". . . That's What Christmas is All About, Charlie Brown ...."

A Christmas favorite since 1965 ... and the story as old as Love Incarnate.  Have a blessed, joyous Christmas!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pn10FF-FQfs

For Those Who ....

Barbara's eMo on December 15th, "Third Advent a Little Late" drew a response particularly from two readers -Diane L. Powell and Deb Zedalis -  and these are their comments:
"I adore your eMos, but cannot help but want you to mention as well all of our men and women who serve in the military - who never, yes never, really have any time off. We adore our nurses and other civil servants, but they are surely not as "at risk" to the same extent as our folks in uniform." Diane L. Powell

"Dear Ms. Crafton: THANKS, always, for your wonderful almost daily emails. As I work for the Army, on behalf of all of our MOST wonderful Soldiers, Marines, Airmen, Sailors, and Coast Guard.I would like to add them to the list you noted. And, as we keep them in our prayers, please keep their families in your prayers also. These wonderful people who defend our freedom and their families sacrifice so much and it is heart rending at holidays like Christmas."  Deb Zedalis

I wholeheartedly agree with you, Diane and Deb - prayers for those in the military are certainly in order always, especially during poignant holiday times and they top the chart.

Barbara suggested I make a listing of those who must work while the rest of us 'celebrate' Christmas.  I've modified one of the prayers used during Compline below.  Fill in the blank with one or more of the suggested occupations below or add your own.  May your Christmas be blessed, whether you work or play, rest or pray!

O God, who sent your beloved Son into the world and life we live: Watch over those, both night and day, who work while others take their rest, especially _______________________.  Grant that we may never forget that our common life depends on each others toil; through Jesus Christ, our Light and our Lord.  Amen.

____________________ To those who work while we sleep ____________________________

Military personnel
[Clergy,
Teachers,
Firefighters,
Police,
Doctors,
Nurses mentioned by Barbara]
Interns, Home health care aides
Long haul truckers
Road crews, including the ones working the snowplows!
Custodial staff
Pilots, flight attendants
Subway and train conductors
Bus drivers
Search and Rescue crews
Seamen and mariners
Night shift stocking crews
Veterinarians, vet techs
Convenience store employees
Bakers
Chefs, short order cooks, wait staff
Farmers
Ranchers
Gas station and truck stop workers
Toll collectors (there are still some out there!)
Emergency Utility crews
Correctional Facility workers
Air traffic controllers
Emergency Squad crews
911 and crisis hotline operators
Homeless shelter workers
Soup kitchen volunteers
News gathering folk, journalists
Entertainers ....

MAY GOD BLESS US, EVERYONE!!!

Blue Christmas on the Longest Night of the Year

For many people, the holidays are other than eagerly awaited.  For people without family and/or friends, those who have suffered the loss of income, a job, a loved one, physical or mental abilities, "The MOST WONDERFUL Time of the Year" is quite the opposite.

This time of year has a devastating effect on those with chronic or clinical depression; it presents a particular challenge for those who suffer from substance abuse -- the profound pit all of these hearts occupy is in radical contrast to the pictures of Norman Rockwell or the engravings of Currier and Ives, for that matter. 

So, I ask those of us whose hearts are full to share some love, some time, some friendship, some warmth, some compassion with those whose hearts are sorely empty. 
http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79425_126152_ENG_HTM.htm;

A service for Blue Christmas is provided Rev. Elizabeth Kaeton at this entry in her blog: http://telling-secrets.blogspot.com/2010/12/blue-christmas-at-beach.html

Expect Joy in the UNEXPECTED

OK you folks out there who say that you always hear 'the same' Christmas fare sung over and over and over again in 'the same way'.  Simply add a hint of Hernandez, and not only will those tunes become

new all over again ... some original tunes will become favorites!  You can hear excerpts on: www.myspace.com/anahermusic.  Buy it through CDbaby - there's a link at the Geranium Farm bookstore