Christmas Day 2007

Philip has posted pictures on his blog, and will soon be posting a slide show with all the pictures. . . . . so I'll just leave you with the link to his blog and go with that. Click Here to see Philip's Blog with the pictures.

Damon enjoyed opening a table top Foosball game and a new archery set (including a large target). He also received several movies, including Eragon, Flushed Away, Shrek the Third, and Underdog. He really enjoyed getting his new drawing kit from the family. He got a 300 + piece sketching kit along with plenty of drawing paper and "how to draw . . . " books. He really enjoys just sitting on the couch listening to the radio and drawing away - so this will definitely keep him busy!

I received a shiatsu massaging cushion - RELAXING!! I also got another Music Box (I love them!!! I'm starting to collect them - Philip got me a Phantom Of the Opera Music Box last year) This year, it was a Wizard of Oz Music Box from "The Music Box Company." I'll have to find some sort of display case for these - they are BEAUTIFUL. I also got a toaster oven and a beautiful silver/diamond snowflake necklace from Damon! Much needed clothes were received from the family.

Philip got a Dallas Cowboys Pewter Star Beer Glass set from Damon, and clothes (that will actually fit him) from me. I also took the puppy dogs to get their pictures made - which many of you have seen. . . so I took those pictures and framed them for him. He now has a picture to have at home and at work.

We are heading to Hot Springs Village, Arkansas to visit my parents today (Dec. 26) and will return on New Year's Eve. We are looking forward to seeing my side of the family again and having a grand 'ol time there!

Merry Christmas everyone - and Happy New Year!

The Meaning of the Candy Cane

The story of the Candy Cane:

There was a candy maker who wanted to invent a candy that was a witness to Christ.

He decided to use a hard candy to symbolize that Christ is the rock of ages. This hard candy was shaped so that it would resemble a shepherd’s staff, since Christ is our shepherd and as sheep, we have gone astray. He used white to represent the purity of Christ.

Finally, a red stripe was added to represent the blood Christ shed for the sins of the world, and three thinner red stripes for the stripes He received on our behalf when the Roman soldiers whipped Him. Sometimes a green stripe is added as a reminder that Jesus is a gift from God.

The flavor of the cane is peppermint, which is similar to hyssop. Hyssop is in the mint family and was used in the Old Testament for purification and sacrifice. Jesus is the pure Lamb of God, come to be a sacrifice for the sins of the world.

So, every time you see a candy cane, remember the message of the candy maker: Jesus is the Christ!

CHRISTmas at the Heath Household

I love this time of year! Starting with Thanksgiving, I just love the get-togethers with family and friends, the special services at Church, and the feeling of the season.
I can't wait to put up the Christmas decorations following Thanksgiving, and I just really enjoy sitting in the living room with the lights turned out, basking in the joy of the season. MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone!

Christmas Carol Trivia

A friend sent this information to me, and I thought it very interesting - ENJOY!



The Origin of The Twelve Days of Christmas...

There is one Christmas Carol that has always baffled me. What in the
world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and especially the
partridge who won't come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas?

Today I found out, thanks to the Internet.

From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to
practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as
a catechism song for young Catholics.

It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning, plus a hidden meaning
known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a
code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.

The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.

Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.

Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.

The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, &
John.

The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of
the Old Testament.

The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.

Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy
Spirit: Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution,
Leadership, and Mercy.

The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.

Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: Love, Joy,
Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self
Control.

The ten lords a-leaping were the Ten Commandments.

The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.

The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in
the Apostles' Creed.

So there is your history for today. This knowledge was shared with me
and I found it interesting and enlightening and now I know how that
strange song became a Christmas Carol...

... so pass it on if you wish.