BRIGHT SIDE ARCHIVES FROM AOL: FOR SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10TH, 2006

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

DECEMBER 10TH, 2006

TODAY'S THOUGHT

Life is what we make it. Always has been. Always will be.

Grandma Moses

TODAY’S ACTION

If you have a difference of opinion with someone, disagree but don't be disagreeable.

TODAY’S QUOTE

Every year at just this time, In cold and darkDecember, families around the world all gather to remember, with presents and with parties, with feasting and with fun, customs and traditions for people old and young.

Helen H. Moore

HAPPY SUNDAY!

Today is the Second Sunday of Advent

It’s not too late to start an Advent observance. Create or buy an Advent wreath, Advent calendar or Jesse tree today. Let your creation remind you daily that we are waiting for Christ to come.

I’m off to church this morning and then will continue with Christmas preparations. I hope you all are doing well with yours. I’m finishing up my painting today and will start to put together the Cookbook . These are the gifts to my children and grandchildren.

Going out to buy something seems much easier, but hopefully they’ll appreciate the love that has gone into all of it.

Have a great day all ! Another wonderful one on the Way!

Please pray for God's protection of our troops and HIS wisdom for their commanders.

Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as theyprotect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. I ask this in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

TODAY IS…GET A POINSETTIA DAY

The Poinsettia is a favorite Christmas decoration, so let's remember, Joel Roberts Poinsette - the man who introduced us to the Central American plant.

TODAY’S TRIVIA

Today is National Sister-Friend Day

Nobel Prize Day . Each year on the anniversary of the death of Alfred Nobel, the prizes bearing his name are awarded “to those persons who shall have contributed most materially to the benefit of mankind during the year immediately preceding.” Alfred Bernhard Nobel died on this day in 1896 and the first of the Nobel Prizes was presented in 1901 according to instructions in his will.

1607: Captain John Smith left Jamestown, Virginia, on a trip where he would meet Pocahontas

1817 - Mississippi, the state with the same name as the mighty river that borders it, and the 20th state, entered the USA this day. Although the Indian word, Mississippi, translates to ‘father of waters’, Mississippi’s nickname is the Magnolia State. Not so coincidentally, the state flower is the magnolia. The mockingbirds sitting on the branches of the magnolia trees are the state birds.

1964 - Rev. Martin Luther King became a recipient of the Nobel Prize for Peace. He was the youngest person to have earned the award.

1966 - The Beach Boys made a one-week stop at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 as Good Vibrations made it to #1. It was the third #1 hit the group scored. The others were I Get Around and Help Me, Rhonda.

TODAY’S CHRISTMAS SMILE

Santa’s Secret Wish On Christmas Eve, a young boy with light in his eyes looked deep into Santa's, to Santa's surprise, And said as he nestled on Santa's broad knee, "I want your secret. Tell it to me." He leaned up and whispered in Santa's good ear, "How do you do it, year after year?

"I want to know how, as you travel about, giving gifts here and there, you never run out. How is it, dear Santa, that in your pack of toys you have plenty for all of the world's boys and girls? Stays so full, never empties, as you make your way from rooftop, to homes large and small, from nation to nation, reaching them all?"

And Santa smiled kindly and said to the boy, "Don't ask me hard questions. Don't you want a toy?" But the child shook his head and Santa could see that he needed to answer. "Now listen to me", he told the small boy with the light in his eyes, "My secret will make you sadder, and wise "

The truth is that my sack is magic. Inside it holds millions of toys for my Christmas Eve ride. But although I do visit each girl and each boy I don't always leave them a gaily wrapped toy.

Some homes are hungry, some home are sad. Some homes are desperate, some homes are bad. Some home are broken, and children there grieve. Those homes I visit, but what should I leave?"

"My sleigh is filled with the happiest stuff, but for homes where despair lives,toys aren't enough." So I tiptoe in, kiss each girl and boy, and pray with them that they'll be given the joy of the spirit of Christmas, the spirit that lives in the heart of the dear child who gets not, but gives. "

If only God hears me and answers my prayer, when I visit next year, what I will find there are homes filled with peace, and with giving, and love and boys and girls gifted with light from above.

It's a very hard task, my smart little brother, to give toys to some, and to give prayers to others. But the prayers are the best gifts, the best gifts indeed. For God has a way of meeting each need.

"That's part of the answer. The rest, my dear youth is that my sack is magic. And that is the truth. In my sack I carry on Christmas Eve day more love than a Santa could e'er give away. The sack never empties of love, or of joys 'cause inside it are prayers, and hopes. Not just toys.

The more that I give, the fuller it seems. Because giving is my way of fulfilling dreams. "And do you know something? You've got a sack, too. It's as magic as mine, and it's inside of you. It never gets empty. It's full from the start. It's the center of light, and of love. It's your heart. And if on this Christmas you want to help me, Don't be so concerned with the gifts beneath your tree. Open that sack called your heart, and share your joy, your friendship, your wealth, your care."

The light in the small boy's eyes was glowing. "Thanks for the secret. I've got to be going." "Wait, little boy," said Santa, "don't go. Will you share? Will you help? Will you use what you know?"

And just for a moment the small boy stood still, touched his heart with the small hand and whispered, "I will".

Author Unknown

TODAY’S WORD

nonpareil

\nahn-puh-RELL\ adjective :

having no equal

Matilda is known as an all-around excellent cook, but her blueberry pie, in particular, is nonpareil

And as you may know, "nonpareil" is also the name of a chocolate candy covered with white sugar pellets.

TODAY’S LINK

Merry Christmas !

http://www.jacquielawson.com/viewcard.asp?code=DP13642011

TODAY’S REFLECTION

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.

Matthew 2:10

The glitter of bright decorations, the sound of joyous Christmas carols, the happy children, and the cheerful "Merry Christmas" greetings sometimes give the impression that everybody is glad that Jesus came to our planet.

But that isn't true today, and it never was. Most people were unaware of the significance of what had happened. Still today, multitudes honor Jesus and rejoice in their salvation. But many others hate Him. They grumble about the singing of Christmas carols in shopping malls and the display of nativity scenes in public places. They may join in singing Christmas carols, but they never ask themselves who Jesus is or why He came.

Christmas demands a decision about Christ. The choice is yours.

From an article in Our Daily Bread

http://www.rbc.org

TODAY’S ADVICE FROM THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC

The month that comes in good will go out bad.

11 DAYS UNTIL WINTER !

Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your Heart

Psalm 37:4

I Love You All !!!

Be Blessed !!!

MY HOMEPAGE

I believe we should live ‘ON THE BRIGHT SIDE’