A Very Merry Christmas To All!

Love came down at Christmas; love all lovely, love divine;
love was born at Christmas, stars and angels gave the sign.

~~ Christina G. Rossetti, English Poet, 1830 – 1894

Christmas is the day that holds all time together.

~~ Alexander Smith, Scottish Poet and Essayist, 1830 - 1867

And from a child's perspective of what Christmas is really about, we have Linus Van Pelt, from "A Charlie Brown Christmas" (1965):

"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not: for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.'...That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown."

The Holy Family in the stable in Bethlehem by Friedrich Olivier. A single sheet from F. Olivier's picture Bible, circa 1834.

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas! May your Christmas be filled with much love, peace, happiness, blessings, and cheer! And may the magic of Christmas last with you throughout the year!

On this wondrous day, our hearts are filled with love for all mankind, and all the creatures of Earth. May love and peace reign over the Earth forever and ever.

~~ MOMENT OF BEAUTY ~~

Master Francke, Birth of Jesus, circa 1424 (Kunsthalle, Hamburg, Germany)

Lorenzo Monaco, Nativity, circa 1406-1410 (Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence, Italy)

Domenico Ghirlandaio, The Nativity, circa 1492 (Pinacoteca, Volterra, Italy)

Hugo van der Goes, The Portinani Altarpiece, circa 1475-1476 (Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence, Italy)

Back to me...

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!

~~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, American Poet and Educator, 1807 - 1882

Vintage Russian Christmas.

Vintage Christmas.

Me, living my dream.Vintage Russian Christmas.

I could be living the life of that Russian pup. Christmas dreams do come true! "I believe, I believe, I believe..." I'm just sayin'...