A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....12-21-2005...Silent Night ~ Christmas Music

Aquamarine

[dutchess]

Simply lovely sistah! Thanks for helping putting us in the Christmas spirit! ((((aqua)))))

[Aquamarine]

God Bless Our Military

Below are names of some of our FReepers' loved ones who are serving our country. If you have someone you would like to add, please address a post to Billie; Mama_Bear; Dutchess; Aquamarine; The Mayor, DollyCali and we will add their name to this list. As we pray for them, we pray also for all our nation's leaders, and military personnel, and their families and friends. May God hold them close to His heart.

~~~~~~~~~~   ~~~~~~~~~~

We ask Lord, that You guide the leaders of our great country in their hour of decision. The burden that has been placed on their shoulders is overwhelming. We ask that with Your infinite wisdom You guide them gently to the right decisions.

Please give us the strength, Lord, to get through each difficult day that faces each of us and our country. Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. I ask this in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

gator girl........................husband severa............husband, brother Maigrey............................cousin mystery-ak.............son, husband Gogrammy...................grandson Inspectorette.......................son deadhead..........................cousin Blessed American..........nephew Slip18..........................nephew Diver Dave.......niece, nephew ConspiracyGuy........2 nephews Pippin............niece's husband sneakers..............................son weldgophardline.....brotherinlaw jamaly.................brotherinlaw Future Snake Eater..........cousin WaterDragon.............grandson WaterDragon...........son-in-law BeforeISleep...................son kimmie7......................brother Armymarinemom............3 sons american_ranger.............son LadyX.........................grandson fawn796.......................nephew ValerieUSA....................2 sons Lakeside........................2 sons LakeLady......................nephew Spruce.........................daughter Leofl......................................son chena......................................son Hope and Glory..................son Philman_36..............2 nephews bjcintennessee.......son, niece TheMayor...............friends'son homeschoolmama...........nephew ariamne...................2 cousins mhking.........................cousin gonzo.........................friend's son visualops..........................cousin auboy.............................cousin Ladysmith..nephew, friend's son tina07......soninlaw & his friend MontanaCowgirlCop.......brother nelibeli...........................nephew Misty4jc........................husband Colorado Slim................nephew Tapatio....................2 nephews ProudAFDad............................son Alouette................................son Katydidnt..............................son Q6-God...................twin brother Q6-God.....................active duty Warrior Nurse...........active duty SK1 Thurman...........active duty David Osborne.........active duty fc2tomschermuly......active duty bkwells....................active duty LongCut....................active duty cjk...........................active duty Trish.........................active duty ODC-GIRL.................active duty AF_Blue...................active duty Notwithstanding.......active duty thumperusn..............active duty Veloxherc.................active duty Don Simmons...........active duty wingnutx...................active duty Old Sarge.................active duty CGblue.....................active duty bigghurtt...................active duty frankiep....................active duty veeceeque................active duty JRios1968...............active duty NoLongerFreeState....active duty SoldiersPrayingMom.............son WakeUpandVote.............brother

scubachick.....................husband OhioWfan................................son ladtx..................................2 sons Its_me_K.E.T.........................son Hostel............................cousin MozartLover...........son, nephew ak_daddoo........................nephew Dubya............................nephew LBGA (RIP)..........................son katykelly..............................son cookcounty.............................son SpookBrat........................nephew SpookBrat........................cousin Doug from Upland............soninlaw Himyar....................................son boxerblues........................2 sons the piper....................................son sheeza................................husband kemathen7.........................husband Tiffee4Bob..........................boyfriend JimRobinson...............2 nephews TexKat.......................son, step-son StarCMC.............................brother Consort........................2 daughters Consort.......................son-in-law Darheel...............................niece Donaeus...........................nephew dixie sass........................nephew BeAllYouCanBe........................son Repubmommy........................brother AgThorn................................2 sons kneezles.................................son RoseinRoseBear.....cousin's hubby Atomic Conspiracy......half-brother Atomic Conspiracy...........nephew Atomic Conspiracy..............niece Sunflowergal....................grandson mrstank..............................husband MrsMike31........................husband spotbust1............................husband campfollower............................fiance LUV W........................................son painter...................................nephew Bykrbayb........................................son SilentServiceCPOWife........husband Walkenfree................2 grandsons Walkenfree.................. 3 nephews Walkenfree..................granddaughter Zechariah_8_13.......brother-in-law Zechariah_8_13.......................cousin DirtyHarryY2K......................daughter DirtyHarryY2K................son-in-law Skimask.....................................son El Gato...............................nephew Palladin...............................grandson MississippyMuddy...................sister MississippyMuddy.....2 nephews Kramster...............................stepson Socratic.............................nephew jkphoto...............................nephew LoneRedRanger......brother-in-law Jemian...................................son freema....................nephew, son Azbushgal..............................son PreviouslyA-Lurker...........brother kimmykay.................................son right2parent..............................son NavySEAL F-16........................son Ike............................................son repubmom.................................son wolfcreek..........................daughter JesseJane ...........................cousin Roses0508................................son pmmd81....................................son Skyraider.............................. son CMS............................ active duty

[Aquamarine]

Hi MEG. You're welcome.

[Aquamarine]

Thanks (((Dutchess))). Had a few problems with posting this time.

[MEG33]

I notice my name and grandson are missing from this military prayer list. Do you know who updates the list?

[Aquamarine]

Was afraid of that. Haven't been able to keep things updated the way I did when I was a regular hostess. His name will be included on tomorrow's post I'm sure.

Will say a special prayer just for him.

[MEG33]

Thanks, Aqua. MERRY CHRISTMAS!

[DollyCali]

Shown below is a short Christmas quiz. Answers at the end.t Enjoy!

1. Know your reindeer. Which of these names does NOT belong to one of Santa's reindeer?
A) Comet
B) Prancer
C) Blitzen
D) Klaxon

2. Planting kisses under kissing plant. At Christmas, it is traditional to exchange kisses beneath a sprig of which plant?
A) Ivy
B) Yew
C) Holly
D) Mistletoe

3. A web not for browsing. In the Ukraine, what does it mean if you find a spider web in the house on Christmas morning?
A) Good luck
B) Misfortune will strike in the coming year C) The winter will be unusually cold
D) Your house needs cleaning!

4. The prize is in the pudding. In many households, part of the fun of eating Christmas pudding is finding a trinket that predicts your fortune for the coming year. For instance, finding a coin means you will become wealthy. What will you be if you find a button?
A) Poor
B) Famous
C) A bachelor
D) Called away on a trip

5. That's frumenty for you. If you were given some frumenty at a Medieval Christmas party, what would you probably do with it?
A) Eat it
B) Burn it
C) Put it in your sweetheart's hair
D) Use it to polish your boots

6. Second verse. Many of us are quite familiar with the first verses of the traditional Christmas carols, but how well do you know the rest of the lyrics? For instance, what is the first line of the second verse of Angels from the Realms of Glory?
A) "Christ by highest heav'n adord"
B) "Shepherds in the fields abiding"
C) "Shepherds why this jubilee?"
D) "Don we now our gay apparel"

7. No name for a king. Which of the following names does NOT belong one of the Three Kings?
A) Caspar
B) Balthazar
C) Teleost
D) Melchior

8. Ho-ho-ho, Watson. One of the adventures of Sherlock Holmes takes place during the Christmas season. Which of these does the tale hinge upon?
A) A burglar disguised as Father Christmas
B) A blue diamond found in a goose
C) A cat trapped in an organ pipe
D) A poisoned flask of Napoleon brandy

9. Man of letters. Which well-known author of fantasy fiction also created a book called The Father Christmas Letters?
A) Lewis Carroll
B) J.R.R. Tolkien
C) E. Nesbit
D) C.S. Lewis

10. Who crafted that carol? One of the most loved Christmas books is A Christmas Carol. Who wrote it?
A) Mark Twain
B) Charles Dickens
C) Hans Christian Andersen
D) Thomas M. Sawyer

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ANSWERS:

1. D
2. D
3. A
4. C
5. A
6. B
7. C
8. B
9. B
10. B >.

[daisyscarlett]

Thank you for doing another Christmas music thread. Your selection of renditions is always wonderful...I especially enjoyed Maria Callas singing Ava Maria...gave me chills...

Merry Christmas, Aqua...

[jwfiv]

A fine and beautiful thread given to us by one of Santa's favorite helpers.

Thank you, Miss Aqua.

Silent Night must be my all time favorite carol, except for 5 or others .... )

I don't have any Christmas decorations, or songs, of my own to share, but the little town in which I live is all lit up and sparkly ... here's a pic of my next door neighbor's lights.

Getting ready to head home to AZ to be with Mom and Dad when Santa comes, I want to wish all our gracious Hostesses, our Humble Mayor, and all the Finest a most Merry Christmas.

May God bless each and every one of you.

[Aquamarine]

Thanks for the Christmas Quiz Dolly. I only knew the answers to a few of them.

[Aquamarine]

Hi Daisy, was just thinking about you this morning and remembering the Christmas Music Post we did together a few years ago.
So happy that you enjoyed that version of Ava Maria. Was lucky to find that rendition, music sites that allow linking are getting more scarce all the time.

[Aquamarine]

Your neighbor's home looks very charming JW.
Have a safe and enjoyable trip to AZ.

Merry Christmas to You!

[Aquamarine]

Oh, and thanks for poinsettia's and for remembering how special they are to me.

[JustAmy]

From email from JulieRNR21 .... hope I'm not re-posting something that has already been posted but if so, it deserves another look. :)

An old-fashion Christmas story that puts the meaning back in Christmas!



A Christmas Story

I remember my first Christmas adventure with Grandma. I was just a kid.

I remember tearing across town on my bike to visit her on the day my big sister dropped the bomb: "There is no Santa Claus," she jeered. "Even dummies know that!"

My Grandma was not the gushy kind, never had been. I fled to her that day because I knew she would be straight with me. I knew Grandma always told the truth, and I knew that the truth always went down a whole lot easier when swallowed with one of her "world-famous" cinnamon buns. I knew they were world-famous, because Grandma said so. It had to be true.

Grandma was home, and the buns were still warm. Between bites, I told her everything. She was ready for me. "No Santa Claus?" she snorted.... "Ridiculous! Don't believe it. That rumor has been going around for years, and it makes me mad, plain mad!! Now, put on your coat, and let's go." "Go? Go where, Grandma?" I asked. I hadn't even finished my second world famous cinnamon bun. "Where" turned out to be Kerby's General Store, the one store in town that had a little bit of just about everything. As we walked through its doors, Grandma handed me ten dollars.

That was a bundle in those days. "Take this money," she said, "and buy something for someone who needs it. I'll wait for you in the car." Then she turned and walked out of Kerby's.

I was only eight years old. I'd often gone shopping with my mother, but never had I shopped for anything all by myself. The store seemed big and crowded, full of people scrambling to finish their Christmas shopping. For a few moments I just stood there, confused, clutching that ten-dollar bill, wondering what to buy, and who on earth to buy it for. I thought of everybody I knew: my family, my friends, my neighbors, the kids at school, the people who went to my church.

I was just about thought out, when I suddenly thought of Bobby Decker. He was a kid with bad breath and messy hair, and he sat right behind me in Mrs. Pollock's grade-two class.

Bobby Decker didn't have a coat. I knew that because he never went out to recess during the winter. His mother always wrote a note, telling the teacher that he had a cough, but all we kids knew that Bobby Decker didn't have a cough; he didn't have a good coat. I fingered the ten-dollar bill with growing excitement. I would buy Bobby Decker a coat. I settled on a red corduroy one that had a hood to it. It looked real warm, and he would like that.

"Is this a Christmas present for someone?" the lady behind the counter asked kindly, as I laid my ten dollars down.

"Yes, ma'am," I replied shyly. "It's for Bobby."

The nice lady smiled at me, as I told her about how Bobby really needed a good winter coat. I didn't get any change, but she put the coat in a bag, smiled again, and wished me a Merry Christmas.

That evening, Grandma helped me wrap the coat (a little tag fell out of the coat, and Grandma tucked it in her Bible) in Christmas paper and ribbons and wrote, "To Bobby, From Santa Claus" on it. Grandma said that Santa always insisted on secrecy. Then she drove me over to Bobby Decker's house, explaining as we went that I was now and forever officially, one of Santa's helpers.

Grandma parked down the street from Bobby's house, and she and I crept noiselessly and hid in the bushes by his front walk. Then Grandma gave me a nudge.

"All right, Santa Claus," she whispered, "get going." I took a deep breath, dashed for his front door, threw the present down on his step, pounded his door and flew back to the safety of the bushes and Grandma. Together we waited breathlessly in the darkness for the front door to open. Finally it did, and there stood Bobby.

Fifty years haven't dimmed the thrill of those moments spent shivering, beside my Grandma, in Bobby Decker's bushes.

That night, I realized that those awful rumors about Santa Claus were just what Grandma said they were: ridiculous. Santa was alive and well, and we were on his team. I still have the Bible, with the coat tag tucked inside: $19.95.

May you always have LOVE to share, HEALTH to spare and FRIENDS that care...

and may you always believe in the magic of Santa Claus!

[Billie]

Getting ready to head home to AZ to be with Mom and Dad when Santa comes, I want to wish all our gracious Hostesses, our Humble Mayor, and all the Finest a most Merry Christmas.

Oh, no, I hope I haven't missed you. :( Hope *your* Christmas with your family is wonderful!

[JustAmy]

Thank you for the lovely thread and the beautiful Christmas music, Aqua.

Hopefully, I will be able to find some of my favorites later.

Merry Christmas.

[Billie]

Good afternoon, Aqua, I am enjoying this beautiful thread and music all over again - didn't think it could be better than last year's, but it just might be. :)

I read your post that you left Dolly's name off the ping list, but guess what? LOL! I'm not there either - I think I'll pout. :) Not really - don't want to give you an excuse not to do any more threads. :)

[Billie]

Good afternoon, Aqua, I am enjoying this beautiful thread and music all over again - didn't think it could be better than last year's, but it just might be. :)

I read your post that you left Dolly's name off the ping list, but guess what? LOL! I'm not there either - I think I'll pout. :) Not really - don't want to give you an excuse not to do any more threads. :)

[Billie]

Hi, daisy, it's good to see you again - I'm also listening to Ave Maria - saved it to my harddrive so I didn't have to wait for buffering, or possibly not being able to hear it again next year.