The True Meaning Of Christmas, Paul Curtis [i have read the book TXT] 📗

GREETINGS TO THE WORLD

“Happy Christmas” is what I chose to say
But many greetings are used for the day
To one and all during the festive season
And different languages are the reason
Say "Frolyke Kerstfeest" or "Joyoo Noel"
"Felleeth Navidad" even "Glaydlig Yool"
"Kalla Kristoogenna", "Boo-on Natarlee"
"Boas Festas" or "Sheng Dan Kwhy Lee"
You could say "Frerlicker Vine-akten"
Or maybe "Roshdesrom Kristovim" then
So you can say it in very many ways
But please never say “Happy Holidays”

CHRISTMAS CANDLE

Candle light of beauty
Adorning church and alter
None excluded from Christ’s love
Darkness brightly conquered
Light of Christ illuminating
Everlasting light of life

DOB?
In Rome a monk living about 530 ad
A mathematician and an astronomer
Was given the task of calculating
And reforming the Christian calendar
In essence to pin point with all precision
The date of Jesus Christ’s birth exactly
A miscalculation was discovered later
He was four years out unfortunately
Christ was born on January the sixth
According to the scholarly Egyptians
The date of Christ’s death was thought
More important to the early Christians
Rome selected Christ’s birth date to be
On the twenty fifth day of December
To coincide with the old pagan festivals
Like that of Mithras and Saturnalia
The sixth of January is Christmas day
For the apostolic church from Armenia
But its the following day that’s Special
For the Orthodox Church of Russia
FESTIVE FEELING

Christmas is the time for living
Spreading love with the gift giving
So at the festive time of year
Fill your heart with Christmas cheer

JOSHUA, JOSHUA

“God with us,” or Emmanuel
“A savior”
In Hebrew called Joshua
In Greek the name was Jesus
“The chosen one”
In Hebrew called Messiah
In Greek named Christ
Jesus Christ
The Son of god
A Jew Born in the Roman Empire
Given by God to the world
For two thousand years
Not known by a Latin name
But known by all by his name in Greek
I LOVE CHRISTMAS

I love Christmas when it comes around
The smells and tastes, the sights and sounds
I love the Christmassy Cinnamon smells
The Carol singers and chiming church bells
I love to see the advent candle burning
The excited faces all the children yearning
I love the gifts done up with ribbons and bows
And Red faced Santa’s calling ho ho ho
I love the merry songs about the season of Yule
And handmade decs brought home from school
I love trimming the tree with festive things
Like candy canes and popcorn strings
I love the twinkling of the Christmas lights
And the garlands hanging colourful and bright
But the thing that makes the season for me
Is kissing my love beside the Christmas tree


A SAINT IS FOR LIFE NOT JUST FOR CHRISTMAS

Often the true meaning of Christmas passes us by
The night the holy star appeared bright in the sky
Christmas celebrates the birth of Christ the savior
But others are also remembered at this time of year
St Lucia’s day is on the thirteenth day of December
In fourth century Sicily Lucia was a virgin martyr
Lucia means “light” very apt for a Christmas saint
She is also called upon to cure any eye complaint
St Thomas’s day is on the twenty first of December
The shortest and darkest day in our modern calendar
Traditionally the poor would all go out “thomasing”
For wheat flour and other Christmas “goodening”
Not the first saint you’d associate with Christmas
He is perhaps better known as “doubting Thomas”
Because he at first questioned Christ’s resurrection
He is patron saint of the carpenter and stone mason
On the twenty-six of the month St Stephens day falls
Boxing Day or the feast of Stephen in hallowed halls
Chosen by the disciples to help spread Christianity
He was put to death by the zealots for his profanity
The most famous Christmas time saint of all must be
St Nicholas the Bishop of Myra now a part of Turkey
He was a very shy man and the kindest man to know
When he threw coins through a poor family’s window
They landed in a stocking hanging over the fire to dry
So that’s where it all began if you ever wondered why

CHRIST IS IN CHRISTMAS

I Remember in December
That the reason for the season
Is that Christ is in Christmas
And he is there for all of us
And I remember the son God gave
To the world he would save
When love was born
On that first Christmas morn


THE WORSHIPFUL MORN

The bells of Christmas ring out clear
On the special day across the land
Family and friends come together
With warm embrace or shake of hand
Then together answer the call to enter
The happy faces of young and old
Of those occupying every seat or pew
In the church bedecked in green and gold
Lifted the heart and warmed the soul
The glad ragged and dapper dressed
The cheerfully demeanoured little girls
And little boys with hair unmessed
All come together on Christmas day
To share the celebration and rejoice
To mark the birth of the baby lord
Love and peace heard in every voice
As in harmony the congregation sing
Heartily in praise of Christ the King


A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS

Now once more
The year has turned
The advent candle
Long since burned
Hearts darken
As we count the cost
And the season’s spirit
Is all now lost
But it need not
All be dark and gloom
Light can again
Illuminate the room
So here is a philosophy
For all of us
God is for life
Not just for Christmas


MARTIN LUTHER BLING

There is a legend suggesting that Martin Luther
Who was a sixteenth century religious reformer
And founder of the Protestant church in Germany
Was the first to put candles onto a Christmas tree
It’s said he was walking home one winter’s night
When he noticed the stars were shinning bright
And through the tree’s he saw the twinkling light
And he was so impressed by this majestic sight
When he returned home he set up his Christmas tree
Decorating it with lighted candles for all to see

HIS GIFT

For the lowly beast in the stable chill
And the humble shepherd on the hill
Wise and wealthy Magi from the east
The purpose of every Christmas feast
Is to rejoice and feel your spirits lift
Exchanging love when exchanging gift
For when Jesus lay in that stable stall
He gave us his love, the greatest gift of all

THE HOLY INFANT

In the presence of the lowly beasts
The prince of peace was born
And to his earthy joyous cries
They bowed low head and horn
The Shepherds stood in wonder
As the child they stood before
The child the angel told of
Lay before them in the straw
Countless miles the Magi came
Having traveled from the east
In lavish robes they knelt before him
And bowed lowly like the beasts
Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh
Were lain reverently before his stall
Precious gifts brought from afar
For the holy infant born for us all


A TIME TO REMEMBER

It was an unforgettable morning
After the winter sun reluctantly rose
And the new dawn broke gently
To light the frosted landscape
And heralding the holy morn
Bathing cosy homes with light
Awaking children from their repose
As grown-ups wipe sleep away
Or tiredly yield to a yawn
And so the day has begun
Joyful yells and screams ensue
As gifts are opened frantically
Wrappings scattered here and there
It was an unforgettable morning
Though soon enough it became forgot
And as the day progresses
The latest must haves cast aside
Attention turns to the Christmas feast
When eyes are bigger than bellies
And indigestion comes on all
How different to the first morn
When in a strange and distant land
Lit by a star of brightest hue
And sheltered in a humble stable
God lay in human baby form
Watched over by lowly beasts
And shepherds stood in reverent pose
Three travellers from the east
Offered gifts to God made man
So as you enjoy your seasonal repast
Take time and spare a thought
Raise your hearts and a grateful glass
And remember the saviour’s birth


THIS CHRISTMAS TIME

This Christmas Time
When you celebrate the day
With friends and family
Good spirits on display
When your dining table
Is full to overflowing
Everyone cosily warm
With the firelight glowing
And you sit in your armchair
With your waist band straining
Opening all the presents
When outside its cold and raining
When you have over indulged
To the point of gluttony
Take a moment to think
About the all too many
Spare a thought for the needy
For the tired and the weary
Or those who are just lonely
The cold and the hungry
The numerous homeless
The defenceless and the helpless
Enjoy this Christmas Time a lot
But think of those who cannot

OH JESUS SON OF MARY

Its time to celebrate
Our saviour’s birth
Its time to mark
The day he came to earth

Its Christmas again
Its time to rejoice
Its time to sing
And to our praise give voice

So praise the Prince of peace
Our majesty of mercy
Hallelujah Son of God
Oh Jesus Son of Mary


CHRISTMAS ALPHABET (Acrostic)

Angels from on high
Behold we bring news
Christ is coming
Do not be afraid
Emmanuel is coming
Follow yonder star
Go to Bethlehem
Hosanna God be praised

In the town of Bethlehem
Jesus was born
Kneeling shepherds before him
Lowing beasts in attendance
Magi from the east
Noel, noel, noel

On the first morning
Peace came to the world
Quelling fear and pain
Rekindling the light
Saviour son of God
The prince of peace was born
Uniting the world

Verily the most
Wondrous of times
Xmas festival of love
Yule tide of good will
Zion brought to earth

CHRISTMAS IS NIGH

The snow lays deep and crisp
And though the frost is keen
In the clear night sky, the heavens
In all their glory can be seen
And bright there