[FreeTheHostages]

Want to play Santa? Help me distribute some gifts to our hostesses, including this great George W. doll! A chance for you to win a prize too.

[Aeronaut]

Good morning Free.

[MeekOneGOP]

Mornin', everybody ! Happy Friday !

[Flyer]

I had my poem all ready and. . . my dog ate it!!!

I may try again, but I WILL NOT try to recover the previous project.

[The Mayor]

There is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. —Luke 2:11

Beware of keeping Christmas but losing Christ.

[The Mayor]

December 19, 2003

"Where's The Baby Jesus?"

Read: Luke 2:1-12

There is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. —Luke 2:11

Bible In One Year: James 3-5

---

It seems to happen earlier each year. Stores put up Christmas decorations. Newspaper ads announce "the perfect Christmas gift." Toy commercials punctuate television shows. Christmas music fills the air. Before you know it, there are banquets to attend, parties you can't miss, gifts to wrap, family gatherings to plan, baking to be done, and a host of other activities that manage to crowd out the real meaning of Christmas.

Delores Van Belkum told me a story about her young grandson that drives home the point. His mother and father had used a simple manger scene to tell Justin about Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus. They wanted him to know that the Child born in Bethlehem was someone very special. As the holiday approached, Justin went on a shopping trip with his mother and grandmother. One salesperson showed him a sparkling display of Santas, toys, and decorations. He was fascinated. But he spoke words that far surpassed his years when he looked up and said, "But where's the baby Jesus?"

This Christmas, let's keep foremost in our minds the reason for the celebration—the birth of God's Son. Then, as people listen to our words and observe our activities, they won't ask, "Where's the baby Jesus?" —Dave Egner

Invite Him in this Christmas,
This Savior from above;
The gift He seeks you need not wrap—
He only wants your love. —Berg

Beware of keeping Christmas but losing Christ.

[GailA]

Good Morning

[dansangel]

I have been on my hands and knees scrubbing floors since 6:00 am, but wanted to take the time to put up an extremely self-indulgent poem expressing why *I* should receive the "W" action figure doll:

I'm a #1 Bush-bot
As can be seen
By my costume
On Halloween:



President Bush is
Like no other.
He is everyone's
Son, father and brother.

His morality takes
Him to the top,
It's something the Rats
Just can't stop.

Our president's leadership
Has no compare
He is honest, trustworthy,
Compassionate and fair.

Please let me win
The President Bush Doll.
As you all can see
I'm the most qualified of all! :-)

~dansangel~

[Aquamarine]

Good morning Free. I like this welcome post. :)

Finally the big pay off is in....seriously, you are such a generous person! Thanks in advance for the gift whichever one it is.
Swoon....hint hint. lol

[Billie]

Good morning, Freezie! Good morning, Finest FRiends!

Free, without a doubt, you come up with the cutest, most creative, off-the-wall, quirky threads! And I love them! Will be anxious to check (wish I could stay and play all day) :( to see which gift I've *WON*! LOL! You are very generous to offer these prizes in your contests, and in the spirit of Christmas, I would like for you to donate *MY* gift to either someone here who really, really, really, really wants (whatever I win) or to someone of your own choosing. Your contests are too much fun! (You should have links to your previous ones!)

Aqua, last night you asked 'what' I was baking yesterday - it's the annual chocolate/meringue *mushrooms*, and almond rolls, and decorated butter cookies. Every year, I tell myself I'm going to destroy those recipes and never make them again, and here I am, at the last minute doing it again. :(

Have a wonderful weekend, all - I may not 'see' you again until Monday. Vote me a good gift! :) I'm okay with Dansy getting the Bush Flight-suit doll. :)

[Mama_Bear]

Such a clever idea for a Christmas post, FRee!

All the gifts are wonderful and I have no idea who should get what. I will leave that up to our Finest FRiends to decide. I do agree that Sistah "#1 Bush-bot Dansy" should definitely get one of the Bush dolls.

Pippin, your cute poem has my vote. You put much thought into it, I can see. A jewel, I am? Thanks sweet person, that takes some of the sting out of T Man's "Mama_Bear should get nothin'" comment LOL - and I thought he liked me. :-(

Dansy, have safe trip and a wonderful Christmas with your family. Let us know that you have arrived safely if you can.

Like Billie, I wish I could stay around today, but I can't. I must get busy on my to-do list and get the weekend thread ready to post.

Hugs all around. Have a wonderful day, everyone!

---

I could be wrong but if I had to guess. I think Mama_bear would like George W. best.

Yes, FReezie. How did you know? LOL...(I don't want to be greedy.....but I REALLY, REALLY want the (other) George W doll!!.....but I will be happy with whatever everyone else decides.)

[dixie sass]

Six boxes all in a row.
Each with a tag and a bow.

Shake, shake, rattle and roll,
what surprise has FTH set in store
for our hostesses
and one host!

Billie, who started it all,
someone who in our eyes stands very tall.
Like fellow Texan and Top Gun
for her is perfect doll!

JohnHuang2, our man of the hour,
with tongue in cheek can out write
every male Freepers dream girl,
Ann Coulter doll for his bower
I choose!

Mama_Bear, Dutchess, Dansangel and AquaMarine,
Who has the calendar gone to - now let me see.
Ah, yes - what better way to share pictures galore
with co-host Gizmo than 12 pictures of "The Boss"
all in a row.

That leaves Rummy, another Top Gun.
A calendar full of quilts galore.
Who shall receive each one.
Mama_Bear, who takes us on trips
Rummy shall have.

Quilts give warmth and so does Dansy,
with humour and love. A calendar to see
each day of the year filled quilts
humour and love have made.

So that leaves another Top Gun,
to Aquamarine who stands straight and tall.
Amercian pride shows in each thread
and post that she illustrates for all.

To Free you deserve a Top Gun for all that you do.
Your humour and calendar cheer us all too.
But alas and alack none are left. What do we do now,
Nothing left to do but say:

FreeTheHostages arise and take a bow!

[ST.LOUIE1]

Afternoon, Freezie! Your thread is....

Having said that......you don't have as a *gift* the one thing all the Babes (including *you*) really want for Christmas. : )

AhhhhRooooooo!!!!

[JulieRNR21]

I'm not good at writing poetry but I love Free's contests so in the Spirit of the Season....here's my humble contribution.........


On the first day of Christmas, the Finest gave to Billie:
An awesome Rummy confronting the press....
On the second day of Christmas, the Finest gave to Dansangel:
A Top Gun Dubya leading US to victory on terrorism.....

On the third day of Christmas, the Finest gave to Mama_Bear:
A 2004 quilted engagement calendar to plan 'Enduring Freedom' Freeps, Freeper Picnics, etc.....

On the fourth day of Christmas, the Finest gave to Dutchess:
The other Top Gun Dubya so she would not be jealous of Dutchess....

On the fifth day of Christmas, the Finest gave to Aquamarine:
The 2004 Calendar with a photo of President Bush for every month so she would not be jealous of Dansy & Dutchess......

And on the sixth day of Christmas, the Finest gave to JohnHuang2:
An Ann Coulter doll to keep him company while he writes his brilliant 'My 2 Cents' Editorials.......

And finally on the seventh day of Christmas, the Finest gave to Free the Hostages:

12 Dems self-destructing, 11 Press Pipers piping propaganda, 10 Lords leaping for Dubya, 9 Ladies dancing for Dubya, 7 Swans swimming for Dubya, 6 Geese a-laying for Dubya, 5 Golden rings around Dubya, 4 Calling Birds for Dubya and Partridge in a Pear Tree!

[Diver Dave]

Freezie threw a party
To pass out Christmas gifts.
Whodda thunk she'd get it right,
With all the wine she drunk.

Merry Christmas FReezie!