Tuesday 25 December 2018

Blogmas Day 25: I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day - Poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play, 
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men. 

I thought how, as the day had come, 
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along th'unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men. 

And in despair I bowed my head: 
'There is no peace on earth, ' I said 
'For hate is strong, and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.' 

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: 
'God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; 
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, 
With peace on earth, good will to men.'

Till, ringing, singing on its way, 
The world revolved from night to day
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime, 
Of peace on earth, good will to men.







Poem Found using poemhunter.com






From Me and my Family to you and yours, have a very Merry Christmas. 

Monday 24 December 2018

Blogmas Day 24: Twas The Night Before Christmas - Clement Clarke Moore



'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 sugar-plums danced in their heads;
And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap,
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my 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 a lustre of midday to objects below,
When what to my wondering eyes did appear,
But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny rein-deer,
With a little old driver so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment he 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, Donder and Blixen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"
As leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky;
So up to the housetop 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 head, 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 pedler 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 on 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 bowl full 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!"


Source: https://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/twas-the-night-before-christmas-by-clement-clarke-moore

Sunday 23 December 2018

Blogmas Day 23: All That is Christmas Poet: Julie Hebert


Christmas is more than just presents,It's love and harmony.Together with friends and family,
Laughing and being funny.
We sing so many carols,
That we can't forget the tunes.
Christmas is so very exciting,
Especially in the afternoons.
Mornings are about Santa,
Exchanging our lovely gifts.
But afternoons are about loving,
All those who we feel fit. 


Saturday 22 December 2018

Blogmas Day 22: A Holiday Wish Poet: John Kendrick Bangs


When Santa Claus doth visit me
With richly laden pack of toys,
And tumbles down my chim-i-ney
To scatter 'round his Christmas joys,
I trust that he will bring the kind
That can be shared, for it is true
Past peradventure to my mind
That joy is sweeter shared by two
I never cared for solitaire.
I do not pine for lonely things.
I love the pleasure I can share
Because of all the fun it brings.
A selfish pleasure loses zest
With none to share it with you by,
And shrinks the longer 'tis possest,
While joys divided multiply.


Friday 21 December 2018

Blogmas Day 21: A Time for Joy by Catherine Pulsifer


A time for joy
For the girls and boys
Xmas brings hope
Of all good things.

Decorations and trees
Turn the lights on please
Good friends and family too
Presents and surprises for you.

A day to reflect 
A day of respect
For all you have been blessed
Let your joy be expressed.

May this Christmas bring
All special things
May you find happiness and joy
May you even receive a toy. 



Thursday 20 December 2018

Blogmas day 20: Smile On - Mary Ann Ross


Peace, love and happiness this season
Cheer spread all around you and yours' for this reason 
For your heart is pure and kind
And compassion rests on your mind 

Not as pure as snow
But not as cold as ice 
Just cause you are human we know 
And as good as they come you are nice 

So my prayer for you this moment and forever 
Boxed up as gifts but invisible like words 
Is that this smile on your face shall not fade ever 
For He shall supply all your needs, for He is God 

So smile on, smile on
Take in the better around you 
The gift of life and the clothes you have on 
The meal on your table and the roof over your head too

Smile on, smile on
Share what you have
Christmas brings peace
Be oh so glad! 


Wednesday 19 December 2018

Blogmas Day 19: This Christmas From The Editors of McCall's Magazine


This Christmas, mend a quarrel. 
Seek out a forgotten friend. 
Dismiss suspicion, and replace it with trust. 
Write a love letter. Share some treasure. 
Give a soft answer. Encourage youth. 
Manifest your loyalty in word and deed. 
Keep a promise. Find the time. 
Forgo a grudge. Forgive an enemy. 
Listen. Apologize if you were wrong. Try to understand. 
Flout envy. Examine your demands on others. 
Think first of someone else. Appreciate. 
Be kind; be gentle. Laugh a little. Laugh a little more. 
Deserve confidence. Take up arms against malice. 
Decry complacency. Express your gratitude. 
Go to church. Welcome a stranger. 
Gladden the heart of a child. 
Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth. 
Speak your love. Speak it again. Speak it still once again.

Christmas is celebration, and there is no celebration 
that compares with the realization of its true meaning - 
with the sudden stirring of the heart that has extended
itself toward the core of life. Then, only then,
is it possible to grasp the significance of the first Christmas - 
to savor in the inward ear the wild, sweet music of the angel choir;
to envision the star-struck sky, and glimpse, 
behind the eyelids the ray of light that fell athwart 
a darkened path and changed the world. 


Tuesday 18 December 2018

Blogmas Day 18: Christmas Is A Time by Catherine Pulsifer


Excitement and anticipation 
For boys and girls
A time for dreams and whishes.

A time for families to come together
A time for friends to celebrate
A time for fun and good cheer
A time for caroling and music too.

A time to decorate the house
And trim the tree.
A time to wrap the presents
And fill the stockings.

But at Christmas time we 
Should remember that first Christmas
Take the time to thank God above
For sending His son for those He loves. 


Monday 17 December 2018

Blogmas Day 17: Santa Claus Is Coming - M. Nora Boylan


Santa Claus is coming - we shall welcome him with glee;
He'll hang a gift for every one upon the Christmas-tree;
He'll not forget a single child. How happy we shall be;
For Santa Claus is coming.

But we must remember all that we must do our part;
Christmas is the time of times, to give with all our heart
We must always share our joys with those who have no part,
When Santa Claus is coming. 



Sunday 16 December 2018

Blogmas Day 16: Santa's Helpers - M. Nora Boylan


The fairies and brownies on last Christmas-tide
Decided to open their hearts very wide,
And spend extra time, throughout the whole year,
In helping their grandfather - Santa Claus dear.

"Our fingers are nimble. We'll quickly make toys
Enough to supply all the girls and the boys,
And Santa may watch us to see if it's right,
So all will be ready before Christmas night."

Then bravely they all went to work with a will,
And soon all was quiet in workshop and mill;
For old Santa said, "Enough, and well done,
We've toys enough now to make all kinds of fun."

We thank you, old Santa, and your helpers, too,
For all of the many kind things that you do;
And should you need more help in making your toys,
Just call on your small friends, the girls and the boys.


Saturday 15 December 2018

Blogmas Day 15: Christmas For All Ages - Julie Hebert


When we were kids ourselves,
We thought of Christmas time,
To be just for us,
Parents were not the prime.

But now that we are older,
We see that Christmas is great.
Not just for young children,
But for for us adults who love to celebrate


Friday 14 December 2018

Blogmasy Day 14: It's Not . . . It Is



It's sharing your gifts, not purchasing gifts;
It's not wrapping presents, 
It's being present
and wrapping your arms around the ones you love;
It's not getting Christmas cards out on time.
It's sending any card, anytime, at the right time;
It's not having the biggest and best Christmas light display,
It's displaying the Christ light that comes from your heart;
It's not Santa coming down the chimney, 
It's Jesus coming down from heaven,
and giving us the gift of eternal life.


Thursday 13 December 2018

Blogmas Day 13: An Old-Fashioned Christmas - Helen Monnette

thought of an old-fashioned Christmas
When the world was aglitter with snow,
When stars, in their lockets of velvet,
Their silvery beams rain below.
Where a Christmas tree stands in a corner
Decked out in the season's attire,
With a pearl-white necklace of popcorn,
The stringing, the children's desire.
The shutters unclosed at the windows
And friendly the light shining there,
Like the neighbors who linger when passing,
For it is the hour of prayer.
I thought of an old-fashioned Christmas
And a church in the valley of peace,
And the bell with its silver chiming
That eased our cares ere it ceased.
The peals of the laughter of children
In toyland around the green tree;
Pleasing and happy the merriment,
How wonderful childhood must be.
The logs blaze bright in the fireplace
As the hearts that are merry and gay,
As the sleighbells I hear in the distance
And wish they were coming my way.
I wish you an old-fashioned Christmas
With neighbors and family and friends,
With church bells and singing and blessing
As the old year comes to an end.


Wednesday 12 December 2018

Blogmas Day 12: Dear Santa - Kate Summers

am writing to say there is not much I need
I will let you choose and no matter I will be happy indeed.
You can get me some crayons or a book or anything that is red;
We get lots of snow so you could bring me a sled.
Thank you Santa for visiting me
When you get here make sure to look at my tree.
For beside it, I will leave some cookies and milk for you
For the reindeer I will leave carrots too.




Tuesday 11 December 2018

Blogmas Day 11: Old Santa Claus - Maud L. Betts


Old Santa Claus is a jolly man

Who brings us lots of toys, sir;
And none are happier Christmas time
Than little girls and boys, sir.



Have you not seen our Santa Claus,
With hair so snowy white, sir?
Just hang your stocking Christmas eve,
He'll come that very night, sir.



And if you watch, perhaps you'll see
This friend in furs hid deep, sir.
But I have never seen him once
I'm always fast asleep, sir.



Santa Claus is jolly, sir;
Santa Claus is kind, sir;
Santa Claus on Christmas eve
Comes riding on the wind, sir.




https://www.wow4u.com/christmas-poems/ 

Blogmas Day 10: Don't Let Christmas Be by Catherine Pulsifer


Don't let Christmas be a time to be stressed
Don't let Christmas be a time to overspend
Don't let Christmas be a time to of no rest
Don't let Christmas be a time to ignore good friends.

Let Christmas be a joyous time
Let Christmas be a relaxing and happy holiday
Let Christmas be sharing of your dimes
Let Christmas be love in many ways. 





Sunday 9 December 2018

Blogmas Day 9: A Christmas Message - Julie Hebert


I have a message for you,
And I do believe it's grand.
During this Christmas Season,
It's time to take a stand.

Remember the reason for Christmas,
And what it represents.
Jesus, loving and welcoming,
It's not just about presents.

So take this Christmas message,
And pass it far and wide.
Christmas is a time for caring,
Let's share this message, amplified


A Very Lucky Christmas - Lilac Mills




Synopsis:

Things can't get worse for Daisy Jones... can they?


Christmas is meant to be the happiest time of year so why is absolutely everything going wrong for Daisy? Reeling from a bad breakup, moving back in with her parents and hounded by trouble at work she really shouldn't be surprised when things go from bad to worse..and she ends up in A&E!

Her great-grandmother persuaded her to plant a silver sixpence in the Christmas pud for luck but choking on the coin isn't the 'change' she'd wished for. Yet when dashing Dr Noah Hartley saves the day things finally start to look up. With Christmas Day just around the corner Daisy's determined to make her own luck...and hopefully bag herself a dishy doc in the process!

Review:

So maybe when I first started reading this book I was so worried the book was going to be some soppy old cliche romace books but I opened the book and just read it all in 4 hours, laughing and enjoying each page as they passed by. I was beyond wrong with my first assumption.

First of all I absolutely loved Daisy, shes so real and I could relate to her due to this because she was literally so human and her experiences were reacted to in such a real manner ect. All of these characters were so well moulded, ever so real paper humans, if that makes sense. The pace of this book is so on point, it's not so fast you lose track and not so quick you lose interest, it's well balanced and brilliant read.

Daisy is a great character, Noah is an absolute gentleman and such an idiot at some times I actually did just sigh and roll my eyes like how can someone come to some of those comclusions is beyond me but someone somewhere is probably exactly the same as him. Daisy' family are strong and brilliant women alongside her brother who you can read his protectiveness of his sister which is adorable and lovely and their bond is so beautiful I actually would love to have such a relationship.

I cant even point out anything any degree of wrong for me from this book, I literally loved the whole thing. I feel if you look past the obvious themes of the book you can see it's a story that works with families that have split, the lessons of one parent households, so many real life issues that are really important to explore at some point in someones life. I cant really say much about this book without spoiling things or ruining it in advance before anyone read it as you may literally be into the book up until you get to the things ive mentions so my lips are semi shut. 

There is no way I can give this book anything less than a 5/5, and it for sure has me looking forward to Christmas due to its heavily christmas theme at points in the book and the imersion into family time around christmas. Lilac has done a great job witht his book I look forward to reading more from her.



Links to Book:

Amazon (UK)
Kobo (UK)


About The Author





Lilac Mills writes feel-good romantic women's fiction, and is the author of Love in the City by the Sea, A Very Lucky Christmas, Summer on the Turquoise Coast, and Sunshine at Cherry Tree Farm. Lilac spends all her time writing, or reading, or thinking about writing or reading, often to the detriment of her day job, her family, and the housework! Home for Lilac is Worcester, England.






Saturday 8 December 2018

Blogmas Day 8: Still Stops Our World by Catherine Pulsifer



Christmas a time for children
That is for certain
But for others 
It is time to love your brothers.
A time where we do see peace,
Where fighting actually does cease.
Giving gifts and sharing with all, 
When the world seems anew.
Like that first Christmas morn,
When Jesus was born.
A miracle that happened long ago,
Still stops our world and shines a glow. 


Friday 7 December 2018

Blogmas Day 7 - Snowball by Shel Silverstein

I made myself a snowball,
As perfect as could be,
I thought I’d keep it as a pet,
And let it sleep with me.
I made it some pajamas,
And a pillow for its head,
Then last night it ran away,
But first – it wet the bed!




Thursday 6 December 2018

Blogmas Day 6: A Chubby Snowman

A chubby little snowman
had a carrot nose.
Along came a bunny,
and what do you suppose?
That hungry little bunny,
looking for some lunch,
Grabbed that snowman’s nose,
Nibble, nibble, crunch!

Wednesday 5 December 2018

Blogmas Day 5: Christmas

Every time a hand reaches out
To help another….that is Christmas
Every time someone puts anger aside
And strives for understanding
That is Christmas
Every time people forget their differences
And realize their love for each other
That is Christmas
May this Christmas bring us
Closer to the spirit of human understanding
Closer to the blessing of peace!

Tuesday 4 December 2018

Blogmas Day 4: Christmas is a holiday for friends - Nicholas Gordon

Christmas is a holiday for friends,
However they may be, or not, related.
Remember that the three wise kings were strangers
In search of one remote, uncanny dream.
So may we all be far more than we seem,
Together bound for dark and haunting changes,
More lovely for the loves we have created
Along the lonely paths from means to ends,
Stumbling towards that star of Bethlehem.

Monday 3 December 2018

Blogmas Day 3: The Joy Of Giving - John Greenleaf Whittier

Somehow, not only for Christmas,
But all the long year through,
The joy that you give to others
Is the joy that comes back to you;
And the more you spend in blessing
The poor and lonely and sad,
The more of your heart’s possessing
Returns to make you glad.


Sunday 2 December 2018

Blogmas Day 2: The Littlest Christmas Tree - Amy Peterson

The littlest Christmas tree
lived in a meadow of green
among a family
of tall evergreens.
He learned how to whisper
the evergreen song
with the slightest of wind
that came gently along.

He watched as the birds
made a home out of twigs,
and couldn't wait till
he, too, was big.
For all of the trees
offered a home,
the maple, the pine, and the oak,
who's so strong.

"I hate being little,"
the little tree said,
"I can't even turn colors
like the maple turns red.
I can't help the animals
like the mighty old oak.
He shelters them all
in his wide mighty cloak."

The older tree said,
"Why, little tree, you don't know?
The story of a mighty king
from the land with no snow?"
Little tree questioned,
"A land with no snow?"
"Yes!" said old tree,
"A very old story,
from so long ago."

"A star appeared, 
giving great light
over a manger,
on long winter's night.
A baby was born, 
a king of all kings,
and with him comes love
over all things."

"He lived in a country
all covered in sand,
and laid down his life
to save all of man."

Little tree thought of the gift
given by him,
then the big tree said with the 
happiest grin,
"We're not just trees,
but a reminder of that day
There's a much bigger part
of a role that we play!"

"For on Christmas eve,
my life I'll lay down,
in exchange for a happier,
loving ground.
And as I stand dying,
they'll adorn me in trim.
This all will be done
in memory of him."

"Among a warm fire, 
with family and friends,
in the sweet songs of Christmas,
I'll find my great end.
Then ever so gently,
He'll come down to see
and take me to heaven,
Jesus and me."

"So you see, little tree,
we are not like the oak
who shelters all things
beneath his great cloak.
Nor are we like the maple
in fall,
whose colors leave many
standing in awe."

"The gift that we give
is ourselves, limb for limb,
the greatest of honor,
in memory of him."

The little tree bowed
his head down and cried
and thought of the king 
who willingly died.
For what kind of gift
can anyone give
than to lay down your life
when you wanted to live?

A swelling of pride 
came over the tree.
Can all of this happen
Because of just me?
Can I really bring honor?
By adorning a home?
By reminding mankind
that he's never alone?

With this thought, little tree
began singing with glee.
Happy and proud
to be a true Christmas tree.

You can still hear them singing
even the smallest in height,
singing of Christmas
and that one holy night.

Source: https://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/the-littlest-christmas-tree