25 December 2011

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'...

26 comments:

Finn said...

Ah Linus, I love that scene! A very Merry Christmas to you!!

Jack & Moo said...

Wow, what a great Christmas post! We love all of it, and agree that it would be a blast to pull a sled down a snowy hill! mom especially loves your "moments of beauty", being an Art History buff & all. She says "Great choices!" and we're "just sayin'" MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A BLESSED & HAPPY NEW YEAR to woo & your family!

jack & moo

White Dog Blog said...

Dearest Ones as we ate our traditional breakfast of Christmas cookies and and Open House cheese/cracker leftovers (and coffee for momma, dad and Yo) we thought of you and imagined you and K sitting with us sharing the moment. It made us wiggy waggy warm inside. Merry Christmas!

Angels Amber and Max DaWeenie and Mom said...

So beautiful....

Hope you are relaxin' and enjoying Christmas Day to the fullest!

Alien said...

Merry Christmas!

Yours,

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

And in my dreams, I'm right there with woo!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra
PeeEssWoo: Happy HOWLidays! What a pawesome post - as always!

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

What a beautiful post! We hope you had a wonderful day - can't beat this weather:)

Sending you wishes for a Happy and Blessed Christmas from all of us!

Woos ~ Phantom, Thunder, Ciara, and Lightning and Mom

Dachshund Nola said...

Merry Christmas!
Dachshund Nola

Teddy Bear said...

Merry Christmas to you and your family, Suka. We would so be there with you in Russia.:)

Love,
Teddy Bear & Sierra

WFT Nobby said...

Beautiful post Suka. We especially love the cards. One can always dream...
Toodle pip!
Bertie.

Kirsten (peacefuldog) said...

Very sweet! Merry Christmas to you too!

The Daily Pip said...

Oh gosh, that speech by Linus gets me every time. Just love it! Thanks for sharing all these lovely Christmas words and images with us!

Wishing you a lovely holiday and very happy New Year!

Your pal, Pip

Peggy Frezon said...

Linus is one smart dude! Merry Christmas to you, and happy new year!

FiveSibesMom said...

Merry Christmas, Suka! Loved all the beautiful nativity scenes and the first poem was just wonderful! The cards were pretty - especially the last two! Hope you & yours had a wondrous day! Now, bring on the snow!

Teddy Westlife said...

Merry Christmas to you and your whole family, Suka!

Teesha and Bindie said...

Hope you had a wonderful day, loved all your card and can just see you in tha tlast one thpugh I expect you would take your humans on an adventure.

Donna said...

O hai! I hope u had a good Krismoose, and Happy Noo Ear, too. :)

Brandon - The dog with a blog said...

A furry Merry Christmas to you!

bichonpawz said...

Merry Christmas to you all!!! xoxo Chloe and LadyBug

Chicco said...

Merry Christmas and a very happy new 2012 dear friends!!!!!!!!
Woof, woof,

Chicco

GRAÇA said...

Couldn't help but come to wish you a year of 2012 with all who wish to, you are in my heart it is small but has always place for friends
Turriquinhas's friend
Kika

Anya said...

We want to wish you and yours
A HAPPY & HEALTHY New YEAR
enjoy New Years Eve with your family

Hugs from your Dutch friends :)


(cuddle for Suka ..meow,,meow,,)

Bailey Be Good! said...

I hope you're having a wonderful holiday and hope you have a very happy and safe New Years! :)

Woofs & hugs, <3

~Bailey (Yep, I'm a girl!)

Donna said...

Happy New Year!! :)

Duendes said...

Hello my friends,
I wish you a wonderful new year!!!
happiness...and blessings.
Duendes

Tanner and Beth said...

Beautiful cards!! Glad a popped by to see them.

Happy New Year!!

Doggy Kisses,
Tanner