http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/christmas/ en-us Sat, 26 Dec 2009 08:32:49 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2415220/posts December 26, 2009                                   Feast of Saint Stephen, first martyr   Reading 1Responsorial PsalmReading 2Gospel Reading 1Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59 Stephen, filled with grace and power,was working great wonders and signs among the people.Certain members of the so-called Synagogue of Freedmen,Cyrenians, and Alexandrians,and people from Cilicia and Asia,came forward and debated with Stephen,but they could not withstand the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke. When they heard this, they were infuriated,and they ground their teeth at him.But he, filled with the Holy Spirit,looked up intently to heavenand saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of... USCCB.org/New American Bible http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2415220/posts#comment Sat, 26 Dec 2009 08:32:49 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2415208/posts The purest of Virgins gave us our God, who was this day born of her, clothed in the flesh of a Babe, and she was found worthy to feed him at her Breast: let us all adore Christ, who came to save us.Ye faithful people, let us all rejoice, for our Savior is born in our world: this Day there has been born the Son of the great Mother, and she yet a pure Virgin. O Queen of the world, and Daughter of a kingly race! Christ has risen from thy womb, as a Bridegroom coming from the bride-chamber:... CatholicCulture.org http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2415208/posts#comment Sat, 26 Dec 2009 05:45:16 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415206/posts Mariah Jordat, 8, was reading her Bible during quiet time at Madison Park Elementary School in Oldbridge, N.J., when her teacher told her to put the book away. Mariah put her Bible under her desk, but that wasn't away enough. The teacher banished the book to the student's backpack. The persecution hurt her feelings and confused her, said Michelle Jordat, the little girl's mother. "Why would my teacher say that I can't read the Bible when I'm not bothering anybody else?" It's ridiculous for a school to forbid a child, let alone one at such an impressionable age, to read... The Washington Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415206/posts#comment Sat, 26 Dec 2009 05:43:36 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2415205/posts OK, I know this thread is a bit late, as Christmas is almost over. But, I thought I would start a thread to gather FReeper recipes for some great food recipes. I'll go first. My grandma used to make this, and it is 100% awesome: Grandma Goering's Potato Casserole 1 Large bag frozen hash browns 1 can cream of mushroom soup 1 can cream of celery soup 1 chopped onion 1 small carton of sour cream garlic salt & pepper to taste Mix altogether; put into a (greased with butter) 9X13 pan. Sprinkle with Paprika and Parsley. Place small pieces... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2415205/posts#comment Sat, 26 Dec 2009 05:42:02 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2415194/posts "The Ghost of Christmas Past" shows you why presents in the past didn't lead to fat kids down the road. NOTE: The author of this comic requests that you visit his web site and please refrain from copying the cartoon within this thread. Thanks, and Merry Christmas! Geeks On Caffeine - Cartoons done just RIGHT!! http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2415194/posts#comment Sat, 26 Dec 2009 04:52:01 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2415139/posts VIDEO of Ronald Reagan's inspirational, 1981 Christmas address to the nation. Merry Christmas everybody! THE FREEDOM POST http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2415139/posts#comment Sat, 26 Dec 2009 00:57:07 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2415120/posts Michael Card's original version of "Joseph's Song". YouTube http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2415120/posts#comment Sat, 26 Dec 2009 00:03:50 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2415116/posts The original song done by Amy Grant and with scenes from the movie, " The Nativity". YouTube http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2415116/posts#comment Fri, 25 Dec 2009 23:28:40 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2415093/posts 2 videos we have all seen but an interesting and sad change. The 1st video is a Fox News clip of what is acceptable in the Obama White House verse The Reagan White House Address To The Nation On Christmas Communists 4 Obama http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2415093/posts#comment Fri, 25 Dec 2009 22:20:41 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2415059/posts ***WARNING*** The following content may be offensive, distasteful, and revolting if you are a liberal. www.jimbyrd.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2415059/posts#comment Fri, 25 Dec 2009 20:13:11 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415043/posts Millions of Americans enjoy caroling during the Christmas season. As it turns out, the people at the left-wing activist group MoveOn.org like caroling, too -- just not in the traditional way. On Christmas Eve, MoveOn sent out a video of the MoveOn Council in Minneapolis-St. Paul singing a hearty version of "Jingle Bells, with somewhat different words: Health care's out of reach The cost is way too high And if we cannot pay They'll simply let us die Washington Examiner http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415043/posts#comment Fri, 25 Dec 2009 19:41:05 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2415031/posts The Vatican insisted the Pope’s schedule would not be changed as a result of the security incident. He appeared in front of the crowds in St Peter’s Square at midday to deliver his traditional Urbi and Orbi message and blessing. euronews.net http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2415031/posts#comment Fri, 25 Dec 2009 18:57:15 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2415029/posts For them, it's wholly unholy By Shahar Ilan Christmas Eve is one of the few occasions when Hasidim refrain from Torah study, do not conduct weddings or go to the mikveh. But they do play chess and work on their bills On Christmas Eve, known in Jewish circles as Nitel Night, the klipot (shells) are in total control. The klipot are parasitical evil forces that attach themselves to the forces of good. According to kabbala (Jewish mysticism), on the night on which "that man" - a Jewish euphemism for Jesus - was born, not even a trace of holiness is... Haaretz http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2415029/posts#comment Fri, 25 Dec 2009 18:54:40 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2415022/posts My favorite Christmas song is "O Holy Night" -- no surprise, as "Night" is named as favorite more often than any other Christmas composition. The song began its existence as "Cantique de Noël" in 1847 and was restated in English soon thereafter. According to legend, "O Holy Night" was the first music broadcast on radio, in 1906. First up: The incomparable Enrico Caruso, in the original French, recorded in 1916. Backcountry Notes http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2415022/posts#comment Fri, 25 Dec 2009 18:31:18 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2415011/posts “Our Response to Christmas: Proclaiming, Pondering, and Praising” (Luke 2:15-20)Last night, on Christmas Eve, we heard about “The Baby and the Birth Announcement,” the great work God did in sending us both the Savior and the angel to tell us about it. The miracle of Christmas is twofold: 1) the birth of the baby itself, and 2) the birth announcement, telling us who this child is, that he is none other than the Savior, Christ the Lord. We need both and we have both, the baby and the birth announcement. These are God’s Christmas presents to us. Now this morning,... Charles Henrickson's blog at the Wittenberg Trail http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2415011/posts#comment Fri, 25 Dec 2009 17:36:42 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415003/posts Imagine the outrage if any Republican President went on vacation during a recession and spent $4,000 a night on accommodations. On ABC’s Good Morning America Wednesday, correspondent Yunji de Nies seemed to suggest that President Obama’s family will be spending such an amount renting expensive living space at an estate house in Hawaii for a two-week Christmas vacation. De Nies: "Christmas trees here aren't cheap – neither is staying in this $8.9 million house, which runs $4,000 a night. The Obamas rented this one and the two next door for family and friends. When you spend that kind of money,... Newsbusters http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415003/posts#comment Fri, 25 Dec 2009 17:17:28 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2415002/posts Here is video of singer Travis Cottrell singing a beautiful Christmas Song - "In the First Light." . . . (VIDEO) Freedom's Lighthouse http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2415002/posts#comment Fri, 25 Dec 2009 17:14:37 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414988/posts Ever since I grew old enough to begin the complicated process of starting to separate the myths we are often fed as children from the truth, I’ve been told that the long-held date of December 25 to celebrate the birth of Christ, Christmas, isn’t really the date upon which Christ was born as a human baby. I’ve heard the stories that December 25 was just a pagan holiday that Christians “took over” once the Christian religion gained ascendancy in the Roman Empire. I’ve heard that due to the wintery time of year and the shepherds out in the field in... Dakota Voice http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414988/posts#comment Fri, 25 Dec 2009 16:46:05 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2414987/posts Here is video of Christian Music artist Chris Tomlin on Fox and Friends this Christmas morning, singing "Emanuel(Hallowed Manger Ground)" with the help of the Watoto Children's Choir. . . . (VIDEO) Freedom's Lighthouse http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2414987/posts#comment Fri, 25 Dec 2009 16:46:03 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2414986/posts Here is video of Great Britain's Queen Elizabeth II delivering her Christmas Message today. She praised British forces serving in Afghanistan, and wished the British people a "Merry Christmas." . . . (VIDEO) Freedom's Lighthouse http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2414986/posts#comment Fri, 25 Dec 2009 16:44:36 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414970/posts Thanks to strong community support, the Annual Christmas Day Crossing will take place (the dress rehearsal for the Crossing will be on December 13). Parties interested in assisting the community efforts should contact the Bucks County Conference and Visitors Bureau. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414970/posts#comment Fri, 25 Dec 2009 15:54:50 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2414964/posts Ho ho ho! http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/7ULiqTkuBMeMlV3V http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2414964/posts#comment Fri, 25 Dec 2009 15:42:53 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414963/posts What I am about to share has little political relevance. It is simply a candid expression of my gratitude and a testimony to how anything can happen in this glorious experiment called America. Last Christmas, because I was selected by my congressman to decorate an ornament for the White House Christmas tree, my wife Mary and I were invited by Laura Bush to a reception at the White House. The White House sent me a six by six inch silver plastic ball with specific instructions. The theme of my design must reflect my state (Florida) in a red, white and... LloydMarcus.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414963/posts#comment Fri, 25 Dec 2009 15:42:36 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2414956/posts To All My Democrat Friends: Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low-stress, non-addictive, gender-neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasion 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 2010, but not without due... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2414956/posts#comment Fri, 25 Dec 2009 15:30:33 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2414955/posts One late evening, a little over 2015 years ago, a man named Joseph and his young wife named Mary arrived in Bethlehem only to discover that there were no rooms at the local inn. Imagine the frightening situation they faced since Mary, who was expecting a child, probably had been experiencing birth pains for the last 10 miles of their 80 mile journey. Now that they had finally reached their destination they were told that the only place the inn keeper had to offer for their comfort was an animal shelter. This was not exactly the place Joseph expected... Enterprise Record Post Scripts http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2414955/posts#comment Fri, 25 Dec 2009 15:29:57 GMT