Captain Kirk!!!

Rustig het hierdie lekker geskenk gegee want hy was lus om sy belasting tjekkie met my te deel. Ja, jy het reg gelees, hy het ‘n geldjie van die inkomste belasting terug gekry en deel dit met sy blogvriende! “A trip through the Milky Way (not the chocolate) with the Little Prince, Captain Kirk and Galileo. This include lunch on Venus and a cocktail of your choice on Mercury. (Sorry due to limited seating, you have to leave Teddy at home.)

Daar is nog ander dinge wat vir my as geskenke tel in die blog wêreld:

As iemand my blog lees….

as ek mooi e posse van blogmaats kry…..

‘n Groot geskenk is kommentaar, ek is mal oor kommentaar. Yes laat daai vingers oor julle keyboards hardloop!!!! :lol: Julle mag maar baklei ook! Pasop net ek gooi julle met ‘n koppie tee!!!! LOL

Om blogs te lees sit my verseker op 'n high! Dis heerlik om te sien wat julle aanvang en hoe julle oor dinge voel....

Dan ook baie dankie vir Zee wat vir my 'n "Marie Antoinette kersversiering" vir my boom gekoop het! Dis so dierbaar van jou!

Dankie ook vir al die toekennings wat ek deur die jaar ontvang het, toekennings is soos geskenkies of dankie sê kaartjies! Ek is mal verlief daarop! Dankie julle!

Aan elkeen van my blogmaats baie dankie vir 'n lekker jaar!!! Ek geniet julle blogs vreeslik baie en julle is die beste ding wat my getref het since sliced bread!!!

Mag julle feestyd vol liefde en vrede wees.

Liefde

Muriel

Have a wealthy festive season

2008-12-21T09:21:00.004+02:00

Bad, bad cellphone photo "sorry"
The camera is on charge! whahaha

You've heard it before, but there really is more to wealth than money; though the dropping petrol price doesn't hurt. The state of economic affairs may be a good thing this festive season because instead of just throwing money at the gifts, we'll have to give each one some thought.

It's a known fact that people generally overspend at this time of year and when the New Year comes we're all scrambling around for that last penny. So a little planning, a pinch of creativity and good dollop of love will see you have a wealthy festive season.

And now for wealth that money can't buy...A broad smile, a sincere hug, roaring laughter and a loving glance; these are priceless treasures. So whether you're giving or receiving these, you'll be better for it.

And the Christmas stocking? Throw in lots of quality time, love, really good food and raise a glass to a wealthy festive season.

"If you want to feel rich, just count all of the things you have that money can't buy."

Lamb

2008-12-21T09:12:00.005+02:00

The laughter of friends, a thoughtful gift, reflections on a year gone by, near bursting social calendars and lots of cooking is what this time of year is all about.

Roasted Lamb

Ingredients

2.5 kg leg of lamb
3 garlic cloves, halved
500 ml white wine
1 x KNORR Fresh Ideas Chicken –Pepper Pan
3 potatoes, halved

3 sprigs rosemary
250 g streaky bacon
350 ml cold water
6 pickling onions, whole
Salt and black pepper

Instructions

Put on nice Christmas music.....
Using a sharp knife, cut 6 x 2 cm deep insertions into the lamb
Stuff with half a sprig of rosemary and garlic wrapped in bacon
Place in a roasting pan
Place remaining bacon over the meat
Mix the wine, water and KNORR Fresh Ideas Chicken-Pepper Pan together in a small pot and bring to the boil
Pour over the lamb
Are you still listening to the music?????
Roast for 1 hour at 180°C then turn down the heat to 160°C, add the onions and potatoes and roast for a further 2 hours or until the lamb starts to loosen from the bone

"Nowhere else in the world is the plight of poverty more evident than in Africa. We wait for the world to change; but do not realize that we can't beat the system when we are standing at a distance. We should do more than just wait, especially at this time of year. Cultivating a charitable spirit in our children is a great place to start and the festive season lends itself to making wishes come true."

"We may not be 'dreaming of a white Christmas', but an African Christmas offers a more soulful rendition of this Christmas carol. In Africa, there is not so much the giving of presents, but the giving of presence. This encompasses the spirit of Christmas better than anything. It's a time for mindfulness and spending time with family and friends."

Credit for recipe "Knorr"

Angels

2008-12-21T08:55:00.005+02:00

Christmas angels are the essential figures in Bible. They are referred to as the messenger of god and wisdom. They are assumed to be eternal spirits. Christian angels are the conciliators between God and earthly being. They make the bridge between human-world with spiritual world. The wings of Christmas angels represent innocence or good value.

The heavenly Christian angels are believed to play a significant role during Christmas celebration. According to Bible, the Christmas angels bring peace to earth at the time of Christ birth. It is symbolized as a gift from God.

Biblical Significance of Christmas Angels

New Testament says that when we feel sorry for our sins, Christmas angels celebrate. According to Holy Bible, angels are subdivided into 9 ranks altogether. In this ranking, Seraphim and Cherubim stand on the top. The chief of all angels is known as Archangel. The name of Archangel is Saint Michael. All Christians have their own guardian angels who are supposed to protect the being. Additionally, they are to offer us comfort and care. They stand at the time of distress and pain. The idea of Christian angels was promoted and popularized by Saint Thomas Aquinas during 1100 AD to 1200 AD. According to him, Christmas angels are immortal and they are beyond counting. They play a crucial role of filling the gap between heaven and earth. The angels possess an ideal wisdom and power of godly guidance. However, the choice part is entirely dependent on human selection.

When the angels saw Christ born on the face of earth, they became happy. They flew around the earth and sang beautifully. Their song was intended to offer thanks to almighty God for his wonderful gift of His son Jesus Christ.

Different forms of Christmas Angels

You may buy Christmas angels from any standard shopping mall. There you may see a wide range of varieties. You can always choose the best one for the purpose of your Christmas celebration. You may browse among various styles and patterns; however, you can select anything ranging from traditional to trendy. You may buy it for your own home or you may buy it to present someone you love and care the most. It is of course an attractive Christmas gift that is adored by everyone, whether the individual is a Christian or a non-Christian.

In the modern days of Internet, you have plentiful options available all around. For example, you may download beautiful bookmark design for Christmas angels and print them to use to bookmark your pages. You may also download wallpapers of Christmas angels that you can use on your desktop, or you may download Christmas screensavers to use in your system. You can send Christmas angels E-cards to your friends and family members.

You may prepare your own Christmas angels using paper craft technique. There are various technical illustrations available on different websites which you can follow thoroughly to prepare your very own Christmas angels. If you are a creative genius, you may try sculpting your own Christmas angels. If you can do it, of course it will be an exclusive gift for your loved ones.

Ughh!!! I'm still unfamiliar with my cellphone camera! Sorry *blush*

'Twas the night before Christmas

2008-12-18T17:31:00.001+02:00

'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, except for my mouse
My wife she awoke to ask what was the matter
'Twas not Santa Claus, 'twas my keyboard clatter

One would think that my friends would all be fast asleep
But why does my email go click-click and beep-beep?
'Cause elsewhere in the world it's tomorrow already
And my flood of email comes strong, fast and steady

My eNews buddys are browsing and leaping
They still cruise the Web while others are sleeping
With most people in bed, all cozy and curled
Our eNews goes click-click and changes the world

While the old fashioned types still send their regards
By snail-mail with postage and hard-copy Christmas-cards
My cyberspace friends simply copy and paste
Their cute email greetings, just in time with no waste

I type "Froehliche Weihnachten" for my German friends
My "Feliz Navidad" Spanish greetings extends
And my English buddies get a "Chin-chin old chap!"
"Put a shrimp on the barbie!" is my Down-under rap

While my wife sends her few cards with stamps and lick-lick
I send off four thousand email cards with a click
The answers come back at almost speed of light
That’s what makes my email go beep-beep in the night

But please cyber friends, don’t email too much
Don't just have a virtual Christmas - go touch!
I wish you all a good time and good cheer
To all a good Christmas! And a Happy New Year!

What to Give an Optimist and Pessimist

2008-12-18T17:19:00.001+02:00

A family had twin boys whose only resemblance to each other was their looks. If one felt it was too hot, the other thought it was too cold. If one said the TV was too loud, the other claimed the volume needed to be turned up. Opposite in every way, one was an eternal optimist, the other a doom & gloom pessimist.

Just to see what would happen, on the twins' birthday their father loaded the pessimist's room with every imaginable toy and game. The optimist's room he loaded with horse manure.

That night the father passed by the pessimist's room and found him sitting amid his new gifts crying bitterly.

"Why are you crying?" the father asked.

"Because my friends will be jealous, I'll have to read all these instructions before I can do anything with this stuff, I'll constantly need batteries, and my toys will eventually get broken." answered the pessimist twin.

Passing the optimist twin's room, the father found him dancing for joy in the pile of manure. "What are you so happy about?" he asked.

To which his optimist twin replied, "There's got to be a pony in here somewhere!"

Don't forget your best friend....

2008-12-18T16:16:00.006+02:00

My Shane

With so much going on at Christmas time sometimes we forget our best friends, who are loyal to us the whole year round.

Dogs like humans can sense when there is something going on and having lots of visitors and everyone rushing around can be unsettling for some dogs. I think it's very important to keep your dog's routine as much as possible during the festive season and not to leave them alone for long periods of time, this way both you and your dog can have a very happy Christmas!

Kersfees probleme

2008-12-18T13:25:00.005+02:00

Dis Kersfees en nie in al die huise is daar vrede en liefde oor Kersfees nie.

Ek begin sommer by kinders. Daar is ouers wat vinnig skreeu, "Oe!, Suid Afrika is vol misdaad en ons kinders is nie veilig nie. Ja, ek gee toe, Suid Afrika is vol misdaad. Maar weet jy waar jou kind is? Kyk jy ordentlik na jou kind? 'n Kind is 'n ouer se verantwoordelikheid tot hulle selfstandige ouderdom bereik het. Jou kind se veiligheid is tog veronderstel om enige ouer se prioriteit te wees. Hoekom is daar dan soveel ouers wat dit nie verstaan nie? Daar is dinge wat vir hulle belangriker is as om kinders groot te maak. Ek persoonlik weet van ouers wat op vakansie gaan en hulle tieners alleen by die huis los. My beskeie opinie is dat tieners nog definitief nie selfstandig genoeg is om alleen gelos te word vir so lang tydperk nie. Hierdie ouers moet dan nie skreeu as daar iets met hulle kinders gebeur nie. Hou jou kind veilig en weet waar hy is.

Dan die drinkerbroers. As hulle die woord Kersfees hoor, gaan hulle aan die drink of daar nie môre drank gaan wees nie. Daar is niks wat my so erg irriteer as die onsamehangende gebabbel van 'n dronk mens nie. Veral nie oor kerstyd nie. Ek voel daar is 'n tyd en plek vir alles en Kersfees is nie die tyd om 'n drinkerbroer kompetisie te hou nie! Sommige van hierdie drinkerbroers haal dan ook "bizaar" maniere uit. Dit sal sommer sy/haar vrou verneder en slegsê voor die res van die gaste. Ander weer gaan aan die swets in vreemde tale! Ek weet ook van "Couples" wat mekaar aanrand oor die feestyd! Mekaar fisies verniel! Niks van die liefde en vrede van kerstyd nie.

Grumpy people. Dan kry jy die mens wat oor Kerstyd aan een of ander "ding" ly. Moontlik het hulle die verlange na iemand en is eensaam. Hulle sulk, kla en vind met alles fout. Die res van die gaste word verantwoordelik gehou vir hulle mislukte huwelik of hulle swaar kinderjare. Ek wil definitief nie 'n natkous aan my kerstafel hê nie. Dis die tyd om gelukkig te wees. Probeer om jou probleme vir so paar dae te vergeet en dalkies mag jy net verras wees oor al die liefde wat jy gaan ontvang. En ek het simpatie met hierdie mense, maar kom sien my 'n ander dag oor jou probleme, op die oomblik probeer ek 'n gelukkige Kersfees hou.

Foutsoekerige mense. Die soort ken ons almal. Dis daardie wat met alles in die lewe fout soek. En die snaakste van die hele storie is dat die fout altyd by ander lê en nooit by hulself nie. Hierdie soort mens is erg arrogant en selfgesentreerd. Alles moet om hulle draai en die oomblik as dit nie so verloop nie, wip hulle, hulle en mak dit vir die res almal ongemaklik. Soos bv as hulle nie tevrede is met kersgeskenke of waar die kersfees plaasvind nie. Dadelik word die telefoon opgetel en daar word geskinder en gekla en sodoende veroorsaak hulle moeilikheid nog voor die kersfees begin het. Dit bring my sommer by die volgende punt.

Skinder/agterbakse mense. Hiervan sien ek genoeg in my daaglikse lewe. En dit irriteer my vreeslik. Jy dink iemand is nice en/of oulik tot jy begin snuf in die neus kry. Hierdie soort se donkerkant is baie naby aan die duiwel. Hulle gesels nou net heerlik saam jou en net-nou as jy nie met hulle saamstem of nie na hulle pype wil dans nie dan spring daar die een of ander monster uit! Die soort mens sê ook nie in jou gesig vir jou van die probleme nie. O, nee hulle tel die telefoon op en/of die e-posse vlieg oor die internet drade. Jou ore tuit eindelik soos hulle jou sleg sê en SKINDER!!!! As jy nie by hulle reëlings vir Kersfees wil inval nie, gaan jy die nuwe "talk of the town" wees. Hierdie mens is my grootste frustrasie. Ek soek glad nie hierdie "demone" in my lewe nie. Dis hier waar my donker kant ook gewoonlik uitkom, ek laat nie toe dat hierdie mens met my praat of mingle nie. Hulle moet nie binne 'n 5 meter radius naby my kom nie! Vrouens is hier die grootste sondaars. Dis jammer want ek is ook 'n vrou en wil nie graag bekend staan as die spesie wat die hart uit jou borskas kan skinder nie.

Ek was vroeër vandag beskuldig dat ek in 'n "bubble" of "blinker" lewe. Hellooooooooo???? As jy nie die lewe vir jouself gelukkig maak nie sal niemand anders dit vir jou doen nie. Jy is verantwoordelik vir jou eie geluk. By hierdie een sal jy nooit verby kom nie.

Mense wat my ken weet dat my lewe verseker nie maanskyn en rose is nie. Om die waarheid te sê ek moet elke dag baie hard werk om myself positief te hou. Dit gaan nie vir my help om te gaan sit en "sulk" en "mope" in 'n hoekie nie. Dit bring jou nêrens nie. Dit gaan ook nie help om ander by te kom en jou grille en nukke op ander uit te haal nie. Nog minder gaan dit jou help om ander seer te maak. Ek glo nogsteeds om ander gelukkig te maak is die lekkerste gevoel in die lewe. As dit verkeerd is - so be it!

Natuurlik was ek verbaas en seergemaak omdat 'n gesiglose mense sy/haar eie afleidings maak. Maar my Teddie het my gou reggehelp. Daar sal altyd mense wees wat ongelukkig is met die lewe, wat verkies om altyd die donker in die lewe raak te sien. Ek is net nie so aanmekaar gesit nie. Soos Teddie sê daar is niks mee verkeerd om altyd die mooi en lekker in die lewe en in mense te soek nie en hy sou my nie ander wou gehad het nie. En die HERE alleen weet, dat hierdie eienskappe my redding in die lewe is. En ek moet baie dankbaar wees dat die Skepper my so gemaak het want wragtig ek glo nie ek sou myself kon uitstaan as ek altyd negatief en skoorsoekerig was nie.

Dus Kersfees is vir my 'n tyd van liefde en geluk. Dit is die tyd van samesyn en om jou vyande hulle foute te vergewe, soek die mooi in mense, almal het mooi in hulle as jy regtig baie hard soek. Hierdie is die tyd om fees te vier oor 'n belangrike gebeurtenis. Om mekaar te bederf met klein geskenkies.

Ek is en sal altyd in my "bubble" of "blinker" wil lewe. Mens moet nooit vergeet nie daar is nie net 'n wit en swart kant nie, daar is altyd 'n grys gedeelte. Gun elkeen sy plekkie in die son.

Mag julle 'n Feesgety met baie liefde en vrede hê..... want dit is waaroor Kersfees regtig gaan.

Chocolate bars

2008-12-17T14:01:00.001+02:00

Chocolate coconut bars

(Makes about 40)

250 g butter or margarine

125 ml sugar (100 g)

500 ml cake flour (280 g)

45 ml cocoa powder

500 ml desiccated coconut (160 g)

Topping

125 g butter or margarine

500 ml icing sugar (260 g)

80 ml cocoa powder (32 g)

about 45 ml milk

1. Cream butter and sugar. Sift the flour and cocoa, add coconut and mix it all into the butter mixture.

2. Press into a greased 23 cm x 32 cm Swiss roll tin. Bake in a preheated oven at 180 �C for 20 � 25 minutes.

3. For topping: Melt butter in a heavy-based saucepan and add icing sugar and cocoa. Add milk and mix well. Remove from heat and spread over base while still warm. Cut into bars or squares.

Christmas tree biscuits

2008-12-17T13:53:00.000+02:00

Christmas tree biscuits

(Makes about 40)

125 g butter or margarine

125 ml castor sugar (105 g)

5 ml vanilla essence

1extra large egg

500 ml cake flour (280 g)

65 ml cornflour (30 g)

5 ml baking powder

3 ml salt

glac� Icing

1. Beat butter and sugar together. Add essence and egg and beat until light and fluffy.

2. Sift dry ingredients, add to creamed mixture and knead to form a stiff dough.

3. Roll out to a thickness of 4 mm and, using a Christmas biscuit cutter, cut into shapes. If hanging the biscuits from a Christmas tree, make a hole in the dough.

4. Place on a greased baking tray and bake in a preheated oven at 180 *C for 10-15 minutes, or until light brown on the edges.

5. Remove biscuits from tray using a spatula; place biscuits onto a wire rack to cool.

6. Ice with glac� Icing and decorate with silver balls, and so on. Christmas biscuits may also be dipped in melted chocolate before decorating.

Video - Christmas story

2008-12-17T13:33:00.000+02:00

Geskenke

2008-12-17T12:31:00.004+02:00

Hier is ek besig om geskenke toe te draai! Sien julle die sjokelade langs die "sellotape"
Kersmoeder moet darem ook iets kry vir die harde werk! whahaha

Hoekom gee ons kers geskenke?

Dit is om ons te herinner aan die geskenke wat Jesus by die 3 wyse manne ontvang het. Goud, wierrook en mirre. Jesus was natuurlik die groot geskenk wat ons gekry het.

Sommige mense gaan te groot oor kersfees, ek is self skuldig hieraan, maar probeer my bes om op te maak daarvoor op ander maniere, dus probeer ek elke jaar om my deel te doen vir minderbevoorregtes. Want daar is so baie kinders wat nie kers ete's of kersgeskenke ontvang nie.

Ons los kerslysies onder die kersboom vir Santa, ek het ook my kinders so geleer van kleins af. Hulle het ook verstaan dat Kersvader nie noodwendig al die geskenke op die lysie gaan aflewer nie.

Mens kry ouers, ouma's en oupa's wat alles op daardie wens-lysie koop. Stop, jy mag dalk net "spoiled brats" grootmaak! Ek het al kinders gesien wat nie tevrede is met hulle kersgeskenke nie, en gooi dan tantrums. Dink net hoe sleg voel die persoon wat die geskenk gegee het.

Kersfees is stresvol genoeg, daarom dat ek lysies by die ouers van die kinders in ons familie vra! Ek gaan nie my geld mors en die kind is nie tevrede nie en/of hy kry 2 van dieselfde geskenk!

Dan kry jy mense wat sê: kom ons koop bv so R300 se geskenk vir elke mens. Kom kersfees kry jy 'n suigstokkie van hierdie mense. Daarom hou ek nie daarvan dat mense 'n prys op 'n geskenk moet sit nie. Dit veroorsaak net onnodige probleme.

Geskenke moet in die regte gees gegee en ontvang word ander los jy dit!!!!

Ek is nog besig om kersgeskenke te koop! Ek kry ook nie eindelik klaar nie, weet nie hoekom sukkel ek so die jaar nie....

Ek het die geskenke ook nog net toegedraai daar is nog geen linte en versierings op die presente aangebring nie.

Hier is nog baie werk.... miskien moet ek Santa se hulp inroep

Geniet julle kersinkopies!!

Sien, Kersmoeder het al hard gewerk!
Die sakke is ander mense se geskenke wat afgelewer moet word!

Santa

2008-12-17T09:39:00.004+02:00

Sorry for the bad cellphone photo

The legend of Santa Claus originates from a 4th century bishop named Saint Nicholas of Myra. Famous for his generosity to the poor in what is present day Turkey, Saint Nicholas is said to have saved three impoverished daughters from slavery by providing for their dowries. Saint Nicholas is portrayed as a bearded bishop in canonical robes, and his feast day is celebrated on the anniversary of his death, December 6.

Toward the end of the 18th century, Dutch settlers brought the legend of Saint Nicholas, known to them as Sinter Klaas, to America. Legend has it that Sinter Klaas rode a white horse and left gifts in wooden shoes. This story merged with the British character Father Christmas, who dates back at least as far as the 17th century. Sinter Klaas was eventually named “Santa Claus.”

Clement Clarke Moore (1779 - 1863) wrote the poem Twas the night before Christmas also called “A Visit from St. Nicholas" in 1822. It is now the tradition in many American families to read the poem every Christmas Eve. The poem Twas the night before Christmas has redefined our image of Christmas and Santa Claus. Prior to the creation of the story of Twas the night before Christmas St. Nicholas, the patron saint of children, had never been associated with a sleigh or reindeers! The author of the poem Twas the night before Christmas was a reticent man and it is believed that a family friend, Miss H. Butler, sent a copy of the poem to the New York Sentinel who published the poem. The condition of publication was that the author of Twas the night before Christmas was to remain anonymous. The first publication date was 23rd December 1823 and it was an immediate success. It was not until 1844 that Clement Clarke Moore claimed ownership when the work was included in a book of his poetry. Clement Clarke Moore came from a prominent family and his father Benjamin Moore was the Bishop of New York who was famous for officiating at the inauguration of George Washington. The tradition of reading Twas the night before Christmas poem on Christmas Eve is now a Worldwide institution.

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

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

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

Happy Christmas or Merry Christmas?

2008-12-17T08:51:00.001+02:00

Though Christmas has been celebrated since the 4th century AD, the first known usage of any Christmastime greeting, “Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year” (thus incorporating two greetings) was in an informal letter written by an English admiral in 1699. The same phrase appeared in the first Christmas card, produced in England in 1843.

“Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year” are words commonly heard during the holiday season and are often printed on Christmas cards and gift wrapping. Have you ever wondered why Merry Christmas, rather than Happy Christmas is used as a Christmas greeting?

Merry Christmas is a common phrase exchanged amongst Christians during the holidays. However, religions that have celebrations around Christmas time, like the Jewish Hanukkah, are more inclined to say “Happy Holidays” rather than “Merry Christmas”.

The alternative “Happy Christmas” gained wide usage in the late 19th century, and is still common in the United Kingdom and Ireland. One reason may be the alternative meaning, still current there, of “merry” as “tipsy” or “drunk.” Queen Elizabeth II is said to prefer “Happy Christmas” for this reason. In American poet Clement Moore’s “A Visit from St. Nicholas” (1823), the final line, originally written as “Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night,” has been changed in many editions to “Merry Christmas to all”, perhaps indicating the relative popularity of the phrases in the United States.

The term Christmas is a translation of the Old English version – Cristes Maesse which is the Mass of Christ.

Under modern day definitions of the word “merry” means gay, cheerful or festive. However, when the saying Merry Christmas first came about, the widely accepted meaning of the word was peaceful or blessed. Thus, wishing someone a Merry Christmas is truly wishing them a blessed or peaceful Mass of Christ.

Christmas, under that definition, is a Christian holiday set aside to celebrate the birth of Christ, the son of God and the savior. The Jewish faith does not view Jesus Christ as the son of God. The believe a savior is coming, the Messiah, but do not grasp the belief that Christ was the Messiah, thus they don’t celebrate Christmas as the Christians do.

Rather, they celebrate Hanukkah which some people call the Jewish Christmas although it is not similar to Christmas celebrations except that it falls into the holiday season. Hanukkah is a celebration of the rededication of the temple at Jerusalem and gaining of religious freedom to practice Judaism after a long-term occupation of the city.

Thus, while Christians bid you Merry Christmas, those of the Judaism faith will wish you Happy Holidays!

Photos my own

Which of Santa's Reindeer are you?

2008-12-17T08:17:00.000+02:00

You Are Blitzen

Always in good spirits, you're the reindeer who loves to party down with Santa.

Why You're Naughty: You're always blitzed on Christmas Eve, while flying!

Why You're Nice: You mix up a mean eggnog martini.

Which of Santa's Reindeer Are You?

Kerskoekies

2008-12-15T10:10:00.002+02:00

Hierdie is een van my gesin se gunsteling kers koekies. Baie maklik, vinnig en regtig baie lekker!

Tip: Dis belangrik om die geklitse eiers baie vinnig by die kokende vrugtemengsel te roer anders gaan jy met stukkies gaar eier in die koekies sit! he he

2 pakke tennis beskuitjies

500 gr koekmengsel (3 koppies)

250 gr botter of margarien

100gr bruinsuiker (1 koppie)

100gr fyn gekapte kersies (1/2 koppie)

2 eiers

5 ml vanielje (1 teelepel)

60 ml klapper (1/4 koppie) Ek sit nie klapper by nie, Teddy hou nie van klapper!!

Bedek die boom van 'n rolkoekpan met tennis beskuitjies. Verkrummel die res van die beskuitjies.

Plaas die droëvrugte koekmengsel, margarien, bruinsuiker en glanskersies in 'n diep mikrogolfvaste bak met 'n volume van 2 liter. Mikrogolf dit 5 minute oop by 100% tot dit begin kook. Roer dit na die eerste 3 minute goed.

Klits die eiers en vanielje saam. Roer dit vinnig by die warm vrugtemengsel. Mikrogolf die mengsel 1 minuut lank oop by 100%. Roer goed.

Voeg nou die beskuitjiekrummels by die vrugtemengsel en meng. Versprei dit oor die beskuitjies in die pan en druk vas. Jy kan nou klapper oorstrooi. Verkil tot styf. Sny dit in vierkante of reghoekies van 5cm x 2.5 cm. Bewaar die koekies in 'n digte houer in die koelkas.

Ongeveer 60 koekies

Nutcracker

2008-12-14T19:34:00.006+02:00

The Nutcracker Suite History
One of the Most Popular Ballets in the World

The Nutcracker Suite was originally a play written in 1816 by a German writer, E. T. A. Hoffman. The play was entitled "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King" and was a story of an unhappy girl named Marie and the nutcracker doll that she loved. In 1845, French novelist Alexandre Dumas adapted the play making it more suitable for children. In 1891, legendary choreographer Marius Petipa commissioned Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky to write music for the story and the Nutcracker Ballet was born.

The ballet opened in Saint Petersburg on December 17, 1892 at the Mariinsky Theatre of Russia, which is home to the Kirov Ballet. The ballet tells the tale of a girl named Clara who is given a nutcracker doll for Christmas. That night after shes falls asleep she is disturbed by an attack of mice led by the Mouse King, who wants to take her away to his kingdom. But the Nutcracker, who is really a prince, sends his soldiers to rescue her. The Nutcracker thens takes her to his land, which is a country full of sugarplums and waltzing flowers. She awakens the next morning with only the doll and the memories of her Christmas adventure.

The first production was not an overwhelming success. Although it was popular in Russia it was never staged outside of that country until 1934, when it appeared in London. Since that time several versions of the ballet have been created. The most successful is the one created by George Balanchine and first performed in 1954. This version of the Nutcracker Ballet is the one seen by millions each year during the Christmas season. This ballet is probably the world's most popular ballet.

A nutcracker is a device for cracking nuts. It works on the principle of moments derived from Archimedes' discovery of the lever.

Nutcrackers as wood carvings of a soldier, knight, king, or other profession have been known since at least the 15th century. These nutcrackers are carvings of a person with a big mouth that is opened by pressing a lever in the back of the figurine. Originally one could insert a nut in the big-toothed mouth, press down and thereby crack the nut. Modern nutcrackers in this style are mostly for decoration.

The carving of nutcrackers as well as religious figures and cribs developed as a cottage industry in forested rural areas of Germany. The most famous nutcracker carvings come from Sonneberg, Thuringia, also a center of doll making, and from the Ore Mountains. Wood carving was usually the only income for the people living there. Today their income is supplemented by the travel industry bringing visitors to the remote areas.

Nutcrackers have become popular in the United States as well and a recreated "Bavarian village" of Leavenworth, Washington even features a Nutcracker Museum. Many other materials were used for the decorated nutcrackers, such as porcelain, silver, and brass, and can be seen at the museum.

Carvings by famous names like Jungbanel, Mertens, Karl, Kolbe, Petersen, Ulbricht and especially the Steinbach nutcrackers have become collectors' items.

Photos my own
Fotos my eie
Credit: Christmas corner

Kersboom

2008-12-11T12:17:00.006+02:00

Boom jy is aangetrek soos 'n "Christmas tree"
Kersboom vir kinders!
Vol kleur!

THE CHRISTMAS TREE

Christmas Day, where-e’er you be,
Light your candles on the Tree
Set it up for all to see
To the Lord of Light above
Like the birds in happy flight
Children dance in golden light
Deck the tree for their delight
On this day of Heavenly love
When the summer night is here
Like a lantern burning clear
Every window far and near
Shining forth its tree of love
Glory to the Heavenly name
Glory to the star that came
Over Bethlehem like a flame
Glory to the light above
Christmas Day, where-e’er you be
Light your candles on the Tree.

(Old Australian Christmas carol)

The traditional Christmas tree

Photo's my own
Fotos my eie

Christmas questions

2008-12-11T07:09:00.004+02:00

My kitchen

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
It depends on the gift, if it’s odd shaped I throw it in a bag! But wrapping paper is cheaper! he he

2. Real tree of artificial?
Lots of artificial ones. I’m not into killing trees

3. When do you put up the tree?
Normally the first week in December…

4. When do you take it down?
Shortly after Christmas. Before New Year parties!

5. Do you like eggnog?
Nooooo!!! ughh

6. Favorite gift recieved as a child??
Chopper bicycle!

7. Hardest person to buy for?
My Teddy, I must import it from the states!

8. Easiest person to buy for?
My mom! and myself! whahaha! Yes lots of presents with my name on it! From Muriel To Muriel! I can’t wait!

9. Do you have a nativity scene?
Ye 3

10. Mail or email cards?
e mail

11. Worst Christmas gift ever received?
Nothing …really. I love presents!

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
Home alone, Christmas vacation

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
December

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
I don’t think so.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
Santa Lindt chocolate he he

16. Lights on the tree?
Yes, you should see the light bill!

17. Favorite Christmas song?
I love them all!! Silent night and christmas shoes

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
Stay home.

19. Can you name all Santas reindeer?

Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner/Donder, Blitzen, and Rudolph Thanks google!

20. An angel or a star on the tree top?
Star

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
Christmas Eve

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year?
Drunk people

23. Favorite ornament theme or color?
Gold and red!

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner???
Everything!! he he

25. What do you want for Christmas this year?

Rest. Love and Peace

New Nokia Cellphone, my 3 month old Samsung is stupid! I hate my cellphone!!!

Jewellery

Small camera for my handbag

Electronic Steam cooker

LV handbag

Did I mention ….. Rest, Love and Peace

Santa in the news:

Andrew Mondia, 32, had been hired by Selfridges as one of their troupe of Santas dishing out Christmas cheer and presents in the London store’s grotto. But he claims he was sacked after only three days on Monday after a grandmother complained that he had invited her to sit on his lap.

Mondia, who splits his time between acting and promotional work, said he was sad that he offended one of his clients. “I had no intention of offending her, I just wanted to include her in the moment. Christmas is for adults too,” he said.

The company said it is made clear to potential Santas during their training that no one should sit on Santa’s lap and Santas must certainly not “promote or proactively seek” anyone to do so.

Rus? Naaa ....

2008-12-08T09:41:00.008+02:00

Wat maak my swak?
My vrese.
Wat maak my heel?
My God.
Wat hou my staande?
My geloof.
Wat maak my goedhartig?
My vermoë om nie heeltyd aan myself te dink nie.
Wat maak my eerlik?
My integriteit.
Wat hou my gedagtes skoon?
My soektog na ware kennis.
Waaruit leer ek die beste lewenslesse?
My foute.
Wat hou my kop omhoog?
My trots, nie my arrogansie nie.
Wat as ek nie kan uithou en aanhou nie?
Dit is nooit 'n opsie nie.
Wat maak my suksesvol?
My moed om aan te hou met opstaan as ek geval het.
Wat maak my bevoeg vir alles wat ek doen?
My selfvertroue.
Wat maak my mooi?
My alles!
Wat maak my 'n mens?
My hart.

Kerstyd is vir my een van die moeilikste tye van die jaar om net weg te raak. Mense soek nogsteeds 'n stukkie van my. Ek kan nie "nee" sê nie. Ek wil vreeslik graag die tyd saam met my Teddie en my kinders deurbring. Maar die telefoon lui heeldag, my eie selfoon het ek in die diepste duistenis weggegooi! Hy word net gebruik vir blog inskrywings en e pos. Omdat hulle my nie op my selfoon in die hande kry nie bel hulle vir Teddie. Wat gaan hier aan? Ons is met vakansie. Almal behoort e pos te hê. As hulle my regtig so dringend soek kan hulle plan maak om vir my 'n e-pos te stuur.... Die res van die jaar lui my telefoon heeldag. Ek wil nie in Desember ook met hierdie haatlike selfoon sit nie. Is dit te veel gevra?

Teen hierdie tyd het ek ook alreeds al die organisasies ondersteun wat my hulp gevra het. Deur die jaar het ek meer as my deel aan vriende en familie gegee. Ek kan opreg sê dat ek 100% gegee het aan volk en vaderland ...

Hoekom is dit so moeilik vir mense om dit te verstaan?

Die stukkie hierbo het ek op my yskas geplak en 1 vir my handsak, om my op die regte pad te hou. Want Kerstyd sorg vir sy eie probleme, mens moet seil soos 'n slang ....

Die oomblik as Jingle Bells in die winkels begin speel raak sommige mense "kokaai" in die "topstory" Hulle gee hulle oor aan voggies en praat in vreemde tale.

Sommiges weer, hou nie 'n wag voor hulle mond nie en maak ander seer. Niks van die vrede en liefde van Kersfees word by hulle bespeur nie. Dis maar soos enige ander tyd in hulle lewe .... Skinder, haat, nyd en seermaak.... Hoe op dees aarde is dit moontlik?

Geld speel 'n groot rol oor kerstyd.... Dis 'n stryery oor wie, waarnatoe en wanneer genooi gaan word. Sommiges is nie tevrede met hulle kersgeskenke. Die een is bang hy gaan meer op geskenke spandeer as die volgende .... Waaat??? verstaan en hoor ek reg?

Mense het vergeet waaroor Kersfees regtig gaan.

Dis 'n tyd vir liefde, vrede en geluk.

Soos dit vir my lyk sal ons die vakansie moet kort knip om mense te gaan help om hulself te help! Whahaha

Ek rus .....waar niemand my gaan kry nie .....

South Africa

A long road to freedom ....

Out of Africa ....

Christmas decoration .....

2008-12-07T18:25:00.009+02:00

Coffee table ....

Christmas decoration should ideally be a combination of tradition and creativity. You must try to decorate your home in such a way that it exudes a spirit of festivity as well as intimacy.

You can decorate beautifully for Christmas, even with a busy schedule and a small budget.

Candles and bubbles ....

Two things must be remembered while decorating your home for Christmas. First, decoration must be simple because you can be constrained by time. Second, the most expensive are not always the best materials for decoration.
Red and green are the traditional Christmas colors. But that does not mean that you have to limit yourself to these colors. Using the entire palette of bright colors can give a new look to your home during Christmas.

In the dark ....

Christmas tree enjoys the primary place in your Christmas home decorations. Make sure you choose a Christmas tree that suits the size of your room. A Christmas tree should catch everyone's attention without being obtrusive. Decorate the Christmas tree tastefully. Remember, it is not always the most expensive decorations that make the most beautiful ones.

Switch off the lights please ....

Trees generally play a very important role in Christmas home decoration. Apart from the usual Christmas tree, you can also decorate other plants in the house with candies in wrappers, lights and chocolates and place them at various points of your house. Together, they will create a wonderful atmosphere for the festivities to take place.

Yes, I've got more than 1 tree! whaha
What can I say I love Christmas!!!!

Lighting plays a very important role when it comes to home decoration in Christmas. Take care to keep the atmosphere festive yet intimate. Lighting should be mellow. The best way is to do away with electric lights altogether.

Candles are central to Christmas decoration plans. Use lots of them, but place them in style. Use narrow glasses to place them in. They will look wonderful. Colored candles can be paired up with plain candles for a great effect.

Christmas is a celebration of prosperity. Candy, chocolates, nuts and other food items need to feature prominently as a part of your Christmas decoration scheme. You can use them to great effect. Of course you will also bake cookies for Christmas.

Santa, the good old angel of joy and bringer of gifts, is central in Christmas decorations. Place him in on the centerpiece, or any other prominent part of your room.

Don't forget to decorate the floor .....

Photo's in and around my home
Fotos in en om my huis ....

Kersfees liedjies en foto's van my huis

2008-12-07T17:58:00.009+02:00

In die eetkamer...

1. DIE HEILAND IS GEBORE
IN STILLE BETLEHEM,
BY BLYE ENGELSANGE
VOEG EK MY HART EN STEM.
SO LIEF HET GOD DIE WêRELD
GEHAD DAT HY SY SEUN,
SY ENIGE, GEGEE HET
AS MIDDELAAR EN STEUN.

2. KOM NA DIE KRIP SO NEEDRIG,
DAAR Lê DIE KINDJIE TEER,
HY IS DIE SPRUIT VAN DAWID,
HY IS ONS LIEWE HEER.
O HOOR ONS SING, HEER JESUS,
EN NEEM ONS LOFLIED AAN !
DIS NêRENS VIR ONS BETER
AS AAN U SY TE STAAN.

3. WORD U UIT SONDAARSLIEFDE
'N KINDJIE, SWAK EN KLEIN-
O JESUS, MAAK ONS ALMAL
GETROU AAN U EN REIN !
WOU U UIT GINDSE HEMEL
OP AARD' BY ONS KOM WOON -
DAN BIED ONS NOU ONS HARTE
U, LIEWE HEER, TOT TROON!

Blomme en engel in die sitkamer

1. BETLEHEM STER, O WONDERLIG,
HEERLIK', LIEFLIKE GESIG!
WYSEMANNE KOM VAN VER;
BETLEHEMS STER, O LIEFLIKE STER! (X2)

KOOR:
BETLEHEMS STER, LIEFLIKE STER,
LEIDSMAN NA JESUS, O LIEFLIKE,
LIEFLIKE STER.

2. BETLEHEMS STER WIL OOK VIR MY
NA DIE JESUSKIND TOE LEI,
WANT EK SOEK EN KOM VAN VER;
BETLEHEMS STER, O LIEFLIKE STER! (X2)

3. BETLEHEMS STER, SO WONDERSKOON,
LIGSTRAAL VAN DIE HEMELTROON,
LIG VIR HEID'NE, HEINDE EN VER;
BETLEHEMS STER, O LIEFLIKE STER! (X2)

4. BETLEHEMS STER, GODS LIEFDELIG,
WAT ONS PAD NA JESUS RIG,
LEI DIE KINDERS OOK VAN VER,
LEI HUL NA JESUS, LIEFLIKE STER! (x2)

1. KOM, KINDERS, KOM JUIG
NOU MET VROLIK' GESKAL
OOR WAT DAAR GEBEUR HET
IN BETLEHEMSSTAL,
WAAR JESUS, GEBORE IN HEILIGE NAG,
DIE SALIGHEID BRING
AAN 'N WêRELD WAG WAG.

2. KYK DAAR IN DIE STAL,
IN DIE DUISTER GEHUL,
DIE LIG VAN DIE WêRELD  -
GOD'S RAAD WORD VERVUL;
IN DOEKE GEDRAAI Lê DIE
GODLIKE KIND,
DIE MIDD'LAAR WAT ONS MET
DIE HEMEL VERBIND.

3. OP STROOI IS SY BED IN
'N KRIP VOORBEREI,
MARIA EN JOSEF BESKOU HOM
SO BLY;
DIE NEEDRIGE HERDERS KOM
KNIEL VOOR HOM NEER,
OMHOOG GEE DIE HEILIGE
ENG'LE HOM EER.

4. BUIG SAAM MET DIE HERDERS
EERBIEDIG DAN NEER,
HEF OP JULLE HANDE OM JESUS
TE EER;
SING VROLIK, O KINDERS,
VERHEERLIK SY NAAM,
SING VROLIK EN JUBEL MET ENGELE SAAM!

5. NEEM, HEILAND, ONS HARTE AS OFFERS
VAN DANK;
ONS GEE HUL GEWILLIG MET VROLIK'
GEKLANK;
O MAAK HULLE HEILIG, AAN U STEEDS
VERBIND,
GEWY AAN DIE DIENS VAN DIE
BETLEHEMS KIND!

Die balle is uiteindelik in Wild Santa se bak geplaas!! hahaha

Hierdie was kersliedere wat ek nog op hoërskool gesing het! Eldoraigne hoër!
Ek wonder of die kinders nog kersliedere in die skole sing???

Die ster en engel het darem nou ook hulle plekkie gekry ....

Daar is nog baie werk oor .....

Photo's in and around my home
Fotos uit my huis

Kersfees gaan om Christus ....

2008-12-07T17:28:00.006+02:00

Desember is Kersfeesmaand. Ons kan aanvaar dat daar dwarsoor die wêreld baie mense is wat Kersfees vier, maar nie in Christus glo nie. Dit kan ’n mens maar weet. Maar om in die Bybel te lees dat iemand vir wie God vertel van Christus se geboorte en hy daaroor twyfel, is skokkend. Dit is wat gebeur met Sagaria. Hy kan die boodskap van die engel aan hom net nie glo nie. Hy soek bewyse vir die boodskap van die Here. Dit is wantroue in God se belofte. Voordat jy aan Kersfees se geskenke, of lekker ete of partytjies dink, moet jy eers stilraak by jou Bybel sodat jy in jou hart seker kan maak dat jy in Christus glo. Kersfees gaan om Christus en nie in die eerste plek om geskenke en lekker eet nie. Met Kersfees moet jy die boodskap hoor van God se liefde vir jou en dan moet jy vir God dankie sê daarvoor.

Kom ons sing vrolik en bly as dit Kersfees is
Lukas 1:46-55
Kersfeestyd is ’n tyd van blydskap en vreugde en vrolikheid. Treurigheid, lang gesigte en terneergedruktheid pas nie by Kersfees nie. In hierdie tyd hoor ons orals in winkels, oor die radio en die tv die mooiste Kersmusiek. Met die geboorte van Jesus in Betlehem was daar ook baie mooi musiek. Lees in die Bybel die lofsange van Sagaria en Maria (Luk 1:46-80). En ook die sang van die engele (Luk 2:13-14). Dit kan nie anders nie. Kersfees is vreugdetyd, want die boodskap van Kersfees is ’n vreugdeboodskap. Christus het na die aarde toe gekom om aan ons verlossing van ons sondes te gee.

Mag jou Kersfees vol vrede en vrede wees ....

Photo's my own
Fotos my eie

Die ster van Betlehem ....

2008-12-07T17:12:00.007+02:00

Maan, Venus en Jupiter konjunksie
1 Desember 2008 - Centurion - Suid Afrika

Moon, Venus and Jupiter conjunction
1 December 2008 - Centurion - South Africa

As julle in Desembermaand na die sterre in die aandhemel kyk, is ek seker dat julle ook dink aan die ster wat verskyn het met Jesus se geboorte. Ons lees in Matteus 2:2 dat ’n aantal sterrekykers wat in ’n land iewers in die ooste van die wêreld gebly het, ’n ster gesien het wat hulle na Betlehem gelei het sodat hulle kan kennis neem van die geboorte van Jesus Christus en dat hulle Hom kon vereer soos ’n koning.

Daar is al baie geskryf en besin oor wat presies hierdie ster is. Oor hierdie ster kan ’n mens ’n paar vrae vra wat nie maklik is om te antwoord nie:

• Was dit ’n spesiale ster wat nuut verskyn het en die sterrekykers gelei het?

• Of was dit dalk ’n konjunksie van planete? ’n Konjunksie is wanneer twee planete regoor mekaar te staan kom, byvoorbeeld Venus en Jupiter, en dan soos een enkele ster lyk wat uitermate helder skitter.

• Kon die ster van Betlehem dalk ’n komeet gewees het, soos Halley se komeet?

’n Sekere astroloog of sterrekundige, Mark Kidger, het ’n belangrike boek oor die ster van Betlehem geskryf: ""The Star of Bethlehem – an astronomer’s view". Watter pad moet ons nou stap om hierdie ster te verklaar? Ons moet uiteraard in die Bybel begin.

Die tyd van die sterrekykers se besoek aan Jesus

Die geboorte van Jesus word in vier hoofstukke opgeskryf: Matteus 1 & 2 en Lukas 1 & 2. Oor die algemeen dink mense dat die sterrekykers nog dieselfde nag waarin Jesus gebore is en waarin die skaapwagters by Hom was in die stal, ook daar gekom het. Dink net aan al die Kersfeeskaarte wat uitbeeld hoe die sterrekykers met hulle geskenke by die Kind in die krip kom.

Daar is egter ’n belangrike aanwysing in Matteus 2 wat die koms van die sterrekykers min of meer vasstel en wat ons nie mag ignoreer nie.Lees baie mooi wat in Matteus 2:16 geskrywe staan. Matteus skryf dat die sterrekykers in Jerusalem gekom het en navraag gedoen het na die koning van die Jode wat gebore is. Die priesterhoofde het ’n gedeelte in Miga 5:1 onthou en sê vir die sterrekykers hulle moet na Betlehem gaan. Herodes kom met die sterrekykers ooreen dat hulle vir hom sal kom sê waar die Kind is, want hy wou Hom doodmaak (Matt 2:13). Deur ’n droom waarsku God die sterrekykers om nie vir Herodes te gaan sê waar hulle Jesus gevind het nie, maar om direk na hulle eie land terug te keer (Matt 2:12).

Toe Herodes agterkom dat die sterrekykers hom in die steek gelaat het, het hy sy soldate gestuur om al die seuntjies van twee jaar en jonger dood te maak (Matt 2:16). In die Bybel is opgeskryf dat Herodes die moord van die seuntjies beveel het "ooreenkomstig die tyd wat hy noukeurig by die sterrekykers uitgevra het". Dit gee ’n aanduiding dat die sterrekykers dalk ’n jaar of ’n jaar en ses maande ná Jesus se geboorte in Betlehem aangekom het.

Wat was die ster van Betlehem?

In die loop van die eeue is daar baie teorieë ten opsigte van die ster van Betlehem. Daar is vasgestel dat die geboorte van Jesus min of meer in die maande Maart-April in die jaar 5 voor Christus was. Dit gee aan die astronome die geleentheid om die stand van die sterre terug te dateer tot daardie tyd.

• Sommige het verklaar dat die helder ster Halley se komeet was. Dit is nie moontlik nie, want Halley se komeet was tussen 26 Augustus en 20 Oktober in die jaar 12 na Christus sigbaar van die aarde af.

• Ander het beweer dat dit ’n konjunksie (samevoeging) van die planete Jupiter en Venus was, wat inderdaad in die jaar 2 voor Christus plaasgevind het. Op 17 Junie 2 voor Christus en 12 Augustus 3 voor Christus was daar inderdaad twee keer ’n konjunksie tussen Venus en Jupiter. Die konjunksie het te kort geduur om die Ster van Betlehem te verklaar.

• ’n Derde moontlikheid was ’n konjunksie van Jupiter, Saturnus en Neptunus. Dit moet in gedagte gehou word dat Neptunus nie met die blote oog van die aarde af sigbaar is nie. Aan die anderkant is Neptunus eers in 1846 ontdek. Daarby het die eerste konjunksie van die drie planete eers in 1613 plaasgevind. In die jaar 12 na Christus was Jupiter en Neptunus in konjunksie, maar dit was nie met die blote oog sigbaar nie.

• Die planeet wat die helderste skyn, ook in ons aandhemel, is Venus, die bekende môre- en aandster. Sommige navorsers beweer dat die ster van Betlehem Venus was. Dit klop ook nie met die stand van die sterre in 5 voor Christus nie.

• Daar is probeer om aan te toon dat ’n konjunksie van Uranus en Saturnus die helder ster van Betlehem kon wees. Die idee is dat die sterrekykers die planeet Uranus in 9 voor Christus gesien het toe dit baie naby Saturnus was. Hulle kon die gang van Uranus gevolg het totdat dit in April 6 voor Christus teenaan Venus gelê het. Tussen 10 voor Christus en 1 na Christus was daar een konjunksie tussen Uranus en Saturnus, op 5 Februarie 9 voor Christus, en nie minder nie as 10 konjunksies tussen Uranus en Venus. Die konjunksie van Uranus en Saturnus kon ook nie buitengewoon gewees het nie, want die planete was in hulle baan baie naby aan die son.

• Die ster van Betlehem kon ook nie ’n vallende ster of meer as een vallende ster of ’n sterrereën gewees het nie. Die moontlikheid dat dit ’n helder sigbare meteoor kon wees, is uitgesluit, want so ’n verskynsel duur maar 5 tot 10 sekondes.

• Daar is ook oorweging geskenk aan die moontlikheid dat die ster van Betlehem ’n supernova was, ’n ontploffende ster wat tot drie keer helderder as Venus kan wees. ’n Sekere Arthur Clarke het in 1954 geskryf dat die ster van Betlehem ’n supernova was, ’n ontploffende ster wat 3 000 ligjare van die aarde af was. Die teorie hou ook nie water nie, want die ontploffing van ’n ster die naaste aan die geboortetydperk van Jesus is die een van 185 na Christus.

• ’n Betreklik nuwe teorie is dat die ster van Betlehem nie een enkele ster of gebeurtenis was nie, maar ’n reeks van verskynsels. Dan word die volgende genoem: (a) Die drieledige konjunksie van Jupiter en Saturnus in 7 voor Christus. Op 29 Mei het hulle by mekaar verbybeweeg. Van Augustus af het die planete weer na mekaar toe begin beweeg en op 29 September was hulle weer in konjunksie. Die planete het eers weg van mekaar beweeg en toe weer nader aan mekaar gekom waar die derde konjunksie op 4 Desember plaasgevind het. Hierdie gebeurtenis kon die sterrekykers tot die slotsom laat kom het dat iets belangriks gaan gebeur. (b) Daar het ook ’n tweede gebeurtenis plaasgevind. Op 6 Februarie 6 voor Christus het Jupiter, Saturnus en Mars binne agt grade teen mekaar verbybeweeg. (c) Die derde buitengewone gebeurtenis was op 20 Februarie 5 na Christus toe die maan en Jupiter teenaan mekaar sigbaar was.

Die gevolgtrekking

Nadat al die moontlikhede genoem is, moet ons skouerophalend sê ons weet nie presies wat was die ster van Betlehem nie. God is egter almagtig. Hy is die Skepper van alle dinge en die skepping is aan Hom onderwerp, ook die hemelruim met sy onmeetlike afstande en die sterre, planete en sterrestels. Daarom kon God op ’n buitengewone manier ’n lig vir die sterrekykers laat opgaan het om hulle te lei, want God wou hulle voor sy Seun laat buig as verteenwoordigers van die heidendom.

By die geboorte van Jesus Christus sien ons Josef en Maria, Sagaria en Elisabet, Simeon en Anna – hulle is die verteenwoordigers van die kerk. Rondom die krip van Betlehem sien ons ook die skaapwagters – hulle is die verteenwoordigers van die gewone bevolking. En die sterrekykers met hulle geskenke is ook daar as verteenwoordigers van die heidendom.

Comet Mcnaught

Centurion - South Africa

Fotos my eie
Photo's my own

Jesus gebore in "Betlehem"

2008-12-07T16:53:00.001+02:00

Daar word in die “Book of World Records” gekyk na die snaakse plekke waar mense gebore is. Groot staatsmanne, helde in oorloë, sporthelde, mense van aansien en status heg soms groot waarde aan hulle geboorteplek, veral as hulle geboorte op ’n baie nederige plek was en hulle in die lewe uitgestyg het vanweë hulle prestasies. Vir elke mens is sy geboorteplek egter baie belangrik is. Dit is die kollietjie op die aarde waar jou lewe begin het.
In die lig hiervan is dit nie vreemd dat die Bybel ’n belangrike saak maak van die plek waar Jesus Christus gebore is nie. Met Kersfees word deur die Christene teruggedink aan die koms van Jesus na die aarde toe. Hy het na die aarde toe gekom soos ’n mens, deur geboorte, uit die maagd Maria. En dit het in Betlehem gebeur.
Omdat Christus die middelpunt van Kersfees is en nie die mens nie, gaan dit in hierdie tyd om Hom alleen. Alles wat met Jesus gebeur en alles wat oor Hom kom, is van die allergrootste betekenis – ook in die plek waar Jesus gebore is, sit daar ’n boodskap vir die gelowige.
• Jesus is nie in een van die groot stede van daardie tyd, Rome, Jerusalem, Aleksandrië, Atene, Damaskus, Nineve of enige van die ander wêreldstede, gebore nie.
• Jesus is gebore in die herdersdorpie Betlehem, wat eintlik deur die mense verag is.
• Dalk is Betlehem die dorpie van die arm mense genoem omdat alles so eenvoudig is.
Waarom sou God Betlehem uitkies vir Jesus se geboorte? Dit sit in die dorpie se naam. Die naam Betlehem het ’n besondere betekenis. Die naam is saamgestel uit twee Hebreeuse woorde: bet en lehem. Die woord bet beteken in Hebreeus huis, en lehem beteken brood. Die naam Bet-lehem beteken letterlik huis van brood of kort gesê: broodhuis. ’n Mens wil amper sê dat Christus op geen ander plek in die wêreld gebore kon word nie as net in Betlehem – broodhuis.
Jesus sê van Homself dat Hy die Brood van die lewe is. Christus sê dat die gelowiges daaraan moet dink dat God, toe Israel deur die woestyn getrek het, van Egipte na Kanaän, vir hulle brood (“manna”) uit die hemel gegee. Vandag gee God nie meer “manna” uit die hemel nie, maar Hy gee sy Seun, Jesus Christus, wat die ware Brood van die lewe is (Joh 10:32-36). Deur die geloof “eet” ons van die Brood uit die hemel.
Dit gee betekenis aan Kersfees. Kersfees kan nie oppervlakkig, aards, gewoon gevier word nie. Kersfees is Christusfees. Tydens Kersfees dink die gelowiges terug aan die Brood uit die hemel wat in Broodhuis gebore is, en deur Wie hulle die ewige lewe het. Dit is die gees en trant van Kersfees en elke Christen moet daarop ingestel wees, want dan eers het Kersfees vir jou die regte betekenis!

The Birth of Jesus

2008-12-07T11:21:00.005+02:00

Maria and Jesus

The Birth of Jesus, A Story from Palestine
From Long Ago and Many Lands by Sophia Fahs

NEARLY TWO THOUSAND years ago Jesus was born in Palestine far across the sea. Many wonder stories have been told about his birthday. This is the oldest of them all.

Mary, the young Jewish woman who became Jesus' mother, was beautiful to look at, and a favorite among her neighbors. If someone had hunted the world over, it is believed that he could not have found a finer woman than Mary -- one whose mind was so empty of ugly and mean thoughts and whose heart was so full of kindness for everyone.

Late one afternoon, as Mary sat in her garden dreaming of the time when she would become a mother, she thought she saw someone, unlike anyone she had ever seen before. He had flown like a bird with wings down into her garden and was standing before her. A light beamed about his face and his garments shone with the beautiful colors of the rainbow.

"Happy woman! Happy woman!" said the angel softly. He even called her by her name. "Mary," he said, "You will soon have a child. He shall be a boy. You shall call his name Jesus. When he is grown he shall be a King. His kingdom shall never be destroyed or come to an end."

When these soft words had been said, the shining angel disappeared, and Mary was left alone, trembling with wonder at this thing which was to happen to her.

Months passed by. The baby that rested in Mary's body had grown almost, but not quite, large enough to be born. Just at this time an order came from the governor saying that Mary and Joseph, her husband, would have to go to the town of Bethlehem to take care of their taxes. This meant a journey of three or four days. Most of the time Mary could ride their little donkey. That would help, but Joseph would have to walk all the long way.

At last, late one evening, the hard journey was almost over. Mary and Joseph were nearing the town of Bethlehem. As they climbed the hill up to the town, they were happy in the thought that soon they would be able to wash their dusty hands and feet and lie down in a quiet room to sleep.

Without delay, they went to the well-known Bethlehem Inn and asked for a room. But the inn was already crowded with people. There was not a single empty room. Even the courtyard was jammed with camels, donkeys, bundles and a noisy crowd of people. Where could Mary and Joseph go? Joseph walked about exploring every nook and corner and asking from house to house. He knew that Mary was even more tired than he, and that she must have some place where she might lie down.

At last, he found a small place that was but half a room built against a hillside and open to the road. In it were two cows munching hay from the mangers in front of them. Could the travelers make use of this place and sleep with the animals? It would give them at least some cover and protection from the cold wind. They would try it.

So, Mary lighted a couple of small oil lamps and placed them in niches in the wall so that she and her husband might see what they were doing. With the flickering light from the tiny lamps, the young couple made beds of straw on the hard mud door. And tired as they could be, they lay down, covered themselves with a sheepskin blanket and tried to sleep.

Alongside them lay the cows, peacefully chewing the cud. Outside, high in the dark sky, thousands of bright stars beamed down upon them.

But the night was not far-gone when Mary was awakened. She knew the time had come for her baby to be born. Joseph arose and busied himself at once to make her as comfortable as possible. But where would he put the new baby when it came? There was no time to spare. Joseph was thinking fast. He looked at one of the cows' mangers on the door near Mary's bed. This would have to be the crib.

Joseph smoothed the hay still left in the manger. On top he spread out a soft piece of sheepskin for a blanket. When the new baby was born, Joseph wrapped it up and laid it gently in this manger crib. Before long the babe was sleeping snug and warm under the soft blanket, while Mary, his Mother, lay beside him, her heart brimful of peace.

THE VISIT OF THE SHEPHERDS

Now, that very night, in an open field out on a hillside a mile or so from the town, a few shepherds were sitting around a blazing fire. Some were sleeping while others kept sharp watch of every moving thing on the hillside lest a wolf or a bear sneak up in the dark and climb the wall into the sheepfold.

But it was not a wolf or a bear that surprised these shepherds that night. A shining angel suddenly flew down from the sky and lighted on the ground beside them. On seeing him, the shepherds screamed with fright.

"Be not afraid," said the angel softly, "for I have come to bring you good news that will make glad all the peoples of the world. This night a child has been born in Bethlehem, who is going to be that great person you have all been hoping would some day free your nation and bring you peace. This child shall be your King."

While the angel was still speaking to the shepherds, the sky began to glow with light. Instead of one angel, there appeared high in the sky many angels and all began singing together. The beautiful chorus seemed to fill the whole wide sky. And the words of the angels' song sounded clear and strong.

"Glory to God in the highest! Glory to God in the highest!" the angels sang. "And on Earth peace and goodwill among men."

As soon as the song was ended, the angels disappeared just as suddenly as they had come. The shepherds were once more left sitting alone in the darkness around the fire. Nothing else seemed important to them now except to go at once and see this thing that the angels had said had happened. The child must be somewhere in Bethlehem. They must find him.

Forgetting everything else--even their sheep and the wild beasts that might break into the fold--the shepherds hurried off to Bethlehem. Nor was it difficult, when once they were in the town, to find the little half-room on the hillside opening onto the road. Perhaps it was the flickering lights from the two small lamps that pointed the way. Perhaps it was the sight of Joseph moving about doing this and that for Mary and the babe. Perhaps it was the thin little cry of the newborn babe that gave them the hint.

But how surprised they were to find cows and the mother side by side and the baby lying in a manger crib! Could this really be the babe who would some day be a King! It seemed impossible, yet they felt it was true.

The shepherds told Joseph and Mary the whole story of what had happened to them as they were keeping watch over their sheep. The two listened and wondered at the things the shepherds said.

When at last the men were satisfied that they had really seen the wonder child, they left to go back to the hillside and to their sheep. When once outside the quiet, sleeping town, they sang their hearts out for joy.

Long after the shepherds had gone, Mary kept thinking again and again of the story they had told. Over and over she said to herself the words: "Peace on Earth and good will among men." Would her little boy some day really make these things come true?

THE STAR IN THE SKY

In a country far off, three wise men were sitting together upon the roof of their house, looking up at the stars in the sky. Night after night for years, they had been studying the skies in this same way. Many of the stars were like old friends to them. These wise men knew all the stars that always stayed in clusters and they knew equally well those other stars (or planets, as we call them) that move more quickly and alone across the sky.

In times long ago it was thought to be very important to study the stars, because people believed that God put the stars in their places in the sky in order to tell people on the Earth about important things that were going to happen. If a new star appeared in the sky, one that the wise men had never seen before, they immediately thought that something new and important had just happened or was about to happen on the Earth.

That night, as these three wise men were sitting on the roof watching the sky, they saw a new bright star where they had never seen such a star before.

"What can this star mean?" they asked. "Something important has just happened somewhere on the Earth. What can it be? Where has it happened?"

"I know," said one of the three wise men finally. "A child has been born who is going to be a very great and good man."

"But who can the child be? And where has he been born?" The three wise men talked about it long into the night. At last they came to this conclusion. "The child who has been born is going to become the King of the Jews. He will be that greatest of all Kings for whom the Jews have long been hoping--the King who will bring peace everywhere."

Now when once the men felt sure, their next thought was that they must go at once to Palestine and search for this child until they found him. That very night each one of the three men decided on the kind of present he would take to give to the new baby.

The next morning, they filled many bundles with food and supplies for a long journey. Toward evening; they saddled their camels, hoisted their bundles and themselves upon the camels' backs and off they went, toward the west in the direction of the land of Palestine. It was no short or easy journey across miles of hot desert sands. During the heat of the daytime they set up a tent and rested under its shade. During the coolness of the night they rode forward with the bright stars to give them light.

Every night they watched for the special new star they had seen from their own rooftop. And every night the star came out, like a cheerful companion on their long and lonely journey. The strange thing about that star was that each night it seemed to move along just a little ahead of them as if it were pointing in the direction in which they should go. So the three men rode along on their camels, believing the star was leading them.

Finally, strange as it seems, when the men reached the town of Bethlehem, the star seemed to stop moving, and to hang still in the sky just over the little town. And, stranger still, the star seemed to hang directly over a certain house on a certain street. The three wise men believed they had found the right place, knocked on the door, and Joseph welcomed them in.

Immediately on seeing the little babe lying in his mother's arms, the three men fell on their knees before them and began to thank God. One by one, each pulled from a bag hanging to his belt the gift, which he had brought. The first gave the baby a piece of gold. The second pulled out a package of incense that would make a sweet smell when it burned. And the third gave the babe some perfume. Mary and Joseph could scarcely believe what their eyes saw. They could not find the words they felt like saying. All they could do was to ask:

"Who are you? Where have you come from? Why are you doing these things?" Then Mary and Joseph heard the wonderful story of the new star that the men had seen in the sky and how it had guided them all the way to Bethlehem.

Although the strangers had much to tell, their visit seemed very short. Mary and Joseph were still in a daze as they stood in the doorway and watched the three men on their three camels pass down the street and out of sight.

When indoor and alone with their babe, the two could talk again. Did not the strangers know that Joseph was just a poor carpenter? And that Mary was only the daughter of a village farmer? How could their baby ever be a King?

This, then, is the old, old wonder tale about the birth of Jesus. What really happened no one can now know.

We do know, however, that this child of Mary and Joseph never became a King. Nor did he ever wish to be made a King. Jesus was a poor man by choice. When he was grown, he did not even have a home he could call his own. He was a teacher who traveled from town to town, teaching people how to live and what being good and doing right ought to mean.

Most of those who lived in that long-ago time have been forgotten, but Jesus is still remembered. Millions of people the world over still talk about Jesus. There are a great many people who even think about Jesus every single day. Stories that Jesus told almost two thousand years ago are still being told, both to grownups and to children. There are a great many people who think that Jesus was greater than any King who ever lived. They think Jesus was great and good--even as good as God. Jesus' birthday is still celebrated. It is called Christmas Day, which means the birthday of the King.

Wise man

My own photo's

Recipe for a Happy Year

2008-12-06T09:15:00.000+02:00

Take twelve, fine, full-grown months,
see that these are thoroughly free
from all old memories of bitterness,
rancor, hate and jealousy;
cleanse them completely from
every clinging spite.

Pick off all specks of pettiness and littleness;
in short , see that these months are freed from all the past.
Have them as fresh and clean as when
they first came from the great storehouse of Time.

Cut these months into thirty or thirty-one equal parts.
This batch will keep for just one year.
Do not attempt to make up the whole batch at one time,
but prepare one day at a time, as follows:

Into each day put twelve parts of faith,
eleven of patience,
ten of courage,
nine of tolerance,
eight of hope,
seven of fidelity,
six of kindness,
five of work,
four of rest,
three of generosity,
two of meditation and prayer,
and one well-selected resolution.

Put in about a teaspoonful of good spirits,
a dash of fun, a pinch of folly, a sprinkling of play
and a heaping cupful of good humor.

Pour in lots of love and mix with a vigor.
Cook thoroughly in a fervent heat;
garnish with a few smiles and a sprig of joy;
then serve with quietness, unselfishness, and cheerfulness,
and a Happy New Year is certain.

My onmoontlike kerswense...

2008-12-06T08:10:00.009+02:00

Ek word elke dag gevra vir my kerswens lysie. Hier werk ons met wenslysies wat onder die boom geplaas word. Kan julle glo? Ons is mos nie meer kinders nie? whahaha

Ek het nog nie my wenslysie onder die boom gesit nie, want wat ek wil hê, kan nie ....

My wenslysie:
Dat liefde moet oorwin in mense se harte ...
Dink net hoe lekker sal dit wees, geen haat, baklei en oorloë nie!
Dat almal kos, klere en 'n warmplekkie moet hê om te slaap ...

Vir myself soek ek net rus, vrede, geluk en baie liefde...

Maar ek sal nie die omgee as ek die volgende van Kersvader kry nie.

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* Kyk Teddie mens kry afslag!!! Ek hoor hom al: You wish!! *

In the heavens above

The christmas tree cluster!

An open cluster of about 40 stars in the constellation Monoceros , which is immersed in nebulosity and forms the nearly perfect outline of a fir tree.

The Christmas Tree Cluster, which was named by L. S. Copeland, and the Cone Nebula were both discovered by William Herschel in 1783.

* Geniet die versiering van jou huis Thea! Kan nie wag om dit te sien nie!

Nou ja laat ek verder gaan dink oor my kerslysie/wishlist!!!

Lamp ....

2008-12-06T08:00:00.003+02:00

As jy 'n lamp het wat rondstaan, Rangskik fairy lights daarin en voila!

I'ts magic!

Wild Santa en die Universe is goed vir my/ons ....

2008-12-05T21:49:00.012+02:00

Foto van my Santa, die bak langsaan moet nog vol balle kom! Môre ...

Hierdie Santa (Kersvader) is eerste uitgepak. Dis my gunsteling Kersvader en ek noem hom:
"Wild Santa because he was born to be wild". As julle die video kyk en mooi na die liedjie luister sal julle verstaan hoekom.

Ek het mos vir julle gesê ek het so wilde streep in my.
Maar die kinders wat by ons aan huis kom, geniet hierdie Kersvader baie!

Ek het nou bietjie tyd om te speel,
dit is hoekom julle nou met video's bederf word.

Pause the music player to listen to the video!

Ons het vandag 'n baie groot kersgeskenk gekry. 'n Lekker kontrak vir Januarie!
Ek glo dis omdat ek vandag gegee het.

Met my hele hart glo ek nog altyd as jy gee, gaan jy dubbel soveel terug ontvang.
Dit werk nog altyd so by ons, ek verstaan dit nie, maar hierdie is nou net weereens die bewys.
Baie dankie aan die Skepper van die "beautiful" heelal wat so goed is vir ons!

Vir Zee!

Kersfees versierings in my huis .....

2008-12-05T21:49:00.011+02:00

Kyk hoe deurmekaar lyk die snoekerkamer, ek het sommer die goed begin uitgooi op die mat.
Onder die tafel in die bokse is al van die kersgeskenke wat ek gekoop het en ja...
gelukkig is dit al toegedraai!!!

Uiteindelik kom ek by die versiering van my huis uit. Maar ek wil net noem dat ek nogal baie moeg is! Die klomp poedings en terte wat ek gemaak het vir liefdadigheid was nie 'n speletjie nie!! Maar ek voel goed. Om te gee is soveel lekkerder as om te ontvang. whahaha

Om my huis die kersfees gevoel te gee vat ook definitief nie net een dag nie. Dis dae se werk. Dan het ek nog nie eers vir my eie huis, familie en vriende begin bak nie. Ek gee elke jaar 'n bord of mandjie kerskoekies en lekkergoed vir my geliefdes present.

Hier is nog foto's van wat ek al gedoen het:

Die koffietafel, hier moet nog kersballe in die bak en engele en kerse op
die pilare gesit word! Môre .....

My teddiebeer het my gehelp om solank die kersboom op te slaan. Ek sal môre begin om hom te versier .....

Video van die halwe kersboom, verskoon maar my rond "ordering"
Ek is besig om te "organise" whahaha

Geseënde Kersfees met liefde...

2008-12-05T21:49:00.000+02:00

Indien julle wonder hoekom ek so stil is .....

Ek is besig om te bak en brou. Poeding/tert vir die Aftree-oord en Down Sindroom kindertjies. Dit is vir hulle kers ete!

Kersfees tyd is bederf tyd!

En ek kan onmoontlik nie begin met die feesseisoen voordat ek nie my deel vir ander gedoen het nie. Dit voel vir my net nie reg nie. Aan die anderkant mens kan seker nooit genoeg doen nie. Daar is baie swaarkry en hartseer daarbuite. Mens voel altyd om nog meer te doen .......

As ek vandag hierdie eetgoed en geskenkies afgelewer het, begin ek om my huis te versier. Maar dit sal natuurlik met rooi gehuilde oë en 'n kopseer wees. Dis vreeslik hartseer om daar te gaan kuier. Die oumense verlang na hulle kinders. Sommige is siek en op hulle laaste ure. Hulle onthou nie meer so mooi nie en dink ek is hulle dogter of kleinkind. Die down sindroom kindertjies is die liefste goedjies! Hulle hartjies is spierwit, regte engelkinders! En die dinge breek my hart ..... Maar ek moet vasbyt en deurdruk, vir hulle gaan vertel hoe lief ek vir hulle is, want .....

Saying, "I love you" is a gift of the heart sent directly via words to the heart of a recipient. Even though it may not always look that way, love from the heart is an offering that is always unconditional and given without strings attached. That is the true essence of the gift of "I love you."

Maar eers sal ek en Selina die kombuis weer moet regpluk. Ek het al vir julle vertel my kombuis lyk of 'n orkaan hom getref het as ek besig is om te bak! Glo julle my nie? Hier is die bewys!

Hieronder begin ek die poeding/tert op die eetkamer tafel pak.
Dit lyk of ek vir 'n tuisnywerheid werk!

Ek deel graag hierdie maklike onfeilbare resep met julle. Dit flop nooit en is baie lekker. Spesiaal vir Pikkie en Zee, wat gereeld vir my vertel dat hulle nie kan kook en bak nie. Julle kan hierdie as 'n tert of 'n poeding voorsit.

Die magic tert:

3 eetepels botter
1 koppie suiker
3 eiers
Kwart koppie melk
Klein blikkie ingelegde pere/appels
1 koppie koekmeel (self rising)
Knippie sout
1 koppie ingedampte melk
vanieljegeursel

Meng die botter en suiker goed. Klits die eiers en voeg die melk by. Meng dit saam met die botter en suiker. Sif die koekmeel en sout by. Voeg die blikkie pere/appels by. Bak dit teen 180°c vir 40 minute in die oond. Meng 1 koppie ingedampte melk, 1 koppie suiker en 'n teelepel vanieljegeursel en gooi oor die warm tert.

Jy kan die resep ook verdubbel, ek het dit gedoen. Anders sou ek nooit klaar gekry het nie!

Lekker eet!

Baby Jesus to colour

2008-12-05T19:57:00.000+02:00

Stille nag / Silent night

2008-12-05T19:32:00.005+02:00

DIE VERHAAL VAN "STILLE NAG"
KERSAAND - in die jaar 1818 - het Franz Grüber, die orrelis van 'n kerkie in die klein dorpie Oberndorf, Bavaria, 'n ontstellende ontdekking gemaak: Die orrel wou nie speel nie!
As gevolg van 'n besonder swaar sneeuval 'n paar dae vantevore, was dit onmoontlik om iemand in die hande te kry om die orrel te herstel. Daar was niemand in Oberndorf wat dit kon herstel nie.
Alle aanduidings was dat daar geen musiek op Kersfees sou wees nie! Grüber kon hom beswaarlik 'n Kersfees sonder musiek voorstel. Hy is inderhaas na sy predikant, Joseph Möhr, aan wie hy die slegte nuus meegedeel het. Hy het Möhr versoek om 'n nuwe Kerslied te skryf wat maklik sonder die begeleiding van 'n orrel gesing kon word.
Later, terwyl Möhr besig was om die Kersverhaal in die Bybel te lees... "Dat vir julle vandag in die stad van Dawid gebore is die Saligmaker..." het die woorde soos 'n hemelse loflied in sy siel opgewel. Tot laat in die nag het hy daaroor gesit en peins.
Die volle betekenis van die woorde het eindelik sy siel aangegryp en hy het 'n gedig oor die wonderlike verhaal geskryf. Vroeg die volgende oggend het Grüber die pasgeskrewe woorde geneem en 'n melodie daarvoor gekomponeer.
Die mense het by die kerk vergader. Daar was 'n man wat wysies op die kitaar kon tokkel. Grüber het hom gevra om te begelei terwyl hy en Möhr die nuwe lied vir die gemeente gesing het.
Die mense van Oberndorf het dadelik van die nuwe lied gehou... en só het Joseph Möhr en Franz Grüber aan die wêreld een van sy mooiste en mees geliefde Kers-liedere geskenk. Dit was nie lank nie of die Tiroolse Sangers het die lied na Amerika geneem.
Vir jare het dit onder die titel "Lied van die Hemel" bekend gestaan. Vandag word "Stille Nag, Heilige Nag" in bykans al die tale van die wêreld gesing.
O, mag die ware betekenis van Kersfees ons almal se harte so aangryp soos vir Joseph Möhr! Mag ons tyd neem om na te dink oor die heerlike werklikheid van die bekende Kersverhaal. Christus, die Here, het in die wêreld gekom vir u en vir my...
"Hy het na Sy eiendom toe gekom, en tog het Sy eie mense Hom nie aangeneem nie. Maar aan almal wat Hom aangeneem het, dié wat in Hom glo, het Hy die reg gegee om kinders van God te word. Die Woord het mens geword en onder ons kom woon. Ons het Sy heerlikheid gesien, die heerlikheid wat Hy, as die enigste Seun van die Vader het, vol genade en waarheid. Uit Sy oorvloed het ons almal genade op genade ontvang" (Joh. 1:11,12,14,16).

Afrikaans

Stille nag, heilige nag,
Alles rus, eensaam wag
Slegs Maria, geseënde vrou
By haar Kindjie, met Josef so trou
Soete Hemelse rus!
Soete Hemelse rus!

Stille nag, heilige nag,
oor die veld, lief en sag,
klink die lied van die engelekoor.
eers deur herders, dan verder gehoor
Juig, die Redder is daar!
Juig, die Redder is daar!

Stille nag, heilige nag,
Jesus-kind, vriend'lik lag
liefde teer uit u godd'like mond;
tans daag heerlik die vrywordingstond
Heer, gebore vir ons!
Heer, gebore vir ons!

Silent Night!
The origin of the Christmas carol we know as Silent Night was a poem that was written in 1816 by an Austrian priest called Joseph Mohr. On Christmas Eve in 1818 in the small alpine village called Oberndorf it is reputed that the organ at St. Nicholas Church had broken. Joseph Mohr gave the poem of Silent Night (Stille Nacht) to his friend Franz Xavier Gruber and the melody for Silent Night was composed with this in mind. The music to Silent Night was therefore intended for a guitar and the simple score was finished in time for Midnight Mass. Silent Night is the most famous Christmas carol of all time!

English

Silent night Holy night
All is calm all is bright
'Round yon virgin Mother and Child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace

Silent night, holy night,
Shepherds quake at the sight.
Glories stream from heaven afar,
Heav'nly hosts sing Alleluia;
Christ the Savior is born;
Christ the Savior is born.

Silent night, holy night,
Son of God, love's pure light.
Radiant beams from Thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth;
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.

Flemish

Stille nacht, Heilige nacht
Alles slaapt, eenzaam wacht
Bij het kindje, 't hoogheilige paar
Rond de kribbe zingt d'engelenschaar
Slaap in hemelse rust
slaap in hemelse rust

Stille nacht, heilige nacht
Davids zoon, lang verwacht
Wordt door d'herders begroet in een stal
Op de bergen klinkt vreugdegeschal
Heil de redder is daar
Heil de redder is daar

Stille nacht, heilige nacht,
't Godlijk kind vreedzaam lacht, leefde spreekt uit zijn mondeke teer
Komt knielt allen bij 't kribbeke neer
Schenk hem allen uw hart
Schenk hem allen uw hart

Italian

Astro del ciel, Pargol divin,
mite Agnello Redentor!
Tu che i Vati da lungi sognar,
Tu che angeliche voci nunziar,
luce dona alle genti
pace infondi nei cuor!
luce dona alle genti,
pace infondi nei cuor!

Astro del ciel, Pargol divin,
mite Agnello Redentor!
Tu di stirpe regale decor,
Tu virgineo, mistico fior,
luce dona alle genti,
pace infondi nei cuor!
luce dona alle genti,
pace infondi nei cuor!

Astro del ciel, Pargol divin,
mite Agnello Redentor!
Tu disceso a scontare l'error,
Tu sol nato a parlare d'amor,
luce dona alle menti,
pace infondi nei cuor!
luce dona alle genti,
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Etiquette

2008-12-05T17:33:00.004+02:00

Simple Christmas party etiquette is listed below just as a reminder. Think about the old and young paying attention to everyone's needs. Some of the etiquette listed might seem to be common sense but many times the little stuff is forgotten like greeting guests at the door.

Greet guests at the door.
Be cheerful and pleasant at all times.
Introduce everybody to each other.
Keep the food and drinks coming.
Keep circulating making sure everyone is engaged.
Have at least one planned activity.
If children are coming, have kid friendly food and an activity planned.
Pay attention to your guests needs.

Have an awesome time at your party and so will your guests!

A pal gives you a gift -- but you're empty-handed.
"Don't make things more awkward by stammering that her gift is ‘on its way,' which sounds insincere" "People don't solely give to get back, so you shouldn't feel obligated to reciprocate." Instead, try a simple, "Thank you so much!" Then send a thank-you card no more than two days later.

At an office holiday party, someone asks, "So, are you ever going to get remarried?"
"Company parties are ripe for social blunders,"
"People often let down their guard, forgetting that they're still -- technically -- in a work environment." So you'll need to tread lightly here. If the question comes from your boss, maybe you should just bite your tongue. But if it comes from a co-worker, try this comeback: "But if I do, my married friends will have no one to live through vicariously!" Or you could simply say: "Why do you ask?" That might make the asker realize how out of line the question is. But you don't always need a snappy reply to let someone know he offended you. "Ouch, that hurt!" will do the trick.

A guest arrives at your holiday supper with someone you didn't invite.
Hey, there's your co-worker Nic -- with his friend Suzy. Ten place settings for 11 guests! What now? You may be put off by the surprise, but don't show it. "The extra guest likely feels uncomfortable enough, so there's no reason to make the situation worse.....
Put on a cheery smile and quietly set one more place at the table. A few days later, it's OK to gently tell Nic, "I was so happy to meet Suzy, but next time, please give me a heads-up."
(This happens quite a lot in my house) Ughhh!!

You’ve spent the entire day cooking the perfect holiday feast. But it’s an hour before your guests arrive, and you find yourself standing in front of the table, listening to a little nagging voice in your head. Does the knife go on the left, fork on the right, or is it the other way around? Is that centerpiece too tall? Should I go ahead and put food on table before guests arrive, or do I wait until everyone gets here?

If you can’t answer those questions, don’t feel alone. In today’s eat-on-the-run world, you’re not the only one to flunk the dos and don’ts of proper etiquette. “Proper table manners have become a lost art.

Think back 15 or 20 years ago, families gathered every evening for a proper meal. But these days we’re all stretched so thin juggling work, school and home, most folks don’t have time to sit down together, so when holidays roll around no one’s sure how to act at a formal meal

Set the Perfect Table

* Forks to the left, knives and spoons to the right. Only set out utensils that will be used for various courses. “If you’re not serving soup or salad, you certainly don’t want an extra spoon or fork in your place setting. Not only will those get in the way, the extra utensils may confuse your guests.”

* The bread plate goes on the left of the dinner plate, glasses on the right.

* Wait to pour. Water glasses should be the only glasses filled before your guests arrive. Iced tea, wine and other beverages should be poured once everyone is seated. Wine should be filled halfway, not to the rim.

* Salad and bread should be the only food on the table when your guests arrive.

Gracious Guest

* Avoid the smear. Female guests should blot their lips before sitting down at the table. This will keep you from getting lipstick stains on linen napkins or glasses, which could be hard to get out.

* Wait for the signal. Your host will let you know when it’s okay to dig in. They may make a prayer or statement or start by passing a dish.

* If you’re not sure which utensil to use with each course, start on the outside and work in toward the plate. If you’re still not sure, watch your host.

* Don’t cut more than one or two bites of food at a time, and never butter an entire roll or piece of bread. Instead, pinch off pieces small enough for one or two bites and butter those first.

* What about those scraps? Neatly push leftover food, fat trimmings, etc. to one side of your plate.

* If you don’t care for coffee, simply say “no thank you.” Turning your cup upside down may be considered rude.

* If you need to excuse yourself temporarily, gently place your napkin in your chair. Signify you’re finished with the meal by placing napkin to the left of the dinner plate. “Most folks aren’t sure what to do with their utensils once they have finished eating.

The common way to show that you've finished your meal is to lay your fork and knife diagonally across your plate at ten and four o’clock. Place your knife and fork side by side, with the sharp side of the knife blade facing inward and the fork, tines down, to the left of the knife.

* Remember, the hostess is always last seated.

* Unscented candles are a great part of holiday decor, but should only be lit during the evening.“Another thing to keep in mind, flickering candles are more than a distraction, those can cause headaches

* Centerpiece too tall? Sure those flowers you spent hours arranging are pretty, but will only get in the way if your guests have to crane their necks to look at each other. Make sure your guests can see over any table adornments.

* Passing isn’t just in football. Always pass food around the table counter clockwise to the right and refrain from serving yourself first. Always pass the salt and pepper as a set, even if you’re only asked for one.

christmas carols

2008-12-05T16:59:00.004+02:00

Carols at Christmas have been such a popular tradition for so long that it seems strange to realize that holiday carols—haven’t always been a part of the Christian tradition, but it’s true.

In fact, there was a time when Christian churches regarded the practice of singing holiday carols as a pagan custom—which in fact, it was.

The term carol describes a song of praise and joy. Certainly, holiday carols were a part of the pagan solstice celebrations, the most important of which occurred in December during the time when the days began to become longer than the nights again.

In our modern world, we can dispel darkness with a flick of a light switch and food is as available in December as in May. This wasn’t the case for our prehistoric ancestors, who were less able to hunt or grow their food during winter months and for whom the longer dark nights posed very real threats.

Because they lived so much closer to nature than we do, they must have felt grateful indeed when winter solstice—the shortest day of the year—finally arrived and marked the beginning of increasing daylight hours. Singing holiday carols of praise and thanks, they danced around stone circles and welcomed the return of the light.

Even though the early Christian church disapproved of carol singing, clergy members came to realize that the tradition of singing at this time of the year was so ingrained that it made more sense to "Christianize" the practice than to forbid it. And so holiday carols became Christmas carols.

One of the earliest Christmas carols was a song called "Angel’s Hymn" which a Catholic bishop directed to be sung at a Christmas service in the year AD 129! Early carols such as this were written and sung in Latin, which fewer people knew and used less and less as time went by.

While the practice of writing carol music continued to increase, it wasn’t until medieval times that the practice of carol singing became firmly established as a Christian tradition.

St. Francis of Assisi was responsible for developing the type of holiday carol we sing today. In the early 1200s, St. Francis originated nativity plays in which the players sang songs to tell the story of the play. Because St. Francis insisted that players sing in the language of their audiences, people who attended the nativity plays were able to join in and sing along with the performers. Many of the carols we sing today retain the medieval chord patterns used then.

The new carols spread from Italy to France, Spain, Germany and finally, to England, where the practice of holiday caroling became almost an art form.

Groups of English carolers began going from house to house to serenade the occupants, who frequently expressed their appreciation by inviting the carolers inside for hot beverages and holiday food. The holiday caroling tradition traveled across the Atlantic from England to America, where it remains popular to this day.
By Buzzle Staff and Agencies

O Come, All Ye Faithful

O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,
Come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem.
Come and behold Him, born the King of angels;

Refrain

O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.

True God of true God, Light from Light Eternal,
Lo, he shuns not the Virgin's womb;
Son of the Father, begotten, not created;

Refrain

Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation;
Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God, all glory in the highest;

Refrain

See how the shepherds, summoned to His cradle,
Leaving their flocks, draw nigh to gaze;
We too will thither bend our joyful footsteps;

Refrain

Child, for us sinners poor and in the manger,
We would embrace Thee, with love and awe;
Who would not love Thee, loving us so dearly?

Refrain

Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning;
Jesus, to Thee be glory given;
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing.

Refrain

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Hark! the herald angels sing
Glory to the new-born King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With the angelic host proclaim
Christ is born in Bethlehem!
Hark! the herald angels sing
Glory to the new-born King!

Christ, by highest heaven adored;
Christ, the everlasting Lord;
Late in time behold him come,
Offspring of the Virgin's womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
Hail the incarnate Deity,
Pleased as man with man to dwell;
Jesus, our Emmanuel!

Mild he lays his glory by,
Born that man no more may die,
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
Risen with healing in his wings,
Light and life to all he brings,
Hail, the Sun of Righteousness!
Hail, the heaven-born Prince of Peace!

Hail the Heaven-born Prince of Peace
Hail the Son of Righteousness
Light and life to all He brings
Risen with healing in His wings
Mild He lay His glory by
Born that man no more may die

Come Desire of Nations come,
Fix in us thy humble home.
Rise, the woman's conquering Seed,
Bruise in us the serpent's head.
Adam's likeness now efface
Stamp thine image in its place

Drummer Boy

Come they told me, pa rum pum pum pum
A new born King to see, pa rum pum pum pum
Our finest gifts we bring, pa rum pum pum pum
To lay before the King, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,
So, to honor Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
When we come.

Little Baby, pa rum pum pum pum
I am a poor boy too, pa rum pum pum pum
I have no gift to bring, pa rum pum pum pum
That's fit to give the King, pa rum pum pum pum
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,
Shall I play for you, pa rum pum pum pum,
On my drum?

Mary Nodded, pa rum pum pum pum,
The ox and lamb kept time, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for Him, pa rum pum pum pum
I play me best for Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
Then He smiled at me, pa rum pum pum pum
me and my drum

We Wish You A Merry Christmas

We wish you a Merry Christmas;
We wish you a Merry Christmas;
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Good tidings we bring to you and your kin;
Good tidings for Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Oh, bring us a figgy pudding;
Oh, bring us a figgy pudding;
Oh, bring us a figgy pudding and a cup of good cheer. Refrain

We won't go until we get some;
We won't go until we get some;
We won't go until we get some, so bring some out here. Refrain

We wish you a Merry Christmas;
We wish you a Merry Christmas;
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

The Twelve Days of Christmas

On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
A partridge in a pear tree.

On the second day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Two turtle doves
and a partridge in a pear tree.

On the third day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Three French hens, two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Five golden rings.
Four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings.
Four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Seven swans a-swimming, six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings.
Four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Eight maids a-milking, seven swans a-swimming, six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings.
Four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Nine ladies dancing, eight maids a-milking, seven swans a-swimming, six
geese a-laying,
Five golden rings.
Four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Ten lords a-leaping, nine ladies dancing, eight maids a-milking, seven swans
a-swimming, six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings.
Four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Eleven pipers piping, ten lords a-leaping, nine ladies dancing, eight maids
a-milking, seven swans a-swimming, six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings.
Four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Twelve drummers drumming,
eleven pipers piping, ten lords a-leaping,
nine ladies dancing, eight maids a-milking,
seven swans a-swimming, six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings.
Four calling birds,
three French hens,
two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.

Jingle Bells

James Pierpont - 1857

Dashing through the snow, in a one-horse open sleigh
Over the fields we go, laughing all the way;
Bells on bob-tail ring, making spirits bright
What fun it is to ride and sing a sleighing song tonight

Chorus
Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way!
O what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh
Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way!
O what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh

A day or two ago, I thought I'd take a ride
And soon Miss Fanny Bright, was seated by my side;
The horse was lean and lank, misfortune seemed his lot;
He got into a drifted bank and we got upsot
(Chorus)

A day or two ago, the story I must tell
I went out on the snow, and on my back I fell;
A gent was riding by, in a one-horse open sleigh
He laughed as there I sprawling lie but quickly drove away
(Chorus)

Now the ground is white, go it while you're young
Take the girls tonight, and sing this sleighing song;
Just get a bob-tailed bay, two-forty as his speed
Hitch him to an open sleigh and crack! you'll take the lea

The meaning .....

2008-12-05T16:52:00.001+02:00

More than the beautiful decorations, the lights, gifts and the good food on the table, Christmas is a birthday. The very Creator of Earth came to us as a child!

Here is the how the Bible records it:

"Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And coming in, he said to her, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you." But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was.

The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. "And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus." He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end."

Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?"

The angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God." Luke 1:26-35

"…In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city.

Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child.

While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." Luke 2:1-7

This anniversary is inimitable because of Who Jesus is, but also for the reason that what was prophesied about Him thousands of years before His birth, came true this very night. The prophecies fulfilled in Jesus’ life were not a few, there were over 300 prophecies that all fulfilled in His life. From the time of His birth to the way He would die, crucified, Christ has lived them all.

Now to come back to today’s reality let’s take a look at you, yes at you. Think about this: imagine that all your good friends decided to throw a great party for your birthday, they do let you know because you are so busy and they want to make sure you show up, so, on Saturday at 6 p.m. you must be there! Right, the weekend arrived and elegant, joyful and expecting a great party, you knock at the door of one of your friend’s apartment.

No one seems to hear …well you ring the doorbell, because you realize the music is a bit loud and they might not hear, it is after all the place where your celebration takes place …you wait but…nothing. Knock, knock, ring, ring and almost 30 minutes have passed and they seem to have a great time but no one opened the door for you!

How in the world? This party is for you after all, isn’t it? After a little while the laughter stops of a minute and full of hope, you think they finally heard but…no, it was the champagne glasses clink to make a toast and you hear your name "to our good friend …" Oh, but you are not even in there! How can they do this to you?

After getting tired of waiting you depart…none of your friends called to check why you didn’t come to the party, their phones are off... it goes without saying that …nobody cared. Disappointed and broken hearted you arrive home…unbelievable! Your birthday celebration without you, the celebrated one! And they say they are your friends too…

It is painful when we apply this story to ourselves but …this happens every Christmas. There are so many people who celebrate Christmas without Jesus as their guest! Let’s invite Jesus in our hearts this Christmas and may we really have Him as The most important guest in our homes this year! He brings the true meaning to your Christmas and your life will also be filled with deep joy as long as you have Him in your heart! Once you know Him, you realize you can’t live without Him!

P.S.
He wants to stay! Keep him in, don’t let Him go!

Thanks Claudia Miclaus

How does Santa travel so quickly?

2008-12-05T16:25:00.002+02:00

The one thing we have learned is that Santa has extremely sophisticated equipment, he's been doing this for centuries, clearly he can fly way faster than any jet we have. In fact he's been clocked up to 600 times the speed of sound. We're not sure how he does it. He has — I mean for instance, how do you fly around the world in an old wooden sleigh with 9 reindeer? It doesn't make a lot of sense, but clearly he has some Christmas magic that we don't understand and I think it's gonna take many years before we crack the Santa code.

Inkleur tyd

2008-12-05T15:24:00.001+02:00

Christmas letters to Santa .....

2008-12-05T14:40:00.007+02:00

I'm reading my e-mails
I'm checking them twice.
I'm going to find out.
Who's naughty or nice.

Very soon I'll be coming
to your town,

Love

Santa

Dear Santa,

Please when you come to my house would you bring me a doll that eats and cries, and my little pony and video games. I don't want you to bring me another brother, but my mom says that you are going to be bringing one around Christmas, but I already have one and he just gets in my stuff and breaks it. You can bring my dad a new job 'cause the mill he works at is not working right now and my mom would like to have a pot 'cause she says she doesn't have one to piss in..

Thank you so much and mom says we will leave cookies for you by the door that's because we don't have a chimney.

Love,
Sarah

Dear Santa,

This is my Christmas list: a bike and a wii and a basketball hoop the kind that you sit in the driveway and I want surprise stuff too. Santa - I have been very good this year. If my sister says anything about me breaking her talking doll, I just want you to know that it just stopped talking – I had nothing to do with it even if I was holding it.

Jason

PS And I'm really very sorry about Blackie, her hamster

The letter to Santa is the most important one of the year. For many children, it marks the beginning of the Christmas season.
Make things fun.
Depending on your child's age let them write the note in their own writing. Let a smaller child tell you what you want and write word for word what they say. These letters will be keepsakes in the years to come.

Gee, gee, gee .....

2008-12-05T08:41:00.002+02:00

THE STORY OF A.R.K

Once upon a time there were two little boys who were born in two different parts of a country called South Africa.

The one little boy's name was Nathan. The name Nathan means present from God. Which is a very cool thing to be. His mommy and daddy and older brothers loved him very much. But then Nathan's brain got hurt. His mommy and daddy cried, because they didn't know what to do to make it better. His brothers didn't understand why he was so different. The truth is that, when your brain is hurt, your body acts differently because your hurt brain cannot tell your body what to do any more. And so people think that you are different, when in fact, you are still the same person.

Later Nathan's mommy and daddy learned how to work with Nathan to help him be the best Nathan that he could be. Many kind people helped them. And his mommy and daddy and brothers loved him very much. They climbed mountains with him and went to the aquarium and had all sorts of wonderful adventures together. Of course they had to carry him, but he wasn't very heavy. And it was fun.

But then Nathan got sick. And he died. We don't understand what happens when somebody dies, but God does. And one day, He will tell us too. One day we will see the people that we love in heaven.

But heaven is not here for us yet and so, Nathan's mommy and daddy and his brothers were very sad. And they talked and wondered how Nathan would be now that he is in heaven. They said that they wanted to help other children with hurt brains like Nathan's. And so they decided to start something called A random act of kindness. Kindness is being nice to other people and helping them. And random means any place and any time.

At almost the same time, in another place on the East coast of South Africa, another little boy was born. His name was Loren and his name meant Winner. Loren's brain was hurt from the beginning of his life. His older brother was so used to Loren that he thought all babies drank their milk like Loren did – which was through a little tube in his tummy.

Loren's mommy and daddy were also very sad and very worried about Loren. But later on they realized that Loren was exactly what his name said: A winner. He had to do difficult things that most people would cry over and not be able to do. But he did those things. And so Loren's mommy and daddy and brother thought he was wonderful. And he was. They loved him just as much as Nathan's mommy and daddy loved Nathan. The same way your mommy and daddy loves you.

Loren's mommy and daddy found many ways to help Loren and his hurt brain. And there were also many people who helped them. They went on planes and boats and did things they loved. And all that mattered was that they were together.

Loren could not breathe very well because of his hurt brain. And one night, all Loren's breath was finished. He went to heaven too, like Nathan.

Loren's mommy and daddy and brother cried and missed him terribly. But they also knew that one day, they will see him again.

Loren's mommy and Nathan's mommy met on the computer and they started talking with e-mail. Nathan's mommy told Loren's mommy all about her idea of helping other children with hurt brains. And Loren's mommy thought it was a brilliant idea and said that she wanted to help too.

So, this website is all about two little boys and other children with hurt brains. But mostly, this website is for you. If you know somebody with a hurt brain whose mommy and daddy would appreciate some help, you can tell Loren's mommy and Nathan's mommy all about it. And if you can help, even better.

It is a bit like being on Noah's ark with all the animals and other people and seeing somebody struggling in the flood. I'm sure that you would put out you hand and grab that poor person and bring him onto the ark with you. A.R.K. is also like a boat in a flood. It's all about being kind and helping mommy's and daddy's who are struggling.

You don't need to be big or have lots of money to be able to help. All you need to do is remember that people with hurt brains are just the same as you inside.

Tell as many people as you can about us. If you did that...you have helped alot.

HOW CAN YOU HELP

MAKE A DONATION:

THE ARK

STANDARD BANK HERMANUS

ACCOUNT NUMBER: 085133698

BRANCH CODE: 050312

OUR WISHLIST...

Nappies

Bactroban ointment

Rehydrate

Glycerine suppositries

Empaped suppositries

Wet wipes

5ml syringes

body lotions

Shona Buggy for child aged 6 and 8

These can be posted to
PO BOX 1068, Hermanus, South Africa 7200

Nathan / Carina

Loren / Nelba

The Ark

During the festive season .....

2008-12-05T08:36:00.002+02:00

Singing christmas carols!

ALWAYS REMEMBER YOUR ABC'S

Avoid negative sources, people, places, things and habits

Believe in yourself

Consider things from every angle

Don’t give up and don’t give in

Enjoy life today: yesterday is gone and tomorrow may never come

Family and friends are hidden treasures: seek them and enjoy their riches

Give more than you planned to give

Hang on to your dreams

Ignore those who try to discourage you

Just do it!

Keep on trying, no matter how hard it seems. It will get easier

Love yourself first and foremost

Make it happen

Never lie, cheat or steal. Always strike a fair deal

Open your eyes and see things as they really are

Practise makes perfect

Quitters never win and winners never quit

Read, study and learn about everything important in your life

Stop procrastinating

Take control of your own destiny

Understand yourself in order to understand others better

Visualise it

Want it more than anything

Xcel at doing your best

You can do anything you set out to do

Zero in on your target and go for it!

I am only me ....

2008-12-05T08:22:00.002+02:00

My garden

I am only me, that is all that I can be
No more, no less, don't second guess

I love, I laugh, I live and cry,
I've wished at times, that I could die

Some days I'm funny, others I'm not,
sometimes I'm in overdrive and can't stop

I am a loyal and honest friend,
You know that I'll be there until the end

I am a father/mother, my children my greatest gift,
The smiles on their faces always give me a lift

I am a romantic, sensual, and passionate too,
to the love of my life, I'll share this with you

I can be sweet and shy or sassy and bold,
I'm quite a handful, or so I've been told

I am not perfect, I do have my faults,
like when I get scared I put up high walls

Or I'm not as forgiving, as I'd sometimes like to be,
because when I hurt, I hurt deeply

My logic is all my own, at times misunderstood,
because I don't always do things for my own good

I have many facets, like a diamond you see...
I am only me.

Count your blessings

2008-12-05T08:20:00.001+02:00

I've never made a fortune,
and it's probably too late now.
But I don't worry about that much,
I'm happy anyhow.

And as I go along life's way,
I'm reaping better than I sowed.
I'm drinking from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed.

Haven't got a lot of riches,
and sometimes the going's tough.
But I've got loving ones all around me,
and that makes me rich enough.

I thank God for his blessings,
and the mercies He's bestowed.
I'm drinking from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed.

I remember times when things went wrong,
My faith wore somewhat thin.
But all at once the dark clouds broke,
and the sun peeped through again.

So Lord, help me not to gripe,
about the tough rows I have hoed.
I'm drinking from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed.

If God gives me strength and courage,
When the way grows steep and rough.
I'll not ask for other blessings,
I'm already blessed enough.

And may I never be too busy,
to help others bear their loads.
Then I'll keep drinking from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed.

When I think of how many people
in this world have it worse than I do.
I realize just how blessed most of us really are.

Advice for 2009

2008-12-05T08:05:00.002+02:00

Don't date because you are desperate.
Don't marry because you are miserable.
Don't have kids because you think your genes are superior.
Don't philander because you think you are irresistible.
Don't associate with people you can't trust.

Don't cheat. Don't lie. Don't pretend.
Don't dictate because you are smarter.
Don't demand because you are stronger.
Don't sleep around because you think you are old enough and know better.
Don't hurt your kids because loving them is harder.

Don't sell yourself, your family, or your ideals.
Don't stagnate.
Don't regress.

Don't live in the past.
Time can't bring anything or anyone back.
Don't put your life on hold for possibly Mr/Mrs Right.
Don't throw your life away on absolutely Mr /Mrs Wrong because your biological clock is ticking.

Learn a new skill.
Find a new friend.
Start a new career.

Sometimes, there is no race to be won.
Only a price to be paid for some of life's more hasty decisions.

To terminate your loneliness, reach out to the homeless.
To feed your nurturing instincts, care for the needy.
To fulfil your parenting fantasies, get a puppy.

Don't bring another life into this world for all the wrong reasons.
To make yourself happy, pursue your passions and be the best of what you can be.

Simplify your life.
Take away the clutter.
Get rid of destructive elements: abusive friends, nasty habits, and dangerous liaisons.

Don't abandon your responsibilities but don't overdose on duty.
Don't live life recklessly without thought and feeling for your family.

Be true to yourself.
Don't commit when you are not ready.
Don't keep others waiting needlessly.
Go on that trip. Don't postpone it.
Say those words. Don't let the moment pass.
Do what you have to, even at society's scorn.

Write poetry.
Love Deeply.
Walk barefoot.
Dance with wild abandon.
Cry at the movies.
Take care of yourself.
Don't wait for someone to take care of you.

You light up your life.
You drive yourself to your destination.
No one completes you - except YOU.

It is true that life does not get easier with age.
It only gets more challenging.
Don't be afraid.
Don't lose your capacity to love.

Pursue your passions.
Live your dreams.
Don't lose faith in God.
Don't grow old.
Just grow YOU

Legal Christmas greeting .....

2008-12-05T07:53:00.001+02:00

I wanted to send you a holiday greeting, but it is so difficult in today's world to know exactly what to say without offending someone. So I met with my lawyer colleague yesterday, and on his advice I wish to say the following:

Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low stress, nonaddictive, gender neutral celebration of the summer solstice holiday, practiced with the most enjoyable traditions of religious persuasion or secular practices of your choice with respect for the religious/secular persuasions and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all.

I also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2009, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make our country great (not to imply that South Africa is necessarily greater than any other country) and without regard to the race, creed, colour, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual preference of the wishee.

By accepting this greeting, you are accepting these terms:

This greeting is subject to clarification or withdrawal. It is freely transferable with no alteration to the original greeting. It implies no promise by the wisher to actually implement any of the wishes for her/himself or others and is void where prohibited by law, and is revocable at the sole discretion of the wisher. This wish is warranted to perform as expected within the usual application of good tidings for a period of one year or until the issuance of a subsequent holiday greeting, whichever comes first, and warranty is limited to replacement of this wish or issuance of a new wish at the sole discretion of the wisher.

Wishes to special people ....

2008-12-05T07:49:00.001+02:00

My garden

To those that have touched my life in some special way,

Here's wishing you and yours a Blessed and Peaceful season and may 2008 be awesome!

Wherever you go and whatever you do this holiday,

travel safe and take care during this Season.

The Universe smiles on you!

Muriel/Wipneus

Gift wrapping

2008-12-05T07:46:00.001+02:00

Step-By-Step Gift Wrapping Guide

Stressed out by the idea of gift wrapping? Have no fear! Use this step-by-step guide to create a package you'll be proud to give!

1. Make sure you have enough work space, then roll out the wrapping paper. Be sure you have enough paper to fit around the entire gift. Measure if necessary, leaving a few extra inches to be sure you are completely covered.

2. Once the paper is cut to the right size, place your gift face down in the middle of the paper. Bring paper from the long side of the box, up to the middle of your package. Pull both sides tightly so the paper hugs your package smoothly, and tape closed.

3. Next, you need to close the ends. Face the open end towards you and fold the right and left edges, pushing the sides in next to your box, to form flaps.

4. Fold top flap down to the box, pulling tightly, and tape. Fold the bottom flap up tightly and tape. Repeat on other side of package.

5. Position box so top is facing up. Run your thumb and forefinger across the edges of the box to create a creased edge. Repeat on bottom of the box.

Get creative! Wrap your gift in pretty fabric or layers of patterned tissue paper!

Step-By-Step Bow Tying Guide

Forget the stick-ons! Now you can make beautiful bows with this step-by-step guide!

Part One:

1. With your package in front of you, lay ribbon lengthwise along the middle of the box.

2. Flip gift over and wrap ribbon around until it meets in the middle. Fold right side of ribbon over left.

3. Pull ribbon up short sides of the box until it meets in the middle at the top again. Tie into a knot, leaving extra ribbon attached. Part Two:

4. Take a second piece of ribbon and form a loop holding the end between your thumb and fore finger, twist.

5. Make a second loop going the opposite direction, returning the end to your thumb and forefinger. Give ribbon a half twist and make third loop going the original direction.

6. Repeat alternating direction until the bow is the size you want. Do not let go of center of bow.

7. Place bow in center of your package, still holding on. Tie bow to package with left over ribbon from step one.

Christmas is for love

2008-12-05T07:14:00.002+02:00

Christmas is for love. It is for joy, for giving and sharing, for laughter, for reuniting with family and friends, for tinsel and brightly decorated packages. But mostly, Christmas is for love. I had not believed this until a small elf-like student with wide-eyed innocent eyes and soft rosy cheeks gave me a wondrous gift one Christmas.

Mark was an 11 year old orphan who lived with his aunt, a bitter middle aged woman greatly annoyed with the burden of caring for her dead sister's son. She never failed to remind young Mark, if it hadn't been for her generosity, he would be a vagrant, homeless waif. Still, with all the scolding and chilliness at home, he was a sweet and gentle child.

I had not noticed Mark particularly until he began staying after class each day (at the risk of arousing his aunt's anger, I later found) to help me straighten up the room. We did this quietly and comfortably, not speaking much, but enjoying the solitude of that hour of the day. When we did talk, Mark spoke mostly of his mother. Though he was quite small when she died, he remembered a kind, gentle, loving woman, who always spent much time with him.

As Christmas drew near however, Mark failed to stay after school each day. I looked forward to his coming, and when the days passed and he continued to scamper hurriedly from the room after class, I stopped him one afternoon and asked why he no longer helped me in the room. I told him how I had missed him, and his large gray eyes lit up eagerly as he replied, "Did you really miss me?"

I explained how he had been my best helper. "I was making you a surprise," he whispered confidentially. "It's for Christmas." With that, he became embarrassed and dashed from the room. He didn't stay after school any more after that.

Finally came the last school day before Christmas. Mark crept slowly into the room late that afternoon with his hands concealing something behind his back. "I have your present," he said timidly when I looked up. "I hope you like it." He held out his hands, and there lying in his small palms was a tiny wooden box.

"Its beautiful, Mark. Is there something in it?" I asked opening the top to look inside. "

"Oh you can't see what's in it," He replied, "and you can't touch it, or taste it or feel it, but mother always said it makes you feel good all the time, warm on cold nights, and safe when you're all alone."

I gazed into the empty box. "What is it Mark," I asked gently, "that will make me feel so good?" "It's love," he whispered softly, "and mother always said it's best when you give it away." And he turned and quietly left the room.

So now I keep a small box crudely made of scraps of wood on the piano in my living room and only smile as inquiring friends raise quizzical eyebrows when I explain to them that there is love in it.

Yes, Christmas is for gaiety, mirth and song, for good and wondrous gifts. But mostly, Christmas is for love.

Pikkie

2008-12-04T18:38:00.006+02:00

'n Kersgeskenkie van my vriendin Pikkie

Dankie Piks
Baie dankie ook vir 'n wonderlike jaar....
van lag, speel en huil ....

My Christmas Wish For You

by Ruth Kephart

My Christmas wish for you, my friend
Is not a simple one
For I wish you hope and joy and peace
Days filled with warmth and sun

I wish you love and friendship too
Throughout the coming year
Lots of laughter and happiness
To fill your world with cheer

May you count your blessings, one by one
And when totaled by the lot
May you find all you've been given
To be more than what you sought

May your journeys be short, your burdens light
May your spirit never grow old
May all your clouds have silver linings
And your rainbows pots of gold

I wish this all and so much more
May all your dreams come true
May you have a Merry Christmas friend
And a happy New Year, too

Jou geskenkie was 'n groot verrassing Pikkie, baie dankie!

Lovies
Siamees

Kersfees - Christmas

29 day's to Christmas...

Easter prayer

Christmas gift

A toast to the new year!!!

To all my blog friends!!!

Christmas decorations

Flower arrangement

The Twenty-fourth of December

The clock ticks slowly, slowly in the hall,And slower and more slow the long hours crawl;It seems as though todayWould never pass away;The clock ticks slowly, s-l-o-w-l-y in the hall.

Kersfees tafel 2008

Kindness

Ta - dammm Christmas lights in my garden - In my tuin

Ek bring hulde aan my Selina....

Christmas crackers

Decorate a Christmas tree!

Twelve days of Christmas

Christmas in Africa ...

In my tuin .....

Kersgeskenke is vir oud en jonk....

The Wreath

A Visit From the Christ Child

Geskenke van blogmaats

Have a wealthy festive season

Lamb

Ingredients

Instructions

Angels

'Twas the night before Christmas

What to Give an Optimist and Pessimist

Don't forget your best friend....

Kersfees probleme

Chocolate bars

Christmas tree biscuits

Video - Christmas story

Geskenke

Santa

Happy Christmas or Merry Christmas?

Which of Santa's Reindeer are you?

Kerskoekies

Nutcracker

Kersboom

Christmas questions

Rus? Naaa ....

Christmas decoration .....

Kersfees liedjies en foto's van my huis

Kersfees gaan om Christus ....

Die ster van Betlehem ....

Jesus gebore in "Betlehem"

The Birth of Jesus

Recipe for a Happy Year

My onmoontlike kerswense...

Lamp ....

Wild Santa en die Universe is goed vir my/ons ....

Kersfees versierings in my huis .....

Geseënde Kersfees met liefde...

Baby Jesus to colour

Stille nag / Silent night

Etiquette

christmas carols

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Hark! the herald angels singGlory to the new-born King!Peace on earth and mercy mild,God and sinners reconciled!Joyful, all ye nations, rise,Join the triumph of the skies;With the angelic host proclaimChrist is born in Bethlehem!Hark! the herald angels singGlory to the new-born King!

Christ, by highest heaven adored;Christ, the everlasting Lord;Late in time behold him come,Offspring of the Virgin's womb.Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;Hail the incarnate Deity,Pleased as man with man to dwell;Jesus, our Emmanuel!

Mild he lays his glory by,Born that man no more may die,Born to raise the sons of earth,Born to give them second birth.Risen with healing in his wings,Light and life to all he brings,Hail, the Sun of Righteousness!Hail, the heaven-born Prince of Peace!

Drummer Boy

Come they told me, pa rum pum pum pumA new born King to see, pa rum pum pum pumOur finest gifts we bring, pa rum pum pum pumTo lay before the King, pa rum pum pum pum,rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,So, to honor Him, pa rum pum pum pum,When we come.

Little Baby, pa rum pum pum pumI am a poor boy too, pa rum pum pum pumI have no gift to bring, pa rum pum pum pumThat's fit to give the King, pa rum pum pum pumrum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,Shall I play for you, pa rum pum pum pum,On my drum?

Mary Nodded, pa rum pum pum pum, The ox and lamb kept time, pa rum pum pum pum I played my drum for Him, pa rum pum pum pum I play me best for Him, pa rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum Then He smiled at me, pa rum pum pum pum me and my drum

James Pierpont - 1857

The meaning .....

How does Santa travel so quickly?

Inkleur tyd

Christmas letters to Santa .....

Santa

Gee, gee, gee .....

During the festive season .....

I am only me ....

Count your blessings

Advice for 2009

Legal Christmas greeting .....

The clock ticks slowly, slowly in the hall,
And slower and more slow the long hours crawl;
It seems as though today
Would never pass away;
The clock ticks slowly, s-l-o-w-l-y in the hall.

Hark! the herald angels sing
Glory to the new-born King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With the angelic host proclaim
Christ is born in Bethlehem!
Hark! the herald angels sing
Glory to the new-born King!

Christ, by highest heaven adored;
Christ, the everlasting Lord;
Late in time behold him come,
Offspring of the Virgin's womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
Hail the incarnate Deity,
Pleased as man with man to dwell;
Jesus, our Emmanuel!

Mild he lays his glory by,
Born that man no more may die,
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
Risen with healing in his wings,
Light and life to all he brings,
Hail, the Sun of Righteousness!
Hail, the heaven-born Prince of Peace!

Come they told me, pa rum pum pum pum
A new born King to see, pa rum pum pum pum
Our finest gifts we bring, pa rum pum pum pum
To lay before the King, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,
So, to honor Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
When we come.

Little Baby, pa rum pum pum pum
I am a poor boy too, pa rum pum pum pum
I have no gift to bring, pa rum pum pum pum
That's fit to give the King, pa rum pum pum pum
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,
Shall I play for you, pa rum pum pum pum,
On my drum?

Mary Nodded, pa rum pum pum pum,
The ox and lamb kept time, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for Him, pa rum pum pum pum
I play me best for Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
Then He smiled at me, pa rum pum pum pum
me and my drum