Bench Talk: Christmas Joys

A few years ago, a friend at work gave me a little book. It's title, "The Little Book of Christmas Joys". It's filled with 432 things to do for yourself and others that just might make this the best Christmas ever!

The authors are Brown, Brown and Peel and it's published by Rutledge Press.

Each Christmas it is lovingly set out on the coffee table for anyone to peruse during the holiday season. I love to read it while enjoying a cup of tea. It is filled with wonderful traditions shared by the friends and families who came together to write it. Let me share some with you and please feel free to add any of your own!

1. Be the first to wish everyone you meet a Merry Christmas.

4. Don't count calories from December 15th through January 2nd.

8. Be nice to sales personnel.They're often wearier than you are.

44. Before going to bed on Christmas Eve, read by candlelight about the birth of Jesus in Luke, chapter 2. Then join hands with your family and sing, "Silent Night."

60. Never write the word Christmas as Xmas.

109. Remember that the more a toy costs, the more likely kids will want to play with the box it came in.


123. Listen to the Barking Dogs "sing" "Jingle Bells." Once.

169. Stock your freezer with meals for the holidays by doubling or tripling recipes for spaghetti sauce, casseroles,and other foods that freeze well.

240. If you're feeling harried, go to a church, sit in the sanctuary, and reflect on the real meaning of Christmas. You'll leave feeling more peaceful.

319. This Christmas, give yourself the gift of living in peace with those things you cannot change.

334. Give a pint of blood; it's the gift of life.

413. Remember that peace on earth starts with peace in our homes and in our hearts.

419. If your family doesn't celebrate many Christmas traditions, let this be the year you create some.


429. Don't forget to put out Santa's milk and cookies


430. Don't forget to hang the mistletoe.

431. Don't forget the batteries.


432. Don't forget whose birthday we're celebrating.

Merry Christmas!

(Carolin) I am not sure just how to top this. I too own this little book and it always brings a smile to my face when I read it.

Just recently I learned the true meaning of the word JOY. I always associated the word with happy, I am joyful was just another way of saying I am happy. But the word Joy does not mean happy. To be happy we rely on something external to make us feel good. Being with our children or laughing with friends can make us happy. Joy is much bigger then happy, Joy comes from God. To have joy we must have a relationship with our saviour. That is why there are people who have had rough times in their lives but they seem to still walk with a smile on their face. Joy does not depend on external things happening to you, true joy is totally from GOD. So now go back and read your Christmas Cards and when the card says have a JOYful holiday season. What it is really saying is have a GOD filled holiday season.

I wish you a JOYFUL Christmas and New Year!

(Sunshine) Life is too short to live with constant regrets and anger in our hearts. I have witnessed many people in my life who unfortunately really understand what the true meaning of suffering is. It is difficult to continue on when your heart is so heavy. Letting God help you through that suffering and knowing that there is so much more out there in the after life is what allows these individuals to go on. Going on when your heart is so scarred and you are left here is so very difficult but through the lord anything is possible. Make today the day that you decide to be all that you can be here on earth, to live a life of joy even though there is so much sadness. We must recognize the gifts that we are given and be thankful for God's love.



HAVE A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS FILLED WITH GODS LOVE!