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"And it came to pass
in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the
world should be taxed. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own
city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth,
into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was
of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife,
being great with child.
And so it was, that, while
they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes,
and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the
inn." -- Luke
1, 3-7
Kris Kringle is the German words
for "Christ's Child"
~~~~~
The first Animal Crackers were
not made for eating...
they were made as Christmas tree decorations!
~~~~~
How Did Christmas Cards Come
To Be?
Source: WISR 680AM News Sheet, December 24,
2002.
WISR, A Butler County PA Radio Network Station www.wisr680.com
Henry Cole, an
Englishman, was too busy to write personal greetings for Christmas 1843.
Cole hired artist John Calcott Horsley to design a ready-to-be-sent card.
The hand-colored card Horsley designed was lithographed on stiff, dark cardboard
and featured adults and children raising wine glasses in a toast. The
first Christmas card also had various religious symbols. Sprigs of holly
symbolized chastity, while ivy symbolized places God had walked. Feeding
and clothing the poor were also encouraged on the card's cover. Under the
picture was written "A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to
you." Printed in an edition of 1,000, Horsley's card was sold in
London stores. Only one of those cards exists today. Two reasons for
the initial popularity of Christmas cards are given: The custom may have
caught on because greetings could be mailed for a penny each in 1843,
London. The other reason is attributed to a scandal with Horsley's
design. A family, surrounded with religious symbols, holding glasses of
wine, offended some. The controversy is thought to have helped promote
Cole's idea.
~~~~~
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Louis Prang created the first
American Christmas cards at his Boston factory in 1874.
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American families sent and
received an average of 28 Christmas cards each.
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According to the Greeting Card
Association, an industry trade group based in Washington, D.C., an estimated
2.1 billion paper Christmas cards will crisscross the country (United
States) in 2002.
Source: Butler
Eagle, December 26, 2002.
~~~~~
In the Thomas Nast cartoon that first depicted
Santa Claus with a sleigh and reindeer, he was delivering Christmas gifts to
soldiers fighting in the U. S. Civil War. The cartoon, entitled
"Santa Claus in Camp," appeared in Harper's Weekly on January
3, 1863. Source: WISR 680AM News Sheet, December 24, 2002.
WISR, A Butler County PA Radio Network Station www.wisr680.com
~~~~~
Trying to find some
different holiday
gift ideas?
Peruse these unique gift
baskets for men
and delightful gift
baskets for women.
Feeling creative?
Design your own custom
Christmas gift baskets right on their site!
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100's of Jokes
& Cartoons
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A Little Bit of Humor...
According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, while both male and female reindeer grow antlers in the
summer each year, male reindeer drop their antlers at the beginning of winter, usually late November to mid December. Female reindeer retain their antlers till after they give birth in the spring. Therefore, according to every historical rendition depicting Santa's reindeer, every single one of them, from Rudolph to Blitzen - had to be a female. We should've known. Only women would be able to drag a fat man in a red velvet suit all around the world in one night and not get lost. |
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For more Christmas Humor - see
ButlerWebs' separate page:
Christmas
Jokes & Cartoons
~~~~~
Spoof on the traditional Christmas newsletter
By Brenda Kern, Freelance Writer
www.faithwriters.com/article-details.php?id=52564
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We moved our collection of Christmas
Poetry and Stories to a separate pages for your convenience. We hope
you enjoy them.
Christmas Poems
Christmas Stories
Also visit our special page for Christmas Carols
~~~~~
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Why Jesus Is Better Than Santa Claus
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- Santa lives at the North Pole - JESUS is everywhere.
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Santa rides in a sleigh - JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.
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Santa comes but once a year - JESUS is an ever present help.
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Santa fills your stockings with goodies - JESUS supplies all your needs.
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Santa comes down your chimney uninvited ....
JESUS stands at your door and knocks, and then enters your heart.
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You have to wait in line to see Santa ...
JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.
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Santa lets you sit on his lap - JESUS lets you rest in His arms.
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Santa doesn't know your name, all he can say is "Hi little boy or girl, what's your name?" ...
JESUS knew our name before we did.
Not only does He know our name, He knows our address, too.
He knows our history and future and He even knows how many hairs are on our heads.
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Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly - JESUS has a heart full of love.
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All Santa can offer is HO HO HO - JESUS offers health, help and hope.
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Santa says "You better not cry" - JESUS says "Cast all your cares on me for I care for you."
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Santa's little helpers make toys ...
JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes and builds mansions.
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Santa may make you chuckle but - JESUS gives you joy! that is your strength.
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While Santa puts gifts under your tree - JESUS became our gift and died on the tree.
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It's obvious there is really no comparison.
We need to remember WHO Christmas is all about.
We need to put Christ back in Christmas, Jesus is still the reason for the season.
Yes, Jesus is better, even better than Santa Claus.
Merry CHRISTmas!!!
Author Unknown
Submitted By Jackie
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~~~~~
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Inspiration &
Motivation
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Thoughts...
"More than Santa Claus, your sister knows if you've been bad or
good."
- - Linda Sunshine
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~~~ Top - Directory
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Tips for a healthy & safe live
Christmas tree:
- Leave the tree outside or in the garage for a few
days before bringing inside to decorate.
- Make a fresh cut across the bottom, about 1"
above base, so your tree can drink easily.
- Make a preservative: mix a quart of water
with 1/2-cup of corn syrup and a tsp. of bleach.
- After a few days in the preservative, bring the
tree inside and place it in a location away from direct sunlight and
other heat sources (such as heating ducts, wood stoves and
fireplaces.)
- Remember to add water to the reservoir daily.
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Tips &
Tricks...
Have a large gift to wrap? Rather than struggle with regular gift wrapping paper, use a paper tablecloth to wrap your large
gift. You usually can find one with a holiday pattern.
Check your local Dollar Store!
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Tips &
Tricks |
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WWW Links
for
Mailing & Package
Delivery Services
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Did
You Know?
- December
24, 1931: New York City construction workers,
at the future site of Rockefeller Center, dragged in
a 12-foot Christmas tree and decorated it with tin
cans and paper. The first official Rockefeller
Center tree, with 700 blue and white lights,
appeared two years later.
- Electric
Christmas tree lights were first used in 1895.
The idea for using electric Christmas lights came
from an American, Ralph E. Morris. The new
lights proved safer than the traditional candles.
Source:
WISR 680AM News Sheet, December 24, 2002. WISR, A
Butler County PA Radio Network Station www.wisr680.com
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~~~ Top - Directory
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Christmas Tickets
Tickets for Christmas Shows & Christmas Concerts |
|
Front Row USA is an independent
ticket brokerage firm engaged in the business of buying and selling "hard to find" and sold out tickets along with any
travel or amenities that may be required. |
|
All Concerts, Theatre,
and Sporting Events Worldwide |
| Sporting
Events - Sports
Tickets including, but not limited to: NBA, NFL,
MLB, NHL, PGA, NCAA, MLS, NASCAR, Tennis, Boxing, Rugby, International Soccer, Olympics and Horse Racing. |
| Theatre
Tickets including but not limited to: NY Broadway, London, & Touring Companies. |
| Concert
Tickets - Concert Performers like:
Cher, Billy Joel, Elton John, Britney Spears, Shania Twain, Dave Matthew’s Band, Rod Stewart, Celine
Dion, Sting, Aerosmith, Bruce Springsteen, Jimmy Buffet and many others. |
| Family
Entertainment
- Disney on Ice, Ringling Brothers Circus, Spiderman, Stars on Ice, Sesame Street Live, Bob The Builder and more! |
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~~~ Top - Directory
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Christmas Cards
and E-Card Art Contest
Our collection of free Christmas cards covers a wide range of themes including: humorous, romantic, and sentimental. The Christmas cards that appear on this site have been submitted by artists around the world and we will continue to add new greeting cards every month. Our collection is easy to navigate, and sending an e-card is easy as 1-2-3.
E-Card Art Contest - If you have artwork that would be suitable for an e-card, please enter it in our free e-card art contest!
www.free-e-cards-online.com/ChristmasCards.html
~~~~~
CHRISTMAS
Safety Tips
www.sosnet.com/safety/christmas.html
~~~~~
| Christmas decorations for your home - tree skirts,
Christmas dishes and platters, outdoor decorations, prelit
Christmas trees - little touches that make a home special at Christmas time! The finest Christmas decorations for your home - including personalized gifts for family, friends and pets! |
 Christmas
Decorations for your home - holiday themed throw pillows and
more! |
 Outdoor Christmas
Decorations - lighted deer, sleighs and trees for your yard. |
 Annalee Dolls - Annalee Santas, Deer, Elves, Snowmen, Mice, Christmas Kitties and Halloween items, too! |
 Personalized
Christmas Gifts - Personalized Christmas platters, plates,
dishes, ornaments, stocking, and more! |
|
~~~~~
Plan everything here -
Make your to-do list, organize your shopping list and more!
www.santa.com
~~~~~
Christmas - www.santaland.com
Taking you back to an era of holiday traditions we remember as children.
Send a letter to Santa, read holiday stories,
find Christmas carols, lyrics, and arts and crafts.
Find Christmas recipes and care for that holiday plant Santa gave you.
Track Santa on Christmas Eve.
~~~~~
Toys From Santa
www.toysfromsanta.com
~~~~~
www.yuleloveit.com
Christmas Graphics
World's largest collection of Christmas graphics!
~~~~~
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Old
World Nutcrackers offers Nutcrackers
of all kinds: Theme Nutcrackers, Chubby Nutcrackers,
Troll Nutcrackers, Steinbach Nutcrackers, German Smokers, Steinbach Ornaments,
Ulbricht Nutcrackers, Ulbricht Smokers, Snow Globes, Jumping Jacks,
Wood Rocking Horses, Christmas Carousels and more. |
Christmas Carousels |
Chubby Nutcrackers |
Wood Rocking Horses |
German Smokers |
Snow Globes |
Troll Nutcrackers |
|
We invite you to come into our Christmas Wonderland and find a beautiful nutcracker to pass down to your children and hope that you have a truly special holiday season...no matter what time of the year it is!
Gift
certificates available. |
|
www.OldWorldNutcrackers.com |
|
~~~~~
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Inspiration &
Motivation
|
Thoughts...
"The TV news people keep saying this could be the greatest Christmas we ever had.
I kind of thought the first one was."
-- Milton Berle
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~~ Top of
Page ~~
More Christmas Pages From
ButlerWebs:
Christmas Carols
Christmas
Humor Christmas Poems
Christmas Stories
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This page was last edited 04/07/08.
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