Santa Claus, also known as Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, Saint Nick, Kris Kringle, or simply Santa, is a legendary character originating in Western Christian culture who is said to bring children gifts during the late evening and overnight hours on Christmas Eve of toys and candy or coal or nothing, depending on whether they are "naughty or nice". In the legend, he accomplishes this with the aid of Christmas elves, who make the toys in his workshop, often said to be at the North Pole and flying reindeer who pull his sleigh through the air. The modern character of Santa is based on folklore traditions surrounding Saint Nicholas, the English figure of Father Christmas, and the Dutch figure of Sinterklaas.
It was only today that I was reminded that this is a time of love and reflection. Beyond all commercialism is the true gift and meaning of this holy season. Advent is the beginning of the journey of Christ's love and his short life on earth. He was born in humble surroundings. A King. The Messiah. This is a season of love and giving. The greatest gift we can give is our love.
I grew up as one of nine kids. I never knew we were poor (I use that term loosely, I never went to bed hungry) as we were always rich in love. Christmas was never about "what" we got, and I say this honestly. We had a big, extended family and we always got together and made our joy together, It was the best time of our life. Kids don't need things to be happy. Love is relatively inexpensive. We have become accustomed to feeding the wants and not the needs.
I give thanks for another year. I do. Sometimes I get off track and so I need to slow down and let life happen, just a little bit. I read the book The Christmas Box to remind me of what truly matters; to me, that is the ultimate gift of the season- If you have never read the story, the book is centered around a man named Richard, a workaholic and how he learned an important lesson about the meaning of Christmas, and the importance of family. Sometimes being reminded of these things is not a bad thing, but, rather a refresher course. Blessings and goodwill to all of you.
The truth of the matter is that the simplicity of flowers colors my world. The poinsettia is such a glorious plant for this time of year, #alwaysaflower If you have followed me for long enough, you know that flowers are a special part of my life. What is not to love about flowers? Unless you are allergic to the pollen. That is no bueno.
I love all the whimsey involved, blended with the folklore. The season of joy, May your burdens be light and your blessings abundant. Twinkle radiantly!! I will be the first to admit that on Hive, the warmth touches the very depths of my heart as your soul shines brightly. I wish you and all your loved ones a very Merry Christmas. ❤️
All I have are my words, armed in my mind, written in pen, stand by stand. Oh, yes. Still by hand. It has a different feel. Altered not by keys, backspace, and delete, I write, erase, tear it to pieces and start all over again. And again.
It’s my way. I walk out to the deep end of the page and dive right in.
Thank you for visiting my post 💖 Don't ever forget what a wonderful world we live in, people. Some days, it is not as easy to see, just how wonderful it really is. Me, I try to do my part. Kindness counts. Wherever you go, whatever you do.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
So he paused. And the Grinch put his hand to his ear.
And he did hear a sound rising over the snow.
It started in low. Then it started to grow.
But the sound wasn't sad! Why, this sound sounded merry!
It couldn't be so! But it WAS merry! VERY!
He stared down at Whoville! The Grinch popped his eyes!
Then he shook! What he saw was a shocking surprise!
Every Who down in Whoville, the tall and the small,
Was singing! Without any presents at all!
He HADN'T stopped Christmas from coming! IT CAME!
Somehow or other, it came just the same!
And the Grinch, with his grinch-feet ice-cold in the snow,
Stood puzzling and puzzling: "How could it be so?"
"It came with out ribbons! It came without tags!"
"It came without packages, boxes or bags!"
And he puzzled three hours, till his puzzler was sore.
Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before!
Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store."
"Maybe Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!”
~Dr. Suess
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Tru words ds, Love is the greatest. Twinkle twinkle, have you been good ALL year?
Of course, I have!! Wink! Wink!
Love rules! It's a fact!
Merry Christmas!
Love is free, but valuable/precious.
Merry Christmas.
Have a nice day. All the best. Greetings and much love from Hungary.
True, it is free and valuable, and precious. When I said it was relatively inexpensive, it was definitely meant as so cheap, it was free.
Merry Christmas~
A wonderful holiday season to you my sweet sweet flower loving Denise!
Thank you! You are the sweetest, ever!! You have a way of making a person feel warm and wonderful. It's a gift. ❤️
Merry Christmas, lovely. xo
I've been doing my best to twinkle, with mixed results. When I'm on it though, I'm on it!
Shine on! Shine on!!
You are definitely there!
Merry Christmas, Galen!
A merry Christmas to you too Swigs, may it be Christmassy. I sent you a DM on Discord a half hour ago when you get a chance.
Christmassy. Yes. That! 'Tis the season, isn't it? Fa la la la la, la la la la.
I gifted $PIZZA slices here:
@dswigle(1/5) tipped @pixresteemer (x1)
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It is so true that what children need is love, everything else is complimentary, and Christmas should be a time to share love.
I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas. 🎄😊
It is such a wonderful time to share the love! ❤️ Thank you for your words and for your wonderful wishes. I hope you are enjoying this time with your family! You deserve it!
Merry, Mery Christmas!
It's such a heart warming post.
I have something similar, we had a rough childhood but at that stage it all looked very normal and never cried over it. Rather I was always happy with my cousins and friends. These celebrations were so simple, nothing new or fancy we ever had, but it was all still so joyful. Never had a Santa Claus in my growing up but I still do believe in the magic.
Loved all your pictures.
That is it exactly! There were no big expectations, we were happy in our own life and celebrations. We didn't do fancy, but, we had all our relatives, plus friends.
Life was good!!! We were always happy! Thank you so much!
May you and yours have a warm and wonderful Christmas. xo
I wish you happy holidays full of kindness, love, and warmth in the company of relatives and friends! Merry Christmas, dear @dswigle (Denise)! 🌟🎄🎶
Merry Christmas to you @ganya.grak ❤️ I wish you and your family peace in which to live, surrounded by love.
May this and all good things be yours. It is well deserved. xo
Thank you so much for the kind wishes, @dswigle! ❤️
Love the vibe of your post! In fact, many of us fail terribly to be grateful for passing one more year and having our loved ones next to us instead of being more focused on how fast time passes and that another year comes to an end. Being focused on this, we miss more important details, such as being grateful! So thank you for remembering me about it :)
You always seem exceptionally grateful. for the beauty of nature, life in general, and living life well. :) From what I see.
Merry Christmas to you! Many warm and wonderful moments to you!
I do try my best to share good vibes through my posts and don't forget to be grateful. But in reality I fight with anxiety and depression for years and being pessimistic is easier for me. That's why I love this kind of reminders that I should appreciate more what I have :)
Thank you! Merry Christmas and hope you have a lovely end of the year! ❤️
Thanks your family they could make such a big family that isn't easy. I was one of five girls too in my family. But now I can't imagine if I can grow up five children because it seems me just loving them isn't enough for these days. Now I have three may be later there will be four))
It is no more difficult to raise five now than it was years ago. The expectations of the kids are different, so we must be careful to not raise them to think the world owes them. :)
I think it can be done.
May you have an amazing day!
When we were children it wasn't important what kind of kindergarten or school we go or what we wear everyday or what we eat but now I am not sure that we can do all of these... We always want everything to be the best for pur kids but can't afford it always.
In the end, many of these things do not matter, we make them important by giving the impression that without them, we are lesser people. We all want to do better for our children, but, what is better? Better clothes? Better care to ride in? Or unconditional love? To feel loved and know that no matter what, you will always be loved.
Living within our means and being comfortable with it will create a much more peaceful life. Not that we shouldn't strive for more, but to not let it rule us.
Of course, I don't know you or your situation, so I could be totally wrong.
Indeed, I agree with you that the best gift we can give to other people is love, not earthly things alone. I have also an extended family since my mom and dad got separated and then they both have their own families now. I was once poor before talking about money. But the love that they show me is one of a kind that money can't buy. Now that I am slowly thriving hard with my family, with God's grace everything is okay. Merry Christmas.. Sending you my virtual hugs.. Love, love, love.
Merry Christmas! May you always see the shiny and bright side of life!
Shine on!
Merry Christmas 🎄 thank you so much. With God's grace I know I will. Love and Hugs.
Christmas looks very sparkly in your world, but nothing sparkles as brightly as the precious.
:) Yes! I can see that. Who is holding the precious now?
I'm jelly you have a cool name.
So, who holds it?
Confess!
I have the precious...and there'll be a post to prove it...with photos of course...one of which is used for my profile background.
aw, beautiful reflection, especially about children and love.
Merry Christmas to you and your family! <3
Ah, yes. Children and love. They go hand in hand, yes?
It is what makes the world go round. :)
I wish all good things for you and for your dear mother.
You were raised right and your mom is lucky to have such a wonderful
family watching over her.
God Bless all of you.
Merry, Merry Christmas!
I really like your complete photography. What a wonderfully decorated all places i love it. Christmas holidays have started everyone will celebrate the holiday with their friends and family and celebrate with their children this is the time to enjoy each other. This time is the most beautiful of the year. Thanks for sharing your happiness with us.
It's definitely important to just take a moment and breathe. Especially during this time of year. In between all the running and festivities, I am hoping my wife and I can take some time to just relax and be together. We already did that a little on our winter garden walk last weekend and it was really nice!
I think if more people would do that, there wouldn't be so much burnout, road rage, and other Holiday dampeners.
We owe these moments to ourselves.
Merry Christmas to you and MS. Bozz!
Thanks, to you as well!
Merry Christmas Denise.
Those baubles look the biz!
Merry Christmas 🎄 to you and yours Denise…
All we need is love indeed 🥰 let’s share happiness and laughter…
kids are never poor when they are loved.
You've said golden words!
I've only a brother in my life, but my Dad was grown up in a family where there were 7 kids, and he never told me something bad about his childhood, it was a nice friendly family, so I know what you mean.❤️
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And Dad.
I was going to leave my comment at just that, but then it'd seem like I only read the first sentence and dashed along on my way, to the top of the porch, to the top of the wall, and kept dashing away.
My family and I are going to a kitchen on Monday to serve food for a few hours. I do have a son who is all about things, and I think this will be a good way to show him that things are overrated. A warm house and food are not.