"What can I give Him, Poor as I am? If I were a shepherd I would bring a lamb, If I were a wise man I would do my part Yet what can I give Him? Give my heart.“

Christina Rossetti

Author UnknownWhat shall we give the children?Christmas is almost here.Toys and games and playthings,as we do every year?Yes, for the magic of Toylandis part of the yuletide loreto gladden the heart of childhood,But I shall give something more,a more sympathetic ear,a little more time for laughter,or tenderly dry a tear...I shall take time to teach themthe joy of doing some task.I'll try to find some time to answermore of the questions they ask.And take long walks in the sun.Time for a bedtime story,after the day is done.I shall give these to my children,weaving a closer tie,knitting our lives togetherwith gifts that money can't buy.

Three Kings came riding from far away,Melchior and Gaspar and Baltasar;Three Wise Men out of the East were they,And they travelled by night and they slept by day,For their guide was a beautiful, wonderful star.

The star was so beautiful, large and clear,That all the other stars of the skyBecame a white mist in the atmosphere,And by this they knew that the coming was nearOf the Prince foretold in the prophecy.

Excerpt from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow ~ The Three Kings

"Christmas is a bitter day for mothers who are poor. The wistful eyes of children are daggers to endure.

Though shops are crammed with playthings enough for everyone, if a mother's purse is empty there might

as well be none.""My purse is full of money but I

cannot buy a toy, only a wreath of holly for the grave of my little boy."

Christmas prayerLoving Father,help us remember the birth of Jesus,that we may share in the song of the angels,the gladness of the shepherds,and worship of the wise men.

Close the door of hateand open the door of love all over the world.Let kindness come with every giftand good desires with every greeting.Deliver us from evil by the blessingwhich Christ brings,and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.

May the Christmas morningmake us happy to be thy children,and Christmas evening bring us to our bedswith grateful thoughts,forgiving and forgiven,for Jesus' sake.Amen.Robert Louis Stevenson

Wishing all my ss friends a very

Merry Xmas!Trinity

Christmas 2009