Happy Christmas Eve,

 I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

For Fun

Last Minute Shoppers Day is about as thrilling as it can get.  I am a veteran last-minute Christmas Shopper, and I am here to tell you there is nothing like it.  The smell of desperation in the air, the anxious shoppers, the last-minute deals – will I find that perfect present?  There is also a camaraderie amongst the people in the stores at this time – because we are all like minded and like the thrill of the hunt.  If you have never been to a mall or a department store on Christmas Eve, you have to experience it for yourself, just to be a part of it.

On Today’s Menu…

National Eggnog Day hits the spot for this special day.  Whether you like it with or without a little kick, pour yourself a glass, have a Christmas cookie and enjoy the holiday atmosphere.

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugarplums danced in their heads;
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled down for a long winter’s nap,

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;

“Now, DASHER! now, DANCER! now, PRANCER and VIXEN!
On, COMET! on CUPID! on, DONNER and BLITZEN!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!”

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His eyes — how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD-NIGHT!

Clement Clarke Moore

I have my own tradition on this night.  I always go outside, sometime right before going to bed, and stand and listen.  It is usually fairly quiet.  I listen for the Christmas spirit, and I usually hear it – in the form of peace.  It is very relaxing, and I can’t explain it, but it happens for me every year on this night.

Sneak Peek at Tomorrow’s Events and Celebrations

Christmas

National Pumpkin Pie Day

On this day…

1814 – The War of 1812 ends

1923 – President Calvin Coolidge lights up the first National Christmas Tree at the White House.  This was also the first National tree to have electric lights

1968 – The astronauts Frank Borman, Bill Anders and Bill Lovell host a live broadcast from space as they orbit the moon.  They read from the book of Genesis and capture the “earthrise” photo

1972 – Bob Hope gives his last Christmas show to U.S. servicemen

1979 – The Soviet Union invades Afghanistan

Happy Birthday to…

Enjoy the day and make it your own

Most amazing God, thank You for Your salvation and peace.  May your blessings shine on all of us as we reflect on this joyous season.  In the name of Your Son, I pray, Amen.

Thank you to National Day Calendar; National Today; History.com; Britannica.com; Wikipedia; on this day.com

#ChristmasEve, #NationalEggnogDay, #LastMinuteShoppersDay