Bluebird...maybe you should let your christian friends know this bothers you. More than likly, they are not even aware of the offense.
If, they are christians I'm sure they are not ashamed of the Lord Jesus. He holds nothing against us in our unawares.

I didn't mean that the cards offended me. I guess I think it is sad, though. Maybe I'm being judgmental. I have to watch that....

Ladybug, that was the most peaceful Christmas I've ever had!! Christmas Eve at the hospital was very quiet and I remember watching midnight Mass from the Vatican or St. Patrick's.
And shock of all shocks, my family managed fine without me!!!

Watching Christmas Eve at the Vatican just does something to me. It comes from deep within and just stirs up very strong feelings.

When the kids were little I read the part of my bible starting at Jesus' birth. I love the Coventry carol and admit it makes me cry. It's the story of King Harod's men searching for Jesus and ordering the soldiers to kill all the first born male children

We have some really great Christmas cards this year. Vicki Hawkins made them. Her website is:

http://nanasnotecards.tripod.com/

Happywife, I have also ordered note cards from Vicki. I got a few sets for my duaghter and her friends. They were precious. I think IVcki's daughter also used her for her wedding invitations. Jawjaw told us about her. How did you learn about her cards? Just curious.

We keep the Christ in Christmas. We have several manger scenes. Some were made by the kids at Advent Festivals and Sunday school. Others have been gifts. They are some of my favorite decorations. I believe I have at least one in every room on the first floor. I pray my children keep Christ in Christmas as they begin to venture out on their own.

I learned about Vicki thru my baby sister. Mary Lee, baby sis, and her hubby are friends with Vicki's brother, BJ. Mary Lee first gave me a set of notecards with Elvis all over them that Vicki had made. As it turns out, Vicki (now not even knowing Mom and Dad) would bring her Daddy to visit with my Daddy who was in the VA home. Vicki didn't even know them, but she would use her day off and drive down from Chattanooga Tenn and visit with my Daddy. How's that for unselfish?

When Vicki's Mom passed away, Mary Lee told me about it. Then a month later, Vicki's husband died and Mary Lee wrote to me and told me. I sent a card to Vicki, and an email. We became friends.

Then, Vicki's daughter, who was pregnant at the time, had a stroke and was somewhat pararlized so Vicki had to quit her full-time job and go part-time so she could help her daughter and son-in-law get thru the pregnancy, and basically to hold the family together. I don't know of a braver woman. The baby was born just fine.

Then last year Vicki's daughter had another child and he is the Brady that we've prayed for, from time to time. Please see "need prayers" for the latest on Brady.

Vicki and I have remained friends and I visited her when Brady was born and of course, cemented our friendship for life. She is a wonderful Christian lady and so full of life and love. She brings the whole world UP when she is around.

If you want to whine, take a look at Vicki's life and be grateful. She is. She's taught me so much!

JJ

I decided to put Vicki's prayer request here because I don't want to cover up Chatty's post about her brother. The pictures she sent me are precious and if anyone wants to see them, they can email me. See below:


My Grandson's surgery has been set for January 12 at 7:30 a.m. at Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville. We go up the day before for several hours of testing and he'll undergo the open heart surgery the following morning.

It's never too early to start asking for prayers...as much for the family as anyone. Mommy and Daddy are having a pretty rough time, dreading this for their little guy and having been through this with my 29 year old 'baby' I know it isn't easy when one of your children has any kind of surgery, let alone open heart.

He is the sweetest little boy. 5 months now and is such a happy little fella. I'm attaching a picture so you can tell for yourself that I'm not predjudice, haha!! Brady is so precious to us all.

As it gets closer, I'll send out another reminder, but in the meantime, any and all prayers will be appreciated so very much.

Thanks everyone!!
Love ya'll
Vicki

You can count on my prayers for Brady. My 5th. child had open heart surgery at the tender age of 16 hours. Thank God at the time I didn't know exactly what they had to do, but it saved his life and now he is going on 13 and perfectly fine. He is a miracle and I know Brady will be, too!
Peace, Vicki.

Writing X for Christ isn't rude or sacralegious.

X is the Greek word for Christ. It's really just a shorthand way of saying the same thing. Folks might find it personally offensive but it's a matter of personal taste and now what is right or wrong. It's actually correct to write Christmas *OR* Xmas.

Like many, I prefer Christmas but don't get my tights in a twist over Xmas. What REALLY frosts me is "Happy Holidays".

Come on...if it wasn't for CHRISTMAS we wouldn't be having ANY holiday!

Grumble, grumble...