Heart Book Series » Christmas

WHAT COLOR IS YOUR JESUS?

Sheryl — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 03:47:54 +0000

WHAT COLOR IS YOUR JESUS?
by Lorri V. Allen, Speaker, Author

My husband-to-be had a bleak view of church when we first met. His overriding memory of Sunday school was being punished at age three for coloring Jesus purple.

What the teacher saw as disrespect was more likely a foreshadow of Mark’s artistic talent. Do you think Jesus minded being purple? I don’t. Every culture depicts Jesus a little differently. I have seen fair-skinned, blue-eyed Jesuses (or is it Jesi?), black ones, Asian ones, and in my friend Ellen’s nativity scenes from Mexico, a beautiful brown-eyed, toasty-skinned baby Jesus.

In reality, Jesus probably sported a swarthy complexion, with dark eyes and black hair, like many of the Middle Easterners we see today. But what is more important than color is size. There is no doubt Jesus was an infant. So, next time you see a child, think about Jesus, and how much he loved us to become a baby that burped and spit up. Think about how he might have said his first words or taken his first step.

The color of Jesus’ skin doesn’t matter because if he lives in our hearts, he does look just like we do.

By the way, Mark still isn’t exactly wild about Sunday school, but he likes purple. Best of all, he loves Jesus!

Reprinted from the HEART OF THE HOLIDAYS book, by Sheryl L. Roush

ORDER THE BOOK:
Bask in the glow of winter’s warmth. Celebrate the most blessed time of year with lighthearted tales, original stories and poems, and quotations… Chapters include: Thanksgiving, Christmas, Yuletide Around the Globe, Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, Ringing in the New Year…
ORDER COPIES of the HEART OF THE HOLIDAYS book here.

ORDER THE MUSIC CD:
Touching the heart with music, Heart of the Holidays is a celebration of the season. Included are creative new interpretations of the traditional Chanukah songs "Mo’oz Tsur" and "Sivivon." Two original numbers written and performed by Laurie Z., "Heart of the Holidays" and "Warmth From Within" easily hold their own next to the traditional songs we all know by heart. Playful touches are included, like special guest, late actor Jack Palance singing "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus," topping it all off with Jack Palance’s delightful reading of "The Night Before Christmas."
ORDER COPIES of the HEART OF THE HOLIDAYS Music CD here.

POEM: The Greatest Story Ever Told

Sheryl — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 03:37:04 +0000

Reprinted from HEART OF THE HOLIDAYS, book by Sheryl L. Roush

The Greatest Story Ever Told
By Rebecca Brinck

Do you remember?
Have you ever known
Of that night in December
When the brightest star shown?
Have you heard the story told
Of that fateful night of old?
The Virgin Mary, the unborn baby,
Looking for a place to stay.
“There is no room in the inn,”
They heard time and time again;
One had compassion, an older fashion,
And led them to the stables.
A newborn babe laid his head,
With a manger for a bed;
The star twinkled bright, with eternal light,
On the baby laid in hay.
Shining angels came to talk;
To shepherds that watched their flock
“I have tidings great,” angels did dictate,
“And news of great joy tonight.”

NATIVI-TEA (Tea Prayer)

Sheryl — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 18:50:35 +0000

NATIVI-TEA

At the moment of my birth there was a celebration, too.
The angels sang and God was all I knew.
God was all I remembered – for on earth
as in Heaven, we are all one.
To remind us of this God sent us his Son.
Once a year we are reminded of His special birth.
It is a rejoicing that encircles all of the earth.
Gifts are given, hearts open wide,
the focus is on good and we all take pride.
The hope for my daily rebirth is now understood.
A child in a manger, simple and pure;
a symbol of peace and innocence;
that we are all safe from danger, sound and secure.
To be in God’s presence is the present I truly need.
In this time of celebration I am freed from my own greed.
I live to give – my gifts I share.
I do not hide them or disguise them, nor place them under a tree.
My gifts of love and laughter, kindness and caring were meant for sharing;
not just once a year or for a select few.
The gifts I have are unique to me and I celebrate my own nativity.
Every birth is planned, every child has a right,
every life is precious, delicate and meant to be.
On the tree of life every child’s light shines bright for all to see.
Thank you, God; my own light clears my visibility.
There is a place for each and every one of us on God’s special tree.
We glisten and twinkle in colourful harmony.
We each have our place and together we light up the world as we claim our space;
next to each other, side by side; loving and grateful God takes pride
at the birth of each and every one of His children – that’s you and me.
Christmas is a celebration of all we are and all we can be.
Thank you God, for this divine festivity.

Amen

Dharlene Marie Fahl
Author, Poet, Tea Expert
© 2009
www.TakeUpTheCup.com

Christmas Poem: It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, by Sheryl Roush

Sheryl — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 20:50:10 +0000

Christmas Poem:
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
by Sheryl Roush

It came upon a midnight clear
That glorious song of old
God’s child was born to earth so began
The greatest story ever told.

Wise men came to see him there
Laying in soft manger’s hay
Radiant angelic hosts proclaimed
“Unto you a child is born” they say.

Centuries from that first nativity scene
From Christ’s birth, we’ve come to hear
Of God’s plan, Virgin Mary’s gift
Come closer to love, and farther from fear.

Still today, we celebrate that glorious night
Midnight clear, and stars so bright
That all will know of Divine love
And great gifts from Heaven above.

Holiday Poem: In Three Words, by Sheryl Roush

Sheryl — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 20:42:16 +0000

Holiday Poem:
In Three Words
by Sheryl Roush

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

Yuletide Poem: A Time, by Sheryl Roush

Sheryl — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 20:36:03 +0000

Yuletide Poem: A Time, by Sheryl Roush
Published in Heart of the Holidays, by Sheryl Roush

Yuletide

A time of Celebration,
Bringing closure to the old year,
Setting resolutions for a better life,
Making goals for the next year.

A time of Gratitude,
Expressing to those near and dear to us,
A special fondness in our hearts.

A time of Hope,
Hope for a better future.
Hope for deeper meaning on our lives.
Hope for strengthened family ties.

A time of Forgiveness,
Letting by-gones by truly by-gone.
Starting anew with fresh, clean slates.

A time of Peace,
A deeep longing for harmony.
Reunion, collaboration, trust.

A time of Spirit,
Celebrating our soul’s profound wisdom of the ages.
Rekindling our uniqueness and collectiveness
as we are ONE on the planet.
We are the Family of God.

A time of Reconnection,
Being back in touch with those we’ve not seen/heard
from in ages, and picking back up the conversation
right where we left off.

A time of Hearts,
Bonding for the first time.
Reuniting from separation.
Deepening in trust.
Pure, innocent, Divinely connected.
Connections so deep, it’s beyond words.

A time of Humor,
Laughing over advertises won.
Telling our tales of tribulations.
Seeing the irony of it all.
Sharing stories of our life’s adventures.
Recognizing our common journeys.

A time of Love,
Express candidly.
Sharing more openly to others of our true feelings.
Knowing that we are truly loved.
Not for what we have, or for presents given, or promises made.
Just because.
Unconditional, non-judgmental.
The love that connects us all – one heart to the other.
Our Divine umbilical cord soul to soul.
Heart to Heart.

The Christmas Movie Card

Sheryl — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 18:08:39 +0000

The Christmas Movie Card

Terri Marie Whitewing created this special three-minute "Christmas Movie Card" complete with her own music playing in the background to touching photos and statements.

The message within the movie is meant to warm the heart.

The Story Behind the Card
Because of all the moving I’ve done the past several years (5 moves in 5 years) I just didn’t feel like decorating much for the holidays if it meant looking at one more box. One day the message on the song for the movie came through loud and clear. "Christmas is something you carry in your heart. It’s always here when you feel it."

As a reminder when we get stressed out over the holiday Preparations, Decorations, and other such ‘rations, just remember… the Christmas Spirit comes in quietly – softly entering any moment of pure love.

Here is a gift of love to you for every holy day that you live.
Let’s spread the Christmas Spirit around the world.

It’s always Christmas inside a warm heart.
VIEW VIDEO HERE
Copyright 2008 White Wing Entertainment

Terri Marie Whitewing is a contributor to the "Heart of the Holidays" book by Sheryl Roush, with her story and poem, "A New Christmas Song? There’s a Reindeer in My Gate" based on a true story.

Holiday Poem: Seasoned Meetings

Sheryl — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 22:17:43 +0000

Seasoned Meetings

Turned up collar,
Extra socks,
Find another station,
(Anything but rock,)

Something cheery,
Maybe with some bells,
And scrub-faced boys
Who smile as voices swell.

Getting in the spirit,
Finding the right mood,
Being very thankful,
You’ve a table full of food.

Cozy robes, warm slippers,
A fragrant twinkling tree,
Greetings full of kisses,
Meeting smiles for you and me.

It’s holding close the knowing
Of the love you feel today,
Let others feel it showing,
As you pass along their way.

It’s keeping Season’s Feelings,
(The Humanity of Man,)
Wrapped in joyful trimmings,
To give all year our plan.

Reta’s work in also published in the Heart of the Holidays book by Sheryl Roush

Christmas Poem/Prayer: NATIVI-TEA

Sheryl — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 22:09:40 +0000

Christmas Poem/Prayer:
NATIVI-TEA

At the moment of my birth there was a celebration, too.
The angels sang and God was all I knew.
God was all I remembered – for on earth
as in Heaven we are all one.
To remind us of this God sent us his Son.
Once a year we are reminded of His special birth.
It is a rejoicing that encircles all of the earth.
Gifts are given, hearts open wide, the focus is on good
and we all take pride.
The hope for my daily rebirth is now understood.
A child in a manger, simple and pure –
a symbol of peace and innocence –
that we are all safe from danger, sound and secure.
To be in God’s presence is the present I truly need.
In this time of celebration I am freed from my own greed.
I live to give – my gifts I share.
I do not hide them or disguise them,
nor place them under a tree.
My gifts of love and laughter, kindness and caring
were meant for sharing –
not just once a year or for a select few.
The gifts I have are unique to me
and I celebrate my own nativity.
Every birth is planned, every child has a right,
every life is precious, delicate and meant to be.
On the tree of life every child’s light shines bright for all to see.
Thank you, God; my own light clears my visibility.
There is a place for each and every one of us
on God’s special tree.
We glisten and twinkle in colourful harmony.
We each have our place and together
we light up the world as we claim our space –
next to each other, side by side,
loving and grateful God takes pride
at the birth of each and every one of His children –
that’s you and me.
Christmas is a celebration of all we are and all we can be.
Thank you God, for this divine festivity.
Amen.

Dharlene Marie Fahl
Author/Inspirational Speaker/Tea Specialist
http://www.takeupthecup.com/
http://www.linkedin.com/in/takeupthecup/
http://www.youpublish.com/dharlenefahlbrittian/
(C) December 2008

Dharlene’s Tea Prayers are also published in the Heart of the Holidays, Heart of a Mother, and Heart of a Woman in Business books by Sheryl Roush.

Let Every Day Be Christmas

Sheryl — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 06:41:20 +0000

Let Every Day Be Christmas

Christmas is forever, not for just one day,
for loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away
like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf.
The good you do for others is good you do yourself…

Norman Wesley Brooks
"Let Every Day Be Christmas," 1976