Hi to all out there,
Well, I thought I'd stat a discussion just about anything about Christmas.
I can't believe it's less than a week 'til the wonderful day. It's amazing how time blatently just goes down the drain.
Well, MERRY VHRISTMAS TO ALL!!!
Jacqui
2007 seems to have a dampening effect on this season of good will, charity and friendship. So many people seem to be disillusioned with it, this showing in exhaustion or a ho-hum attitude, and some few suffering the more extreme state of humbugitis... I remain hopeful, and there is some fizz of cheer and good will forever warming some corner of my convoluted brain, despite the trials and challenges that life can throw at us. I think commercialism has done a lot of damage to this season in claiming it for itself. That can spoil it, the expectations of material gain, the tension of 'what to buy', the potential hell of preparing a huge meal and having to clean everything up afterwards, including a skip load of wrapping paper. We just have to make an effort to claim it back from the advertisements and the glitz that wants us to buy-buy-buy, and we need to reclaim that joy that can be found in good company, family and friends.
Despite the claims, this season, Winter, and the celebration of it Christmas, has never belonged to any single religion, to religion at all. For one, way back when, the Christians stole it from old celebrations of the Mithras cult. This celebration is meant to warm us in the cold of Winter, to remind us of what we have to give thanks for, including the coming rebirth of Spring. It is for everyone, whatever their beliefs or inclinations, and for the humbugs as well. So, go on, do that awful thing that some cringe about, just to embarrass some humbug ~ give them a hug, kiss them on the cheek, on the lips for full effect. If you can't do that just cast them a smile and a nod. The best thing you can give anyone this season of cold, is warmth. That kind of warmth is priceless, and costs nothing. So go warm someone up.
You can find time, since this is about tradition, and one of the best gifts you could ever give is the gift of confidence. Say something nice, don't lie, but find something to complement. Give someone else faith in themselves, nurture the good with the unlimited warmth you have to share, as we all have hearts, and that goodwill will grow... Don't let the bastards get you down, the best defense against this is to not respond in kind, but to defend against it with kindness. There is always a reason for the sour and antisocial natures that can take hold of a soul. Try to understand rather than to respond offensively. Don't add to the damage. Yeah, I know, not always easy, but the world immediately around us is not always kind and does not prepare us all equally for the world. Some grow strong in suffering, others are damaged by it. Things can only get better if we give goodwill and patience a try, and what cost this, or just the light of a simple smile to warm a moment, eh? (wry satire doesn't count, except amongst friends) It can often disolve misunderstanding, both sides, giving and recieving, and you risk it growing into laughter, which is great medicine...
So, this Christmas and New Year, I hope you are all blessed with family and friends on hand to help you deal with any of the endless hardships we all have to face now and then, internal and external. I hope you also have the inner strength reserves necessary to come out the better for any unplanned trials and tribulations. I hope you can see past the commercial and find that Christmas of the heart and I hope it will last through the New Year and beyond. Have the grace to accept help when needed, and the same grace to offer it if you sense need in another. Fight it as some of us may, our nature is social and that is what makes 'tradition', what supports and nurtures it, and is the element we can so easily take for granted, some of us placing the greater focus on the mechanics of these things rather than the heart and humanity of it all. Like Christmas, also a tradition, we may need to remind ourselves of this and this is a great time to do so... Winter is for reflection...
"For the truth that binds us all together, I would like to say a simple prayer.
That at this special time, you will have true peace of mind
and love to last throughout the coming year."
I have decided to look on the bright side. The mass expectation for a super duper, wonderful, brilliant day, creates a scenario whereby if you are miserable there must be something wrong with you. This in turn leads to a sharp increase in the number of suicides, thereby culling the herd, and avoiding over population.
And poor old Bill Gates can earn an honest shilling selling XBox 25. And then selling the bit that makes it work.
God bless him and all the others,, the very thought warms the cockles of my heart.
Second Christmas without Dad...still trying to adjust. He was born on Christmas Day. Mom and all my sibs have grown closer, a good thing to come from the experience. I wish all of my session.org buddies a wonderful Christmas. May you be surrounded by family, friends, and of course, great music. I hope you will join me in raising a glass to Auld Lang Syne.
Christmas!
Christmas!
Hi to all out there,
Well, I thought I'd stat a discussion just about anything about Christmas.
I can't believe it's less than a week 'til the wonderful day. It's amazing how time blatently just goes down the drain.
Well, MERRY VHRISTMAS TO ALL!!!
Jacqui
# Posted on December 20th 2007 by violingal4eva
Re: Christmas!
I mean;
MERRY CHRISTMAS
# Posted on December 20th 2007 by violingal4eva
Re: Christmas!
According to someone in The Times, there exists an outdoor lights display in Hull that eschews Santas, reindeer etc. and is content to say: HUMBUG...
I do not share its sentiments but give it six out of ten at least for originality.
# Posted on December 20th 2007 by nicholas
Re: Christmas!
i like the idea of a Merry Vhristmas, actually.....
# Posted on December 20th 2007 by Key Maniac Lad
Re: Christmas!
2007 seems to have a dampening effect on this season of good will, charity and friendship. So many people seem to be disillusioned with it, this showing in exhaustion or a ho-hum attitude, and some few suffering the more extreme state of humbugitis... I remain hopeful, and there is some fizz of cheer and good will forever warming some corner of my convoluted brain, despite the trials and challenges that life can throw at us. I think commercialism has done a lot of damage to this season in claiming it for itself. That can spoil it, the expectations of material gain, the tension of 'what to buy', the potential hell of preparing a huge meal and having to clean everything up afterwards, including a skip load of wrapping paper. We just have to make an effort to claim it back from the advertisements and the glitz that wants us to buy-buy-buy, and we need to reclaim that joy that can be found in good company, family and friends.
Despite the claims, this season, Winter, and the celebration of it Christmas, has never belonged to any single religion, to religion at all. For one, way back when, the Christians stole it from old celebrations of the Mithras cult. This celebration is meant to warm us in the cold of Winter, to remind us of what we have to give thanks for, including the coming rebirth of Spring. It is for everyone, whatever their beliefs or inclinations, and for the humbugs as well. So, go on, do that awful thing that some cringe about, just to embarrass some humbug ~ give them a hug, kiss them on the cheek, on the lips for full effect. If you can't do that just cast them a smile and a nod. The best thing you can give anyone this season of cold, is warmth. That kind of warmth is priceless, and costs nothing. So go warm someone up.
You can find time, since this is about tradition, and one of the best gifts you could ever give is the gift of confidence. Say something nice, don't lie, but find something to complement. Give someone else faith in themselves, nurture the good with the unlimited warmth you have to share, as we all have hearts, and that goodwill will grow... Don't let the bastards get you down, the best defense against this is to not respond in kind, but to defend against it with kindness. There is always a reason for the sour and antisocial natures that can take hold of a soul. Try to understand rather than to respond offensively. Don't add to the damage. Yeah, I know, not always easy, but the world immediately around us is not always kind and does not prepare us all equally for the world. Some grow strong in suffering, others are damaged by it. Things can only get better if we give goodwill and patience a try, and what cost this, or just the light of a simple smile to warm a moment, eh? (wry satire doesn't count, except amongst friends) It can often disolve misunderstanding, both sides, giving and recieving, and you risk it growing into laughter, which is great medicine...
So, this Christmas and New Year, I hope you are all blessed with family and friends on hand to help you deal with any of the endless hardships we all have to face now and then, internal and external. I hope you also have the inner strength reserves necessary to come out the better for any unplanned trials and tribulations. I hope you can see past the commercial and find that Christmas of the heart and I hope it will last through the New Year and beyond. Have the grace to accept help when needed, and the same grace to offer it if you sense need in another. Fight it as some of us may, our nature is social and that is what makes 'tradition', what supports and nurtures it, and is the element we can so easily take for granted, some of us placing the greater focus on the mechanics of these things rather than the heart and humanity of it all. Like Christmas, also a tradition, we may need to remind ourselves of this and this is a great time to do so... Winter is for reflection...
Now I need to take the sunglasses off ~
~ 
# Posted on December 20th 2007 by ceolachan
Gi' us a 'ug Bodhran Bliss!
# Posted on December 20th 2007 by ceolachan
Hey Zina, 'ugs all round!!!
# Posted on December 20th 2007 by ceolachan
Re: Christmas!
thanks ceolachan..I needed that
# Posted on December 20th 2007 by Sunnybear
Re: Christmas!
Kermit the Frog sings this on my favorite Christmas album from childhood.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Denver_and_the_Muppets:_A_Christmas_Together
"For the truth that binds us all together, I would like to say a simple prayer.
That at this special time, you will have true peace of mind
and love to last throughout the coming year."
Indeed. Merry Christmas everyone.
# Posted on December 20th 2007 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: Christmas!
Nedeleg laouen
# Posted on December 20th 2007 by RoLuPiN
Re: Christmas!
I have decided to look on the bright side. The mass expectation for a super duper, wonderful, brilliant day, creates a scenario whereby if you are miserable there must be something wrong with you. This in turn leads to a sharp increase in the number of suicides, thereby culling the herd, and avoiding over population.
And poor old Bill Gates can earn an honest shilling selling XBox 25. And then selling the bit that makes it work.
God bless him and all the others,, the very thought warms the cockles of my heart.
# Posted on December 20th 2007 by bodhran bliss
Re: Christmas!
Your cockles are elsewhere BB, but I'd guess you knew that already...
Feliz Navidad! ~ for you BB
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihW56Xa3XGQ
# Posted on December 20th 2007 by ceolachan
# Posted on December 20th 2007 by ceolachan
Re: Christmas!
Hmmmmm
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=2743789
# Posted on December 20th 2007 by Frunobulax
Re: Christmas!
They are not alone...
# Posted on December 20th 2007 by ceolachan
Re: Christmas!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WCXnlFWaIY&feature=related
# Posted on December 20th 2007 by wyogal
Re: Christmas!
Second Christmas without Dad...still trying to adjust. He was born on Christmas Day. Mom and all my sibs have grown closer, a good thing to come from the experience. I wish all of my session.org buddies a wonderful Christmas. May you be surrounded by family, friends, and of course, great music. I hope you will join me in raising a glass to Auld Lang Syne.
# Posted on December 20th 2007 by Greg the Piano Tuner
Re: Christmas!
Crispy Halfmast, everybody.
# Posted on December 21st 2007 by Innocent Bystander
Re: Christmas!
(And Good Yule!)
# Posted on December 21st 2007 by Innocent Bystander
Re: Christmas!
Nadolig Llawen a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda! I hope that the sharing and playing of this dance music introduces you all to new friends.
# Posted on December 21st 2007 by banjoian
Re: Christmas!
Hey, I know those Christmas folks. Bob is a violinist learning to play fiddle.
# Posted on December 21st 2007 by Bob himself
Re: Christmas!
For those of a certain vintage, have a look at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0yyITRyvM4.
Great Nat 'King' Cole impression, but not sure about his mid-song patois!
# Posted on December 21st 2007 by Floss the Tethers
Re: Christmas!
i'm getting devdas for christmas (finally)!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiIL-w_jD8o
# Posted on December 22nd 2007 by daiv
Re: Christmas!
And here's another one - http://www.thecompassgroup.biz/merryxmas.swf - Clyde McPhatter and The Drifters out-Binging Bing.
# Posted on December 22nd 2007 by Floss the Tethers
Re: Christmas!
Nice one MacCruiskeen...
# Posted on December 22nd 2007 by ceolachan
Re: Christmas!
But I've enjoyed them all...
# Posted on December 22nd 2007 by ceolachan