12 Days of Christmas (Minnesota Style)

VocalEssence - 2009 Target Commercial "12 Days of Christmas (Minnesota Style)" The VocalEssence Ensemble Singers, conducted by Philip Brunelle, sing a "very Minnesota" 12 Days of Christmas for Target. First, a behind-the-scenes peek at the rehearsal, and then the final commercial as recorded for Target. On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:  Twelve trucks-a-towing Eleven plastic santas Ten thousand lakes Nine warming houses Eight skaters skating Seven snoopy statues Six Loons a-laying Five hours of sun! Four Fargo jokes Three salt bags Two ya you betchas And a giant cherry on a huge spoooon! Thanks For Visiting

Paul Harvey A Christmas Parable

The late Paul Harvey retold this story for decades on his Christmas radio broadcast. Note: Paul Harvey reads his Christmas presentation, “The Man and the Birds,” in the audio / video recording provided below. A written text of this piece is also provided below. *** *** A Man and the Birds The man I’m going to tell you about was not a scrooge, he was a kind decent, mostly good man. Generous to his family and upright in his dealings with other men. But he just didn’t believe in all of that incarnation stuff that the churches proclaim at Christmas time. It just didn’t make sense and he was too honest to pretend otherwise. He just couldn’t swallow the Jesus story, about God coming to Earth as a man. He told his wife I’m truly sorry to distress you, but I’m not going with you to church this Christmas Eve. He said he would feel like a hypocrite and that he would much rather just stay at home, but that he would wait up for them. So he stayed and they went to the midnight service. Shortly after the family drove away in the car, snow began to fall. He went to the window to watch the flurries getting heavier and heavier and then he went back to his fireside chair and began to read his newspaper. Minutes later he was startled by a thudding sound. Then another ... and then another. At first he thought someone must be throwing snowballs against the living room window. But when he went to the front door to investigate he found a flock of birds huddled outside miserably in the snow. They’d been caught in the storm and in a desperate search for shelter they had tried to fly through his large landscape window. That is what had been making the sound. Well, he couldn’t let the poor creatures just lie there and freeze, so he remembered the barn where his children stabled their pony. That would provide a warm shelter. All he would have to do is to direct the birds into the shelter. Quickly, he put on a coat and galoshes and he tramped through the deepening snow to the barn. He opened the doors wide and turned on a light so the birds would know the way in. But the birds did not come in. So, he figured that food would entice them. He hurried back to the house and fetched some bread crumbs. He sprinkled them on the snow, making a trail of bread crumbs to the yellow-lighted wide open doorway of the stable. But to his dismay, the birds ignored the bread crumbs. The birds continued to flap around helplessly in the snow. He tried catching them but could not. He tried shooing them into the barn by walking around and waving his arms. Instead, they scattered in every direction ... every direction except into the warm lighted barn. And that’s when he realized they were afraid of him. To them, he reasoned, I am a strange and terrifying creature. If only I could think of some way to let them know that they can trust me. That I am not trying to hurt them, but to help them. But how? Any move he made tended to frighten them and confuse them. They just would not follow. They would not be led or shooed because they feared him. He thought to himself, if only I could be a bird and mingle with them and speak their language. Then I could tell them not to be afraid. Then I could show them the way to the safe warm ... to the safe warm barn. But I would have to be one of them so they could see ... and hear ... and understand. At that moment the church bells began to ring. The sound reached his ears above the sounds of the wind. He stood there listening to the bells, Adeste Fidelis, listening to the bells pealing the glad tidings of Christmas. And he sank to his knees in the snow ... *** Merry Christmas A sincere thank you to the late Chicago based radio broadcaster Paul Harvey who retold this story for decades on his Christmas radio broadcast. Listening to this story became a wonderful Christmas tradition for many. Editor’s Note: The origin and author of The Man and the Birds Christmas Story is unknown. According to Paul Harvey, who retold this parable every Christmas for decades, “the story was originally published by United Press International by Louis Cassels, a longtime friend of mine and colleague. He and I tried for many years to trace the author of these words. We never could and it occurs to me that maybe some things are supposed to be written without credit to any particular individual ...” More from Paul Harvey... Read the new adaptation of "The Man and the Birds" called The Professor and the Birds from ChristmasStory.org Paul Harvey - "It's A Wonderful Life"... The Rest Of The Story - The retelling of an edition of The Rest of The Story which tells of how the Christmas movie "It's A Wonderful Life" became so popular. PaulHarveyArchives.com - Search for other recordings from Paul Harvey such as : - Christmas Card (first, controversial) - Christmas Carols (singing a sin in England 1647) - Christmas Eve Escape (POW camp tunnel 1944) - Christmas Illegal (England and Colonies 1652) - Christmas Tree (German custom brought to England) - Christmas Tree Lights (75 years old) - Christmas Truce (WW1 1914) video Text adapted from: ChristianHeritageFellowship.com and the AmericanHetoric #paulharveystories #paulharveyradioshow #therestofthestory #paulharveytherestofthestory Thanks For Visiting

The Mice Before Christmas (Story & ebook)

A Mouse House Tale of the Night Before Christmas Words by Anne L. Watson - Pictures by Wendy Edelson View book on FlipHTML5 ’Twas the day before ’Twas the day before Christmas, and all through their house, The mice were preparing. There wasn’t a mouse who didn’t join in for the holiday flurry. From top floor to bottom, they’d bustle and scurry. Their party was planned for that evening at eight, With so much to finish before it got late! So, they scrambled and scampered — no task was neglected — To deck out the halls for the guests they expected. While Mama and Papa were trimming the tree, The parlor was locked, and they’d taken the key. The children crept close to the keyhole to stare, But saw only curtains, and maybe a chair. Then Uncle festooned the front door with bright trims, With garlands of holly and evergreen limbs, And garnished the branches, from doorstep to header, With morsels of chocolate and pieces of cheddar. The twins, in the front yard, were building twin snow mice, While Aunt, in the kitchen, made gingerbread dough mice. She opened the oven to check on the cooking, And Billy snitched cookies while Aunt wasn’t looking. Upstairs in their bedroom, the littlest mice Began wrapping gifts, doing everything twice. They cut paper crooked, got tape in their fur, And switched all the labels for him and for her. Then with sisters and brothers, they thronged through the hall To hang up their stockings. It took a whole wall! Excitement kept building — while patience did not — Till the clock in the hallway reached eight on the dot. As the chimes started sounding, the door was thrown wide, And the guests in their finery crowded inside. Good wishes and greetings turned into a din Of merriments traded again and again. “Merry Christmas to you!” “And to all in your nest!” “I hope that the New Year will bring you the best!” They chatted and drank steaming cider from mugs That often got spilled in affectionate hugs. While Grandpa played tunes on an upright piano, Matilda joined in with her squeaky soprano. The mice gathered round, singing carols in parts. Their voices rose high as they sang from their hearts. At last it was time for the gifts! So they flocked To the room with the tree, the big doors now unlocked. The tree was so lovely, they gasped with delight. It sparkled and shimmered, its candles so bright! Its garlands of beads hung from silvery ties, And the star shone on top like a star from the skies. Beneath it were packages, gifts by the dozens, For all the relations, for fourth and fifth cousins, And presents for neighbors, and one for each friend, For schoolfellows, tradespeople — gifts without end. The mice unwrapped presents and savored the pleasure Of each special thoughtfulness, each little treasure. The gifts for the children were small, but they knew, While they slept, Santa Mouse would be bringing some, too! And after the singing and gifts came the feast. Food enough for a week of such parties, at least! There was course after course, and huge platters of cheese. No dish was left out that could possibly please! A flaming plum pudding came last, then the toasts To the friends and relations, the guests and the hosts. When all of the tributes and thanks had been said, The sleepy small children were bundled to bed. Then they pushed back the tables and cleared off the floor As a seven-piece orchestra came through the door. The conductor stood tall, his baton gave the cues, And they danced like they all meant to wear out their shoes. They were dancing in lines, they were dancing in pairs. They waltzed down the hallways, they polkaed up stairs. They spilled out the doorway in time with the tune And danced with the snow mice beneath the full moon. And as they were dancing, what sight caught their eyes? A colorful, fast-moving blur in the skies! Then clearly they saw it: a brilliant red sleigh. And lo and behold, it was headed their way! The hamsters that drew it were golden and white, While their harness was crimson. A marvelous sight! The sleigh streaked down wildly and landed quite hard With all of the hamsters, right there in their yard. Then their eyes all grew wide as the driver stepped down With a look quite perplexed and a puzzling frown. “It’s Santa Mouse!” “Santa Mouse!” all of them cried. And they ran to the sleigh to escort him inside. But Santa Mouse stood by his hamsters and said, “I’m sorry to say that there’s trouble ahead. A problem I’ve never run into before! I won’t fit your chimney, or even your door! You’ve so many children, and all were so good, I’m afraid this big bag won’t squeeze through as it should.” Then Mama replied to him, “Don’t be afraid! We’ll bring in the gifts like a bucket brigade!” So, they set up a line and passed one to another, From neighbor to friend, and from father to mother. When all was inside, Santa came in the house, And he filled up a stocking for each little mouse. Then all the big toys, he set under the tree While he joked and he laughed. It was jolly to see! Then Grandma, with cookies and milk for his thirst, Said, “Don’t you dare go till you’ve eaten this first!” He gratefully munched and declared through a bite, “Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!” When Santa Mouse left, all the guests went home, too. They were nearly worn out, there’d been so much to do! Then the rest of the family fell into beds, Too tired for sugarplums dancing through heads. ’Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house, Not a creature was stirring — — not even a mouse. Transcipt from OceanofPDF.com Also from Skyhook Press ... The Secret of Gingerbread Village - PDF - Words and Pictures by Anne L. Watson Katie Mouse and the Christmas Door - PDF - Words and Pictures by Anne L. Watson Katie Mouse and the Perfect Wedding - PDF - Words and Pictures by Anne L. Watson if Wishes were Fishes - PDF - Words and Pictures by Anne L. Watson On Christmas Eve - PDF - Words and Pictures by Anne L. Watson About The Author Anne L. Watson is the author/illustrator of the Katie Mouse and Coco Mouse books, as well as the author of numerous craft books and novels for adults. Her illustrations are imaginative collages assembled and manipulated in Photoshop. The Mice Before Christmas: A Mouse House Tale of the Night Before Christmas (With a Visit from Santa Mouse) PDF and Images courtesy of Amazon Also see the companion: The Mice Before Christmas Coloring Book: A Grayscale Adult Coloring Book and Children's Storybook Featuring a Mouse House Tale of the Night Before Christmas Paperback – September 15, 2022 by Skyhook Coloring Storybooks , Anne L Watson (Author), Wendy Edelson (Illustrator) Thanks For Visiting

List: Holiday Picture Books

August 9 is Book Lovers Day.  So pick up a book and spend some time reading. #Books@learnandteach #Environment@learnandteach #Holidays@learnandteach #Months@learnandteach #Crafts@learnandteach #Animals@learnandteach #Poetry@learnandteach #Seasons@learnandteach #Fairies@learnandteach #Bears@learnandteach #School@learnandteach #Horses@learnandteach #Bedtime@learnandteach #Readers@learnandteach #Friends@learnandteach #Diary@learnandteach #Family@learnandteach #Dragons@learnandteach #Daddy@learnandteach #Love@learnandteach 📌 Series of Books for Teenagers by Eva Vizhanskaya Thanks For Visiting

Christmas Phobias

Many people dread the Christmas season for many reasons. Although the season is stressful, most people don't have actual phobias connected with the holidays. But Christmas is stressful. And it seems to aggravate a lot of phobias. Ochlophobia or Agoraphobia - Fear of Crowds It also includes fear of lines, traffic jams and even social events. Many people suffer from just the fear of not pleasing others during this season and end up overwhelm themselves with too much responsibility. Katagelophobia - Fear of ridicule or embarrassment This might include not giving the right gift, being around family and their comments, Christmas party pranks, etc. Mythophobia - Fear of making a false statement Slipping and telling a secret you shouldn't, or what someone got someone, etc. Social Phobias  - Eating, Speaking, Dancing, etc. in public - Pogonophobia - Fear of Beards Sounds crazy but some people fear Santa's beard. And suddenly men with beards are abundant during Christmas. Pediophobia - Fear of Children It seems odd, but some people fear kids. Pediophobia - Fear of Dolls More toys are on display and these people find it stressful. A normal grocery store suddenly might have dolls to sell where they normally did not. Dronophobia - Fear of Driving on Expressways With traffic a mess during the holidays, those who hate freeways usually avoid them. More traffic means greater chances your off-streets are not available due to accidents or being jammed up. Cherophobia - Fear of Fun Believe it or not, some people fear smiling and having a holly jolly good time. Clinophobia - Fear of Going to Bed For some it's being afraid of the dark. For others it's a fear of missing out on what's going on. For others they are afraid they'll never wake up if they go to bed. Decidophobia - Fear of Unable to Make Decisions Christmas time is full of decisions and for those that have a hard time with them, or are afraid of making the wrong ones, this is a bit of an overload for them. Phonophobia - Fear of Loud Talking or Noises Some people actually panic over holiday music pumped over the speakers at malls, stores, etc. And, others simply can not tolerate loudness in any way. Xenophobia - Fear of Strangers This of course would not apply to going to malls, church etc. because these people simply would not go there. But Christmas is a time when you never know WHO might pop in? For those who fear strangers, this can suddenly be devestation. Haphenphobia - Fear of Being touched or having to touch others A surprise kiss under a mistletoe or a holiday good cheer hug for these people is like a sudden slap and totally throws them off-balance. Hodophobia - Fear of Traveling This is a bit different than agoraphobia because these people are not afraid to leave home, they just have a fear of HOW they leave the house. With some, as long as they walk it's fine. But public transportation, flying, etc. is a major problem. For others, "traveling" is all based on how far they determine in their minds a travel is. For some travel isn't travel if it's in the same town. For others it's only if they leave the state. And yet for others travel is simply NOT being in your home. Ecclestaphobia - Fear of Churches Doraphobia - Fear of Fur For the most part people usually have what is termed the Holiday Blues, more than phobias.  Also see: These Phobias from ChristmasCountdownUK Thanks For Visiting