A friend shared this true story. It really makes one stop and think about others and the manner in which our choices will affect many other lives. I hope others will contribute their thoughts and well wishes for this Christmas season.

It had been a very slow year in the gift shop business in Southern California. The major income always came the last quarter of the year during the Christmas season of shopping. With things so lean only the minumum amount of goods could be purchased for resale. It was under these conditions that a knock came upon the door of the family home of the owners of the gift shop.

"Excuse me, but I was wondering if you would like to buy my Burl Clocks that I have hand made?"

The owner looked at the clocks and at the man and apologetically stated, "I am sorry. We just do not have the means to buy anything from you."

The young man continued on as he stood with an elderly woman and three small children, "Please, I need to sell my clocks so I can care for my family!"

The desperate pleas went unanswered and the door closed on this man's life for the next day this woman read that this man had taken his own life that very night. She was shocked and decided to investigate and find out more about this man.

To her horror she found that he had married a woman who had the three children from a previous marriage. He had taken on this responsibility as well as providing for his wife's aged mother who was very ill. The wife had just recently died leaving him the sole caretaker of this family.

The children would now be put in separate homes and the mother in an institution for her care. This woman felt her heart very heavy and troubled as she realized that maybe had she bought one... JUST ONE OF THIS MAN'S beautiful handcrafted clocks, it might have given him the hope to continue on and he would still be alive.

Can we look into and know another's struggles and the battles they fight each day, especially in their hearts when discouraged, downtrodden, and lonely? How many people will die this holiday season as they lose hope and feel no one cares? Even a kind word or a smile will lift another's hope and heart. Does it cost anything to do this? Perhaps time is the most exacting of all masters as we struggle to justify how we are 'too busy' to invest a bit of our time for another.

This friend will never be able to change the recourse of her choices but she hopes that in sharing her story that it will in some measure help others to reach out for someone who needs simply to know someone cares.

Merry Christmas to all at Tir na nOg and may you all find happiness and peace in your own way this Holiday Season!

Dear Guest-
A very heartbreaking story indeed.Both the shopkeeper and the desperate man forgot the most important thing - life will provide diversity-
if we can only forget the Rut enough to see it.
The man took his life in a moment - he saw not the lives of the children he loved the persons who cared for him and he cared for-only that in that moment he was not as he wished to be and forgot how that Does change!
The shopkeep - Now riddled with guilt -feeling somehow responsible for the desperate man's suicide-in a moment of hurried justification it never ocurred to her that she could have displayed the man's hand crafted clocks on consignment at no cost to herself but time.
God Bless us all and forgive ourselves for the same mistakes.We all make them every day.
Every moment is Precious .
Merry Christmas Guest,
Ivy October

Thank you Ivy October from myself and also the friend who shared her story with me. I copied your comments and called her to read what you had written. She asked for a complete copy.

For some strange reason I feel as though a man who once made a mistake is smiling because someone was able to put into words what he would share with the world if he were able to speak here. Maybe somehow there are opportunities to overcome mistakes made in this life?

On a more humorous note...and one for those of us with a feminist streak..Isn't that all of us?!?
Have you ever considered what it would have been like if the three wise men had been women....

They would have asked for directions
Got there on time
Helped deliver the baby
Cleaned up the stable
Made a casserole
Brought practical gifts
And there would be peace on earth....

*S*

Is there any greater lesson of Christianity than forgiveness? Probably, but what greater method of freeing oneself from the shackles of anger towards one's brother or sister? Forgiveness is more for the forgiver than for the forgiven. Lets take the opportunity in the new year coming to let bygones be bygones and move on to more positive ventures rather than the pursuit of vengence.

*Warm smile at Leda's post* Ahhhh, women! The world would come to a screeching halt without em, huh? *Stuffing a huge chocolate bar in mouth* An yer knewr whart? *Difficulty speaking with mouth full savoring the richness* Dang this Dove chocolate is sooooo good! Gotta have s'more! *Popping another in mouth* An tahr think of howr murch piece...er, uh...PEACE *thoughts of another piece pop in me head as chocolate melts and slides easily down throat* on earth if every woman could have all the chocolate she desired! *Checking fake soup can and pulling out backup supply of Hershey kisses and hugz* I'm sorry but this is the last of my year's supply. *Making supreme sacrifice and leaving a large platter of Hershey kisses and hugz in the spirit of giving* Pegs??? How many pallets have we managed to go through this year? Isn't this a great time of year? *Toasting LaurelRose with a large, frothy hot chocolate* May we all get together in the spirit of Christmas Past, Christmas Future, and enjoy one another's friendship more fully this present Christmas! *Slurping scalding hot chocolate carefully* Merry Christmas Accasbel! Hope to see you at the Inn with many of the regs. We have missed chatting with the most important person at Tir na nOg. AND DON'T FORGET THE MISTLETOE! *giggling and winking at the three wisemen who have happened to find room at the Inn*
HAT RACK IS OVER THERE IN THE CORNER, FELLAS! Let's see...you need nicks here at Tir. How about Golden, Frank, en Myrrhve? Makes cense to me! MEEEEERRY CHRIIIIIIIISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzz......*Head thunks on bar while visions of chocolate dance in me head*

and a Happy Festivus to all the restivus!
*G*

"Shall we liken Christmas to the web in a loom? There are many weavers, who work into the pattern the experience of their lives. When one generation goes, another comes to take up the weft where it has been dropped. The pattern changes as the mind changes, yet never begins quite anew. At first, we are not sure that we discern the pattern, but at last we see that, unknown to the weavers themselves, something has taken shape before our eyes, and that they have made something very beautiful, something which compels our understanding."

--Earl W. Count, 4,000 Years of Christmas


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A linguistic puzzle.
The rebirth of the sun.
The birth of the Son.
Christmas was transplanted onto winter solstice some 1,600 years ago, centuries before the English language emerged from its Germanic roots. Is that why we came to express these two ideas in words that sound so similar?

Winter solstice was overlaid with Christmas, and the observance of Christmas spread throughout the globe. Along the way, we lost some of the deep connection of our celebrations to a fundamental seasonal, hemispheric event. Many people--of many beliefs--are looking to regain that connection now.
I gain inspiration from the universality of the ancient idea--winter solstice celebrations aren't just an invention of the ancient Europeans.

Native Americans had winter solstice rites. The sun images have been found on rock paintings of the Chumash, who occupied coastal California for thousands of years before the Europeans arrived. Solstices were tremendously important to them, and the winter solstice celebration lasted several days.
In Iran, there is the observance of Yalda, in which families kept vigil through the night and fires burned brightly to help the sun (and Goodness) battle darkness (thought evil).

Winter solstice celebrations are also part of the cultural heritage of Pakistan and Tibet. And in China, even though the calendar is based on the moon, the day of winter solstice is called Dong Zhi, "The Arrival of Winter." The cold of winter made an excellent excuse for a feast, so that's how the Chinese observed it, with Ju Dong, "doing the winter."

And what of Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights that occurs around this time every year? Is it related to other celebrations of the season?

The placement of Hanukkah is tied to both the lunar and solar calendars. It begins on the 25th of Kislev, three days before the new moon closest to the Winter Solstice. It commemorates an historic event -- the Maccabees' victory over the Greeks and the rededication of the temple at Jerusalem. But the form of this celebration, a Festival of Lights (with candles at the heart of the ritual), makes Hanukkah wonderfully compatible with other celebrations at this time of year. As a symbolic celebration of growing light and as a commemoration of spiritual rebirth, it also seems closely related to other observances.

In many cultures, customs practiced at Christmas go back to pre-Christian times. Many involve divination--foretelling the future at a magic time: the season turning of solstice.

In Russia, there's a Christmas divination that involves candles. A girl would sit in a darkened room, with two lighted candles and two mirrors, pointed so that one reflects the candlelight into the other. The viewer would seek the seventh reflection, then look until her future would be seen.
The early Germans built a stone altar to Hertha, or Bertha, goddess of domesticity and the home, during winter solstice. With a fire of fir boughs stoked on the altar, Hertha was able to descend through the smoke and guide those who were wise in Saga lore to foretell the fortunes of those at the feast.

In Spain, there's an old custom that is a holdover from Roman days. The urn of fate is a large bowl containing slips of paper on which are written all the names of those at a family get-togehter. The slips of paper are drawn out two at a time. Those whose names are so joined are to be devoted friends for the year. Apparently, there's often a little finagling to help matchmaking along, as well.

In Scandinavia, some families place all their shoes together, as this will cause them to live in harmony throughout the year.

And in many, many cultures, it's considered bad luck for a fire or a candle to go out on Christmas Day. So keep those candles burning!

Winter solstice for 2000 will occur at 1.37pm GMT (Universal Standard Time) on December 21. If you want to be precise about it, please be sure to correct for your time zone.

Nodlaig Nait Cugat!

Alban Arthan...days of days...winter solstice..Yule..(from the Norse Iul meaning wheel)truly a magnificent time of the year...with much cultural and religious significance. The time which marks 'the death and the rebirth of the Sun-God'...the vanquishing of the Holly King, (God of the waning year) by the Oak King, (God of the waxing year).In AD 273 'the Church' set this as the date of Jesus's birth so as to correspond with the Persian Mithras, as St. Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople explained about a century later.....so that "while the heathen were busied with their profane rites, the Christians might perform their holy ones without disturbance." Interesting how as Christianity spread in the ancient world, customs and beliefs of other 'religions' were adopted and adapted so as to bring more into 'the fold', one of the many strengths of 'the Church' in my opinion.

As we draw ever closer to winter solstice, I see all the Christmas lights going up, and think to myself..."what a lovely thing this is"! In this, the darkest time of the year, I look to the lights and view them as a remarkable reflection upon the human soul, like as a lighthouse unto ships at sea, this festive season brings hope and love to an almost seemingly barren time. How beautiful it is, that we should feel the need to share this time with our loved ones,to share with them the light,and the stories which help us to understand this solar and celestial process...that we have found in this time,which is in doubt sacred, a star of radiating magnificence.

In my previous post..I meant to say ...'which is in no doubt sacred', not 'in doubt sacred'...*s*

p.s.....wonderful posts Cao! *s*(let's hear some more shall we?)

~Nollaig Shona,..agus Athbhliain Mhaise...daoibh!~..~Merry Christmas,..and Happy New Year...to you all!*S*..Many wonderous blessings for y'all this season and throughout the coming year....may your hearts and souls be filled with sweet and everlasting joy.~

Why do I always mess up?Please ignore the previous post folks...Forgot to include the word 'faoi'...I shall repost....
~Nollaig Shona,..agus Athbhliain faoi Mhaise... daoibh!~..~Merry Christmas,..and Happy New Year...to you all!*S*..Many wonderous blessings for y'all this season and throughout the coming year....may your hearts and souls be filled with sweet and everlasting joy.~...perhaps this is one for my New Years resolution list: not to mess up in future postings!

and that is WHAT time today in Perth, Cao?

My wish for you all is a pleasant time at Christmas. Free from the stresses of everyday life .. from hardship and heartache .. free from feelings of inadequacy or redundancy .. I wish you an abundance of love to give and receive.

Be Happy, Helpful and Healthy my Tir friends and family.

wonderfully spoken lace *S*

My wish to all of you at Christmas is that you may in the coming year, amidst the hurriedness of everyday life, learn to stop...look...and listen.

This will of course prevent you from being hit by a passing bus or train, but in addition, it might just serve to become a quiet place in your mind which you have always with you, to which you can retreat at any time, to refresh your soul and consider your true priorities.

Material objects? Replaceable. Social standing? Who cares, really? Wealth? Can't take it with you. Love? Ahhhh, now that's a different matter.

May we all take the time in the coming year to stop and reflect on the gift of those we love and who love us. Time spent with family and friends is much more important than time spent seeking wealth.
Memories are all we can take with us...let us make them good ones, loving ones...

A Merry Christmas to you all, and a New Year full of warmth, joy and happiness.

-Celt

I don't have the eleoquence of previous writers, but I would like to wish all my friends in Tir a wonderful, loving and peaceful Christmas and that the New Year brings good things to everyone.

Merry Christmas to all the Tir folk.
May the special joy of Christmas be yours.

yeah, what Nettie said, me too!

Nollaig Shona dhuit. Merry Christmas to all.

Although most who read this will have a Happy Christmas, not all will. Do something nice for them this Christmas too. I will leave this poem as my Christmas thought.

Imagine a Christmas
Daryl L. Chambers Jr
Imagine a Christmas with no bow or bell
With no family near, “Merry Christmas,” to tell
And what if all favored things were suddenly gone
Not even your own hall to deck holly on

Imagine a Christmas with no buzzing of toys
With an absence of laughter of glad girls and boys
And what if there was no place for you to hang your hat
And home was where ever in exhaustion you sat

Imagine a Christmas all alone in the night
No warm house to ward off winter’s cold bite
And what if those fellows who merrily clap your back
When you came near sent their dogs to attack

Imagine a Christmas with only rags to wear
And only some straw to warm the cold air
And what if God himself suddenly became quite poor?
Would you follow and honor him anymore?

Did Jesus himself not say, “Truly I say unto thee,
What you do unto the least of my brethren, you do unto me?”

Thank you for the beautiful sentiments, Daryl. May the true Spirit of Christmas reside in our hearts where ever and what ever our circumstances may be. The power of love is real. It does change hardened hearts and lives.

Merry Christmas everybody, Happy Easter Australia!

Just popped in to see what was afoot in Tir this the season of hope; a time when we seem to express our love and friendship freely. I must say the sentiments expressed above have touched me deeply. This is a good place to be.

Amidst blue skies, sunshine, glistening snow, (and freezing temperatures), from Winnipeg, Canada, I wish you all a Merry and a Happy Christmas. May you find at least one of those special moments of beauty and quiet during the days ahead.

(((((SAAAAANTABEL!!!))))) You made it Tir! Did you get the inflateable dolly I left under the tree for you? *giggling* Just joking...my gift does not require batteries or hot air to enjoy.

You will have to dig very deep to find my gift for you under the Tir Christmas tree and will find it amongst all the pressies for Tir na nOggians. The Toyota 4runner I parked for Briana may have to be moved as well as the Pot O'gold ATM for Graymyst. (Sorry, Graymyst, but the End O' the Rainbow contains gold. Only green I could find was the Emerald Isle).

Santabel, when you open your gift it will lighten your heart everyday with love and laughter. It contains some very special moments from Tir that resulted from Accasbel's gift of time and the special Cybersite he created for all to enjoy.

One can also find a lot of caring and sharing with endearing moments along with teasing, puns, and much muse...

There are often kisses on the cheek mingled with hugz and other affectionate ways...

Creativity abounds with some of the best mystery and intrigue. A lot of hats hang on the Tir hat rack as visitors share drinks and catch up on one another's happenings while chatting or reading the daily postings on the message board.

Does Cyber life get any better than this Santabel? I hope so. Just open the gift I left and see for yourself. Santabel, may you know how much we appreciate you and may you be blessed for providing a wonderful gift to all! ~M'luv~

And God bless us each and every one....Oh, and you too, out there reading all this.
From all of us, to all of you, a very Merry Christmas...now off with you, off with you...it's here.

Happy New Year / Y2K + 1 to everyone!

now what do I do with all the Spam I bought last year? *g*