Last updated 12/07/99
Instead of searching for an article by someone else to tell what the meaning of Christmas is, I want to tell you what Christmas means to me. For as long as I can remember, Christmas has been a holiday that I have looked forward to; when I was younger, I will admit, it was because that was the only other day (besides your birthday) where you got presents, but as I have grown and become a little more insightful, I have realized what I consider to be the Real Meaning of Christmas which is....It is Jesus' Birthday, and a day that should be celebrated not ONLY by gift-giving but by giving of yourself! Once you realize that it is not how many presents under the tree have your name on them, it's how much of yourself you have given to someone else, then....you can truly enjoy this day.
Okay, those of you who know me, know that this is my favorite holiday, so I have found A LOT of sites out there that I would like to share with you and I will probably be adding more right up until Christmas, so check back often.
DEAR SANTA,
Snowflakes softly falling
Upon your window they play
Your blankets snug around you,
Into sleep you drift away.
I bend to gently kiss you,
when I see that on the floor
there's a letter, neatly written
I wonder who it's for.
I quietly unfold it
making sure you're still asleep,
It's a Christmas list for Santa
one my heart will always keep.
It started just as always
with the toys seen on TV,
A new watch for your father
and a winter coat for me.
But as my eyes read on
I could see that deep inside
there were many things you wished for
that your loving heart would hide.
You asked if your friend, Molly,
could have another Dad;
It seems her father hits her
and it makes you very sad.
Then you asked dear Santa
if the neighbors down the street
Could find a job, that he might have
some food, and clothes, and heat.
You saw a family on the news
whose house had blown away,
"Dear Santa, send them just one thing,
a place where they can stay."
"And Santa, those four cookies that
I left you for a treat,
Could you take them to the children
who have nothing else to eat."
"Do you know that little bear I have
the one I love so dear?
I'm leaving it for you to take
to Africa this year".
"And as you fly your reindeer
on this night of Jesus' birth,
Could your magic bring to everyone
goodwill and peace on earth".
"There's one last thing before you go,
so grateful I would be,
If you'd smile at Baby Jesus
in the manger by our tree."
I pulled the letter close to me'
I felt it melt my heart.
Those tiny hands had written
what no other could impart.
"And a little child shall lead them,"
was whispered in my ear
As I watched you sleep on Christmas Eve
while Santa Clause was here.
~~Author Unknown~~
GO COWBOYS!!
(guess what I want for Christmas!)
** Children To Children ** This is not so much of a "Christmas Link" but it kind of goes along with what I think Chrismas is all about! This 8-year-old girl has started this organization - she collects duffle bags, suitcases, Beanie Babies, and stuffed animals for foster children. Please check it out!!!
Christmas shop featuring christmas ornaments, decorations and collectables
Listing of Texas Christmas tree farms who grow and sell real Texas Christmas trees.
These stories prove that miracles happen and dreams come true at Christmas. Also features an interactive story that visitors can contribute to, free virtual Christmas cards, Christmas music, midis, books, movies, gifts and links.
Christmas Recipe.com offers a huge database of recipes, as well as the opportunity for you to submit your own recipes, request recipes, and read helpful cooking tips.
Online shopping mall featuring thousands of the world's finest stores.
Celebrate the good times with friends and family by sending them a virtual greeting and electronic postcard for the holiday season
Decorative items and a large assortment of fine collectibles from all over the world
Contact information for local Hallmark ornament collectors' clubs throughout the US.
Christmas cards from Americards, Order Online. Santa's Coming series, featured American themes, scenes, landmarks. Personal, business, corporate messages, logo imprint, volume discounts available. Americard the Christmas card
Features a wide variety of ornaments, decorations, ribbons, garlands, and botanicals for every season.
More Christmas cards than you will find anywhere else. We have humerous cyber cards, animated e-cards, snowy greeting cards, stained glass postcards and elegant virtual cards.
Christmas historian Bill Egan tells about Nativity scenes, Christmas around the world, Operation Dear Abby, and the story of Silent Night.
Gotta keep those kids busy! Lots of links for kids
Outdoor yard decorations and lawn art displays.
Send your Letter to Santa Claus Superior electronic Christmas cards for all your friends Christmas greetings for the world to see A virtual festive Advent Calendar And much more in a fun-packed Christmas and New Year
Send your darling baby a personalized letter from Santa. All letters are written on decorative Christmas stationery that can be framed and kept for years to come.
Email Santa for free and receive a personalized story back.
A complete collection of decorations, collectibles, and gifts with online ordering.
A pretty good, traditional site.
Features a clickable world map with national traditions; lots more.
Send a letter to Santa at the North Pole tell him what you'd like to have for Christmas. Santa will read your personal message and send a message back to you.
A virtual superstore selling everything you need for Christmas and the festive season.
Bar Harbor, Maine. Custom designed ornaments, one-of-a-kind santas, all made in Maine.
An interesting site: much more lore than you'd imagine.
Stop by for some colorful printable games for celebrating Christmas at home or in the classroom, plus we have some active games for entertaining larger groups. There's also a Christmas reading room.
Original holiday cards - all with animation and music! Easy to e-mail.
Celebrating Christmas: Stories from Aussie students Songs, Santa wav., Aussie Christmas tradions and recipes.
Tree skirts, handmade ornaments, Santa suits and hats, stockings, and animated figures.
Good Housekeeping's 25 Christmas cookie favorites, from fast to fancy. Plus tips on holiday frosting, recommended cooking sheets, and ideas for baking, freezing, and mailing.
Get on Santa's Mailing List
Christmas, history and traditional activities. Word games and holidays celebrations with Santa Claus. Christmas links for kids and the entire family.
Amazing collection of Christmas links. Decorating tips, crafts, Santa's workshop, Yuletide jokes and lots more.
Directory of Christmas Tree growers in the USA.
Email someone a gif file as a virtual present.
Over 200 indexed recipes for the holidays.
Simple Ways to Teach Children to Give...Mickey says, "Hang in there while the graphics load!" There's a Christmas treasure hunt, free downloads, tongue twisters, and links to toy shops.
Customs, stories, music, recipes and many other categorized links.
Mailing list for collectors of glass Christmas tree ornaments & for everyone who loves the holiday. Message board, free-for-all-links-page, webring, links to other Christmas sites, & more. NOT a commercial site.
Great Christmas calendar links with things to do everyday until December 25. Games, recipes, stories, decorating ideas, and crafts.
The page describes the origin of the song "The 12 Days of Christmas", and the lyrics.
'Tis All About Christmas - Everything Christmas! Christmas Music, Christmas Software, Christmas Recipes, Christmas Screen Savers, Christmas Music Player, Everything Christmas!
Games, songs, art, science and more. Drop by and find something different to do with your children to celebrate winter and Christmas.
Traditions and history
Santa's Workshop - lots of fun things for kids to do; pick a picture, print it out and send it back to Santa's Workshop to be displayed in the gallery.
Click on the pic above to go to MyFather Page
Becky