Merry Christmas to You! - Inspired by Manatita the Lantern Carrier

I welcome you all for this special hub

It’s a way I know to fire you up

Celebrating the birth of Jesus our Lord

Who came to save us from our eternal fall.

Christmas is all about true love in action

Jesus is the reason for the season

So let’s pray and appreciate this heavenly touch

With friends and family whom we love so much.

Dear Heavely Father,

I thank You for being with us through out this year. Thank You for Your love and guidance.

Father as I come to You this day, I invite You to be with us as we celebrate Your Son Jesus’ birthday and enjoy Your presence, in singing, playing musical instruments, dancing, acting and sharing Your holy word to glorify You by encouraging eachother.

Father help us to accomplish our hearts’ desires according to Your plan and purpose. Increase our faith and fill our hearts with peace. I hope this article will be a blessing to the interested reader.

In Jesus’ precious name I pray, Amen!

I was a wee three years young girl when this occurred. Like every year, my mom made Christmas cake, wine and decorated the Christmas tree. My grandma's cats about 12-16 of them, however, were too naughty and playful that they were trying to capture the ornaments that were hung on the tree. The naughty cats were playful and kept on getting their paws stuck on the Christmas tree where we had to untangle before they would break the Christmas tree. Next to my father's library, we made a small Manger Crib and put all the statues of the Nativity Scene's important characters along with straws. That Christmas as a young kid, I was waiting for gifts from Santa Clause. That year felt different. Although I was quite young, I was determined to meet Santa in real. All of my cousins were at my Grandparents' house in Kaludawala, Panadura. My cousins were fast asleep, but I wasn't. I remember my granddad said that if I don't sleep, Santa would consider me as a Naughty girl and I wouldn't get a gift from him.

I stayed where I could see both the kitchen and the living room, front porch. We even had a Chimney and I was really looking forward to meeting Santa. However, I noticed that my mom and father were missing, so I went to the room where I saw my mom opening her wardrobe. She took a gift box and kept it near my bed. My father noticed me, he said that the Santa gave the gift from the window saying that I wasn't sleeping. Of course, I knew he was lying, so then my mom said that they bought it for me :)

Honestly, I was happy getting a gift that I really loved. It's, in fact, my most favorite gift so far and after 29 years, I still have them :) I got a Happy birthday Barbie Doll and a Gymnastic Barbie Doll. That was something I got from both mom and my father :) I was and is one happy girl whenever I remember that childhood memory :)

Since I knew that Santa doesn't exist, whenever I want to have a Christmas gift, I would ask my mom to be my Santa in order to receive a gift for Christmas. I love getting gifts :)

If I to be frank and honest, I think my temptations are high during christmas time. So much for trying to diet.

I'm of course mostly looking forward to eat my mom's christmas cake, christmas pudding, Roasted Turkey garnished with parsley and thyme with different sauces. I'm actually more interested in Roasted Chicken than Roasted Turkey. I also look forward for baked potatoes and my mom's special Faluda drink with Vanila Ice-cream on the top :)

My mom's Marshmallow pudding is simply out of this world!! When it melts inside your mouth, the taste hit the right spot, you simply enjoy heaven on earth :) I'm a bit of a greedy girl when it comes to my mom's marshmallow pudding :) Yumm :)

When I was small, my mom used to make different flavours of wine. But after my father went to be with the Lord, and also when she accepted Jesus Christ as her personal saviour and redeemer, she stopped making wine. She used to ferment wine for a year.

During the Christmas season, we attend for so many get togethers. Small family functions. What we do mostly is have sing-a-longs, since my mom's side is into music. My brother and sister along with my mom's side cousins are able to play musical instruments and sing. My mom, brother and sister would attend for christmas parties with their friends, office place party and carolling as well.

I of course not that much into shopping but my mom and sis are into buying for discounts and promotions. I usually buy things that I can make gifts on my own.

I believe that Christmas is a good time to improve quality time in relationships since many people who are away from the parents can visit them and make memories :)

God is a family God, so I believe Christmas is a time for the family to be together. Also you get holidays during the Christmas season.

The decorations that we have at home, some of them are much older than I am. Probably because they have sentimental value.

The Christmas Tree

Different people have different ideas about the Christmas Tree. The Christmas tree is not mentioned in the Bible. So why do we spend time to decorate it?

I've read that the Evergreen tree is perennial as it last long the entire winter throughout the whole year. Like Jesus Christ who is our life is eternal. Also the tree almost has a shape of a triangle which reminds us about the Tri-une God we worship daily.

Star

Star of bethlehem is the star that showed the way for the shepherds and the three Magi the wise men who came to see Baby Jesus.

Angels

Angels who shared the good News of Jesus birth.

Yule Log

I'm not certain about that. I remember eating a yule log cake once. Probably to burn and keep yourself warm, or even have a bonfire around with your loved ones. To sing and share food.

Mistletoe

Some think it represent Peace, love and understanding. I of course love the song "I saw mommy kissing Santa Clause" :) I too wish to have a cheek kiss from Santa under the Mistletoe.

Candy Cane

To remind the children of the lowly shepherds who visited baby Jesus Christ and to make sure that children enjoy during the time of worship without making noise.

Bells

With the sound to be found very easily.

Light bulbs or Candles

These are added to represent that Jesus Christ is the light of the World.

Santa Clause, also known as the Father of Christmas, Saint Nicholas, Saint Nick, Santa, is a famous figure who is said to bring gifts to the homes of well-behaved children on the night of Christmas Eve (24 December) or during the early morning hours of Christmas Day

Santa Claus is generally depicted as a chubby, jolly, white bearded man sometimes with spectacles wearing a red coat with white fur collar and cuffs, white-fur-cuffed red trousers, red hat with white fur, and black leather belt and boots and carrying a bag full of gifts for children.

In reality it was St. Nicholas who gave gifts to the poor during christmas . In my opinion, anyone can be Santa, if you have a generous heart.

I used to believe at one point in my life that Santa might be a Super hero since he manages to deliver gifts all around the world in one night. Super speed like Flash, since his coat doesn't get dirty by climbing down chimneys, super cleaned method or his coat is made out of a fabric which is charcoal resistant.

Reindeers & Elves in Santa's Workshop

They are popularised after a poet who had mentioned about reindeers, elves and Santa's workshop. I was thinking how cool is that if you could be that influential ?

In my opinion, I give the people around me the best gift I know all throughout the year. The best gift I know is the gift of me :) My energy and my time :) So, I kind of like receiving gifts :) Although I ordered some items from ebay last month, I felt like I was receiving gifts this whole month.

I usually make gifts, I hardly buy them as I'm not really sure whether the receiving end would like it or not.

The tri-une God came into the world in the form of man to make amends for the sins of humanity. Jesus Christ my best friend, He came to this earth as a Poor carpenter's adopted son.

Christ's Mass is Christmas. Messiah the Annointed One came to the world 2019 years ago. His birth was so special as He was conceived by the Holy Spirit from a Virgin young woman who didn't think of what will happen to her if found by others, but she accepted the call from God.

Some people say that Jesus Christ was born during the month of April due to the climate situation. Some says that the calendar was changed so the birth of Jesus ended up in December although the month is full of snow in many countries.

Anyway like mine and yours, His birthday comes once a year, we celebrate it as we celebrate His crucifixion on Good Friday and His resurrection on Easter Sunday. His resurrection is the centre of our belief as christians.

When we were small, we used to make a manger and small crib to remeber Him by along with small statues of the Nativity scene characters.