Archive for the 'Christmas' Category
“Heart of the Holidays” Book Review by Angela England
Christmas, Hanukkah, Heart of the Holidays, New Year's, Thanksgiving, Winter Solstice| No Comments »
“Heart of the Holidays”
Book Review
by Angela England
Type-A Mom Gift Guide - Gifts for Moms
Monday, 10 November 2008
Click here to see original post.
The perfect size for giving, a woman who enjoys reading could not get a better gift book for the Yuletide Holidays than this charming book, Heart of the Holidays: Holiday Inspirations Yuletide Treasures and Traditions by Sheryl Roush.
This delightful book came at the perfect time for me as I begin to look forward to the holidays and felt the stress of Thanksgiving preparation creeping up on me. Heart of the Holidays: Holiday Inspirations Yuletide Treasures & Traditions is written by Sheryl Roush and was published by Sparkle Press. As I curl up on the couch to feed my newborn, this holiday collection is easy to thumb through for a few minutes.
Not too heavy or bulky, the easy-to-read format of Heart of the Holidays, makes this book the perfect present to tuck into a stocking, present as a hostess gift for Thanksgiving and Christmas parties, or give on one of the days of Hanukkah. It makes the perfect book for bedroom end table, bathroom magazine rack, or to read just in bits and pieces if you are as busy as I am.
What Readers Will See in Heart of the Holidays
Heart of the Holidays presents readers with over 225 pages of delightful poems, quotes, stories, excerpts, songs, and inspiring sayings in six categories: Thanksgiving; Christmas; Yuletide Around the Globe; Hanukkah; Winter Solstice; and Ringing in the New Year.
I appreciated the range of quotes that were included by Sheryl Roush, covering the range from proverbial sayings, to traditional historic figures, to humorous quips by modern celebrities. For example, in the Thanksgiving section she quotes Oprah Winfrey saying, "The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate."
Not just quotes and songs, Roush has brought together the best of the holiday stories and essays available and gathered them altogether in one place. One of my favorites of these was in the Yuletide Around the Globe chapter, an excerpt from Helena Steiner-Hornsteyn, who says in a portion of Christmas in Sweden, "Even if you happen to live in a huge country mansion with a large dining room, on Christmas Eve you always eat in the kitchen together with those who mean something to you. Even if you are very sick you should appear for this meal to show the spirit of Christmas. Because at Christmas there are no barrier and no separations."
These thoughtful and uplifting samples are only a taste of what Heart of the Holidays by Sheryl Roush has to offer as a charming gift for a book lover, or harried housewife alike.
Where to buy Heart of the Holidays: Holiday Inspirations Yuletide Treasures & Traditions
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Christmas Story: Do You Believe?
Christmas, Heart of the Holidays| No Comments »Christmas Story: Do You Believe?
The family attended Christmas Eve service together, bringing my nephew Peter, and niece, Alison, to their first Christian services, since moving from Australia to the US. When the minister invited the small children forward to hear the story of the birth of Christ, little 3-year-old Alison went to the front of the pulpit and attentively listened.
Back to the pews, we stood and sang numerous hymnals, followed by the outdoor candle lighting service and more songs. Driving back to my parents house in a quiet moment Alison broke the silence with her precious Aussie dialect, “Auntie Sheryl, do you believe in Jesus?” “Yes I do.” With self-assuredness she replied, “I thought so!” (I silently gasped for air to keep myself from crying deeply at this momentous occasion.)
~Sheryl Roush, Speaker, Author, Proud Aunt
www.SparklePresentations.com
Published in Heart of the Holidays, by Sheryl L. Roush.
Order here for autographed gift copies.
Christmas Story: 365 Days of Sparkle
Christmas, Heart of the Holidays, Stories| No Comments »Christmas Story: 365 Days of Sparkle
Published in Heart of the Holidays
Believing strongly that the true essence of Christmas is not only on ONE day every year, my white spiral lighted Christmas is up all year long, in my TV room, donned with cherished ornaments of great sentimental value from my travels and dearest of friends. Christmas lives on for me – every day! Whenever I pass by it, any day of the year, I remember that friend and the heartfelt love we share. And yes, having the tree up all year through DOES let the cat play with the lower ornaments for more than the typically designated two week period… so he’s a happy kitty, too!
Loving the SPARKLE, I also keep up metallic garlands of different colors around the house all year long. It brings joy to my heart. At Thanksgiving the garland is gold, orange, olive green with beautifully color-coordinated Fall leaves. Then there’s purple and bright yellow for Easter. And silver and gold stars through the year.
One of my friends asked me once, “Do you think that you can ever have too much Sparkle?” “I don’t think so!” I think the WORLD could use more sparkle – what better way to see hope, joy, optimism, feel good about yourself even in dull times…
~Sheryl Roush, Speaker, Author, www.SparklePresentations.com
Order your autographed gift copies of Heart of the Holidays here.
POEM: Vegan Christmas
Christmas, Heart of the Holidays, Poems, Thanksgiving| No Comments »Vegan Christmas
Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house,
Nothing’s overnight baking, not Lamb and not Grouse.
Making plans for the morning, health-conscious are we,
Jotting it down, while sipping White Green Tea.
We’ll start with Wheatgrass – a 2 ounce shot,
Toasting healthy bodies with no meat in the pot.
Most thankful are we as we pause to say grace,
For not getting caught up in the holiday rat race.
Sparkling Pomegranite Juice in a wine glass,
Light up the stove – we’re cookin’ with gas!
Pita chips and hummus are starter pre-meal,
Carrots, Jicama, Bell Peppers – the natural deal.
Uncork the vintage Sauvignon Blanc,
Segura Viudas Spanish bubbly you can take to the bank!
Fresh garden salad, sunflower seeds and sprouts,
There’s enough for everyone – so no one pouts.
Simmer a pot of Cous Cous, or Basmati Rice,
Baked Butternut Squash would surely be nice.
Raw Sugar Snap Peas, and baked Yummy Yam,
Doing well avoiding Duck, Turkey and Ham.
Brown Rice Bread, Lentil Veggie soup, too.
Wow – without meat and dairy – there’s so much you can do!
Chocolate Tofu Mousse Cake – well-chilled,
With graham cracker crust, I’m not that strong-willed!
Organic Pumpkin Pie - served piping hot.
Sugar-free, you ask? I think NOT!
Author of Heart of the Holidays, Sheryl Roush, www.SparklePresentations.com
Christmas: In Three Words
Boxing Day, Christmas, Hanukkah, Heart of the Holidays, New Year's, Poems| No Comments »In Three Words
Memories, Flashbacks, Celebrations
Kisses under mistletoe
Cheery red check
Children wide-eyes
Excited laughing children
Frantic rushing parents
Presents under trees
Receiving favorite things
Proposals and rings
Families traveling far
Driving loaded cars
Sweet hot chocolate
Candy cane treats
Apple Rum Cider
Nutmeg and Eggnog
Making plans early
Late night parties
Singing holiday tunes
Cherished friends re-un
Love abundantly shared
Long airplane flights
Snowed-in delays
Families lovingly reunited
Tears of joy
Cats batting ornaments
Dogs chasing cats
Lights flickering on
Angels atop trees
Sweet treats galore
Frosting sugar cookies
Dipping cheese balls
Avoiding fruit cakes
Exchanging holiday recipes
Joyous carols sung
Hope-filled stockings hung
Crisp snowflakes fall
Card sentiments mailed
Monthly earnings spent
Playing in snow
Sparkling garland shines
Shopping last minute
World peace rings
Packing it up
Storing it away
Waiting another year
Anticipating next year
Doing it again
- Sheryl Roush, Speaker, Author, www.SparklePresentations.com
Epiphany: Three Kings Follow the Star
Christmas, Heart of the Holidays, New Year's, Stories, Tips & Trivia| No Comments »EPIPHANY – THREE KINGS FOLLOW THE STAR (see the Light)
Lovers of carols and Christmas parties know that this season has 12 days, packed with golden rings, calling birds and various kinds of gentry, musician and domestic workers. December 25 is Christmas – and 25 minus 12 does equal 13. Do the math and you will see why shopping malls, newspapers, television networks, and other cultural fortresses annually deliver some kind of “Twelve Days of Christmas” blitz, beginning on December 13.
The problem is that for centuries church calendars in the East and the West have agreed that there are twelve days of Christmas and they begin on Christmas and end on January 6.
The twelve days of Christmas end with the Feast of Epiphany also called “The Adoration of the Magi” or “The Manifestation of God.” Celebrated on January 6, it is known as the day of the Three Kings (or wise men/magi): Caspar, Melchior, and Balshazar. According to an old legend based on a Bible story, these three kings saw, on the night when Christ was born, a bright star, followed it to Bethlehem and found there the Christ child and presented him with gold, frankincense and myrrh.
January 6, the last day of Christmas, comes with its own traditions, rituals and symbols. Carolers are going from house to house; in many homes the Christmas Tree is taken down and in some areas is burnt in a big bonfire. For the children, this is an especially joyous occasion because, associated with taking down the tree goes the “plundern” (raiding) of the tree. The sweets, chocolate ornaments wrapped in foil or cookies (which have replaced the sugar plums) are the raiders’ rewards.
The history of Christmas (the festival of the nativity of Jesus Christ) is intertwined with that of the Epiphany. The commemoration of the Baptism (also called the Day of Lights, i.e. the Illumination of Jesus) was also known as the birthday of Jesus, because he was believed to have been born then of the Virgin or reborn in baptism. In some records, Christmas and Epiphany were referred to as the first and second nativity; the second being Christ’s manifestation to the world.
In the fourth century, December 25 was finally adopted by the Western Christian Church as the date of the Feast of Christ’s birth. It is believed that this change in date gave rise to the tradition of the “12 Days of Christmas.” While the Western Christian Church celebrates December 25th, the Eastern Christian Church to this day recognizes January 6 as the celebration of the nativity. January 6 was also kept as the physical birthday in Bethlehem. In the Teutonic west, Epiphany became the Festival of the Three Kings (i.e. the Magi), or simply Twelfth Day.
~Emily De Shazo
POEM: Merry Christmas (the reason for the season)
Christmas, Heart of the Holidays, Poems| No Comments »Merry Christmas! (the reason for the season)
The month before Christmas
When all through our land,
Not a Christian was praying
Nor taking a stand.
Why the PC Police
had taken away,
The reason for Christmas -
no one could say.
The children were told
by their schools not to sing,
About Shepherds and Wise Men
and Angels and things.
It might hurt people’s feelings,
the teachers would say
December 25th
is just a "Holiday."
Yet the shoppers were ready
with cash, checks and credit
Pushing folks down
to the floor just to get it!
CDs from Madonna,
an X BOX, an I-pod
Something was changing,
something quite odd!
Retailers promoted
Ramadan and Kwanzaa
In hopes to sell books by
Franken & Fonda.
As Targets were hanging
their trees upside down
At Lowe’s the word Christmas -
was no where to be found.
At K-Mart and Staples
and Penny’s and Sears
You won’t hear the word Christmas;
it won’t touch your ears.
Inclusive, sensitive,
Di-ver-si-ty
Are words that were used
to intimidate me.
Now Daschle, Now Darden,
Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen
On Boxer, on Rather,
On Kerry, on Clinton!
At the top of the Senate,
there arose such a clatter
To eliminate Jesus,
in all public matter.
And we spoke not a word,
as they took away our faith
Forbidden to speak
of salvation and grace.
The true Gift of Christmas
was exchanged and discarded
The reason for the season,
stopped before it started.
So as you celebrate ‘Winter Break’
under your ‘Dream Tree’
Sipping your Starbucks,
listen to me.
Choose your words carefully,
choose what you say
Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS,
not Happy Holiday!
-Author Unknown, but greatly thanked
The Feelings of Christmas
Boxing Day, Christmas, Heart of the Holidays, Poems| 1 Comment »May the wonderful feelings of Christmas stay with you
long after the gifts are unwrapped, the tree is taken down,
and the ornaments are safely stored away.
May the once-a-year joy of Christmas return to you
in memories throughout the year,
each time tugging at your heartstrings…
each time bringing a smile.
What Christmas Means
Boxing Day, Christmas, Heart of the Holidays, Poems| No Comments »What Christmas Means
If Christmas means Sharing,
then let us share together our hope for tomorrow…
If Christmas means Giving,
then let us give one another strength, encouragement, and faith…
If Christmas means Love,
then let us love one another with the hearts of children…
in the Spirit of Peace.
Where Would We Be Without Jesus?
Christmas, Heart of the Holidays, Poems| No Comments »Where Would We Be Without Jesus?
He was born of a woman so that we could be born of God…
He humbled Himself so that we could be lifted up…
He became a servant so that we could be made heris…
He suffered rejection so that we could become His friends…
He denied Himself so that we could freely receive all things…
He gave Himself so that He could bless us in every way!
May Your Christmas know every blessing of His Love.
"He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for all–how will He not also, along with Him, gracously give us all things?" - Romans 8:32 NIV
