A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....12-23,24,25,26-04...Let Us Rejoice (Our Christmas Thread)

Billie

[Billie]

(The following excerpts are from Better Homes & Gardens 1993
"Holiday Celebrations"; information & Christmas Cards furnished
by Hallmark Cards, Inc.)

Although the Christmas season has been celebrated for centuries, it wasn't until the last half of the 19th century that printed cards were widely exchanged. Until that time, only a few people sent hand-written Christmas messages - those who could read and write, and afford to pay a messenger. This changed in the mid-1800s, when many people were learning to read and write through free public schools.

The passage of the Penny Postage Act in England in 1840 finally put the price of mailing letters within almost everyone's reach.

The idea of Christmas cards came only three years after England's postal reform. Henry Cole, a London businessman, originated the practice in 1843 when he asked John Calcott Horsley, an artist in the Royal Academy, to design a card conveying his Christmas wishes. The card is believed to be the first commercially-printed Christmas card.

The first-known Christmas card, designed in 1843 by British
artist John Horsley. Only a dozen specimens of the first card
are known to exist. Two of these, including one that has never
been used, are part of the Hallmark Historical Collection in
Kansas City, Missouri.

Several of England's early greeting card companies were established in the 1860s. Cards manufactured from 1860 theough the 1890s by Publisher Charles Goodall & Son and other English competitors - Marcus Ward & Co., De La Rue & Co., and Raphael Tuck & Co. (later called Raphael Tuck & Sons) - are highly sought by collectors because of their limited availability. These cars were exported to the United States and are usually as easy to find here as the domestic cards of the same period.

Sending holiday greeting cards was slow to spread to America. For more than 30 years, the only ones available in this country were imported. Then in 1875, German immigrant Louis Prang, of Boston, began publishing an American version of the popular English missives. By 1881, only six years after the production of his first Christmas cards, Prang was printing 5 million cards a year - most of them Christmas cards. In order to acquire excellent designs, he sponsored contests for artists, with prizes up to $4,000!

Louis Prang, the "father of the American Christmas card",
published this sweet child gracing the cover of a collection
of hymns in 1888.

Prang is credited with establishing card designs with which
we're familiar today. His cards were works of art, often
incorporating as many as 20 different colors.

In the 1890s, the penny-postcard craze hit America, and soon inexpensive German-made postcards flooded the market. Although the cards were crude, the price was right. Until World War I, Germany monopolized the business.

This penny postcard, published in Germany in 1909, features
robins - popular because, according to legend, a small brown
bird fanned a fire to keep the Christ child warm. During the
vigil, the bird's breast was seared scarlet.

The modern greeting card industry began in the early 1900s with the birth of such companies as Hallmark Cards (then known as Hall brothers, Inc.), Rustcraft, Buzza, and American Greetings. Even during the Depression, printed greetings were popular. Money was scarce, so many people sent cards instead of gifts.

World War II shortages curtailed the paper supply. Giltter became more scarce than gold, but still greeting cards survived. The cards became very patriotic - the use of the flag was popular, and even often carried by Santa. Special cards were created for soldiers overseas. "Across the miles" and "Missing you" sentiments reflected the somber reality of the day.

The American flag and the Statute of Liberty are united
for freedom in this inspiring 1942 greeting card.

The Christmas card custom has weathered war, economic turmoil, and social changes spanning well over a century. It serves the timeless human need to stay close, to share special thoughts with friends far and near during our most cherished holiday seasons.

Cards have come a long way since 1843. Designs are more sophisticated; production processes have been refined. But the message on that first Christmas card is as relevant today as it was then ..... "A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you".

From all of us to all of you, it is our wish that this Christmas is your best one yet; that your blessings are many; your loved ones are with you; and most of all, that Christ is in your heart.

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 12-20-04 Military Monday 12-21-04 Welcome Home, Allegra 12-22-04 Deck The Finest Halls!

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' The guy's good, folks!

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[The Mayor]

Happy New Year Friends!

[luvie]

JESUS LOVES US, THIS I KNOW....

[dutchess]

Hi Gail. Hope you Rocky and your youngest got through the day and shared special memories. Mom was around everywhere today...actually...it was almost comforting. I'm so sorry you didn't get to see your grandson but the roads in Indy (AND Ohio) are not worth the risk. Take care friend.

[dutchess]

We are visiting family in Grand Rapids, a red area in a blue state

I'm originally from Michigan and we will be retiring (eventually) an hour from Grand Rapids...actually if you look at the map...most of Michigan is red except for Detroit, Ann Arbor and a few other places....

Have you ever visited Meijer's gardens in Grand Rapids. I've never been there...but my parents have many times and say it is simply wonderful. Have a blessed holiday in one of my favorite states!

[The Mayor]

December 26, 2004

Letdown

Read: Luke 2:8-20

Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God. —Luke 2:19-20

Bible In One Year: Haggai 1-2; Revelation 17

---

The night of Jesus' birth was exciting for Mary and Joseph. There before their eyes was the miracle Baby whose coming into the world had been announced by an angel. The shepherds too were excited when they saw and heard "a multitude of the heavenly host praising God" and heralding His birth (Luke 2:13).

But it wouldn't be long before Mary and Joseph would face the ordinary tasks of caring for a new baby and all the accompanying responsibilities. The shepherds would be back on the hillside tending their sheep. All the elements were in place for an emotional letdown, which often follows an emotional high.

I don't believe they experienced any "after-Christmas blues," however. Mary didn't quickly forget all that had happened, and the shepherds couldn't easily forget what they had heard and seen (vv.19-20). The angelic message had proven true, and their lives were filled with new hope and anticipation.

There's no reason for an after-Christmas letdown. We have the full story. Jesus came to die for our sins, then conquered death for us by rising from the grave. We have more truth to ponder and more reason to glorify God than Mary and the shepherds did. —Herb Vander Lugt

Life's ebb and flow that moves our hearts
From heights of joy to feelings low
Cannot exhaust God's matchless grace
Nor stem that never-ending flow. —D. De Haan

Feeling let down today? Try looking up.

[ST.LOUIE1]

I put on my winter coat just to say Merry Christmas, Mr. Wolf.

And a most beautiful coat it is, Mr.Fox.

May this Christmas Day find a cool electric train set, a rocking horse, some army guys, an airplane and a rocketship under your tree.

Gosh, you just took me back to my childhood, guys get the neatest presents for Christmas. And no matter how old we get.....we can still play with them. Well, the rocking horse might be an exception. : )

Thanks for taking such good care of all the Finest babes ... you're my hero ... )

Then we have a mutual admiration going here, you're absolutely top notch, my friend.

As for taking care of the *babes* - you do a darned good job in that department. Wolfie has to practically pay them for a hug, you just have to use beautiful words to them - and they swoon all over the place.

I hope your Christmas was special, John. Happy New year!

[The Mayor]

Come join us for Military Monday

[eleni121]

Western Michigan is beautiful...the hills, the oaks, the lakes everywhere...and very friendly people compared to the negativity and despair of Western NY where we live.

Even the Dims here are closet Pubbies but still have not gotten the message - that the Republican Party is for the uncommon common people. Unions still have a hold on the mindset but on most cultural issues people are quite conservative. Main problem it seems is that they have got to get rid of Granholm, the Canadian born Demorat governor.